Rental Car Demand Is Up Despite Flight Delays

LAS VEGAS – With all airline cancellations and delays, passengers are forced to make a decision, with many opting to take matters into their own hands and drive home.

Rental car firms struggle to keep up with demand, much alone charging exorbitant rates.

“The cost has probably doubled, if not tripled,” Sandra Curry explained. “There are people who can’t manage that, so they avoid coming together with their family because it’s so expensive.”

With thousands of aircraft cancellations across the country, rental vehicle businesses are filling up quickly, and there are very few available at this time.

Billy Spencer, who is traveling with his daughter from Austin, Texas, said he feels taken advantage of.

“I’m spending $1,800 for one day, therefore, the rental car businesses are assessing those who are stuck,” he explained.

Spencer and his daughter went to Seattle to retrieve their misplaced bags before boarding a flight back to Texas, which was not their planned vacation.

“Returning to the airport is out of the question. There would be no flights for several days, “Spencer elaborated. “SIXT was essentially my only option, and I had to book online.”

According to FlightAware, a flight tracking website, as of 9 p.m. Monday, 8,291 flights were delayed, and 3,973 were canceled inside, into, or out of the United States.

There were 283 total delays and 358 cancellations at Harry Reid International Airport.

Credits: 8 News Now