I usually take cabs when I travel unless I'm doing significant "countryside" driving. In many cities, you can get LOTS of taxi mileage for the price of rental cars and the associated parking! You don't have to drive, either!

Some rental cos. include things in their rates that others do not. Always check the GRAND total. Orbitz does a good job quoting both rates before & after the surcharges.

rb, if costs such as the concession and facilities fees were built into the price, and the customer pays sales tax on the total sales price, then wouldn't the renter be charged tax on these items?

"here_today": Yes, the charge might be higher, but at least it wouldn't seem like one is being "nickel and dimed" to death.

"jor":Yes, it does influence some of my travel plans, and my own region is guilty of it too. Seems like it first started in the 70's with airport PFC's, and has just grown worse.

Bad cities:

Providence
Colorado Springs
Manchester New Hampshire
Boston
Las Vegas

The taxes/fees don't bother me so much, I figure the government money has to come from somewhere, but the hotel resort fees are ridiculous! Don't tell me your rate is $200 when there is also a $15 "resort fee" - tell me it is $215! Why not just advertise a $15 rate and then in small print put a $200 resort fee?

I think that the hotel rate that pops up in expedia, travelocity, orbitz, etc. should automatically include resort fees or any other BS charges that are really part of the room rate.