Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I read lots of articles saying it's cheaper to rent a car from locations other than the airport, but that has never been the case for me. For example, Avis at DFW is much much cheaper than Dallas downtown hotels or Sears auto center. So why is that? Often the surcharge I have to pay from a hotel rental location is much more than the airport rental too.
I have never seen a hotel rent cars, but if you rent from a company outside of the airport, it will in fact be cheaper just because of all the surcharges Airports like to charge.
I have never seen a hotel rent cars, but if you rent from a company outside of the airport, it will in fact be cheaper just because of all the surcharges Airports like to charge.
^^ This. It has been our experience that renting in a location outside the airport is cheaper because of airport surcharges. DFW might be the exception rather than the general rule of thumb.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,585 posts, read 81,186,228 times
Reputation: 57821
It's the opposite here, too. People will take the light rail or a bus to a nearby city where they can rent a car for less. The companies at the airport have to pay for their big new rental car facility, and shuttle buses. For me, the convenience is worth something though, so I always rent at the airport when traveling.
Even with fees, some airports are much less expensive on the daily rate, which adds up over a rental. DCA and IAD are less expensive than surrounding areas in DC, and in NYC, the city locations are more expensive than the airports. The concession fees and extra taxes can add to the cost, but if booking with a good rate guarantee or through a third-party discounter, often the airport locations can be less expensive, in my experience too.
I never look for an off-airport rental because the hassle of getting to/from can be worse than the trip to the destination, not to mention using a cab or car service to get there negates all, or most of, the savings by avoiding special taxes and fees for the airport.
__________________
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
They may claim they are at the airport but if I still have to take a shuttle then it is not an airport location.
Quote:
Originally Posted by robr2
But if they have a counter at the airport or airport property, it is still "at the airport."
Many airports are moving the rental company cars over to a central area but they are still on airport.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drover
Do you expect the cars to be parked right outside the terminal door for you?
I swear you post some of the densest stuff I've ever seen.
San Antonio's airport is an example where rental car companies have to shuttle their customers to pick-up/drop-off locations either elsewhere on airport property, or near the airport. They have rental counters in one of the two side-by-side terminals, though, and the usual "airport fees" apply to cars rented there.
But that's about to change. Driven by complaints from travelers, they just broke ground on a new rental car pick-up/drop-off facility that will be just a few steps from the terminals.
Airport rental is more expensive where I live. When I do rent, it's usually for large SUV, which they only have at the airport. The counter person is usually confused when I am at the counter and they ask me "how was your flight". I will tell them, I didn't fly..just got dropped off to pick up a car.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
