Ways to Book a Car Rental and Save Money Amid Shortages

Camilo Jaime • July 15, 2021

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The US can rental services are phasing out nowadays because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, even with the car rental Hawaii apocalypse, the demand is rapidly growing. This is because many tourists still visit the country despite the pandemic. As such, it can be daunting to find a cheap car rental Hawaii or a discount Hawaii car rental.
If you haven’t checked the prices of a monthly car rental Hawaii lately, well, brace yourself. You would probably be in a serious shock. In extreme situations, a car rental Hawaii prices can rise to $700.
Fortunately, for visitors visiting the country this year, there are many ways to book a car rental amid the shortages. The following are the best alternatives:

Reserve a Car Rental Before You Book Your Flight

Reserving a car in your travel destination is, of course, a lot cheaper than the average cost to ship car to Hawaii. But do you know what the best way to get the most affordable car rental fee is? Well, it’s to book the car before your flight date! Hence, don’t book a car for rent once you book your flight. Have other car companies or websites for car rental booking.
Most often, car rental Honolulu Hawaii prices tend to rise as soon as you get closer to your flight date. This is because companies feel the urgency of the lessee to book a car. As such, it is best to reserve a car before your flight schedule. 
Furthermore, car rental is usually more expensive than your plane ticket. This is because of the strong demand for car rental Hawaii. To avoid this situation, consider booking your flight based on the availability of the car you wanted to rent.

Rent Someone’s Car at Turo

Turo is the most popular car-sharing app with more than 450,000 listings. This can be your best alternative when looking for an affordable car rental Hawaii. This app works like Airbnb; hence, even if you haven’t landed in Hawaii or wherever state you want to visit, you can book a car in advance.

To sign up at Turo, you should be at least 18 years of age. Once signed up, you can now rent a car which can last up to a few hours, weeks, or months. The monthly car rental Hawaii prices vary based on the car model, owner, and location. You can also request add-ons such as insurance, full tank upon use, or have the owner drive the car to your hotel.
Moreover, while the app states the rents start at $25 a day, some owners offer a discount Hawaii car rental. Discounts are mostly offered for long-term rentals. To make the most out of this hack, try booking a car for an extended period, then return it to the owner ahead of the returning schedule.

Rent an RV at Outdoorsy

 Outdoorsy is also an app like Turo but only for RVs. RVs are the best car to drive in Hawaii for backpackers and campers. The app is also considered the cheapest for monthly car rental in Hawaii. To book a can rental Hawaii through Outdoorsy, it is required that you must be at least 25 years old.

The RVs on this app are also personally owned. Its prices range between $50 and $275 per night. These rates can change depending on your location, amenities, and season. However, according to Outdoorsy’s website, most owners like Turo offer a discount Hawaii car rental for long-term users. 
So if you want to have a travel date, outdoor picnic in some Hawaii islands, or want to go camping, RVs from Outdoorsy have your back.

Book a truck through U-Haul

U-haul trucks are usually used for moving. So this can be a good alternative if you are traveling with a group, family, or huge camping equipment. Renting a pick-up truck at U-haul is cheaper than car rental Hawaii or the cost to ship a car to Hawaii . As such, if you don’t mind exploring Hawaii with the U-haul logo, this can be your cheapest car rental alternative.

This car rental hack is common to campers and backpackers. Therefore, it is not embarrassing to ride in U-Haul trucks. Most teenagers rent a U-haul because of their lower age qualification than other car rental Honolulu Hawaii companies.
If you are interested, just sign up at U-haul’s website. Make sure, though, that you are at least 18 years of age. The truck rates at U-haul are as low as $20 a day. This service is available to more than 20,000 locations across the United States and Canada.

Look for Car Rentals in Home Repair Stores

 Car rentals in Home Repair Stores can be your cost-effective remedy if your vacation won’t last long. This alternative is cheaper than shipping car to Hawaii . Home repair stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s offer affordable truck rentals. 
If you are traveling with family, car rentals at Home Depot are way cheaper. They allow car rentals for drivers at least 18 years of age with insurance. You can rent their cars at a tool rental center or the store’s service desk.
Moreover, it is best to confirm your booking before your arrival. Home Depot's car rental services are mostly fully booked. They offer a first-come, first-serve basis. Their car rental rates are as low as $89 per day. 
If you are going to have a vacation for a month or so, this might not be your best alternative. The cost of a home depot’s monthly rental fee is much more expensive than the average cost to ship a car to Hawaii. Therefore, it is best to have  Hawaii car shipping to ship your car if you’re going to have a long vacation with the family.

Book a Car for a Long Period and Return it Early

Most car rental Hawaii companies offer discounts for long period booking. They also offer a less expensive per day rental fee. It is way cheaper than renting a car for a day or so. To make sure that you’ll save money, calculate your per-day expenses and your long period booking fee.
Interestingly, some companies will prorate your rental fee if you return the car early. Hence, besides getting a cheap rental fee, they can return the excess of your rental payment. However, some companies may also charge you by changing your reservation. Read the fine print before you choose this alternative.

Rent a Car From Lyft

Lyft is a ridesharing app. It is like an Uber app, but rather than helping you find a driver. It will help you find a car for rent. It is available to more than 28 destinations in the United States, such as Hawaii and other major cities like Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, Boston, and New York City.

However, this is a relatively new app, and some tourist destinations are not covered. But since they are new, they are much cheaper than car rental Hawaii services. This is the app’s way to attract more customers. They also offer freebies such as ski racks, child seats, and other discounts.
So if you fail to book a car at the airport or upon booking your flight, feel free to book a car at Lyft. Booking a car on the day of your arrival is way more expensive. It is also quite hard to book one on the same day you want to use it because of car rental shortages.

Bonus: Ship Your Car

If you think your vacation will last long, it is probably cheaper to ship your car to your destination. Shipping your car to Hawaii can be your best alternative if you're going to stay in Hawaii for months. 
Moreover, if you worry about the cost, many  car shipping Hawaii companies offer the best rates. Some car shipping services offer rates for as slow as $1,500 to $3,000. While a long drive is good inevitable expenses during the trip, make it costly. These expenses could be gas, lodging, and food. Hence, shipping your car may be a great idea.
Further, if you came from a nearby state, having your car shipped to Hawaii can also avoid the risks of car transportation. You can prevent back strains and road accidents. This will minimize the risk from long hours of sitting and will ensure the safety of your family. Most of all, a car shipping service will deliver your car to your exact destination.

The Bottom Line

The car rental prices nowadays are one of the biggest factors that affect a traveler’s dream vacation. However, it doesn’t have to be. With some creative ideas and hacks, you can explore your favorite city without breaking the bank.
We hope we have helped you find the best car rental alternatives out there. These ideas will truly save you money and will make you worry less about your budget. Have fun on your next vacation!

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