No, Enterprise Rent-A-Car does not impose "hidden fees" in the deceptive sense. All potential extra charges are clearly outlined in your rental agreement and on their website. The final cost beyond the base rate typically includes mandatory taxes/government surcharges, your chosen protections (like Loss Damage Waiver), and charges for your specific usage, such as fuel, additional drivers, or returning the car late.
The key to avoiding surprises is understanding the difference between mandatory fees, optional products, and usage-based charges. For example, an airport concession recovery fee is a mandatory charge at airport locations, while purchasing a full tank of fuel upfront is an optional convenience. Failing to refuel the vehicle yourself will result in a per-gallon refueling charge plus a service fee, which is a usage-based cost.
Common mandatory or semi-mandatory charges include:
- Airport/ Facility Charges: Locations at airports, major train stations, or special event venues add a concession recovery fee or facility charge. This can range from 10% to 15% of the rental cost, as is common industry-wide.
- Taxes and Government Surcharges: These are non-negotiable and vary by state, county, and city.
- Young Renter Fee: Drivers under 25 are charged a daily surcharge, typically between $20 to $30 per day, as reflected in standard industry practice for risk assessment.
Optional charges you can accept or decline:
- Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI): These are daily fees that limit your financial responsibility for damage or third-party liability. According to data from the American Automotive Association, these optional protections can increase the total rental cost by 30% to 60%.
- Roadside Protection: Covers things like lockout services or tire changes for a daily fee.
- Prepaid Fuel: The option to pay for a full tank at a set rate at the start of the rental.
Usage-based fees you control:
- Fuel Charges: If you return the car with less fuel than when you picked it up, you will be charged for the missing fuel at a per-gallon rate that is higher than local pump prices, plus a service fee (e.g., a $7-10 service fee plus fuel at a premium rate).
- Late Return Fee: A grace period (often 29 minutes) is usually granted. Returning the car later may incur an extra half-day or full-day charge based on the rental rate.
- Additional Driver Fee: Adding an extra driver usually costs a fixed fee per day (e.g., $10-$15 per day per additional driver in the U.S.), though spouses/domestic partners may be added for free in some regions.
- Tolls (PlatePass): If you use toll roads without setting up your own transponder, Enterprise’s automated toll service, PlatePass, will charge the tolls plus a daily convenience fee for each day you incur a toll (up to a maximum fee cap per rental period).
To ensure full transparency:
- Read your contract thoroughly before signing, especially the "Charges" section.
- Inspect the vehicle with an agent and note any existing damage on the check-out sheet.
- Ask the counter agent to clarify any line item you don't understand before you drive away.
- Return the car on time, refueled, and in the condition you received it to avoid the most common additional fees.
By proactively reviewing your agreement and managing your rental choices, you can accurately predict your total cost with Enterprise.
