The craziness of car rental pricing

[Jenny3]

So I've been checking our car rental prices daily, rebooking and cancelling each time it time it got lower, even if it was just a dollar or two.

Yesterday, I rebooked at $81.76

Today, same parameters and it's listed at $319.50!

I know the prices fluctuate, but does anyone know why so much from one day to the next? Wondering if I locked in at their ultimate lowest, then it jumped up to their highest and goes down from there...?

I'm thrilled I booked, but just curious on the whole process!

 

[katallo]

I don't think there is any reason for what they do. We have seen rates fluctuate lower all season, however Alamo (who we always use) has remained 350.00 a week (compact) for 11/10. So, no Alamo this trip

 

[travelcoupons]

It's crazy, I'm booked for a week at Christmas for Disneyland, started out that $313 was best rate when i booked it in early Sept.
I kept checking codes at rentalcodes.com and mousesavers.com and eventually found a rate of $261. Now this week it came down to $144. It definately pays to keep checking back & rebooking.

 

[gmeh1]

So I've been checking our car rental prices daily, rebooking and cancelling each time it time it got lower, even if it was just a dollar or two.

Yesterday, I rebooked at $81.76

Today, same parameters and it's listed at $319.50!

I know the prices fluctuate, but does anyone know why so much from one day to the next? Wondering if I locked in at their ultimate lowest, then it jumped up to their highest and goes down from there...?

I'm thrilled I booked, but just curious on the whole process!

It is called supply and demand. Depends on the season, the amount of rentals booked and a few other things. High demand=high prices, low demand= low prices. Your rate will go up and down depending on the above(when you check). The rate you locked in will be your rate. Clear your cache before you do anymore searches for prices.

 

[webworm]

I don't think there is any reason for what they do. We have seen rates fluctuate lower all season, however Alamo (who we always use) has remained 350.00 a week (compact) for 11/10. So, no Alamo this trip

Budget is looking good through Costco at $119 for a compact inc taxes from Nov 10 - 17th.