In our How far ahead should I book my car rental blog last year we mentioned the oncoming storm in the car rental industry. Well, the storm is here and is, unfortunately, only going to get worse.
Why are car rental prices so high and availability so scarce?
After a 2-year pandemic of not being able to go abroad, many of us have had the itch to travel once again. However, car rental providers sold off a lot of their fleets during the pandemic to stay afloat and are unable to purchase new cars due to the semiconductor microchip shortage. This means demand is guaranteed to outstrip supply.
A statement from the Zest Car Rental Managing Director
The manufacturing shortages coupled with an expected increase in travel means demand will inevitably outstrip supply. We strongly recommend our customers to book early and secure their car rental.
– Rory Sexton (November 2021)
More information on the shortage is provided in our previous blog.
When should I book my car rental?
Our strongest advice is to book your car rental as soon as you can, even if your holiday isn’t until later this year. Booking now will secure your rental for the current price and our free cancellation policy means you can get money back with ease if you change your mind. Due to high demand, prices will only continue to rise as car rental fleets become booked up for the year. The depleted car rental fleets will likely be an ongoing issue for most of 2022.
Why book with Zest?
Worried about your holiday plans changing? With our free cancellation policy, you can cancel your car up to 48 hours before the rental starts and receive a full refund. For an additional small fee, you can get enhanced protection and receive a full refund right up to the rental start time!
Furthermore, we offer a book now pay later option for those who want to secure their rental early but don’t quite have the funds together to complete the transaction. You’re in safe hands when you book with Zest Car rental. If you need any more advice or need to find the best car rental quote for you, contact our customer support and they will be able to assist you. Search for a rental car quote below.
