Weekend Car Hire Deals: Booking Tips to Save Money

Getting ready for a short break away? You can add flexibility and comfort to your trip by booking a rental car whether you’re leaving the city or traveling to a brand-new place. Getting the best value greatly depends on when you travel.

The rate you pay for a car rental may be very different depending on how many people are renting, where you rent and your reservation date. In this blog, we’ll go over the ideal booking time for a weekend car hire to make sure you save money.

Book Early to Save Big on Car Hire Deals

For the lowest fares, the best advice is to book your trip in advance. If you want the best deals, rent early, because companies often have better prices for people who book ahead. The best thing to do is book your car at least 1 to 2 weeks prior to your rental. That way, you can choose from more models and take advantage of good rates earlier than everyone else. Just before the weekend and during popular times such as vacations, sellers may increase their fares rapidly.

Midweek is Prime Time to Book Car Hire Deals

You could be surprised to find that it’s much better to reserve in the middle of the week. There are lower prices on Tuesdays and Wednesdays because fewer travelers are booking these days. Avoid reserving the Saturday before your trip because travel companies often charge the highest prices at the end.

Pick-Up and Drop-Off Times of Car Hire Matter

There is another reason why your rental date will influence the price which is your pick-up and return times. Many rental companies bill clients every 24 hours. You may be billed for three days, instead of two, if you get your vehicle at 10 a.m. on Friday and return it at 12 p.m. on Sunday. Matching your pick-up with your return time can save you money and keep the rental cheaper.

Compare Prices of Car Hire Across Platforms

Don’t accept the first price without looking around. Try Kayak, Expedia or Skyscanner to see what prices different rental companies are offering. It’s also wise to look at the rental company’s official website. Sometimes, only the airline website will offer exclusive deals not shown on any other platform.

Look for Weekend-Specific Promotions of Car Hire

You can often get weekend specials from car hire companies such as paying the same rate all weekend or having a third driver at no cost. Their purpose is to lure people on holiday and you could end up saving a lot of money. Availability is usually limited, so you should book these promotions as soon as you can which also means you’ll find them from Friday to Monday.

Avoid Airport Pickups When Possible

Picking up your car hire at the airport is might be easy but it usually means you’re paying more. Usually, when you rent from an airport, there are extra fees and taxes. Whenever you can, select a place to rent in the center of the city or a suburb to reduce costs.

Final Thoughts

Finding a great weekend car rental deal depends on being organized and booking at the right time. Reserve your car at least a week ahead, shop for vehicle deals during the middle of the week and adapt your trip’s start and ending locations and dates. With these tips, you don’t have to break the bank on travel for your weekend trip.