Rental cars were in high demand in the summer of 2022, but the supply was reduced due to fleet reductions and delays in the delivery of newly ordered vehicles. As a result, commercial car rental companies have tightened the price screw. But now prices are falling again.

Thorsten Lehmann, Managing Director of the rental car broker Sunny Cars, found that rents have been falling again since the end of the main holiday season in 2022. In early summer, there were fewer rental cars for many travelers, but this ratio reverses seasonally in autumn. The price is therefore falling: instead of 647 euros per rental in June 2022, an average booking in September was 425 euros. This corresponds to around 35 percent lower prices within one quarter. Nevertheless, the overall price level is significantly higher compared to 2019. This also affects the total number of rentals: around 25 percent less than before the pandemic treated themselves to a holiday car this year.

In midsummer 2022, rental car customers also had to struggle with flight irregularities. Especially in the case of severely delayed or canceled connections, travelers were often dependent on the goodwill of the landlord. Not all companies have shown themselves to be flexible and customer-friendly with non-cancellable tariffs. Conversely, the providers also had to struggle with the fact that they were often not informed about flight changes by their tenants. Tip: Despite strained nerves, remember to inform the rental car provider accordingly if your flight is canceled or postponed. This is how travelers get their vehicle safely.

The situation at the airports is also making the rental car business more difficult. Delays and numerous flight cancellations impacted rentals in September. Because the customers do not take over the holiday cars at the planned time. This requires a lot of flexibility and great coordination at the on-site rental car counter in the holiday destinations. Tip: Despite strained nerves, remember to inform the rental car provider accordingly if your flight is canceled or postponed. This is how travelers get their vehicle safely.