Travellers choosing smaller rental cars

As U.S. airlines raise fares and charge for aisle seats and checked bags, many passengers opted to drive instead of fly during this past Memorial Day weekend.

With gas prices soaring daily basis, driving a full-sized car may not offer much financial relief, however. Car rental companies are seeing an increase in customers renting compact cars, and taking advantage of special rental offers.

For many last-minute renters over the recent holiday weekend the compact cars and the deals were gone before they got there.

Abraham Rodriquez, the manager of Budget’s central reservations in Los Angeles, reported that demand for sub-compact and compact cars has increased as gas prices rise and that often locations run out of these vehicles. Budget, as a result, is reconfiguring its fleet to meet demand, including more of the small, fuel-efficient cars and fewer gas guzzlers.

To avoid running out of smaller cars, some car rental companies are offering special deals on larger models. Enterprise Rent-A-Car is adding more fuel-efficient vehicles to its fleet, such as the Toyota Prius, which company spokesperson Laura Bryant said is one of the most frequently requested cars. Enterprise also owns Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental.

“They’re almost always rented,” she added. Bryant noted that rental car companies would likely see increased business as airlines raise fares and begin charging for other services.

“For some people and businesses it makes more sense to rent a car instead of flying.” Bryant noted that rentals were up over last year during the recent Memorial Day weekend.

www.enterprise.com