When it comes to fees, never underestimate the car rental industry’s creativity. If you do, you might miss the six percent surcharge that Avis slipped on Monica Huchro’s bill last week.
Most car rental companies charge what’s called a “concession recovery fee” when you pick up a car at the airport. The fee used to be included in the price of a car rental, but companies figured out they could break out this surcharge, which covered their lease and cost of van service, and then add it to their price after the initial price quote, making their rental rates seem lower. But the fees were limited to airports.
Not any more.
In Chico, Calif., they are charging customers for airport location percentage fees out of a non-airport lot. I was incorrectly charged $35 once and then $40 the next time. Each time they credited my account after I complained to corporate.
I can’t imagine how many other customers aren’t paying attention to their invoices after they drop their cars off.
I checked the Avis site for an off-airport rental in Chico. The quote doesn’t appear to charge a concession fee, at least not for this rental, but leaves open the possibility of one.
I asked Huchro about her experience renting from Avis. She said the concession fee was added recently.
I rented there before and there weren’t airport fees. Then I noticed the charges on my invoice and questioned it.
They weren’t able to explain it, they just told me to contact the corporate office. So I did, and corporate credited back my card along with telling me that shouldn’t have happened.
A month later when I rented again, the same thing happened. I brought it to their attention again. This time, on the invoice, the charges read “airport fee” but then they printed a separate invoice from that office and the charges state “concession recovery fee.” When I asked the manager what that meant, once again, he could not explain it and told me to call the corporate office and write a letter.
I did call and again, they credited my card. I’ve never heard anything back regarding the complaint letter I sent months ago. I just think they’re getting away with something they aren’t supposed to be doing.
It odd — and a little ironic — that car rental companies like Avis are imposing these unwarranted fees on their customers. The car rental industry lobbying hard to keep extra taxes off its bills.
If only it felt the same way about fees.
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Sure they would feel the same way about fees – if they had to turn the fees over to the government. Since they pocket those, why not figure out a way to charge an airport fee to a non-airport location? That way, it’s ALL profit and the customer has no idea.
The receipt you show above does not charge a concession fee there is no amount next to the concession fee area. However interestingly enough the “surcharge” says “up to $1.82 / day yet on a 2 day rental the charge is
$4.44 and then the 8.25% tax is added on that amount also. I don’t think “fees” are taxable
maybe the $4.44 is surcharge and the up to $1.82 / day is another possible fee that wasn’t charged on this rental
Whether fees are taxable depends on tax laws in each state. Sales tax laws vary widely from state to state.
Yet again, the real answer is to require final, total prices to be the only (or at least primary) ones advertised. Show the breakdown if they want for informational purposes, but the final price is what should show up in search engines and booking sites.
There are many costs involved in getting a rental car to me; that’s why I went to a company to do that in the first place, to consolidate that into one simple transaction. Everything from oil, windshield wiper fluid, brake pads, door handles, seats, license fees, concession fees, the light bulbs in the big yellow “Hertz” sign should be factored into the price up front.
This goes with the question they now slip in, to wit, “Besides daily collision and comprehensive, what other insurances do you want?” If you don’t listen carefully, get ready to add $15 a day to your bill.
Everybody’s out to get what they can from you these days. Listen to and read everything.
Maybe I’m missing something, but the quote DOES appear to me to include the Concession Recovery Fee. 6% of $73.98 is $4.44, which is exactly the amount of the “Surcharge”. The Vehicle License Fee of (up to) $1.82 per day was not charged, apparently because it was not applicable [so why mention it?].
It is interesting that the surcharge is subject to the 8.25% tax.
That’s a pretty sneak that they tried to pull. I bet you are in the minority, the whole reason why they add that charge is because very few people look over their invoice carefully. They just assume that Avis charged them properly and accepts the fee. Good thing you noticed and at least they refunded you that portion. I, however, would find another rental car company.
There are lots of intentional cheating that goes on everyday because the companies are secure that it is impossible/impractical/unlikely to sue them .The only answer i think is major change in our legal system where in the loosing party is obligated to pay the legal expenses of the other party!!