October 27, 2024 - Maui car rental prices are down significantly from the peak levels they reached last week, and are nearly all the way back down to their low season levels. Prices fell for every vehicle type except minivans. The price drop for a one-week rental ranged between 26% and 36% for most vehicle types. Jeeps fell 60%. The price for a minivan rose by just 5%, after taking a big drop last week. In retrospect, last week's unusual price drop for minivans, that went against the trend of all other vehicles, may have been a precursor or early indicator of this week's across-the-board price movement downward (see Figure 1).

This week's downward price movement brings to an end the steady week-by-week rise in prices that moved prices upward starting in late September and into October. Historical data that we discussed in previous blog posts show that it is not unusual for prices to ease between Halloween and Thanksgiving. But this week's sudden and significant drop may be an indication of visitor levels below expectation for this year, that are forcing car rental companies to scramble by cutting prices. Travel to Maui continues to see the effect of last year's devastating Lahaina wildfire that took place in August 2023. We've covered seasonal aspects of Maui car rental price movement, based on historical data gathered over a period of five years, in previous blog posts. See for example Maui Car Rental Prices Stay In Low Season Range For Labor Day Holiday .

These are the cheapest one week rental prices for each vehicle type, from Maui's Kahului Airport (OGG), with the change from the previous week:

Category Price Change
Economy $263 -33%
Midsize $289 -36%
Jeep $445 -26%
Convertbl $371 -60%
SUV $383 -31%
7 St SUV $428 -26%
Minivan $381 +5%

This week, the best price for an economy car is $263/week from Payless. For a midsize car, it's $289/week, also from Payless. The best deal on a Jeep is $445/week from Dollar. Convertibles took a huge drop down 60% to $371/week at Budget. SUV rental was down to $383/week at Thrifty, , and minivans are just $381/week, at Dollar.

These prices apply for the cost of a one-week rental from Maui's Kahului Airport (OGG), beginning on Monday, October 28. The price includes all taxes and fees, but does not include optional items like supplemental liability insurance, collision and comprehensive, roadside assistance, and so on.

AIRPORT PRICES VS. OFF-AIRPORT

The prices listed above are all for rentals from the airport. Usually, cheaper prices are available for rentals from nearby off-airport locations served by shuttle. This week's prices are consistent with this trend. See Figure 2 for a comparison of this week's airport prices versus off-airport.

We've covered the reasons for higher airport prices, including the additional taxes and fees and the "convenience premium" that rental companies charge, in a previous blog post comparing airport prices with off-airport prices. 

These prices are from our survey taken on 10/27/24, for a one-week rental from Maui's Kahului Airport (OGG), beginning on Monday, 10/28/24, for seven vehicle categories, Economy Car, Midsize Car, Convertible, Jeep, SUV, 7-passenger SUV, and Minivan. The rental companies covered in the survey are Ace, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, NU, Payless, SiXT, and Thrifty. For more info on the companies we cover, see our blog post on customer satisfaction ratings for these Maui car rental companies .

CHEAPEST MAUI CAR RENTAL PRICES FOR MONDAY 10/28/24

This week the cheapest price for a one week car rental of a compact car from Maui's Kahului Airport (OGG) is $263/week (down $129 from last week). For a rental from nearby off-airport locations served by shuttle, the cheapest price is $206/week (down $218). These prices include all taxes and fees, but they do not include insurance or any other optional add-ons like roadside assistance or re-fueling.

This week's price drop breaks the increasing price trend of the previous five weeks (see Figure 3). In this chart, we've tracked the lowest advertised price week-by-week for the last year. Prices are now very near the median price for the year, which as of this date is $276/week for airport rentals and $207/week for off-airport locations served by shuttle from the airport. .

We monitor Maui car rental price data as part of our weekly survey of car rental prices for a one-week rental. Every Sunday, we check prices for a one-week rental beginning the following day, Monday. The lowest advertised rate week by week for the entire last year is shown in the accompanying chart (Figure 3), for both airport and off-airport categories.

Usually, more than 90% of the time, this last-minute price is the lowest available price for the rental, lower than a price booked in advance. See our research on When is The Best Time to Book a Car in Maui. 

HOW TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY FOR MAUI CAR RENTAL

Either click through to to our Cars & Rates section, or check our booking site at rentals.mauicarrental.biz. This site gives you access to all vehicles from eight different companies - Ace, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Payless, and Thrifty - at all their Maui locations, that include the Airport rentacar center, Kahului town locations nearby the airport, and resort locations in Kihei/Wailea, and Ka'anapali. With so many options to choose from, you are assured to find the rental car that matches your preferences and your budget for your Maui trip - and there is never a cancellation penalty if you have to change plans.

Price Data Sources: rentalcars.com, rentals.mauicarrental.biz