Car Rental Prices?!?
May 19th, 2021 at 3:50:59 PM
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OK what the heck is going on?
My wife and I are attempting to take a trip to Las Vegas this July around our 30th wedding anniversary.
This is dependent on restrictions at the Canada/US border loosening. There’s some hope as there is talk around the border opening particularly for folks that have vaccinations. My wife and I got our first dose 3 weeks ago and await the second dose.
I’ve already made reservations with Westjet using my credits from the cancelled flights from March 2020. I’ve also booked the Wynn on one of the deals they sent me.
The last item would be a car rental. Except that I’ve kept tabs on prices over the last few months and rentals ran $70/day over the last several months. I'm used to $15 to as high as $40/day. They’ve spiked now to $120/day or more even for an economy car. What is going on? Is there something I’m missing? Was car rental supply cut down due to the pandemic? Is demand high now that everyone is enjoying more freedom?
--helpmespock
My wife and I are attempting to take a trip to Las Vegas this July around our 30th wedding anniversary.
This is dependent on restrictions at the Canada/US border loosening. There’s some hope as there is talk around the border opening particularly for folks that have vaccinations. My wife and I got our first dose 3 weeks ago and await the second dose.
I’ve already made reservations with Westjet using my credits from the cancelled flights from March 2020. I’ve also booked the Wynn on one of the deals they sent me.
The last item would be a car rental. Except that I’ve kept tabs on prices over the last few months and rentals ran $70/day over the last several months. I'm used to $15 to as high as $40/day. They’ve spiked now to $120/day or more even for an economy car. What is going on? Is there something I’m missing? Was car rental supply cut down due to the pandemic? Is demand high now that everyone is enjoying more freedom?
--helpmespock
May 19th, 2021 at 4:05:00 PM
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The rental car business went under a year ago and I suppose they sold most of their cars. So there's little supply and increasing demand.
May 19th, 2021 at 4:08:36 PM
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Car rental companies sold off major portions of their fleets in the pandemic to stay afloat (exactly what they should have been doing tbh).
Now that demand has resumed the companies are struggling to buy fleet cars due to the global microchip shortage which is putting cars at a shortage
Now that demand has resumed the companies are struggling to buy fleet cars due to the global microchip shortage which is putting cars at a shortage
May 19th, 2021 at 4:09:46 PM
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Rates usually get cheaper just before the time you need them.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
May 19th, 2021 at 5:47:06 PM
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How critical is renting a car to your trip? Can you use Uber/Taxi (or walk, etc...)? If you are staying in the same vicinity (not planning on driving around Nevada to travel) this is quite possibly the cheaper option. Of course if you are planning to sightsee or travel to other States this changes things dramatically.
May 19th, 2021 at 6:07:31 PM
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What dates are you looking for? There might be a convention or something going that week. Do you have any alternate dates that work?
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
May 19th, 2021 at 7:05:41 PM
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I can see businesses had to do what they needed to to survive. Car rental companies included. I guess we can add them to the ever-growing list of things hit by the pandemic: airlines, hotels, restaurants, shows/theatres of all kinds, etc. etc.
I would have liked to hit our regular places mainly because we'd missed out on our March trip in 2020 and 2021. Spots like Marche Bacchus, Red Rock, Boot Barn, and all the other shops, restaurants, and casinos we'd normally frequent.
We'd like to keep the dates -- July 18-22 -- given it's our anniversary on the 20th.
I was talking with my wife and we're happy to do a strip-only trip this time so a car wouldn't be critical. We're happy to walk the strip. We can just taxi over from airport to hotel and back.
--helpmespock
I would have liked to hit our regular places mainly because we'd missed out on our March trip in 2020 and 2021. Spots like Marche Bacchus, Red Rock, Boot Barn, and all the other shops, restaurants, and casinos we'd normally frequent.
We'd like to keep the dates -- July 18-22 -- given it's our anniversary on the 20th.
I was talking with my wife and we're happy to do a strip-only trip this time so a car wouldn't be critical. We're happy to walk the strip. We can just taxi over from airport to hotel and back.
--helpmespock
May 19th, 2021 at 7:29:08 PM
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America could be in lockdown in two months due to COVID despite antivaxxers, errr, anti-maskers.
May 20th, 2021 at 6:06:20 AM
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Quote: ChumpChangeAmerica could be in lockdown in two months due to COVID despite antivaxxers, errr, anti-maskers.
I hope not. There does seem to be a seasonality to COVID like the flu. Lots of infections in the Winter, but low in the Summer. I'm hoping that holds this Summer too.
I still need the Canadian and US governments to lift restrictions and I'm hopeful there, but the border isn't fully open yet.
--helpmespock
May 20th, 2021 at 7:08:34 AM
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This has also been my experience pre-pandemic, but not right now. I'm picking up a rental tomorrow. I booked in back in February -- $232 for 4 days (which I thought was high at the time). I have been checking rates regularly since, and they have steadily gone up to today's rate of $1,487 for the same rental!Quote: billryanRates usually get cheaper just before the time you need them.
I wouldn't count on rental car prices dropping until the car supply issue DrMario outlined above is resolved. I don't think it will by July, but who knows?
"Dealer has 'rock'... Pay 'paper!'"
May 20th, 2021 at 7:36:04 AM
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Quote: JoemanThis has also been my experience pre-pandemic, but not right now. I'm picking up a rental tomorrow. I booked in back in February -- $232 for 4 days (which I thought was high at the time). I have been checking rates regularly since, and they have steadily gone up to today's rate of $1,487 for the same rental!
I wouldn't count on rental car prices dropping until the car supply issue DrMario outlined above is resolved. I don't think it will by July, but who knows?
I'd take your $58/day at this point, but I doubt that is going to happen. I'll keep checking back, but a strip-only trip is fine by us.
--helpmespock
May 20th, 2021 at 8:29:59 AM
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I've seen the same huge jump in rental car prices.
We like having one to get to Red Rock Canyon, etc. Fortunately I was able to book one using my company's pre-negotiated rates.
We like having one to get to Red Rock Canyon, etc. Fortunately I was able to book one using my company's pre-negotiated rates.
There's emptiness behind their eyes
There's dust in all their hearts
They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
May 20th, 2021 at 8:32:12 AM
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There is a shady and very risky way to try getting out of this, you could buy a car from Carvana and return it before 7 days and 400 miles. Really not much savings though because of the risk and needing rides for which you'll pay a lot. It's actually a very foolish idea.
I am a robot.
May 20th, 2021 at 8:36:36 AM
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Yep, I think you can get ALMOST wherever you want to go on Uber/Lyft for less than $ 58 per day. East/West busses on the Strip are $ 2, or $ 5 for a 24 hour pass.
There's emptiness behind their eyes
There's dust in all their hearts
They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
May 20th, 2021 at 9:09:04 AM
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We rented a small SUV in February for a trip in April 2021. The rate quoted was $270 from 5 days. I was expecting it to get much lower before our travel date. But, instead it doubled and tripled. When we arrived, the car rental place was a mad house. Even with our Budget Rapid Rez we had to wait 90 minutes to get our vehicle. Next time I vote for taxi, uber.
May 20th, 2021 at 9:30:55 AM
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I have heard of people renting those $19.95/day U-Haul pickups in lieu of traditional car rentals.
But you have to pay for mileage. I'd imagine you still come out ahead of today's rental prices.
I have also heard of car dealerships renting their cars at reasonable rates, but I have never personally inquired about this.
But you have to pay for mileage. I'd imagine you still come out ahead of today's rental prices.
I have also heard of car dealerships renting their cars at reasonable rates, but I have never personally inquired about this.
"Dealer has 'rock'... Pay 'paper!'"
May 20th, 2021 at 9:49:57 AM
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I rented a lot of cars pre-pandemic to go to the casino. In the spring of 2020 and into of the summer car rental companies lost their biggest customers, traveling business people. To compensate their rates tripled and quadrupled overnight. Then came the new car crisis that we are in now where there is a huge demand and no supply mostly because of a computer chip shortage because of the pandemic. If you want a new car be prepared to wait three or four months after you order it.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
May 20th, 2021 at 10:14:48 AM
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I rent U-Haul Trucks or Vans or Pick-up trucks whenever I need to move something that is too large for my mid-size SUV. I figure it is waaaaay cheaper than buying a truck for the few times I would need one.Quote: Joeman
At least on the larger trucks, my insurance agent tells me that I wouldn't be covered, so there is another $ 14 per day.
When I rent, they always ask me if I will be returning the truck in 4 or 6 hours or whatever. I just tell them I'll have it back tomorrow by the same time, it is a 24 hour rental afterall.
I also used to rent cars a lot for weekend trips when the price was dirt cheap and you could pick-up some bonus frequent flier miles as well.
There's emptiness behind their eyes
There's dust in all their hearts
They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
May 20th, 2021 at 10:17:27 AM
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While I have always rented a car before when visiting Sin City, it has gotten to the point that it might make more sense not to rent and to rely instead on public and private transportation, especially when one considers parking fees at casinos.
"What, me worry?"
May 20th, 2021 at 3:15:34 PM
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The large corporate rental companies are being absurd with the pricing. If you want fair rates and you are a safe driver, download the Turo app and you can easily get a car for under $100 per day. The only downside is you run the risk of being liable for damage.
You can purchase the additional insurance that covers all damage or you can take lots of photos and videos, upload them to the app before driving the car and drive extra safe to avoid damage to the vehicle.
I've rented numerous times from Turo and have NEVER had an issue. Of course you will find horror stories online, but just use the car safely and you'll be fine! There are even promo codes for new users and holiday weekend rentals.
You can purchase the additional insurance that covers all damage or you can take lots of photos and videos, upload them to the app before driving the car and drive extra safe to avoid damage to the vehicle.
I've rented numerous times from Turo and have NEVER had an issue. Of course you will find horror stories online, but just use the car safely and you'll be fine! There are even promo codes for new users and holiday weekend rentals.
May 20th, 2021 at 5:12:43 PM
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Quote: EvenBobThen came the new car crisis that we are in now where there is a huge demand and no supply mostly because of a computer chip shortage because of the pandemic. If you want a new car be prepared to wait three or four months after you order it.
This has a trickle-down effect on the mom-and-pop family-owned car lots. They get a lot of their cars from the car dealerships when people trade in a vehicle that the dealership doesn't want. It sells it to a car lot and if the car lot can't sell it it goes to the auction. This computer chip shortage means no trade ins and causes half-empty mom and pop car lots. They told me it was going to get even worse this summer.
The bottom feeders in all this are the guys who go to the auctions buying the rejects and pretending to be car lot dealers on Craigslist. Ran into a bunch of them. The reason they have to pretend is, in Michigan there are rules and regulations even for a small-time car lots. There are none if you sell a vehicle that you own on Craigslist.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
June 21st, 2021 at 5:57:52 PM
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Hey Folks,
I've been checking prices regularly and they have dropped from $120/day to a merely outrageous $70/day. Ugh!
--helpmespock
I've been checking prices regularly and they have dropped from $120/day to a merely outrageous $70/day. Ugh!
--helpmespock
June 22nd, 2021 at 7:45:38 AM
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Quote: helpmespockHey Folks,
I've been checking prices regularly and they have dropped from $120/day to a merely outrageous $70/day. Ugh!
--helpmespock
The prices are crazy everywhere. I have been doing a lot of travelling and haven't found a car for less that $70 a day anywhere that I have been. I found a weekly rate of $350 for a compact in South Carolina that was cheaper than the four day rate.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
