Rent from an Independent Car Rental Agency and Save Money!
The Car Rental Industry
In the United States, the Car Rental Industry is a highly competitive 19 Billion* dollar per year marketplace. The most commonly known car rental providers are the "nationals," that are the eight largest nationwide rental chains.
While most people consider these nationals as the only car rental option, these agencies only account for about 63% (12,000 locations)* of the car rental market. The remaining 37% (7,000 locations)* is filled by independent car rental agencies.
*source (http://www.fleet-central.com/arn/00stat3.cfm)
The main challenge for these independent car rental agencies (ICRAs) has always been to get their message out to the consumer: that there is a real alternative choice to renting from massive multinational car rental agencies. The most overlooked fact is that these agencies generally offer daily car rental rates 25-30 % less and weekly rates 15% less than the national agencies. Because of lower operating costs and smaller overhead, these agencies can and do pass on their savings to consumers.
Now with the growing popularity of Internet travel, independent car rental agencies have an equal chance to reach the renting public, letting them know that lower cost rentals with superior service are possible.
The Internet has definitely leveled the playing field as now with the right Internet web site content/design and marketing strategy a small ICRA can acquire market share due to the vast amount of consumers now researching car rental companies online.
'Car Rentals' and dozens of related terms are searched over 70,000 times each day on the major Internet search engines! (Wordtracker.com)
Consumers benefit by being able to find comprehensive information about the local company, rates and vehicle information and a system to reserve the car immediately online.
The Car Rental Express Independent Advantage
Car Rental Express was founded in 1999 to give these independent car rental agencies an online presence worthy of their customer service, reputation, and low rates.
Now representing over 300 ICRAs that operate out of over 1500 locations worldwide, www.carrentalexpress.com has consistently grown and thrived in the turbulent Internet economy because it represents independent car rental agencies that are famous not for huge marketing campaigns or budgets, but rather for how they rent cars for low prices with enviable customer service.
Car Rental Express has the only independent user feedback system in the industry, where renters can easily rank their experience with an agency through a variety of different categories. Known as the Car Rental Express Consumer Reliability Index, this system provides each viewer with direct feedback from the toughest critics in the industry: the renters.
Real Proof CarRentalExpress.com (CRX) Offers Better Deals Than The Nationals
Cities Compared: Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, San Francisco, Dallas, Vancouver, and Toronto.
Agencies Compared: The major national car rental agencies (Hertz, Budget, National, Avis, Alamo, Dollar, Enterprise, and Thrifty) and various CRX Associate Car Rental Agencies.
Periods Compared: Daily Base Rates for May 17-18, Smallest Car, also Weekly Base Rates for May 17 to 24, Smallest Car. Rates are found from http://www.CarRentalExpress.com and each national agency's proprietary website. Rates were available May 14 @ 9:00 AM PT
Agencies
Agencies
Average of Daily Rates
Average of Weekly Rates
Nationals
$ 34.84
$ 158.45
Car Rental Express
$ 25.15 = 27.8% Cheaper!
$ 134.30 = 15.3% Cheaper
CRX is 28% Lower
CRX is 15% Lower
Agency
Car Type
May 17-18
May 14-24
Miami
Hertz
Economy (ECAR)
$ 25.95
$121.99
EZ
Rent A Car on CRX
Economy (ECAR)
$ 16.99
$ 76.97
Los Angeles
Budget
Economy (ECAR)
$ 20.99
$ 111.99
Fox on CRX
Economy (ECAR)
$ 14.90
$ 94.90
Las Vegas
National
Economy (ECAR)
$ 28.99
$ 115.94
U.S. Rent A Car on CRX
Economy (ECAR)
$ 15.95
$ 102.40
New York
Avis
Economy (ECAR)
$ 70.99
$ 316.99
New York Rent A Car on CRX
Economy (ECAR)
$ 49.99
$ 309.99
San Francisco
Alamo
Economy (ECAR)
$ 25.95
$ 120.25
Fox on CRX
Economy (ECAR)
$ 18.50
$ 91.50
Dallas
Dollar
Economy (ECAR)
$ 39.99
$ 126.99
Rent Rite on CRX
Economy (ECAR)
$ 28.95
$ 122.25 (EZ)
Vancouver, Canada
Enterprise
Economy (ECAR)
$ 32.08 (CDN)
$ 124.00 (CDN)
Discount on CRX
Economy (ECAR)
$ 29.95 (CDN)
$ 126.95 (CDN)
Toronto, Canada
Thrifty
Economy (ECAR)
$ 33.85 (CDN)
$ 229.45 (CDN)
Right Choice on CRX
Economy (ECAR)
$ 25.95 (CDN)
$ 146.49 (CDN) (Discount)
What do people really need to know these days re rental cars
Book ahead; it will cost more if you are a "walk up" without a reservation.
Most online reservation sources have better rates than phone reservations
Know the total cost. Only reserve when total pricing is shown
When comparing rates make sure that the comparison is of the same costs
Only reserve online if given a confirmation number and/or a confirming email to guarantee the cost
Confirm that the collision and liability insurance meets your needs
Reconfirm your reservation by email or phone, especially if the reservation was made way in advance
Confirm that your destination falls within the agency's driving area
Make sure that all drivers are listed on the contract
