Charges On Car Rentals Explained

Sponsored By: AMAC Car Rental

Looking down at your receipt after renting a car can seem like you just went grocery shopping and paid for things you did not want! It can be frustrating, however, there is a lot of complexity in the cost of renting a car.

So let's get a better understanding of the costs and associated fees. Many of which are mandated federal, state, and local taxes!

1. Base Rental Rate: This is the basic cost of renting the car itself for the period you need it. It covers the vehicle and its use.
2. Taxes and Fees: Government Taxes: These are taxes imposed by local, state, or federal governments on rental car transactions, similar to taxes on other goods and services.
3. Airport Concession Fees: If you're renting from an airport, these fees help the rental company pay for its space and operations at the airport facility. These fees are sometimes denoted as Concession Recovery Fees.
4. Customer Facility Charges (CFCs): These fees often fund airport improvements or facilities directly related to car rentals, such as rental car centers or shuttles.
5. Energy Recovery Fees: These fees may cover environmental costs related to car operations and maintenance.
6. County Surcharge: This could be a fee imposed by a specific county.
7. Insurance and Protection: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): This is an optional protection that waives your responsibility for damage to the rental car. Without it, you might be liable for the full cost of repairs.
8. Liability Insurance: This covers damages or injuries you might cause to other people or property in an accident. Your personal auto insurance might cover this, but it's wise to check.
9. Other Protection Packages: Some companies offer packages that include things like tire protection, roadside assistance, or coverage for personal belongings. 

1. Additional Driver Fees: If someone other than the primary renter will be driving, there's often a fee for adding them to the agreement. Many suppliers include an additional driver, so be sure to check on that!
2. Optional Extras: GPS Navigation: Renting a GPS device can be convenient if you don't have one.
3. Child Seats: These are available for families traveling with children.
4. Prepaid Fuel: You can pay for a full tank of gas upfront. This can be useful, but might not always be the most cost-effective option.
5. Toll Charges: Some rentals offer a "Pass Like" device with unlimited tolls. This is usually a good option in larger cities that have Toll Roads. If you don't have this and go through tolls, you can expect a much larger bill for the tolls and service fees from the supplier.

1. Location Surcharges: Renting at airports or popular tourist destinations can sometimes incur higher fees due to their convenience and demand.
2. One-Way Rental Fees (Drop Fees): If you pick up the car in one location and drop it off in another, there's often a fee to cover the cost of returning the vehicle to its original location.
3. Age-Related Fees: Some companies charge additional fees for drivers under a certain age.
4. Late Return Fees: Returning the car late can result in extra charges.

Also note, if you bring your vehicle back early, you usually don't get a credit!

That sure is a lot, but each of these charges has a specific reason. It's all about ensuring you have the right coverage and understanding the terms of your rental.

Hope you found this read valuable, and thanks for being a valued AMAC Member!