Are you going on vacation this summer? Will you be renting a car? If yes, pay attention, because car rentals are subject to some truly nasty hidden fees that can leave you feeling taken advantage of by the rental company. A car that’s advertised for as little as $10 a day could end up costing you $100 per day once all the extra fees and costs are factored in, and the rental companies almost never discuss the fees hidden in their contracts. If you’re not careful, these additional costs can leave you penniless, so here are the most common hidden car rental fees that you should be aware of, and what you can do to avoid some of the more heinous ones.
10. Airport Surcharge
Talk about a gut punch. If you’re renting a car at an airport in the near future, then you should be aware that most car rental companies will charge you what’s called an “airport surcharge,” based on the location where you get the rental. What exactly is the airport surcharge for? Allegedly, t’s to cover the money the car rental company pays to rent counter space at the airport, and it can be an additional 7-10% on top of your final bill. Brutal, we know. Sadly, the only way to avoid this charge is to not rent a car at an airport. Easier said then done, right? In the end you will need to weigh the cost of the airport surcharge against the inconvenience of having to rent a car away from the airport that you are already flying in and out of.
http://www.stantec.com/our-work/projects/united-states-projects/s/pn-seattle-tacoma-airport-consolidated-rental-car-facility.html#.V31H6rgrKUk Source: stantec.com