HOUSTON – If you’re renting a car this holiday season, brace yourself for higher rates. Some analysts say they’ve gone up by as much as 36 percent.
David Averre arranges travel for a couple hundred lawyers at Baker Botts. He began noticing the jump in rates a few months ago and was surprised, given the economy.
"You know, you would think it’d go down," Averre said. "It’s outrageous, some of the rates that are out there."
A spokesman at Enterprise told us rental car companies had to reduce their fleets when the economy slammed on the brakes. He said rate hikes are the result of less supply but more demand.
Here are some tips that will help you save money when renting:
Never rent at the airport. Those prices are usually higher.
You probably don’t need extra insurance coverage. Your regular insurance or credit card should have you covered.
There are often discounts for AAA, AARP or Costco members.
Book your car online at sites like Hotwire.com, Priceline.com and Expedia.com.
