Research conducted by consumer group Which? indicates that the cost of renting a car during summer holidays has considerably risen since the pandemic. Holidaymakers heading to popular destinations are reportedly paying 77% more compared to prices in 2019.
Which? attributed the surge in prices to high demand and limited availability, cautioning that customers frequently encounter hidden charges. A trade body acknowledged that car hire companies are experiencing the same inflationary pressures as other sectors of the economy.
While prices remain higher compared to a few years ago, they have slightly decreased compared to last year. According to Which?, their analysis of data on 8,000 week-long car rentals from broker Zest in the month of August revealed these trends.
The analysis conducted by Which? encompassed various destinations, such as Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, the United States, and also included car hire prices within the UK.
Since 2019, the UK, Cyprus, and Italy have experienced a minimum doubling of prices for car hire. However, when considering the overall trend, prices were slightly lower compared to the previous year.
The United States emerged as the most expensive destination for car hire, with an average weekly price of £546. This marked a substantial increase of 92% since 2019.
In a separate survey conducted by Which?, 47% of their members expressed concerns about being taken advantage of by car rental companies.
Rory Boland, the editor of Which? Travel magazine, advised individuals to steer clear of car rental companies offering the cheapest initial prices, as they frequently impose unexpected charges later on. He emphasized the importance of being cautious to avoid such hidden fees.
Rory Boland further advised travelers to exclusively engage with reputable brokers or car hire companies to guarantee the highest quality service in exchange for their money.
For drivers, valuable tips included making advance online bookings, carefully reviewing the costs associated with extras like child car seats, and exploring external insurance options.
According to Toby Poston, representative of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, the current car rental landscape is vastly different from what was witnessed in 2019.
In his statement, Toby Poston highlighted that car rental companies are confronting similar challenges of inflation and increased costs as other industries.
He also emphasized that car rental companies face additional obstacles, including supply challenges in obtaining cars and parts, as well as the ongoing investment required to introduce more environmentally friendly vehicles on the roads.
The decrease in prices year-on-year demonstrates the rental sector’s dedication to minimizing costs and providing affordable options to customers.
Source : bbc.com