Airline Cancellations Create Ripple Effect On Rental Car Business

After multiple days of travel nightmare across the country, people in Oklahoma City are still trying to make it back home to family, or out on holiday vacations.

Now rental car companies are becoming inundated, and many don't have enough cars to fill the need. Frustrated travelers are looking at other options after many have had multiple flight cancellations and delays. We spoke to people today who have looked at public transportation to make it home, and say bus and train tickets are sold out.

“No flights, probably not for a week. All buses and trains are sold out, so I literally have no way to get home," said Carolyn Bines. 

Bines is trying to get back to D.C. after visiting family in Oklahoma for Christmas. She says the trip would have taken over 20 hours to drive, but she couldn't even get a rental car. 

“Went on rental car apps to get a rental car which they're all accepting reservations only to get to the rental car desk today to find out there are no rental cars," said Bines.

Southwest has said the severe weather is to blame for the backup of flights.

“You're hearing it's the weather, which was like a week ago, so I don't know what the problem is," said Bines.

Stephen Teel is trying to get from OKC to Florida for a cruise. “My family is taking a cruise in Florida so we're trying to get on a ship," said Teel.

All of his flights were canceled, so he also turned to a rental car company, willing to drive to Orlando to make it on the ship. 

"So, I called Hertz to get a rental car and they said yeah fine- great prices actually, so I come here today, and they said they're not taking reservations for 2 days," said Teel.

Teel says he understands that airlines and rental car companies run into problems after severe weather, but he wishes there was more transparency, and he is frustrated that he continues to make plans that aren't working out.

“I called too just to double check and they're not answering their phones, so their computer systems are making reservations and people are showing up for a car and they're just stuck," said Teel.

We spoke with one family who call themselves one of the few lucky ones. The Torres flew from Atlanta to OKC on a Delta flight with no problems. They also had plans to get the rental car before the holiday travel chaos.

“They have a cutoff date for their reservations on the 25th and I made mine on the 23rd so luckily they did have a car for us today," said Steve Torres.

Torres says he's hoping his family's luck continues.

“We were prepared, the way to travel and the weather is today, but luckily- knock on wood- we got it," said Torres.

A lot of rental car companies sold some of their fleets during COVID and already have emptier lots because of the car chip shortage. Today, there were just a few cars left for those who made reservations prior to the storm.

Travelers tell us some rental car companies are not taking reservations at all anymore but will honor your reservation if you have a confirmation number. But they tell us some companies are still taking reservations and payments, even though they do not have any more cars available. 

Hertz told us in a statement: The holiday season is always a busy one at Hertz. This year, we are working hard to serve thousands of customers whose travel plans have been disrupted by the severe weather, including those seeking one-way rentals due to flight cancellations.