UK car rental rates remain near flat in 2026 forecast

THE NEWS: UK companies will face the smallest car‑hire price rises in Europe, with Amex GBT’s Ground Monitor forecasting rates to increase only 0.6%–1.3% over the next two years.

DETAILS:

• The forecast, prepared by Amex GBT Consulting, places the United Kingdom near the bottom of the European ranking, together with France and Spain.
• In France and Spain, car‑rental prices are projected to be flat to 0.5% higher over the same period.
• The modest uplift is attributed to recovering vehicle supply and intense competition among rental providers.
• For SME travel bookers, ground transport therefore remains one of the few trip‑budget items without clear inflationary pressure.

WHY IT MATTERS: The limited increase helps corporate travel managers preserve overall trip‑budget stability, as ground transport costs are likely to stay flat while other expense categories face stronger inflation.

FAQ

What is the projected percentage increase for UK car‑hire rates over the next two years?
According to the latest Ground Monitor from American Express Global Business Travel, the forecast for United Kingdom car‑hire rates over the next two years is a modest rise of just 0.6% to 1.3%, representing one of the smallest increases across Europe.

How do the projected car‑rental price changes in the UK compare with those in France and Spain?
France and Spain are projected to see car‑rental prices remain essentially flat, with only up to a 0.5% increase, meaning the United Kingdom’s 0.6%–1.3% rise is only slightly higher. All three markets sit at the bottom of Europe’s car‑rental price‑increase rankings.

Why are UK car‑hire rates expected to remain low, according to the report?
The Amex GBT Consulting report attributes the limited UK price growth to a recovering supply of rental vehicles and fierce competition among providers, which together are keeping a lid on hiring costs despite broader inflation pressures in travel in the overall corporate travel sector.

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