SFO & Transportation fee for using common busing:
Oct 1, 2002 | 1:28 pm
#1
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SFO & Transportation fee for using common busing:
I have about 12 hours to kill in SFO and was going to rent a car. I was very surprised to see a $12 fee for common busing.
Any ideas how to get around it - besides the obvious?
Any ideas how to get around it - besides the obvious?
Oct 1, 2002 | 2:12 pm
#2
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I don't enter my airline info into my reservation. For some reason, the new Hertz site defaults to "Not arriving by air" when you are prompted to enter this stuff. I just skip that section. Often this results in the various transportation fees and airport ripoff taxes not being charged. 
Of course now the secret is out
Of course now the secret is out
Oct 1, 2002 | 2:18 pm
#3
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Alternative for Hertz customers would be to rent from the Hertz location at the Airport Marriott. Do a search on this forum - it's been discussed before. However, there hours are fairly limited.
Oct 1, 2002 | 4:31 pm
#4
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xyzzy: have you actually been successful in avoiding SFO's $12 fee with this technique, or is this just theoretical at SFO?
I think the $12 fee is also funding the airport train system and maybe even the rental car center as well, so I doubt if it will be going away when they replace the busses with the train.
-David
[This message has been edited by LIH Prem (edited 10-01-2002).]
I think the $12 fee is also funding the airport train system and maybe even the rental car center as well, so I doubt if it will be going away when they replace the busses with the train.
-David
[This message has been edited by LIH Prem (edited 10-01-2002).]
Oct 1, 2002 | 5:27 pm
#5
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LIH Prem:
xyzzy: have you actually been successful in avoiding SFO's $12 fee with this technique, or is this just theoretical at SFO?
I think the $12 fee is also funding the airport train system and maybe even the rental car center as well, so I doubt if it will be going away when they replace the busses with the train.
</font>
xyzzy: have you actually been successful in avoiding SFO's $12 fee with this technique, or is this just theoretical at SFO?
I think the $12 fee is also funding the airport train system and maybe even the rental car center as well, so I doubt if it will be going away when they replace the busses with the train.
</font>
Oct 1, 2002 | 5:43 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: BOS/PVD
Posts: 461
You gotta love it--the transportation fee at SFO was slowly creeping up until they decided to practically double it, in anticipation of the ability to ride a shuttle train that they can't even get to work right:
http://beta.kpix.com/news/bcn/2002/0...nt_at_Sfo.html
Also interesting is that a round-trip on BART into the city (about 8 miles each way) will only be $9.70, yet a round-trip to the car rental center (about 1 mile each way) is $12.00.
As far as trying to get around the fee when renting at SFO, I think it's pretty much impossible. I've rented from SFO arriving via SamTrans bus (and even had a valid transfer to demonstrate that I had just ridden the bus in from the city) and yet Hertz wouldn't waive the fee (this was a couple of months ago).
http://beta.kpix.com/news/bcn/2002/0...nt_at_Sfo.html
Also interesting is that a round-trip on BART into the city (about 8 miles each way) will only be $9.70, yet a round-trip to the car rental center (about 1 mile each way) is $12.00.
As far as trying to get around the fee when renting at SFO, I think it's pretty much impossible. I've rented from SFO arriving via SamTrans bus (and even had a valid transfer to demonstrate that I had just ridden the bus in from the city) and yet Hertz wouldn't waive the fee (this was a couple of months ago).
Oct 2, 2002 | 4:12 pm
#8
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I agree that the airport location will charge the fee no matter what -- even if you walk there! The Airport Marriott location avoids the fee, but it has limited hours, including none at all on weekends. However, a block or two south of the Marriott is a large Hertz location called Bayshore (in Burlingame). It's open on the weekends.
Bruce
Bruce
Oct 5, 2002 | 11:01 pm
#12
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As I usually stay in the Union Square area, I'd use that $12 to take a SuperShuttle to my hotel, save a night's parking charge, and rent from a downtown location in the morning or whenever I really needed it.
Oct 6, 2002 | 12:25 pm
#13
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When I fly to SFO after work, I arrive pretty late (close to 10 p.m.). I like to stay at the SFO Marriott, then rent in the morning from Bayshore, drive to wherever I need to go and return to the airport location when I have to fly back. Works like a charm, and no $12 charge. The first night is usually cheaper at SFO, also (but I have to move).
Bruce
Bruce
Oct 6, 2002 | 11:16 pm
#14
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As a frequent renter at SFO, I am pretty shocked at the $12 shuttle fee. These fees can really really add up. How unfortunate.
Nov 1, 2002 | 3:47 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 290
Agreed this fee is absurd. A couple years ago it was more like $4-6, though I believe the "concession charges" other airports charge is bundled into the $12 bus charge, so at least you aren't being double taxed.
Last time I rented at SFO I used Budget. The contract didn't include the $12 charge, and I asked the agent why that was. She didn't know, and I never got charged!
Last time I rented at SFO I used Budget. The contract didn't include the $12 charge, and I asked the agent why that was. She didn't know, and I never got charged!