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The Best Car Rental Hack
News report after news report has covered the shortage of rental cars. In some ways, it puzzles me. The picture above is of an actual lot in Crystal Lake Illinois where Hertz has cars for sale, not for rent. I regularly drive by this lot, it is always full, packed in fact.
How is keeping these lots full while there aren’t enough cars for rent good business?
After one too many frustrating experiences with chain car rental companies, I tried an alternative. (not a paid endorsement)
Turo
Turo is like Air B&B for cars. It lives on a simple app. People with cars post their cars. People that need cars reserve cars. I have been using them for three years and have had excellent experiences every time.
It looks like some people are turning this into a full-time gig. One person I rented from had a dozen cars available. I love entrepreneurs!
I have rented Fords, Chevys, Toyotas, and BMWs. In some areas exoctics area vailable.
Every time, the car has been sitting in short-term parking at the airport ready to go. They have all been as advertised. A few quick tasks on the app and off. go. No lines, and often no direct interaction with the owners. The app handles the money.
Drop off has been just as simple. Park in the designated area, check out on the app, and go. No lines, done.
Recently I rented a Ford Edge for 9 days in Fort Myers Florida for a little over $600 all in. An online quote for a similar car from Avis for the same length of time was over $800.
Once again, legacy companies that think they have it all figured out are being disrupted.
Thanks for reading!
Tim
