Why do the rates for the same rental car differ so much between agencies?

[AlCzervik]

i just booked a rental car from Budget, it's a ford Fushion and for the 3 weeks i need it it's $735 there, $1037 at Hertz and $959 at Avis. Why is there such a price difference?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. I'm not positive, but I'd be willing to bet that

Hertz and Avis have special rates for AAA, AARP, and various other groups that are competetive with Budget's rate.

[KitchenWitch]

2. I think it may be in part based upon demand

Microeconomics 101 - The demand for an item will drive the price up or down. And the price for an item is at the exact level of what the market will bear.

Or some such shit.