CAR RENTAL ABSURDITIES Archives

After Budget finds animal hairs in Bernard Sia's rental car, it charges him a $125 car rental cleaning fee. But Sia doesn't have a pet -- and that's not his only problem.

Budget car rental cleaning fee problem: Hey, that’s not my vehicle!

May 4, 2024May 1, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

After Budget finds animal hairs in Bernard Sia’s rental car, it charges him a $125 car rental cleaning fee. But Sia doesn’t have a pet — and that’s not his only problem.

Warning: Car rental smoking fees are on the rise. If you rent a vehicle, you could be next -- whether you smoke or not.

Car rental smoking fees are on the rise. Here’s how to avoid them

October 28, 2024June 2, 2021 by Christopher Elliott

It used to be a reliable money-saving car rental trick: Reserve a car at an off-airport location and take a taxi over. That way you don't pay airport fees.

Be careful using this money-saving car rental trick

April 16, 2025June 4, 2020 by Christopher Elliott

It used to be a reliable money-saving car rental trick: Reserve a vehicle at an off-airport location and take an Uber or taxi over. You can easily knock off 10 percent or more in airport fees.

Unfortunately, that loophole is closing.

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