Car rental costs skyrocketed?

[rh71]

2 years ago I rented a car in Chicago for $200 for 4 days. Now the lowest price is $330 for 3 days - more than double per day. Wow, are they just trying to make up for profits lost to covid?

The flight cost hike isn't so terrible... 2 years ago it was $145 and I just booked for $175.

 

[deadlyapp]

More it's supply and demand. Many rental car agencies sold off inventory and now that travel is coming back, there are not enough cars for people who want them.

 

[sdifox]

Didn't rental companies shed a lot of car stock when pandemic hit?

 

[Stiff Clamp]

supposably they unloaded a bit of their former fleet - downsized for decreased demand - and now don't have enough vehicles to go around. that's just what I heard.

I'd expect to pay < $40/day around here, normally. Curious now to see current prices.

 

[spacejamz]

chip shortage for cars has prevent the rental car companies from buying new vehicles as well...

used car prices are completely insane right now because of this...

 

[Sukhoi]

When I returned my rental car last week I overheard someone returning a car with 75,555 miles on it. 😳

 

[Exterous]

Yeah it's a bit of a crazy space right now with Uhauls and sprinter/cargo vans sometimes costing half the daily rate of a econocar. Costco was my go to for great prices for almost a decade and now it's way over priced.

chip shortage for cars has prevent the rental car companies from buying new vehicles as well...

used car prices are completely insane right now because of this...

Somehow I got a brand new rental car in Seattle. 7 miles on it! But yeah it's pretty hard for them to get more cars right now

 

[pete6032]

Where in Chicago are you going? If you're staying in the City it may be cheaper to just take transit and use a ride share service.