$500 drop fee, $1000 for car rental Phoenix to Vegas!!!!!
 

Unbelievable! $1000 for a 3 day minivan rental. I've never paid this kind of price - even in Europe. Please tell me my computer has a glitch.....because this certainly puts one in our travel plans.

Dates of travel?

This is beyond belief. I plugged random dates into Dollar's website, and in addition to the "base rate" of $347.13, they add the following, for an estimated total price of $1179.20. I'd stay home, too.

Apt Conc Recov Fee $94.95
Facility Charge $36.00
Energy Recovery Fee $2.70
Fac Maintain Fee $5.58
County Stadium Tax $32.06
One Way Drop Charge $500.00
State Tax $111.46
Vehicle License Fee $49.32
Total Est. Mandatory Charges $832.07

Whew!

Are these airport rates? In Phoenix, you are much better renting at off airport location. It may still be alot, but it should be better than above.

June 18-20 (returning at 5pm) picking up at Phoenix airport and dropping off at our Vegas hotel through Dollar. We have a party of 7 adults and really should rent 2 cars. I'm still in shock.

Enterprise:
Pick Up Location ENTERPRISE - SKY HARBOR
PHOENIX, AZ 85034-4805
Tel.: (602) 225-0588 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (602) 225-0588 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Return Location LAS VEGAS AP CONS FAC
LAS VEGAS, NV 89119-4267
Tel.: (702) 795-8842 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (702) 795-8842 end_of_the_skype_highlighting



Dates & Times change
Pick Up Jun 18, 2011 @ Noon
Return Jun 20, 2011 @ Noon

Vehicle Class change
Minivan



2 Day @
$ 149.48 USD $ 298.96 USD

Drop Charge $ 0.00 USD

CUSTOMER FACILITY CHARGE 6.00/DAY $ 12.00 USD

CONCESSION RECOVERY FEE 11.11PCT $ 33.21 USD

VEHICLE LICENSE SURCHARGE 5 PCT $ 17.21 USD

STADIUM SURCHARGE $ 11.19 USD

TRANS PRIV TAX $ 38.89 USD


* Total Estimated
Charges $ 411.46 USD

Try Hertz and rate code "DRIVE". Also check the rates at Hertz on Indian Springs Road which isn't far from the airport. One of you can take a taxi there quickly while the others are waiting at baggage claim.

I agree that you'd be better off with two cars. Probably cheaper too.

For the return, see if it's a lot cheaper to return to Vegas airport. But there are Hertz locations on the strip too, one I know of is at Planet Hollywood across from Bellagio.

I am not even sure 7 adults and luggage can fit into a mini-van. Whichever row has 3 adults is going to be very uncomfortable. And the luggage space in a minivan is surprisingly small - if you are not familiar with interio space in mini-vans go look at one first.

www.carrentals.com

Lots cheaper alternatives

Fox and Alamo are your 2 best...

You would do a lot better cheaper do rent RT LAS or PHX

to avoid those big drop off charges...

You will always pay more for a specialty car such as a minivan, truck, hybrid, etc. And sometimes that charge a lot for drop fees and sometimes they don't. I have never figured that one out.

Is there a particular reason why you are flying into Phoenix? Might you just change your plans and land in Las Vegas? Even with change fees, it might be a wash in terms of costs if you've already booked your air tickets, especially if flying on Southwest.

My guess is that it's a LOT cheaper to see the Grand Canyon by renting in LV and just driving down and not really much (if any) further of a drive. Of course, if it's not the Grand Canyon you're visiting, then I don't know what to say.

Im with Gail. 7 people plus luggage are not going to fit into a minivan.

I have concerns too about getting everyone and the luggage in. We're going to the Grand Canyon first which is why we're flying into Phoenix. The $500 drop fee is, I believe, because it's another state....I pay that even to drop it at the airport.

Even other companies are outrageous for a 3 day rental.

The Hertz location mentioned above is a good option. It's called Phonenix Motor HLE. I just checked it and it was $350 total thru taxes, etc for 3 days to LV 6/18-20. (RQ DRIVE didn't work). $300 if you have AAA. They don't have a separate charge for one-way, just the flat rate. Companies like Dollar that have branches only at major airports are not the best pick for one-ways. You might want to reserve one now, but look again in May. For example Hertz has a "get one day free on a 3 day weekend rental" right now, but it's only good until April. Once April comes around, they'll probably have similar for the next couple months.

I can't believe an editor would post that. Yellow triangle.

I honeymooned in Scottsale, Sedona, GrCanyon and then travlled back to Phoenix because it was cheaper to fly to vegas then continue on. Arizona is so much more the GC Doug.

oops left out Page, Glen Canyon, Jerome, Painted Dessert. . .

agree with gail - with 7 people there will only be room for a purse or manbag on your lap.

Grand Canyon is easily reachable from Las Vegas, too.

A better plan would have been to fly into/out of LV and do a rental there. Las Vegas rentals are much cheaper than Phoenix, especially with the $500 one-way fee.

I concur. You will need two cars for that party of 7 with luggage.

Kealalani, It's all about offering options. That's one of the reasons for this forum.

I'd go with 2 cars as well. You will pay a premium for a mini-van. Two sedans might be cheaper - plus you'll have more room and be able to shuffle the passengers of each car for variety.

Flying in and out of LV is a great idea if your intention is to see the GC - totally eliminates the one-way fee issue.

Kealalani,

I believe that Doug meant to say why not just pick one airport. I don't see anything negative at all towards Arizona in his post. It is alost always more expensive to fly into and out of two different locations, when you figure a rental car. Of course, it can save you a lot of time. I always look at lodging, air fare, and car rental far before booking any of the three. I start with booking my lodging first as most places that can be canelled with little or no expense.

That said, the info provided by debitnm is an excellent option.