Last-minute magic: How to get a great late car rental deal

Rental companies often have great last-minute deals, but we have a few tricks up our sleeve to help maximize your chances:
• Being flexible with your pickup time and vehicle type
• Choosing an off-airport location
• Saving on extras you don’t need

How to get the best deal on a rental car

Whether it’s unexpected changes to your travel plans or a sudden impulse to go on a road trip, last-minute bookings can quickly become expensive. Or maybe you put off renting a car until the last minute in the hopes of snagging a good deal. While this often works out, it’s not always the case, especially if you have your heart set on a specific vehicle or you’re traveling at a busy time. Here are seven tips and tricks you can try to get the cheapest car rental right before hitting the road.

1. Book online

The first thing you should do when looking for cost-effective options is to check online. A quick search will help you find and compare prices from different rental companies, along with any last-minute deals they may have. Since a lot of people tend to book cars in advance, car rental companies often offer exclusive deals and discounts when you book online at the last minute.

2. Be flexible with car type

Last-minute car rental options are likely to be limited, and the rental company may only have discounts on vehicles with low demand. Being flexible about the make and model of the car, as well as whether you rent a manual or an automatic, will significantly increase your chances of getting a good deal. For example, if compact cars see the highest demand and are fully booked, you may get a better deal on a less popular vehicle – like an SUV. If you’re lucky, you might even get an upgrade if the rental company doesn’t have the car you requested.

3. Adjust your pickup time

Rental companies usually rent cars out for 24-hour periods, which means people pick up and drop off their cars at around the same time. Since most rentals are typically completed in the morning, you have a higher chance of getting a good deal if you go later in the day. In the afternoon or evening, when it’s slower, rental companies will only be left with select cars for the day and you’ll be in a better position to get the car of your choice at a good price.

4. Pick an off-airport location

The rental counters at airports are some of the busiest and most expensive because of added fees and taxes. While airport locations are convenient for a last-minute rental, you’re better off renting from a different location in the city. If you have the time, you can compare the prices at a couple of locations. Be sure to check the opening hours of more remote branches, which may be different from airport counters that see the most traffic.

5. Check for other discounts

Aside from deals a rental company may offer you at the last minute, there are still a few other ways to get a discount on a car rental. Loyalty programs, like Booking.com’s Genius, can help you shave a percentage off your total price or get you some free extras.

6. Avoid extras you don’t need

Car rental companies make money with add-ons, some of which you might not need. While they may be useful and offer some peace of mind while renting a car, being smart about unnecessary extras can help you save quite a bit at the last minute. When you’re in a hurry, it’s easy to overlook the fine print and pay more for things you don’t need.

To avoid this, carefully go through your rental agreement and opt out of extras like additional or young driver fees, navigation or child safety equipment, and insurance. If your existing auto insurance already covers rental cars, the optional coverage automatically added by the rental company is an unnecessary cost you can save on. At this time, also make sure to understand your agreement’s fuel policy, toll charges, admin fees and damage deposits to optimize costs and avoid unexpected charges when you return the car.

7. Book now; modify or cancel later

Waiting for prices to drop can often land you in situations where you end up having to shell out more on last-minute prices. One of the best ways to sidestep this is to book as soon as you get a decent price, even if your plans aren’t set in stone. Once you have a booking in place, you can monitor the prices – if they fall, you can cancel and make a fresh booking at the lower price, and if they increase, you’ll have a failsafe to rely on. One thing to remember when trying this tip is to understand the cancellation policies and timelines. As long as there’s free cancellation up to a certain time period, you won’t have to pay additional cancellation fees.

Renting a car with Booking.com

Car hire on Booking.com is seamless, simple, and smooth. Be it a quick add-on after you book a stay or the first step in setting off on a road trip, the process is as convenient as it is cost-effective. Even if you’re booking in the nick of time, you can save 10–15% with Genius discounts or get a great last-minute deal. What’s more, you might even luck out with perks like additional driver or young driver fees included in the price.