How to Get the Most Out of the Sharing Economy this Summer
By Kyle Burgess
June 28, 2017
With the school year in the rearview mirror and the July 4 weekend just up the road, travelers may begin to look to the sharing economy to help them get most out of their travel plans. Vacation home rental services like Airbnb and ridesharing apps, including Lyft and Uber, have made traveling easier and more affordable. These services may prove to be particularly helpful this summer, as Airlines for America predicts a 4 percent increase in air travel this summer over 2016.
The sharing economy and the technology that enables it has been improving our daily lives for years. This has particular importance for families during travel time. For example, large families who may find staying in hotels inconvenient or cost-prohibitive can easily rent an entire house from a site like Airbnb or HomeAway. The sharing economy enables families to make summer travel plans they may not have been able to pursue before.
However, there are still some growing pains associated with using emerging travel services and applications. Before hitting the road this summer, consumers should take some time to understand how sharing economy travel apps work to help avoid confusion and surprises while away from home.
Vacation home rental services like Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway allow consumers to book unique accommodations in areas often not served by hotels, often at affordable rates. However, these sites often include an array of rules and extra charges, so it is important for consumers to understand them. Before booking, verify if there are additional cleaning fees, charges for extra guests, local taxes on top of the nightly rate, or other house rules, such as cancellation or pet policies. It???s also helpful to know what amenities are included, such as air conditioning, toiletries, and linens and towels.
Ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft can make getting around vacation destinations easier and more affordable. Consumers should keep in mind, however, that ridesharing services may not be legal or available where they???re going, and passengers should do their due diligence before booking a ride by checking ridesharing sites to see where they operate. Also, consumers should be aware that rates tend to be higher in popular tourist destinations than in their hometowns.
If consumers wish to rent a car at their vacation destination, they now have more options than traditional or airport rental companies. Services like Turo and Getaround allow peer-to-peer car sharing ??? they are like the Airbnb of cars, allowing vacationers to get an interesting or??atypical??car, often at prices well below what traditional rental services offer. But consumers should be aware that these newer businesses are still working out the kinks. Renters looking to take advantage of these travel options should first verify insurance coverage and prepare for customer service hiccups as these companies refine their offerings.
Finally, to tie it all together, vacationers who want to split the costs of summer fun with their friends can use payment apps, such as Venmo and Circle, to make that process quick and convenient. Users can share the costs of hotels, car rentals, supplies for a barbecue, and other vacation expenses.
Sharing economy services allow travelers, especially families, to save money and enjoy more rewarding vacations. If travelers exercise patience and do their homework, then they will have a much smoother vacation experience. This will enable travelers to focus on what???s important ??? spending time with friends, family, and loved ones.
Kyle Burgess is Executive Director of Consumers’ Research, the nation’s oldest consumer organization.