Comments about ‘Travel cheaper by minimizing huge car rental fees’

The only industry that comes close to the airlines for the creative terminology they can come up with to charge you more is car rental. This outbundling of prices is insidious and deceitful. Now hotels have joined the fray, with 'resort fees'. It's a rip off, and it's time some legislation comes into play.

You can save money by joining the rental car company's preferred plan or group. Salt Lake City is one of the priciest places around but at least they have good service. If you want a negative experience, try renting a vehicle in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Incidentally, rental car companies call a cramped-up little piece of tin a "standard" car. That's laughable.

When one considers placing one's life into a car on Utah's freeways, I would gladly spend the extra bucks to not drive a "compact" because they are hardly bigger than a Harley-Davidson. When it comes to being safe, don't be too cheap.

Another way to save money is to go online and bid for a car rental. Of course you need to pay up-front in most instances (but not all) and the fee is non-refundable, but if you are certain you are going to need the vehicle, you can save money.

A distinct possibility is also to enroll for online specials from the rental companies. And using an off-brand will always be cheaper than the established big companies. Of course there are risks involved there, too.

Any decent rental company, if you go online, will have an Anticipated Total Charges Fee listed so don't just look at the "$12.95 per day" and think that's it....which is a grabber to get you to rent but isn't the whole story.

As to the exhorbitant government-tacked-on fees, welcome to the current way that everyone in government---local, state, county and federal---does business.