Why booking your car rental early in shoulder season (March–April & September–October) just makes sense

Are you waiting for that time of the year when you’ll find tourist places with fewer people, get normal prices for everything inlcuding your hotel, restaurants or car rentals, unlike the peak seasons?

If yes, then count yourself in for the shoulder season adventure! These sweet in-between months i.e. March to April & September to October, are kind of underrated but you will be amazed to know that during this period rentals sell out faster than you even think.

So let’s talk about why booking your rental car early is one of the smartest travel moves you can make.

Prices are much better compared to peak season

We wanted to know the difference in bookings received for peak & shoulder months. Our team was instructed to fetch proper data & analyse the results. We found that shoulder season had lower demand than the summer or winter travel but still, the rentals sold out really quickly in those months (March to April & September to October). What could be the reason?

This is because you’ll find many offers with reasonable rental prices and fewer “surge pricing” surprises.

But these deals don’t last forever. As flights get booked and travel plans keep on increasing, rental rates spike. Booking early locks in the cheaper rate and saves you from paying any extra amount.

You get a wide range of car choices

Ever found yourself relying on the last minute booking and ended up with a tiny car when you needed an SUV? Or to make it even worse, no car at all? It can actually happen.

When you book early during shoulder season, you don’t have to settle for the leftovers. You get a wide fleet to choose from & reserve what actually fits your journey, be it a road trip, family travel, mountain drives, etc.

This matters even more in destinations where rentals are limited or popular for scenic drives like the Romantic Road of Germany or the Pacific Coast Highway.

Shoulder season is not as empty as you think

If you think that this is a low season? Not exactly! There are so many people who want to escape the crowded peak months and prefer travelling during spring & autumn. You will normally see digital nomads, couples avoiding crowds or retirees travelling off-peak in most of the places.

Additionally, festivals, fall foliage, spring blooms and mild weather also increase rental demand. Therefore, booking early keeps you ahead of that quiet rush.

Flights might be cheap but cars can sell out

A lot of people get great flight deals during shoulder season, which makes them believe that car rentals are also easily available. For certain locations, it is not so true because inventory is limited.

This is especially seen in smaller cities, island destinations, national park areas and Europe during fall travel.

Obviously, you don’t want to land somewhere amazing only to realise there are zero cars available or prices have doubled up. Hence, booking in advance is the only key.

Less stress & better trips

If your vibe is to chill than booking your car rental early helps keep that energy alive without any last minute mess ups. Instead of worrying about finding the right vehicle, you can utilise that time to plan fun stuff for your trip. Travel planning should always feel exciting, not stressful at all.

Easier upgrades & deals

When you reserve early, the availability of vehicles is good so rental companies are more likely to offer free or cheaper upgrades, run early-bird car rental promotions, even let you switch cars in case your plans change. On the contrary, if you wait too long, all those perks just disappear fast.

People also ask

• Can I change or cancel my shoulder season car rental if my plans change?

  Yes, you can change or cancel my shoulder season car rental if my plans change. Many rental companies offer free cancellation or flexible changes, especially if you book in advance. Always double-check the cancellation policy before confirming your vehicle.

• Are car rentals cheaper in shoulder season than peak season?

  Yes, car rentals are comparatively cheaper in the shoulder season than in the peak months. But prices can jump if availability drops, which is why booking early is recommended.

• What kind of car should I book for my shoulder season trips?

  It totally depends on where you are headed and how many people are travelling along with you. For example, a compact car works for cities, while SUVs are better for road trips, mountains or unpredictable weather.