California Insider

A Weblog by Sacramento Bee Columnist Daniel Weintraub

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May 05, 2003

A car for $15.95 per day? Hardly.

We went through Las Vegas over the weekend to a wedding in Death Valley. Rented a car for $15.95 a day, unlimited mileage. When we returned the vehicle, the tab for less than three days was $89. Hmmm. OK, part of the cost run-up was the $25 refueling option. But other extras included $4.80 labeled "concession fee recovery" and $1.50 to process my airline frequent flyer credit. Huh? And then there was the 16.75 percent special sales tax on top of everything. I wonder if a rental car company could gain customers with an "honest rates" marketing campaign that boasted of no hidden charges. Kind of like some banks are doing these days. I know I'd give them my business.

Posted by dweintraub at May 5, 2003 07:11 AM