Originally Posted by notquiteaff

Can also be significantly cheaper to rent at off airport locations due to “junk” fees added on for “tourists” coming to town (facilities fees, transportation fees, conference center or stadium fee, …).

Years ago when I lived near SFO, I sometimes picked up a rental car at the airport. I quickly learned that I could save a significant amount by pointing out that I did not use the people mover from the airport, but rather had someone in a personal vehicle drop me off (the agent would remove the transportation fee. Of course, that meant having to go to the counter). Most of the time my HLE was cheaper and more convenient, though.