In the common travel film “Planes, Trains and Vehicles,” an airport shuttle leaves Steve Martin in a distant parking lot only to come across the automobile he rented isn’t there. He spends the following handful of days making an attempt to get property by any implies doable.

Scenes like that are currently being performed out this summer months throughout the nation. In some places, no rental cars are obtainable at any price tag. In others, an economic system-measurement rental may well charge a lot more than the airline ticket that obtained you throughout the place.

While some persons want no part of the craziness and have postponed their travel plans, other individuals uncover resourceful methods to secure wheels or at the very least get to their destination.

The finest idea of all: Reserve your rental car in advance of you do anything else.

The rental automobile drought

There is a shortage of rental cars and trucks simply because there’s a lack of new cars due to the fact there is a lack of the microchips used to regulate almost everything from entertainment systems to safety gear.

That domino effect is gradually reversing, allowing for rental automobile providers to rebuild their fleets to meet up with an ongoing travel surge. For example, as travel floor to a halt in 2020, Hertz sought individual bankruptcy protection and marketed off hundreds of 1000’s of vehicles. It emerged from individual bankruptcy in June and is including vehicles to its stock to cope with the growth, in accordance to a firm spokesperson.

Mismatches in between supply and need are even now common. Need a minivan for a Labor Working day weekend getaway? Making use of the search engine Kayak.com to evaluate availability, that 4-working day rental in Las Vegas would price at the very least $441 in Portland, Oregon, $1,029 and in Anchorage, Alaska, you would be out of luck at any price.

Believe outside the airport rental counter

Here’s a look at other methods to get where you require to go — some of which may well exhibit up in on-line vacation scheduling internet sites alongside Dollar, Price range and Company, some that depend on others to do the driving. Look at these rental car alternate options:

• Turo is a peer-to-peer rental car or truck website wherever people today share their non-public vehicles. In some situations, you can set up to have the Turo vehicle still left at the airport and unlock it with an app. But continue to keep in head that numerous of these vehicles are older and some others may possibly limit the amount of miles you can generate.
• Getaround is very similar to Turo, but it allows you rent a auto by the hour. For instance, the price tag to use a 2019 Honda Civic for three hours in Southern California was around $30.
• Zipcar necessitates a smaller membership cost, then charges hourly or every day fees. The cars and trucks are saved in town a lot or on college or university campuses. You unlock the car with an app.
• U-Haul is recognised for trailers and trucks but, in a pinch, these vehicles can continue to supply simple transportation. For example, in Southern California, a 9-foot cargo van weekly rental demand is about $300 and includes 300 miles of driving, in accordance to the U-Haul website. But, if you are driving to a wedding, make sure the joyful few is Alright with you arriving in a work van. You could obtain very similar professional cars out there by way of Budget, Penske or other moving truck suppliers.
• Taxis and trip-hailing expert services these as Uber and Lyft are wonderful for brief hops. Alternatively than shelling out a grand for a week’s rental, you can be driven by a person else for a large amount significantly less.
• Want much more legroom and a driver putting on a tie? These are just two of the positive aspects of a limousine company. And, when it will cost much more than an Uber, you can have extra folks and break up the added expense.
• Take the bus or other public transportation. Here’s how. In some cities, trains, subways and buses are incredibly effective. If you go this route, buying a daily or weekly pass will help save you dollars and allow you to get on and off at will.
• If you’re in the market for a motor vehicle at home, invest in one at your vacation spot and use it for your trip. Then, promote it, push it back again or have it delivered home.
• If you are within a affordable array, consider driving your own auto. Indeed, it is more rapidly to fly. But if you will have to have a vehicle and can’t uncover a rental, it may possibly make perception. Possibly you will uncover anything remarkable along the way.

If you should rent a motor vehicle

If you do choose to go the rental vehicle route, right here are a several strategies to keep the rate down.

• Check out out a neighborhood rental good deal. Airport facility charges and taxes will not apply, and they can be significant. Consider calling the locale instantly if no availability shows on-line.
• E book for a week. Typically, there is a price cut for a weekly rental. In some situations, if you return it early, you will get a refund of the distinction.
• Prepay. Relying on the vendor you could conserve as much as 35%.
• Use the right credit score card. If you are likely to pay back a compact fortune, use a credit rating card that presents you anything back again, both with reward details or perks these types of as most important insurance policy coverage.
• Use your most well-liked position as a frequent renter. It may get you to the front of the line faster, and at the best levels, may perhaps truly ensure you a auto.

Extra From NerdWallet

Philip Reed writes for NerdWallet. Email: article content@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @AutoReed.

The article 9 Choices for When You Can’t Come across a Rental Car or truck initially appeared on NerdWallet.