Visiting Naperville; how to avoid excessive car rental taxes at Midway? (Chicago: rentals, insurance)

[American Pie]

Last time we visited our relatives it cost us almost $700 for one week's midsize car rental, and about 50% of that was due to all the various taxes (oh, I mean "fees and surcharges"; we're not supposed to call them "taxes") tacked on by the city of Chicago. We REALLY don't want to get scammed like that again. Evidently the key is to somehow get out of the "airport zone" when renting a car.

We'll be visiting relatives in Naperville, arriving at Midway on a Saturday afternoon and leaving early on a Sunday. We could take a taxi to the 'burbs and rent a car there, but on both days most suburban car rental offices will probably be closed at those times, which makes it difficult to pick up/return a car on those days.

We'd appreciate any ideas; thanks!

[cubssoxfan]

It's still expensive, but using kayak.com, I found cars from upper $300's to $500 depending on how big of a car you rent.

[holl1ngsworth]

Why would you lock up a flight itinerary knowing that it would bone you on your rental? Most car rental places close around 1 on Sat and are closed completely on Sun. If you haven't picked flights yet, do a Saturday AM to Saturday AM visit. Or ask the relatives you are visiting to help out with transport on the first and last day of your trip -- it will save you a lot of money.

The Naperville East Hertz location has mid-size rentals available (right now) for $185/week. Even factoring in two cab rides, you are still looking at a savings of ~$400. If you are a AAA member, you can get the price even lower.

[American Pie]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

It's still expensive, but using kayak.com, I found cars from upper $300's to $500 depending on how big of a car you rent.

Wow; yeah, it shows $80/day for an economy or compact car from Midway. Gotta get out to the suburbs.

[American Pie]

Originally Posted by holl1ngsworth

Why would you lock up a flight itinerary knowing that it would bone you on your rental? Most car rental places close around 1 on Sat and are closed completely on Sun. If you haven't picked flights yet, do a Saturday AM to Saturday AM visit. Or ask the relatives you are visiting to help out with transport on the first and last day of your trip -- it will save you a lot of money.

The Naperville East Hertz location has mid-size rentals available (right now) for $185/week. Even factoring in two cab rides, you are still looking at a savings of ~$400. If you are a AAA member, you can get the price even lower.

Since we're flying from CA we'd have to take a very early flight to arrive in Chicago by about noon on Saturday. But you're right; maybe next time we visit we should not travel on weekends.

It appears we will need to use a cab or get some transportation help from relatives, which I try to avoid doing.

Will check into the Naperville East Hertz. Thanks!

[holl1ngsworth]

Originally Posted by American Pie

Wow; yeah, it shows $80/day for an economy or compact car from Midway. Gotta get out to the suburbs.

I wouldn't use Kayak. Hertz website is showing prices that are cheaper than anything on Kayak.

Rental outlets have a lot of leeway to tack on extras to your bill, and in my experience staff are always happier and more willing to "work with you" if you skip the third-party and book direct (you can even call and ask for them to beat the price listed online -- I have done it, and it works) .

And again, Hertz is already showing cheaper prices for a mid-size in Naperville than Kayak.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by holl1ngsworth

I wouldn't use Kayak. Hertz website is showing prices that are cheaper than anything on Kayak.

Rental outlets have a lot of leeway to tack on extras to your bill, and in my experience staff are always happier and more willing to "work with you" if you skip the third-party and book direct (you can even call and ask for them to beat the price listed online -- I have done it, and it works) .

And again, Hertz is already showing cheaper prices for a mid-size in Naperville than Kayak.

Costco also has discounts available.

[CatWarmer]

There's an Avis rental in a Doubletree in Oak Brook that's open Saturdays and Sundays from 10-4. If you rent from there and return the car to Midway, there's no difference in cost than returning to the Doubletree. The extra airport fees are for renting, not returning. I checked July 19-July 27 and it was under $300 without any discounts.

If you can get to the Avis in Naperville before they close on Saturday at 3:00, you can also drop it off at Midway for no or little additional cost.

[chet everett]

Dropping off at the Naperville offices of the car rental firms when they are "closed" is not an issue. You do all the "data" online, lock the car, put the keys in designated Dropbox and then they confirm charges online.

Picking up is a bit trickier. Technically the folks you are visting (or their neighbors if they are too elderly to drive...) might be able to either to "get the keys" for you while the office is still open (Saturday hours seem to go until 2PM or so) or rent the car in their name. The second is a bit much to ask, as you'd have some insurance issues if anything went wrong...

I doubt the "Airport based" rental firms want to really "subvert" the city taxes, so you may try Enterprise which genrally offers "pick me up at my house" service geared toward folks getting their primary vehicle repaired and similar "suburban" needs. The have Sunday hours atthe Ogden Ave location, though they are limited. They currently show a Nissan Altima for about $207 FOR THE WEEK and taxes add $37... I suspect that Entreprise "store managers" can be contacted directly and arrange an "off hours" situation.

[American Pie]

Some great ideas! We're traveling 7/26-8/3 so we've got a little time to consider our options. I'll be calling the local Hertz/Avis/Enterprise offices directly and see if I can work something out with them.

Since we travel to Chicagoland at least once/year I'd ideally like to make car rental arrangements which I can count on using every time we visit, and save the airport taxes. Over a few years the savings will really add up.