Many trips I research do not have traditional round trip flights. Instead of flying into and back from the same airport, I set up flights from different airports.
By using different airports, though, I must find reasonable one-way rental car rates.
One recent itinerary was really interesting.
Round trip open jaw flights between DC and Jacksonville/Pensacola airports cost about $220 each. There is no more than a $10 difference flying DC-Jacksonville-Pensacola-DC ($216) or DC-Pensacola-Jacksonville-DC ($226).
However, I found a tremendous difference with rental car rates.
One Way Car Rental From Jacksonville to Pensacola
One Way Car Rental From Pensacola to Jacksonville
While I preferred flying into Jacksonville, driving to Pensacola, and flying home from Pensacola, I do not prefer it for $2,500 extra.
Would you?
Writing this article a week after researching the details, I am still shocked at the car rental difference.
Yes, the car rental company charges $300 a day for a basic car from Jacksonville, if you drop it off in Pensacola. The same company, however, charges $178 a week for a car from Pensacola when dropping off in Jacksonville.
Same route (in reverse), same dates, probably the same car type. Astronomical difference in rates.
Flip Your Trip
This is a simple Flip Your Trip example. Instead of flying into Jacksonville and returning from Pensacola, I flip the trip and fly into Pensacola and return from Jacksonville.
Easy peasy, Luigi — plus, I save $2,500.
Some itineraries are more complicated, of course.
Flip Your Trip Tips
Some principles to keep in mind when trip planning.
- Be flexible. Being open to dates of travel, destinations, routing, and other factors, provide more opportunities to save money, time, and stress — and be a happy traveler.
- One way flights. In the above example, I found one airline to provide an open jaw flight. For many trips, I use different airlines for each flight, booking a one-way flight with one carrier, then the return flight with another airline.
- Smaller airports. Generally, renting a car from a smaller location and returning to a larger location costs less. Sometimes the opposite, though, so check both.
- Off-airport car rentals. Lower car rental rates might be available from downtown, neighborhood, or other off-airport locations. Here are some other car rental strategies.
- Comparison shop. My favorite car rental company might charge hundreds (or thousands) more than a competitor. By being open to all suppliers and not being brand loyal, I give myself the best chance at a great travel deal.
- Enlist help. If you are pressed for time, not confident with booking resources, or whatever reason, using a travel professional might be for you. After you guide them, tell them you are flexible about dates and routing; they can do the work and find the lowest price or best combination.
Would you Flip Your Trip to save big money? Have you done so?
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