SeaTac car rental changes
May 17, 2012, 2:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
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SeaTac car rental changes
I'm always careful which car rental company I use at Seatac because only a few keep their cars at the airport.
However, it looks like today their all moving to a consolidated facility. That sucks. I hate having to take a bus to my car, and SEA was one of the last major airports where I didn't have to do that.
http://www.portseattle.org/Sea-Tac/P...ntal-Cars.aspx
However, it looks like today their all moving to a consolidated facility. That sucks. I hate having to take a bus to my car, and SEA was one of the last major airports where I didn't have to do that.
http://www.portseattle.org/Sea-Tac/P...ntal-Cars.aspx
May 18, 2012, 4:08 am
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: GEG
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I never could understand why citizens and rent-a-car companies never pushed back against [centralized] rent-a-car terminals. Now people will be paying untold taxes and fees, forever. Can you tell me how much the average bill is going up.
Last edited by cblaisd; May 19, 2012 at 7:48 pm Reason: Removed tendentious OMNI/PR-type political comment. Off-topic
May 18, 2012, 3:28 pm
#3
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May 26, 2012, 1:02 pm
#5
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You only escape the airport concession fee and SeaTac port charges if renting far far away from SEA (like in downtown). Anything in the catchment area (including off-airport sites ~ mile or more away) get included. Yes, this includes the locations that have always been off airport. Still have to pay the stadium/state taxes anywhere in the state.
May 27, 2012, 11:46 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2008
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Used the new facility on Friday and it definitely added a lot of time to my trip. Got on the bus, waited for a few other people to load, made another stop and loaded more people, decently long ride and then down an escalator to get my car. Ugh, I loved just walking over and getting a car 
May 29, 2012, 11:28 am
#7
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It's not an "improvement" if it slows down your transit, forces you to wait for things you never had to wait for before (e.g. buses), and costs you more money.
May 29, 2012, 5:37 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,731
You only escape the airport concession fee and SeaTac port charges if renting far far away from SEA (like in downtown). Anything in the catchment area (including off-airport sites ~ mile or more away) get included. Yes, this includes the locations that have always been off airport. Still have to pay the stadium/state taxes anywhere in the state.
May 30, 2012, 12:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,857
No Enterprise is now at the rental site. To the OP I think FLL is one of the few with multiple terminals which have the rental car facility on site. At least JFK and SFO have the AirTrain rather than a dedicated shuttle.
May 31, 2012, 12:11 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
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According to the link in the OP, all companies except Rent-a-Wreck are at the new consolidated facility. Rent-a-Wreck, should you dare to use them, will now require a double shuttle ride...one from the airport to the consolidated facility, and a second from that facility to Rent-a-Wreck.
May 31, 2012, 12:19 pm
#11
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I do not mind the consolidated facilities if they have a train...ATL/MIA/EWR/JFK/SFO...but I do not like the bus transfers..... Not good news.
Jun 29, 2012, 10:06 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Not in DFW
Posts: 2,007
Used the new facility on Friday and it definitely added a lot of time to my trip. Got on the bus, waited for a few other people to load, made another stop and loaded more people, decently long ride and then down an escalator to get my car. Ugh, I loved just walking over and getting a car
Jun 30, 2012, 7:31 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2010
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The bus option can be done well: IAH has done a good job of using a bus system instead of a train. It's a good thing, too, because the rental car center, while on the airport grounds, is still a looooong way from the terminals. But unlike SEA, IAH has no traffic to speak of. I appreciated SEA's on-airport options, and I too tailored my choices to avoid the shuttle buses. I'll have my chance to try out the new arrangement next month.
Jul 1, 2012, 12:59 am
#14
Join Date: May 2012
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[QUOTE=mbstone;18597984]I never could understand why citizens and rent-a-car companies never pushed back against [centralized] rent-a-car terminals. Now people will be paying untold taxes and fees, forever. Can you tell me how much the average bill is going up.[/QUOTE
actually the rental car companies was still in the airport tax zone (rental cars and hotels)...you were still paying the taxes long before that funded this structure built.
actually the rental car companies was still in the airport tax zone (rental cars and hotels)...you were still paying the taxes long before that funded this structure built.
Jul 1, 2012, 10:12 pm
#15
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I just did this last week. It was as good as can be expected. They appear to have at least 3-4 buses making nonstop, endless trips to the center. The trip took about 8 minutes. Once there, if you a member of any program (and I'm betting 95% of us on FT are) you go straight downstairs to your car.
One tip ... take the elevator. They have escalators that go directly to different floors and you can be easily confused. (Let me rephrase, I was easily confused).
One tip ... take the elevator. They have escalators that go directly to different floors and you can be easily confused. (Let me rephrase, I was easily confused).