(NerdWallet) – When it comes to saving cash on rental vehicles, there’s no scarcity of recommendation. Some recommend skipping mainstream firms and utilizing a car rental different, like a peer-to-peer car-sharing service. Others promote bundle offers by on-line journey companies like Expedia. And then there’s this recommendation: Rent by a rental car firm’s downtown location, reasonably than at the airport.
So how a lot do you actually save by reserving an off-airport car rental? Are airport rental vehicles costlier? Turns out, it’s about 26% costlier to rent a car at the airport versus at its downtown counterpart.
That’s in accordance to a NerdWallet evaluation carried out in March of 360 rental car costs (together with taxes and charges) throughout America’s 20 largest airports. The research in contrast the worth of a weeklong rental at eight main car rental firms towards the value to rent at their close by downtown counterparts.
How a lot cash you really save with an off-airport car rental
NerdWallet discovered that weekly car leases for downtown areas had been, on common, $126 cheaper than airport areas. That is, you’ll be able to count on to spend about 26% extra for an airport rental in contrast to a downtown rental.
For leases longer than one week, count on much more financial savings.
Why are airport car leases a lot costlier?
The worth distinction won’t simply be the car rental firms attempting to reap the benefits of weary air vacationers. Generally, the car rental firms aren’t even the ones pocketing most of the 26% extra.
Most airports cost rental car firms to function on their website. Fees differ by airport, however they’re typically supposed to cowl prices that the airport fronts, resembling shuttle, cleansing and safety companies. Sometimes, airports merely say this charge covers the proper to do enterprise.
For instance, San Francisco International Airport prices rental car operators 10% of gross receipt income from airport prospects. SFO additionally prices a $16 transportation and facility charge per signed rental car contract.
Besides airport-imposed charges, some states levy tourism charges on vehicles rented from lodge and airport areas (which doesn’t essentially apply to vehicles rented at stand-alone areas).
Most rental car firms go these prices on to renters.
Benefits of reserving a rental car off-site (past financial savings)
Savings on the sticker worth aren’t the solely motive to guide a rental car off-site.
You may save time
Just as a result of a rental car is listed as “on-site” at the airport doesn’t at all times imply you’ll be able to stroll straight out of your gate to the rental car counter. Some airports have a shuttle experience to the rental car facility. Once there, you could be greeted by a lengthy line at the rental car counter, particularly if a number of huge flights simply landed. If shuttle frequency is restricted, it could be sooner hailing a cab and renting downtown.
You’ll pay just for the days you want a car
Depending on the nature of your journey, you may want to rent a car for under a few days. Say you’re headed to Colorado, the place you propose to spend a couple of days downtown in Denver earlier than driving out to the Rocky Mountains.
If you’re flying into Denver International Airport, you could possibly pay $10.50 to take the Denver airport rail to Denver Union Station. Say you had been staying at The Westin Denver Downtown, which is simply a 10-minute stroll from Union Station. It prices $35 per day for parking (and $46 for valet).
By choosing up your rental car downtown the morning that you simply drive off to the Rockies, you could possibly not solely keep away from paying for pointless rental car days in what’s in any other case a pretty public-transit-friendly and walkable metropolis — however you could possibly keep away from parking prices, too.
You can maximize rideshare reductions on days you don’t want a full rental car
If you go a part of your journey sans car — or you find yourself taking a rideshare to an off-site rental car location — listed below are methods it can save you on rideshares (or at least earn some rewards).
Lyft has partnerships with Delta Air Lines and Hilton, the place you’ll be able to earn both Delta SkyMiles or Hilton Honors factors based mostly in your fare’s value. Pay to your Lyft with sure Chase bank cards and earn up to 10x bonus factors or as a lot as 5% money again.
Meanwhile, sure American Express playing cards provide a month-to-month Uber Cash profit, which can be utilized towards Uber rides or U.S. Uber Eats orders. Terms apply.
When to skip the downtown rental
Despite the financial savings, reserving vehicles off-site won’t at all times make sense. Being ready to choose up your car instantly upon touchdown could be extra handy — and comfort may simply be price the further value. Here are a few different causes to skip the downtown rental:
- Some downtown areas have restricted hours. While airport areas are sometimes open 24/7, it’s not unusual to see the downtown location closed on Sundays, or with fewer working hours (resembling a closing time of 4 p.m.).
- You nonetheless want to discover a manner downtown. If there’s no free lodge shuttle or straightforward public transit downtown, then you may additionally have to pay for a taxi or rideshare, which may eat into your financial savings. NerdWallet’s research additionally analyzed common Uber and Lyft fares between airports and downtown. The common Uber fare was $28.21 every manner, whereas the common Lyft fare was $22.86.
- Downtown areas aren’t at all times cheaper. While they’re usually cheaper than their airport counterparts, the pattern isn’t at all times true. If your journey is versatile, evaluate costs earlier than reserving.
How to discover a low-cost airport rental car
If you’re going to guide a rental car from the airport, there are a few methods:
- Look to the most cost-effective rental car firms. Another NerdWallet evaluation of costs by rental car firms discovered that Enterprise, Budget and Hertz spherical out the prime three most cost-effective rental car firms, on common.
- Try reserving at the final minute. While a bit extra of a gamble, procrastinating can generally prevent cash. NerdWallet discovered that rental car costs have a tendency to be cheaper when booked one week in advance of the reservation date versus three months in advance.
- Look to rental car loyalty applications. Most main car rental firms have accompanying loyalty applications that may earn you free leases and upgrades. For instance, whereas National is amongst the costliest rental car firms, its National Car Rental Emerald Club is amongst the greatest, with advantages like a free car rental day for each 5 certified car leases made by members with Emerald Club Executive Elite Status. They additionally obtain advantages like complimentary personal airport supply.
JT Genter and Sam Kemmis contributed to this report.