|
|
|
When Should You Rent A Car For Your Trip To Hawaii
ravelers have found that majority of rental car companies
sometimes, just before will increase their rates greatly
departure, they can find over this period of time. If you
greatly reduced deals on airfare search far enough in advance, you
as the airlines try and fill may find a company which offers
empty seats. This is, of course, flat rates over that period of
a gamble but it does work out time but they will be completely
sometimes for the last minute sold out 3 to 4 months in advance
traveler. In my experience, of the peak season.
rental cars do not work this way.
As far as rental classes,
Minivans will sell out first.
The car rental agencies will Generally, minivan inventory on
stock their fleets at a level all islands is sold out three
they hope will be profitable. months in advance of the peak
This means they want to limit the season. Minivans you find after
amount of cars sitting around this time frame usually come at a
during slow times but have enough steep premium. If you want to
on hand to get the most profit find the best deals, you need to
during Hawaii's peak travel reserve your minivan six months
season. Because of this, they are in advance, not at the last
willing and plan to accept a low minute.
percentage of idle cars and thus
do not cut rates at the last SUVs tend to sell out next as
minute to increase rentals. they tend to carry 5 passengers,
have a lot of room for luggage
Tourism in Hawaii is at its peak and usually four wheel drive
from December 15th to March 1st. capability. SUVs will sell out
The last two weeks of December about 2 weeks after the minivans
tend to be so busy that the are sold out.
inventory. Next comes Kahului on
The next spike in tourism in Maui and then Lihue on Kauai. By
Hawaii comes over the summer the first week in December, you
months. Again, many rental are no longer searching for deals
agencies increase rates over the on your desired car, but merely
summer. Several are now offering searching for any available car.
flat rates through the summer; so Instead of a minivan, you are now
again, it behooves one to rent 3 renting two full size vehicles,
months in advance of the summer etc.
season.
One other issue to consider is
Car rental availability also that the major rental agencies do
depends on the destination not charge for cancellations or
island. Hawaii is the island changes. With this in mind, there
which experiences the most is little or no monetary risk
tourism in the Hawaiian Island involved in making an early
chain. As such, it sells out reservation.
earlier than the others. There
are two major airports on Hawaii, So, a few rules of thumb:
"The Big Island", Hilo and Kona.
Hilo is the smaller of the two 1. Make your car rental
and thus sells out sooner as it reservations six months in
has less inventory. By the end of advance for the last two weeks of
November, Kona tends to be December. Remember that minivans
completely sold out of every type sell out early in the process.
of vehicle let alone the vehicle
of your choice. 2. Rent at least three months in
advance of travel over the summer
Molokai sells out next due to its season.
small size and limited car
3. If you are going to the Big of the busy summer season.
Island, you may want to move this Remember, there are no penalties
timetable up by a full month. for cancellation and changes.
Take the money you save on your
So, in summary, rent 6 months in car rental and use it to buy
advance of the peak winter season additional activities to maximize
and at least 3 months in advance your vacation fun.
About the Author:
Steven Anderson is the Reservations Manager for Wailua Bay Car Rentals, specializing in Hawaii car rentals. He has personally researched and experienced many of the Hawaiian activities as described above. Please visit http://www.wailuabay.com/car_rentals.html
Source: www.isnare.com
|
|
