Understanding the Confusing World of Car Rental Fees
Are you tired of the frustrating and sometimes harrowing experience of renting a car? You’re not alone. Many people are fed up with the misinformation and hidden fees that come with renting a car. That’s why Vox has taken on the task of untangling this confusing web of car rental fees, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.
Hidden Fees: A Source of Dismay
It’s not just the rental fees that customers need to be wary of; taxes and state fees can quickly add up as well. Vox’s Emily Stewart recently shared the story of a family friend who rented a car from Budget at the Denver airport. The receipt they received was mind-boggling. The base rate for an eight-day rental was $555.19, but the total amount owed was more than $400 higher.
Deciphering the meaning of each line item on the receipt is like navigating through a maze of jargon. For example, there’s a “concession recovery fee” of $77.74, a “Colorado road safety fee” of $19.17, and an “energy recovery fee” of $7.11. It shouldn’t be necessary for customers to consult a glossary to understand the charges they’re faced with.
Some research and a look at Budget’s glossary shed some light on what these fees actually represent. The concession fee is a kickback to the airport, the state fee helps pay for Colorado’s roads, and the energy fee is a contribution towards keeping the company’s lights on. While these explanations may make sense, it’s still frustrating that customers have to go through this process.
The Issue with Rental Car Fees and Taxes
The problem with rental car fees and taxes is that they come at you from every direction, and many of them are unavoidable. While you can say no to the guy at the counter trying to sell you insurance, you can’t avoid the local taxes and fees that are tacked on to your bill.
“People are not wrong to hate all the fees that they’re hit with, but we distinguish between fees that are unavoidable and those you can potentially do something about,” said Chuck Bell, director of financial services policy at Consumer Reports.
Even when reviewing past rental experiences, the fees and taxes can be ridiculous. Take, for example, a rental from Hertz in January 2022. The total cost for four days was $148.75, but the fees and taxes made up over 60% of that amount, or $89.26. Some of these fees, like the facility fee and vehicle license fee, have no clear explanation.
According to William J. McGee, a senior fellow for aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project, the fees in the car rental industry can be even worse than those in the airline industry. The sticker shock factor plays a role in customers’ frustration.
Rental Companies: Squeezing Every Penny
It’s not just the fees and taxes that customers have to watch out for. Rental companies are constantly trying to squeeze every penny from their customers. From false accusations of theft to convincing customers to opt for expensive insurance they don’t need, there are plenty of traps to be aware of.
If you want to learn more about the frustrating world of car rentals and how to navigate it, head over to Vox for the full article.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
