If you’re among the millions of people planning to finally take a vacation this summer after more than two years of postponing and cancelling your plans, you might want to secure your rental car now.
More than 90% of the Americans surveyed by market-research firm Destination Analysts said they planned to take at least one leisure trip this year. That comes as rental car companies are still trying to restock their inventories after selling off much of their fleets early in the pandemic when no one was traveling.
That’s going to mean shortages for travelers—and the people who are in the habit of hopping into line after their plane lands could find themselves without a ride.
Several locations in popular destinations were sold out on President’s Day weekend, the Wall Street Journal reports. And advance reservations are already piling up in areas such as Florida.
Don’t expect to find a lot of bargains, either. Spring break prices are expected to be 50% higher than they were at the same time in 2019. And vehicles like SUVs and Minivans are in especially high demand.
The good news, though, is that’s slightly less than a year ago, when prices were 75% higher than the 2019 figures.
Experts suggest travelers consider checking off-airport sites and utilizing discounts from services like AAA, AARP, and Costco if they’re hoping to save money on their rentals. The most important step, though, is to reserve the car far in advance of the trip.
Never miss a story: Follow your favorite topics and authors to get a personalized email with the journalism that matters most to you.