Any way to avoid airport facility charges for locals?
May 4, 2011, 6:08 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,462
Any way to avoid airport facility charges for locals?
Almost all car rental co's serving shuttle service to airports seem to add an airport facility charge. Is there a way to avoid this fee, if you are renting as a local person, whereby you do not fly into the airport, nor use any of their shuttles, but get to the rental location on your own?
I seem to remember that car rental companies asked, if you were flying in or were local ....
I seem to remember that car rental companies asked, if you were flying in or were local ....
May 4, 2011, 6:11 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,528
Don't rent at the airport facility.
Many rental car companies have off airport locations, and you can save big. In Phoenix, I've rented at a local place, and then returned to the airport and avoided the extra fees.
Many rental car companies have off airport locations, and you can save big. In Phoenix, I've rented at a local place, and then returned to the airport and avoided the extra fees.
May 6, 2011, 10:39 am
#3
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Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,462
Interesting. I have found (in CA) the best rates, especially on weekend, to be at the airports.
May 6, 2011, 10:53 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Greater New York City
Programs: Marriott Gold, Delta Gold
Posts: 43
Avis for one will waive the fee if you provide a local phone number. I think that they may be required to do this. Have you asked?
May 7, 2011, 2:40 am
#5
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Many do in many cities, but LAX seems to be an odd one. There are a lot of Hertz LEs and Enterprises (obviously), but the number of Alamo/National/Dollar/Thrifty/Avis/Budget locations is quite limited (a couple scattered maybe downtown and in one or two other places in the Southland). And if you're in the airport area, there are no options with these companies other than the airport, unlike many other cities, where a $10 cab ride away from the airport will get you to an off-airport branch of these companies.
May 10, 2011, 8:22 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Greater New York City
Programs: Marriott Gold, Delta Gold
Posts: 43
May 17, 2011, 3:51 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: avis president , national executive, hertz presidents, delta platinum, spg platinum
Posts: 231
will you pay drop off fees, if you return to the airport?
May 17, 2011, 4:28 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,207
Higher one-way rates sometimes apply, depending on day, rental agency, and contract code.
