Have you tried booking a rental car lately? You may have found that not only are prices significantly higher than you have seen previously, some rental agencies may be completely sold out.
Why? Because in order to survive the pandemic, many of the traditional car rental companies sold some of their fleet to stay in business. And while they are likely working on buying back some of those numbers, they are going to play it safe and wait until demand warrants it, which is likely seasonal and slow to match the recovery or the travel industry.
So if you’re in a bind and still need a rental car, there are a few alternatives you can investigate.
What is it:
The world’s largest peer-to-peer car sharing platform. Think Airbnb for vehicles instead of homes. You can shop by location, date and time, make and model, electric, pet-friendly, luxury, etc. They have Teslas and Maseratis as well as minivans and trucks listed. Each vehicle has its own profile with images, what kind of fuel it takes, how many doors and all sorts of other details including the location and how to pick it up or get it delivered.
Regions:
It’s am American company but they are in cities across America, Canada and United Kingdom.
Cost:
Most cars are about $30 - $40 per day but I’ve seen them as cheap as $20. They also have insane vehicles for $250+ per day. Some insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance is included, but additional insurance can be added but you should check your personal auto insurance to know if it would cover you in this situation.
Preparation:
Just like Airbnb, you have to have an account, and the more reviews you have on your profile, the more appealing a renter. Sign up using your driver’s license, pick a car, chat with the owner, pick it up or get it delivered, then off you go.
What is it:
Just like Turo, it’s an American peer-to-peer car sharing platform. It’s a little smaller, but works if you can’t find anything on Turo. Getaround is nice because you can rent by the hour if necessary, but they have much fewer options and almost no luxury upgrades. However, one awesome perk of Getaround is that you can unlock the vehicle with the Getaround app instead of having to meet the owner.
Regions:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin
Cost:
Most cars are $50 - $60 per day. Some low key insurance is included but you can add on additional coverage if necessary.
Preparation:
Same as Turo: sign up with your driver’s license, pick your car and head out.
What is it:
ZipCar,owned by Avis Budget Group, is a car rental service that has hubs all over your city. They may have three cars in your apartment parking garage, three cars in your work parking garage, three cars in your local grocery store parking lot. So instead of going to the airport or a larger community hub, you can usually find a ZipCar within a couple blocks of your urban location. Most of these cars are your standard rentals though, nothing luxurious or interesting.
Regions:
Most major metros in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Iceland, Taiwan, Turkey, and United Kingdom
Cost:
$78+ per day, but there are insurance add-ons as well.
Preparation:
Similar to Turo and Getaround, sign up with your driver’s license, choose a location/car and take off. You can also use the ZipCar app to unlock the vehicle so no need to meet anyone at a desk or office.
I have used all three and often find that if I can’t score a deal with a traditional rental agency, I might as well upgrade to something fun or super close to my home for pick up. I hope this helps!