A Very Taxing Tale
 

Howdy!

No trips this weekend, so I have been doing reconfirmation work for upcoming runs and trips.

Mrs. Frugal and I always enjoy our annual fall
visit to Phoenix for the NASCAR races. Beutiful time of the year in the desert.

Anyway, since this is a standing visit, I
booked the rental car portion for this year's
visit [November] back in December, 2001.

Avis won the business with a great daily rate of $20.99 for a compact. Estimated total charges came to $55.42.

I just checked with Avis about this
reservation and they reconfirmed the exact same daily rate. The problem is that total
estimated charges are now $63.48!!

This is a FIFTY-SEVEN percent (57%) increase in fees and taxes since the time that I originally booked this car.

Totally unbelievable.

Buzz?

Don't ya love it, we tax the tourists who don't vote here.

Dear Me,

Sorry if my post is somewhat off topic. I'll leave that for the moderator.

Taxes and fees DO have an impact on what constitutes value when accumulating miles.

I guess I could put it into a "mileage buzz"
context as follows:

Each BA EC mile that I earn from this
rental will now cost $0.13 instead of
$0.11.

Again my apologies, but I thought this was
worthwhile information that does have a place.

At least you won't pay tax on your BA miles (non-US carriers and hotel programs are exempt from taxation on miles/points earned through car rentals)... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Yes it is worthwhile information, for the "Airlines, Hotels, Car Rentals" forum. Please continue to monitor it there.

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Craig6z
Buzz & United Moderator
[email protected]

Perhaps a list of airports or cities that have gone overboard on taxation of car rentals.

CLE SEA GEG PHX RNO

All are on my list. It means I might visit these places 25% of the time that I did five years ago. For RNO, that is now in the 37% range, my current monthly rental from Avis originates at LAX.