Taxes & Charges
At TopTravelPlanners, we believe in complete transparency with every reservation. For this reason, we clearly outline all taxes, fees, and potential charges associated with car rentals within the United States. Below is a detailed overview of the possible costs that may apply depending on the location, vehicle type, and rental provider.
1. Base Rental Rates
The base rate includes the cost of renting the vehicle for the selected period, determined by the vehicle category, pickup location, rental duration, and season. This amount does not include taxes or additional fees until the final booking stage.
2. State and Local Taxes
Taxes on car rentals vary depending on the state and city where the booking is made. Common examples include:
- State Sales Tax: generally ranges between 4% and 10% depending on the jurisdiction.
- Airport Concession Fee: typically ranges from 7% to 12% for rentals at airport locations.
- Tourism or Transportation Taxes: applicable in certain high-tourist-volume destinations.
All mandatory taxes are calculated automatically and displayed before completing the reservation on TopTravelPlanners.
3. Additional Provider Fees
Depending on the rental provider and booking conditions, additional charges may apply, such as:
- Young Driver Fee: typically charged for drivers under 25, ranging between $20 and $35 per day.
- Additional Driver Fee: applies when adding more authorized drivers to the rental agreement.
- One-Way Rental Fee: charged when returning the vehicle to a different location than the pickup point.
- Fuel Charges: applied if the vehicle is returned with less fuel than provided.
- Cleaning Fee: may apply for excessive dirt, spills, or interior damage.
4. Airport-Related Fees
Rentals at U.S. airports typically include additional fees mandated by airport authorities, such as:
- Airport Concession Recovery Fee (ACRF): charged to cover airport rental concessions.
- Customer Facility Charge (CFC): used for the maintenance of transportation facilities.
- Vehicle License Recovery Fee (VLRF): covers vehicle registration and licensing costs.
These charges vary by airport and provider and are always displayed clearly before you confirm your reservation.
5. Optional Insurance & Coverage
During the booking process, you may select optional insurance or protection plans offered by the provider, including:
- CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): reduces financial responsibility in case of damage.
- SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance): provides additional third-party liability coverage.
- PAI (Personal Accident Insurance): covers medical expenses for the driver and passengers.
- PEP (Personal Effects Protection): protects personal belongings stored inside the vehicle.
These insurance options are optional, and costs will be shown clearly before payment is completed.
6. Security Deposit
Most rental providers require a refundable security deposit at the time of pickup. This amount is held on the primary driver’s credit card and released when the vehicle is returned in proper condition, without damages or additional charges. Deposits typically range between $200 and $500 depending on vehicle category, provider, and location.
7. Late Return or Extension Charges
If the vehicle is returned after the scheduled time, the provider may charge additional hourly or daily fees. If you need to extend your rental period, please notify us or the provider in advance to avoid automatic surcharges.
8. Administrative or Violation Fees
If traffic violations, unpaid tolls, or fines occur during the rental period, the provider may charge additional administrative fees. TopTravelPlanners is not responsible for these charges, as they relate directly to the rental provider’s terms.
9. Transparency Policy
Our goal at TopTravelPlanners is to ensure every customer understands exactly what they are paying for. Before finalizing your reservation, you will see a complete breakdown of all taxes, fees, charges, and optional services. We do not apply hidden fees or surprise charges after confirmation.
10. Questions & Assistance
If you have questions about taxes, fees, or any charges applied to your reservation, you can contact our customer support team anytime. We are happy to help before, during, or after your rental.
- Email: support@toptravelplanners.com
- Phone: +1(888) 834-9003
- Website: www.toptravelplanners.com
