Car hire is something a lot of people put off sorting out until the last minute, long after they have booked our flights and accommodation.
This year, car rental fleets in Portugal have shrunk by 35 to 40 per cent, which means there were a lack of some thousand car hire vehicles only in the Algarve.
Some holidaymakers who delayed booking their car hire in Portugal and Algarve until late ended up having to pay up to 100 Euros per day for a small vehicle – that’s four or five times higher than the usual rate. Many others were unable to find a car at all. A lot of people who risked a late booking or no advanced booking at all saw their holidays in Algarve miserabily disgraced without a car for their transportation.
Things are changing and this is anymore a safe practice.
In previous years, this hasn’t been a problem because there have always been enough vehicles available in mainstream holiday resorts like the Algarve in Portugal and, unlike with airline fares, rental costs haven’t really fluctuated. But this year of 2009 was different.
The situation is worst during the summer because car rental companies usually operate with smaller fleets during the winter and get more cars on credit for Summer depending on the season expectations and advanced bookings received.
Due to economic crisis everybody believed that very few tourists will come to Portugal this year, so the rent a car companies didn’t reinforce their fleets for Summer.
Due to the recession, car manufacturers are making fewer vehicles anyway, and rental firms have been struggling to get credit from banks to purchase replacement cars.
And, despite of a small decrease of tourism in the Algarve, it was not so bad as many suspected.
As a result, at peak times – over Easter and during July and August – there was a shortage of cars and with demand sometimes outstripping supply, prices went through the roof. The situation in Algarve was worst than the rest of Portugal.
A lot of holiday agents had big problems arranging car hire for their clients and the situation brought a lot of bad feelings.
The Algarve Car Hire companies, on several occasions, weren’t able to supply vehicles at all.
Holiday broker companies had difficulties finding suitable vehicles for clients in Portugal and Algarve. So what does the future hold?
These problems look set to continue at periods of peak demand like Easter and Summer mainly if holidaymakers don’t plan and book their ahead.
Some people who have booked their holidays in the Algarve tried to get a rental car in France or Spain to come to Portugal, which was also not easy.
Other simply had to find transportation using taxi or airport transfers.
In winter-sun destinations like the Algarve, and at Faro airport for sun-break holidays, at times there will be a limited choice of vehicles and prices will be pushed up for late bookers.
If the recession does not slow down and people don’t book their Algarve Car Hire ahead these challenging conditions may repeat themselves next summer.
Next summer is another cause for concern for Portugal car Rental companies.
Algarve Car Hire companies are are already seeing many more people asking for car hire quotations now for next summer than would have been the case in previous years, still not many people are already antecipating their Car Hire reservations for Summer 2010.
Clearly, you’d be wise to heed his warning. There is no need to fret about availability and escalating rates in off-peak times.
However, if you’re going to Portugal, and particularly Algarve, in the school-holiday periods next Spring or Summer, then once you have arranged your flights and accommodation, I would recommend that you book your Algarve Car Hire, too.
From most airports, the rates are a little higher than in previous years but Car Hire prices are still reasonable.
For example, most Algarve Car Rental companies are quoting around 160 Euros for a week’s hire of an economy car from Faro airport in early August 2010.
So you may well want to check Algarve Car Hire rates with a reasonable time before you commit to a particular destination and make your reservation as soon as you decide about your vacation.
However, Car Hire rates can increase if a lot of last minute bookings arrive and the Car Hire companies didn’t get during the year an expectation plan for the use of their fleets for Summer in order to increase the number of vehicles available.
Car Hire in Algarve prices are currently very good for winter-sun destinations, such as the Algarve, over peak travel periods, including Christmas and next February’s half-term holiday.
But the Car Rental rates may well rise closer to the time: again, once you’ve sorted flights and accommodation, you should book your Car Hire to avoid any risk and disappointment.
Other tips to save money on Algarve Car Hire
* Use local firm websites. They usually have better prices and they are commited to assist you localy.
* Beware of fuel charges. If you’re given an option, the best arrangement is to pick up and return the car with a full tank. Remember to ask for the location of the petrol station nearest to the depot to fill up on your return.
* Shop around for excess waiver. While rental firms quote rates including insurance against damage and theft, the cover usually comes with an excess – what you’re still liable to pay in the event of an accident – running into hundreds of pounds. Rental firms let you reduce the excess to zero for an additional hefty fee. Opting for an excess buy out you can save a lot of money in the case of any accident occurs.
* Avoid damage charges. This is particularly important if you decide not to take out excess waiver. Before you set off, inspect for scratches and dents, note them on the hire company’s form and take digital photos as proof. Whenever possible, return the car when the depot is manned so you can have the car checked over and signed off.
* Watch out for other extras. Child seats, satnav and having a second driver on the rental. In some periods Algarve Car Hire companies make promotions and offer some of these extras so you can take advantage.
Get useful things to know in the sphere of luxury vacation home – please make sure to read this publication. The times have come when proper information is really within one click, use this chance.
Related posts:
- Reserve Your Florida Vacation Rental Florida is the state especially popular among quite different...
- How To Find Money Saving Tips For Renting An RV Renting an RV is the perfect vacation alternative if you...
- Comfortable And Spacious Florida Villa Rentals Florida is a well-known destination, referred as the sunshine state...
- It Is Time To Order Tickets To London If you have waited for the British holiday, but been...
- The Advantages Of Florida Vacation Rentals A Florida vacation rental is a great choice for family...
