Car rental prices in Canada are expected to rise, Amex GBT reports

After several years of disruption, car rental prices in Canada are beginning to stabilize, with American Express Global Business Travel’s newly released Ground Monitor 2025–26 forecasting a moderate rise of 2.5% to 3.0% in the year ahead.

The latest annual outlook from Amex GBT Consulting, based on extensive travel data and economic modelling, reveals that while global pricing is beginning to level out, local market dynamics remain a key driver of variability.

In Canada, strong supply and a more balanced market are helping to keep increases in check, though still outpacing the U.S., where rates are expected to climb just 1.5% to 1.9%. Notably, price increases in Canada are expected to rise more slowly than in 2024–25, signalling a gradual return to pricing stability.

“Strong supply in North America should keep a lid on rental price rises,” the report notes, “[but] this forecast could be blown off course by the impacts of trade tariffs on the wider US economy and the car rental sector.”

Prices holding steady—but not everywhere

Globally, rental car pricing is levelling off, but not uniformly. Rates in the Netherlands and Nordic countries are expected to remain flat or increase by up to 2.0%, while other markets face more pressure. The U.K. could see increases of 5.0% to 7.0%, France up to 5.0%, and Australia up to 7.0%, driven by regional supply-demand mismatches, evolving fleet strategies, and service preferences.

“After years of disruption, we’re now seeing car rental prices begin to stabilize across many countries,” said Sara Andell, Director of Consulting Strategy at Amex GBT Consulting. “But the picture isn’t uniform. Local conditions vary, and fast-moving geopolitical and economic developments still have the potential to shift pricing quickly.”

Strategic guidance for Canadian travel programs

The Ground Monitor 2025–26 offers tactical recommendations for Canadian businesses looking to control costs and future-proof their ground programs. Highlights include:

• Strengthen ties with rental partners to ensure access during high-demand periods.
• Align rental and fleet operations across departments to gain visibility and improve value.
• Incorporate ride-share options to meet shifting traveller preferences and improve data capture.
• Start planning for autonomous vehicles, which may soon reshape travel policies, risk, and insurance.

As Canada’s corporate travel sector continues to evolve, these recommendations are designed to help companies stay agile while managing spend.

The full Ground Monitor 2025–26 report is available to download here.