Will renting a car ad hoc in NYC be much more expensive than booking it beforehand?
I will be in NYC and upstate from late June to early July. I'm planning to rent a car for the second half of the stay, but it could turn out I need one earlier.
Should I absolutely book a car now to make sure I will get one at a reasonable price, or can I wait until there and rent one on the same day without a huge change in price?
In smaller places in Europe I would be nervous about short-term availability. Is this an issue in NYC?
Best Answer
Rental car prices and availability will vary dramatically based on demand. If demand is high for a specific period, then as you get closer to that time the prices will go up (sometimes significantly!), and individual locations may sell out. If demand is low, prices may drop as you get closer to the date.
Generally the best option for someone in your situation is to make a booking that allows you to cancel without a fee, and then keep an eye on prices as you get nearer to the time. If the prices drop, you can cancel your existing booking and make a new one. If it turns out you don't need the car, you can cancel the booking without a fee.
Given you are not from the US, if you end up making a booking whilst you are physically in the US you should make sure that your residency is correctly selected on the site you're booking from. If you don't do this, then the required insurances will not be included in your booking, and you will need to pay them at pickup which will increase the price significantly.
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Is it cheaper to reserve a rental car in advance?
NerdWallet found that customers pay on average $75 more to book a weeklong rental car three months in advance compared with booking the same rental just a week in advance. That translates to an extra cost of around 15%, simply for booking early.Do car rental prices go up closer to the date?
\u201cAt non-peak times when there is good availability, prices can get cheaper the closer you get to the start date of the rental. However, if you leave it too late you can miss out,\u201d he says.Is it better to rent a car before?
The best time to book a car is six to twelve months in advance if you're traveling with a big group during peak season, but it's ok to book closer to the rental date if you're traveling in the off season.Should I book a rental car now or wait?
When's the best time to book your rental car? Booking three to six months before you travel is usually ideal. Prices tend to be most competitive during this period. There isn't much benefit to booking further ahead.6 CAR RENTAL SECRETS HERTZ, BUDGET \u0026 ENTERPRISE Don't Want You to Know! (2020 UPDATED)
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