Which rental car companies don't slam you with all kinds of additional fees??

Question

I'm flying from minnesota to vegas, spending a few days there, then renting a car and driving to phoenix, and flying home from phoenix after visiting a couple days. (Or possibly visa versa)

I'm exploring the rental car websites, and am finding that there are all kinds of fees they add on, such as "different location dropoff" fee, etc, etc. The total is ending up being 5 times the advertised amount.

Any experienced travelers, have a reasonable rental car suggestion? The pick up and drop off would be different locations, but would take place on the same day.

Answer 1

The drop-off fee is standard if your drop-off point is at a different location from your pick-up point. There is no escaping this. This is not "slamming" you, per se, on an additional fee.



As a rule though, the other fees need to be asked if you "need" them. It is not personal, it's just business. This is a matter of the car rental agency making more money.



You always have the option to decline all the other offers that they throw your way.



When I travel, I always go to Enterprise (not because they are the best as far as I am concerned) but for the simple reason that the company I work for has an account with them.



BTW, I always ask for unlimited mileage when renting.

Answer 2

As already noted, it's probably going to be impossible to avoid a one-way drop charge.



A lot of the "other fees" you mention are not always due to the rental car company. For example, most major cities with a major sports team, are financing their new stadiums with an additional sales tax or excise tax, on rental cars! In fact, if you rent at the Phoenix Airport, you can expect to pay an additional 25+% (a good estimate) in fees for these items...this is not going into the rental car companies pockets!



Check with your auto insurance company to see if your present coverage will extend to any vehicle you rent while on vacation. You might have limitations due to the type or value of the vehicle, so make sure you make the correct choice...if you own & insure a 1986 Ford Escort, don't expect your insurance company to cover a new 2008 BMW. Make sure you know what you are asking for...this is not the same as having a "Rental Car Rider" on your policy. That will pay for you to rent a replacement vehicle should your own vehicle be involved in an accident, and is out-of-service. If you make any changes now, you won't need or have to take additional coverages from the rental car company.



Some people think that credit card companies will cover the cost of any accident damage to rental cars. The credit card companies provide secondary coverage...that means, they might pay for rental costs after your own insurance company has paid...and any possible deductibles by you, etc. The only credit card company that presently provides primary coverage is Diner's Club.

Answer 3

All rental companies are going to charge you a fee for dropping the car off in another location.



All rental companies are going to charge you mileage and/or out of state fees.



Check with your credit card company; you can sometimes get a deal or discount through them. Also, if you're a AAA member, you get a 10-15% discount.



If you're renting a car just to drive from one city to another one day (and I think I understand you saying that you'll only use it that one day), why not investigate other kinds of transportation, like bus or train?

Answer 4

Enterprise definitely. I would also go online to websites like Hotwire or Travelocity because on most of those websites they can help you find rental companies that can offer you a car for the time you need without additional costs.

Answer 5

From what I can tell, they *all* slam you with fees.

I'll lurk here to see if someone can dispute this.

Answer 6

hertz..........avis.........dollar.........

theyre good

enterprise is gr8