Why so expensive for next year?

[NewtoOrlando]

I've been browsing flights for next summer (not going...no way haha) and flights are reasonably price, but car hire is extortionate! £1600 for a tahoe or similar for 18 days.

Is this just because of covid, or a supply and demand thing?

[DFCH-Andy]

Theres a peak season surcharge in place for rentals that commence between 1st July to 15th August... The full size SUV has also jumped in price compared to the other vehicles so even more expensive unfortunately.

[NewtoOrlando]

Thanks Andy. I was looking at 18th August onwards, looked at flights to LAX aswell and they’re the same, £1500 upwards! Never paid anything like it, I know we’re in exceptional times but it seems excessive!

[99plums]

Deals do come up.
I’ve booked a Suburban for 14 nights from the 1st - 15th August for £640.
It’s with Thrifty but I can tolerate a trip to the desk for that saving.

[DFCH-Andy]

Originally Posted by NewtoOrlando

Thanks Andy. I was looking at 18th August onwards, looked at flights to LAX aswell and they’re the same, £1500 upwards! Never paid anything like it, I know we’re in exceptional times but it seems excessive!

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Drop me a message with your dates and I'll check my offline system and see if there's any deals around.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Andy is spot on ref 'surge pricing dates' but what I will say is not only are deals out there but prices are falling across the board.

However it's a case of getting the car booked and as usual checking every 2 days or so.

I am changing my bookings all the time. I have 4 rentals but without fail I am saving at least £40 per week across them all and quite often more.

[YorkshireT]

Car hire companies have suffered more than most, I know. Very badly hit businesses. When things get back to normal which I now think they’ll be by summer, they will want to cash in and rebuild their balance sheets as much as possible on what could be big demand.

[nth09]

Originally Posted by YorkshireT

Car hire companies have suffered more than most, I know. Very badly hit businesses. When things get back to normal which I now think they’ll be by summer, they will want to cash in and rebuild their balance sheets as much as possible on what could be big demand.

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I think you are absolutely right on this - it's companies trying to recover the losses from 2020. Lets be honest 90% of people book flights and accommodation before even looking at car hire prices. They are effectively then trapped into paying the least they can even if its much higher than they'd like. If all companies hold prices high then the consumer in this case has a problem. Hopefully though economics and companies try to undercut each other to get the business leading to price drops.

[welshmum]

Looking for October next year for 3 weeks and that also seems expensive at the moment. Wish I had taken the deal with BA when I booked the flydrive.

[Brennanhough]

Booked my car hire today and thought the same.

Was expecting 300 ish and they were coming up at £550 for two weeks for a compact and at that price it was going to be Uber’s for us.

However, went through and I have absolutely no idea why, but a 50% off option came up meaning we got the car for £270 for two weeks in August. Don’t know what I did or how I did it but we’ve had the confirmation email showing the £270 cost so presume we are good to go.

Like I said, no promo codes or anything. It literally asked me to tick a box which I did and it took 50% off. Went back after and it had changed from 50% to 10% so don’t know if a glitch but I’ll have it 👍🏻