Car rental tax and fees (Austin, Cedar Park: rental car, sale, coupon)

[spchtx]

My parents are coming for a visit at Christmas, and they are renting a car for two weeks. My mom said they were quoted about $250 for a Toyota Corolla for the two weeks, and the taxes and fees would be another $600. So the car will be about $800 for the two weeks. That seems INSANE! She said she thought it was because they initially wanted PU at the airport, but they called a rental place in Cedar Park, and were told the same.

Does this seem right? My husband was out here in March when we were prepping to move. He rented a car for a week. We can't remember the fees, but I know we would have been questioning a $600 tax on a $250 car.

Anyone in the know on this????

[G Grasshopper]

I have not rented in Austin for years, but I remember that it is particularly expensive here, especially if you rent from the airport (although I could be wrong - maybe its the same all over Austin.) In March, I rented a car in San Francisco, and it was $800 for two weeks. It is outrageous, but all those taxes and fees are one way the city gets revenue from non-residents.

[Trainwreck20]

I just went to the web site for a non-airport Enterprise location, and for an "intermediate" size car, the total cost was quoted as ~$440 for two full weeks. The airport location was about $5 more.

[UTCO94]

Yep. Someone missed a decimal point. Taxes and fees at an off-site location would be about $70, onsite would add all the tourism fees, which is about $10/day. Always rent offsite for longer rentals.

Avis, inclusive of all fees/taxes is about $470 for a full size car. Use discount code A2564000

[10scoachrick]

If they don't have some other discounts, buy an Entertainment Book for Austin and get them at least a free upgrade, probably better. Great price on the books now PLUS you will enjoy discounts all year! I probably save $200-300 each year over the cost of the books. Been getting them since we arrived in '08.

Pre-Black Friday Sale Extended! – Entertainment Coupon Book

[Idlewile]

Seems way off. Check it yourself on Hotwire right now. All taxes and fees are incld.

[gator24765]

Taxes are a lot for rental cars. The government has to get their cut.

However, those numbers are off, I would call them back or double check your numbers. No way that is correct.


You might also want to double check to see if that quote includes the damage waiver etc. That can raise the cost of the base price of the car.

[DMChicago]

I'm looking at a recent receipt from National for a 2 day rental:

Base rental: $102.00 (2 X $51.00)
Events Venue Tax: $6.39
Concession Recoup Fee: $11.60
CFC (whatever that is): $11.90
VLF REC: $2.36
Tax @ 10%: $12.79

Total: $147.06

[spchtx]

Thanks all. Gave her the info you posted, and she called can got a much better quote. Don't know what happened the first time around. I thought that sounded insane. I get the fees adding up, but triple the amount of the car didn't sound right.

[JH6]

Tell parents not to call any car rental company.

Just use hotwire or priceline. You will save a bundle.