Hawaii - New Car Rental Tax in HI

I was informed yesterday by my rental car vendor, Kehei Rent-A-Car, that the state has increased the daily tax from $3 to $7.50 for my January, 2012 rental.
This will increase, noticeably, my vacation cost.
These legislators like to tax those they think do not vote. While we may not vote directly, we do vote with our dollars and our feet.

The solons may end up killing the nene that lays the golden egg.

:td:

noticeably
?!

The newer tax is to Mostly Pay for a new consolidated Rental Car Center that will be built less than 1/2 mile away from OGG
I've paid similar tax increases at SEATAC n ATL so it's not just limited to Maui.

wow i figured most would complain about the hotel tax increase that happened a few yrs ago..

These legislators like to tax those they think do not vote. While we may not vote directly, we do vote with our dollars and our feet.



Checkout the RAC garbage fees @ PHX and MCO.

Further, checkout the Lodging garbage fees in Chicago and Visa/Exit fees in Belize.

It's an epidemic.

Looks like the increased tax has already gone into effect (maybe 7/1?). Checking my Avis rental receipt from OGG today, I see the $7.50 tax imposed on the one day rental.

This is probably going to impact the way I rent cars, particularly on Oahu. Often we don't use the car every day and it will just sit in the garage.

Between this new tax and all the other garbage fees, plus the high cost of parking in Waikiki, it's going to be cheaper to take taxis to most places and only rent a car when we want to leave the 10 mile radius around Waikiki.

I think Hawaii is going to shoot itself in the foot. The Japanese are not traveling there nearly as much as they used to, and even less since the Tsunami hit - tourism is generally down.

For the first time since '04, I won't be taking my biennial trip to Hawaii in 2012. I own a timeshare there, and they raised the property taxes so the point where we pay 700% more than a Maui homeowner. Then they raised the TAT (tourism tax). Then the auto rental tax was increased.

Yeah. They extracted a few more bucks out of me in property taxes, but the $10k that I spent on my last trip to Hawaii will be diverted to St. John instead.

I love Hawaii, but Hawaii apparently doesn't love me. And until they stop acting like I'm their golden goose, I'll stay away.

Almost 40% of the cost of a cheap rental car in Hawaii is taxes and fees. I know they are annoying, but if another $4.50/day keeps you from going there, you're going to the wrong place anyway.

This is only the icing on the cake. How much more is Hawaii going to take from their visitors in taxes before people stop going?

I know it's probably going to effect the way I rent cars - if I even bother any longer.

If their tourism industry was booming, I could almost understand why they're doing it, but to ask for more money from fewer toursits is just going to bite them in the rear.

In June I used a 2-Hertz free week awards for 2 islands and because of the taxes, I think those 2 free weeks still cost me over $100.

Hotels and airlines don't charge taxes on awards. Why do car rental comapnies have to?

just like the property prices here..if people didn't have a demand for it then the prices would be cheaper

Taxes can literally be higher than the rental.
Check out my OGG rental from Alamo last month: $34 rental rate, $36 in taxes.

(4) Day Rate ($15.12/day) $60.48
Subtotal.......................................... ....$60.48
Subtotal.......................................... ..($26.05)
Subtotal.......................................... ....$34.43

Taxes, Surcharges and Fees
Concession Recovery Fee 11.11 % $3.83
Rent Tax Surcharge 7.50/day $30.00
Veh.registration Fee / Weight Tax $1.40
Sales Tax (4.1660%) $1.65
Subtotal.......................................... ....$36.88
Estimated Total.......................................$71.31

just like the property prices here..if people didn't have a demand for it then the prices would be cheaper

Actually, the demand WAS reduced, as tourism took a nosedive in '09/'10.

For the first time since '04, I won't be taking my biennial trip to Hawaii in 2012. I own a timeshare there, and they raised the property taxes so the point where we pay 700% more than a Maui homeowner. Then they raised the TAT (tourism tax). Then the auto rental tax was increased.

Yeah. They extracted a few more bucks out of me in property taxes, but the $10k that I spent on my last trip to Hawaii will be diverted to St. John instead.

I love Hawaii, but Hawaii apparently doesn't love me. And until they stop acting like I'm their golden goose, I'll stay away.

Actually, the demand WAS reduced, as tourism took a nosedive in '09/'10.

The increase in FF mileage redemption thresholds is having me rethink whether we should be annualizing our spring break vacation to Hawaii..

We've got enough miles to do Hawaii for the foreseeable future, but with a mini-rtw at 75K.. why be stuck in one place?

Mrs. Maestro wants to visit Europe, and MCO from YYC is still only 25K.. Definitely some thought will have to go into where and why we go..

Too bad that Hawaii is becoming less affordable when they should be making it more affordable.. its going to deter tourism in a state that really needs to get it back on track..

Almost 40% of the cost of a cheap rental car in Hawaii is taxes and fees. I know they are annoying, but if another $4.50/day keeps you from going there, you're going to the wrong place anyway.

I recall paying some pretty ridiculous rental car taxes in Seattle as well. These taxes are crazy high in a lot of places.

I recall paying some pretty ridiculous rental car taxes in Seattle as well. These taxes are crazy high in a lot of places.

LAX is sky high as well..

makes MCO alot more attractive place to visit.

Well for travelers from Japan favorable exchange rate compensates for higher taxes. What is holding a lot of people back is fuel surcharge. Coming close to price of actual ticket that charge is just ridiculous and it doesn't seem that anybody is even thinking of doing anything about it.

Well for travelers from Japan favorable exchange rate compensates for higher taxes. What is holding a lot of people back is fuel surcharge. Coming close to price of actual ticket that charge is just ridiculous and it doesn't seem that anybody is even thinking of doing anything about it.

I imagine a favourable exchange rate would compensate period for everything.. Money in the pocket, at the end of the day, when less is paid out..

Penny saved is a penny earned they say..

Almost 40% of the cost of a cheap rental car in Hawaii is taxes and fees. I know they are annoying, but if another $4.50/day keeps you from going there, you're going to the wrong place anyway.

I have been bidding Priceline for October and the taxes have been nearly DOUBLING my bids. I bid $12 for 9 days today (that's $108) and the total, including taxes and fees was coming to $210!

Question:

Several months ago, I requested a reservation from Discount Hawaii Car rental. They quoted me a base rate of $177 and a total of $275. Can I expect that the taxes will be increased? Are they obligated to advise me (as apparently happened to the op)?

I have been bidding Priceline for October and the taxes have been nearly DOUBLING my bids. I bid $12 for 9 days today (that's $108) and the total, including taxes and fees was coming to $210!

Question:

Several months ago, I requested a reservation from Discount Hawaii Car rental. They quoted me a base rate of $177 and a total of $275. Can I expect that the taxes will be increased? Are they obligated to advise me (as apparently happened to the op)?


Discount Hawaii Rentals has a toll free number you can call.. I've spoke to the rep on occassion, and they are very helpful..

ime.. I've never had a price on the reservation changed.. a contract is a contract..

Discount Hawaii Rentals has a toll free number you can call.. I've spoke to the rep on occassion, and they are very helpful..

ime.. I've never had a price on the reservation changed.. a contract is a contract..

I'm pretty sure it's not a contract. Furthermore, the reservation says:


Your base rate total is guaranteed; Taxes are estimated and may be
subject to change.


So, I may have answered my own question, but the nice thing to do would be to inform me ahead of time.

I'm pretty sure it's not a contract. Furthermore, the reservation says:



So, I may have answered my own question, but the nice thing to do would be to inform me ahead of time.

You've got a point..

I would add it depends on the jurisdiction and laws.. with airline tickets, they can't come back and back charge.. and with hotels, ime they've never charged more than the rates quoted. .

If the law does not allow changes after the fact, and it is a binding reservation.. then the consumer is protected from tax increases no matter what the reservation stipulates..

I've never had an overcharge for a rental vehicle from original quote.. I have often receive final rental rates lower, but never higher..

I just saved 55 bucks off my Discount Hawaii reservation with Priceline ($220 all in., as opposed to $275) for 10 days in October. Not a huge difference, but every little bit helps.

I think you did pretty good on that. $220 AI is a bargain.

Remember the good 'ole days when we got convertibles for that amount? :)

I think you did pretty good on that. $220 AI is a bargain.

Remember the good 'ole days when we got convertibles for that amount? :)

I do. The good old days of what, three years ago? :(

Yeah, that's about right.

I just saved 55 bucks off my Discount Hawaii reservation with Priceline ($220 all in., as opposed to $275) for 10 days in October. Not a huge difference, but every little bit helps.

Priceline..

Did you bid for it and have to pay for the entire reservation upfront? Or did you book of a quote given?

The former. You don't get a deal unless you bid.

The former. You don't get a deal unless you bid.

I've tried the bidding a couple of times on priceline.. I didn't continue, as the benefit of having a low rate, no longer outweighed the convenience of cancelling without a full refund..

I suppose that using a cc with trip cancellation insurance would mitigate that risk.. I just don't know the insurance well enough to be confident booking via that method..

I've tried the bidding a couple of times on priceline.. I didn't continue, as the benefit of having a low rate, no longer outweighed the convenience of cancelling without a full refund..

I suppose that using a cc with trip cancellation insurance would mitigate that risk.. I just don't know the insurance well enough to be confident booking via that method..

True enough. You have to balance (what is sometimes) the huge savings against the ability to cancel. There are times in one's life (ill and/or older parents, small children, etc.) which make it more likely that you may have to cancel a vacation. OTOH, I have saved up to 60% (which has equalled over $300) on a couple Hawaii rentals. Priceline also offers insurance (I've never seriously looked into it, but it is an option during the bidding process).

True enough. You have to balance (what is sometimes) the huge savings against the ability to cancel. There are times in one's life (ill and/or older parents, small children, etc.) which make it more likely that you may have to cancel a vacation. OTOH, I have saved up to 60% (which has equalled over $300) on a couple Hawaii rentals. Priceline also offers insurance (I've never seriously looked into it, but it is an option during the bidding process).

Sounds great..

I tried priceline for LAX, and failed miserably.. on the online bidding process..

Then www.autoslash.com came to the rescue and I was able to book a minivan for almost 50% off.. and the reservation was fully cancellable..

About what I was bidding on priceline for..

Prior to all that, the lowest price on a minivan was $1,300 or $1,150 plus mileage for us.. really unbearable..

Actually, the demand WAS reduced, as tourism took a nosedive in '09/'10.

as far as I can tell..there was no spike in tourism in 09..or 10..its just been steady..sure it wasn't as good as pre 9/11..but its always been improving..i look at the streets and in the restaurants and there are no shortages of tourist...

and although some of you think..the japanese tourism market hasn't been affected as much as you think...

I just saved 55 bucks off my Discount Hawaii reservation with Priceline ($220 all in., as opposed to $275) for 10 days in October. Not a huge difference, but every little bit helps.

with car rentals like other types of travel.its all about timing and availability...not sure what day you are selecting but i did a test search on hotwire and got 217 for 10/10-20 for econ...u just never know...all you can do is monitor rates and hope that you get the best deal

with car rentals like other types of travel.its all about timing and availability...not sure what day you are selecting but i did a test search on hotwire and got 217 for 10/10-20 for econ...u just never know...all you can do is monitor rates and hope that you get the best deal

Again.. www.autoslash.com.. if you make a reservation with the website which is fully cancellable.. www.autoslash.com will book you continuously into the lowest priced reservation continuously.. automatically..

Don't like the reservation at the end.. fully cancellable.. better than bidding on www.priceline.com.. and no risk..

with car rentals like other types of travel.its all about timing and availability...not sure what day you are selecting but i did a test search on hotwire and got 217 for 10/10-20 for econ...u just never know...all you can do is monitor rates and hope that you get the best deal

I agree. Oct. 1-10 are my dates. Hotwire for those dates is $250ish.

Glad I found this thread. I added a loyalty # to a rental and when I looked at it after it was updated, it went up 36 bucks. I was like wow.

Turns out this is what it was.

I agree that Hawaii is getting tougher and tougher to justify and MCO is looking better and better. Once each this cycle, it might be 2 MCO next time.

I was planning on having 2 reservations for a rental place at HNL. One is a wildcard and the other a full size. I plan on seeing what they give me for the wildcard and if I don't like it go with the full size reservation, at a slightly higher cost. Does that sound like a plan or will that be frowned upon?

Glad I found this thread. I added a loyalty # to a rental and when I looked at it after it was updated, it went up 36 bucks. I was like wow.

Turns out this is what it was.

I agree that Hawaii is getting tougher and tougher to justify and MCO is looking better and better. Once each this cycle, it might be 2 MCO next time.

I was planning on having 2 reservations for a rental place at HNL. One is a wildcard and the other a full size. I plan on seeing what they give me for the wildcard and if I don't like it go with the full size reservation, at a slightly higher cost. Does that sound like a plan or will that be frowned upon?

MCO? Seriously? :eek:

As a heart attack.

We have family there, cousins, and my kids LOVE the pools at the Marriott TS. So we are already booked back there. DW and I love Hawaii, but with the kids it is tough. So yeah MCO rocks versus a long way for Hawaii.

Paging 1-800-babysitter lol.

Glad I found this thread. I added a loyalty # to a rental and when I looked at it after it was updated, it went up 36 bucks. I was like wow.

Turns out this is what it was.

I agree that Hawaii is getting tougher and tougher to justify and MCO is looking better and better. Once each this cycle, it might be 2 MCO next time.

I was planning on having 2 reservations for a rental place at HNL. One is a wildcard and the other a full size. I plan on seeing what they give me for the wildcard and if I don't like it go with the full size reservation, at a slightly higher cost. Does that sound like a plan or will that be frowned upon?

With the increased fees.. there is mention that HI remains untouched..

I guess since the mileage increase in point redemption requirements.. there is a bit of a buffer..

So depending if the fuel surcharges stay or dissipates, certainly will be material in the decision..

I was considering the mini-rtw, but was reading that fuel charges on 10 segments could add up substantially..