Crew guide
The best time to book a rental car
Timing a car hire booking well can save you a surprising amount — and crew have a built-in advantage most travellers don't: you usually know your schedule in advance. Here's how to use that, plus the honest truth about "deals" that aren't.
Book earlier rather than later
Car hire works much like airfares: the cheapest cars get booked first, and as the pick-up date approaches the remaining inventory tends to cost more. So the single most reliable money-saver is simply booking ahead rather than walking up on the day. Because your roster gives you advance notice, lock the car in as soon as the trip is confirmed.
Lock in an early rate
Compare crew rates for your upcoming trips — book early, change free if plans shift.
Search car hire →"But what if my plans change?"
This is the usual reason people delay booking — and it's solved entirely by choosing a free-cancellation, free-amendment rate. Book early for the better price, but on flexible terms, and a roster change costs you nothing. You genuinely get the best of both: the early price and the freedom to change. There's rarely a good reason to gamble on a cheaper non-refundable rate just to save a little.
Watch out for peak periods
Prices spike around predictable demand: school holidays, major local events, and peak tourist seasons at the destination. If your trip falls in one of these, book extra early — availability tightens fast and prices climb hard. A quiet shoulder-season trip gives you more room to wait, but even then, earlier is rarely worse.
Crew timing rule: book as soon as the roster's confirmed, always on a flexible rate. Early price, zero risk if plans move.
Does day-of-week or time-of-day matter?
Less than the myths suggest. Unlike some flight-pricing folklore, there's no magic "cheapest day" to book a car that reliably holds. Your energy is far better spent on booking early and comparing crew rates than on trying to time the perfect hour. Don't overthink it.
Re-check before you travel
One nice trick with a free-cancellation booking: if the price drops before your trip, you can re-book at the lower rate and cancel the old one. It only takes a minute and occasionally saves a useful chunk — a habit worth having when you've booked well in advance.
Time it right
Compare crew rates worldwide — no booking fees, free amendments if your roster shifts.
Search car hire →Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to book a rental car early or last minute?+
Almost always early. Like airfares, the cheapest cars go first and prices tend to rise toward the pick-up date. Book ahead on a flexible rate so you get the price without the risk.
Is there a cheapest day of the week to book?+
No reliable one. Booking early and comparing crew rates matters far more than trying to time a specific day or hour.
What if the price drops after I book?+
On a free-cancellation rate, you can re-book at the lower price and cancel the original. Worth a quick check before you travel.