Airport Rates Fall for Sixth Consecutive Months
In May, the rate quotes were down $1.44 — the sixth month in a row that rates have been down. The Northeast and Midwest regions were up $8.39 and $6.16, respectively. Boston had the highest average rate quote of $94.13.

Rates are a monthly average of weekly surveys of aggregator/OTA rates for all vendors present in the markets listed on the date of the survey. These regional tables and graph show the average of all base rate quotes per day for an ICAR at the 50 largest U.S. airports weighted by deplanements, for arrivals 15 to 21 days ahead of the date of the survey, for two- and seven-day rentals.
For the sixth month in a row and the ninth of the last 12 months, the weekly rate quote average was down. In May, it was down $1.44.
Year-over-year, the Northeast and Midwest were up $8.39 and $6.16, respectively, but the other three regions were down — led by the Northwest down $9.18.
Average rate quotes were up only three of the last 12 months, but two of those three months were strong enough that the 12-month average decline was only $1.06.


When looking at cities, Boston had the highest average rate quote at $94.13 — the highest rate since June 2015. Las Vegas had the lowest rate at $29.
With the help of Jim Tennant of The Tennant Group and Michael Meyer of Rate-Highway Inc., we are conducting rate surveys on a weekly basis and providing analysis and comments where appropriate. We publish this monthly recap in our electronic edition and more comprehensive looks in the print editions.

Rates are a monthly average of weekly surveys of aggregator/OTA rates for all vendors present in the markets listed on the date of the survey. These regional tables and graph show the average of all base rate quotes per day for an ICAR at the 50 largest U.S. airports weighted by deplanements, for arrivals 15 to 21 days ahead of the date of the survey, for two- and seven-day rentals.
The Tennant Group and Rate Highway offer a weekly Rate Subscription Service to those interested in following vehicle rental industry rates more closely. Contact Jim Tennant (707-287-1311) or go to www.TennantGroup.com for details.
More Rental Operations

Sixt Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion in First Half of 2026
Sixt’s first-half revenue surpassed $2.4 billion for the first time as demand outpaced fleet growth, lifting utilization and earnings despite weaker consumer sentiment in North America.
Read More →
In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend
The longtime Birmingham Avis operator and 2018 Auto Rental News Impact Award recipient was remembered as an advocate for independent licensees and the broader car rental industry.
Read More →How to Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding [Webinar]
A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.
Read More →
Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise 3.6% in 2026 Before Easing in 2027
Car rental rates are projected to rise less than airfares and hotel rates in 2026, then become the only major travel category forecast to decline in 2027, according to projections from GBTA and ALTOUR.
Read More →
Avis Cuts Fleet as Summer Demand Trails Expectations
Avis Budget Group increased second-quarter earnings despite lower Americas revenue and softer-than-expected summer demand. The company also expanded Avis First and advanced its autonomous fleet operations with Waymo.
Read More →
Why Bookings Are Only the Start of the Rental Day
A reservation captures demand. The operating test is whether the business can keep the customer, vehicle, commercial terms, and next action aligned until the rental is closed.
Read More →
This Is the Oldest Car Rental Advertisement You’ll Ever See
This ad for Saunders Drive it Yourself, believed to be the first car rental company in the U.S., was found in an Omaha phone book from 1926.
Read More →
The Desk Upsell Is Costing Operators More Than it Earns
Counter upsells generate revenue, but they can also slow transactions, erode trust, and cost repeat business. Fully inclusive pricing may offer operators a better path to long-term value.
Read More →
U-Save Expands Indian Ocean Presence with New Master Franchise for Mauritius
The franchise has been acquired by Mauritian travel entrepreneur Umarfarooq Omarjee, an established figure in the island's tourism and mobility sector.
Read More →
Global Carsharing Fleet Projected to Reach 768,000 Vehicles By 2030
A new Berg Insight forecast outlines several business models driving the projected growth in public carsharing worldwide through 2029.
Read More →
