How did a $33.99/day rental of a small 4-cylinder \"economy car\" for 2 days turn into a $270.61 rip-off gouge? I rented from Budget Rent-a-Car at the Phoenix Internat. Airport ... linked to the rental via Travelocity. That's how.\n\nIt is a lesson in the old \"Yes, the basic rate is $33.95 - very cheap! - but, oh, you want a steering wheel on that car? That's an extra ...\" type scam. And they added a mysterious 11.11 percent \"Concession Recovery Fee\" on top of the quoted rate - no extra service or feature gained -  it's just an unadvertised \"additional fee\" - I assume the argument is that the quoted rate was just for the car, but the act of the customer simply showing up to pick up and drop off the car (on time) is \"extra cost\"!! The \"LDW\" was almost as much as the car rate, at $25.99/day (I am sure that rate is inflated to maximize costs ... It's actually not even insurance. It just absolves you of the responsibility for car damage - so what they \"choose\" to charge you is not fixed to any market-controlled rate) - it's whatever they can get away with. The personal injury waiver (also not insurance) was $14.49/day. Etc ... Etc ...\nThe contract actually states, \"If I (renter) return the car prior to due date, I may be charged a higher rate.\" !!! - what!?!\n\nWorse of all - the agent at the desk, when hearing where I was going, INSISTED that I would use a full tank of gas to get there and back, \"and probably a bit more.\" So she really pressed that I opt for the \"purchase a tank of gas\" to \"save money\" - also stating that it was cheaper than the going rate \"outside\". But any unused gas was non-refundable ... You guessed it - I had a whole one-third of a tank left, on return of car - Ka-Ching! More money in their pocket! (and they can re-sell the same gas again to the next sucker!) ... and - the rate Budget charged me for the gas was EXACTLY the same as what gas was sold for on the street.\n\nI complained upon return and seeing these charges rack up, but they smiled and said, \"sorry ... I see a signature here ... that yours? \"\n\nSo - I will NEVER, EVER use \"Blood-let\" Rent-A-Car again and will steer my friends and colleagues away from them.\n\nYes, I take some responsibility for being such an easy \"mark\" - but they are trained to be snake oil salesmen and openly con people into every expense they can. I have rented cars multiple times before from various agencies - never have I come up against a \"shake down\" like this - and was unprepared for the \"gaming\" I was put through.\n\nIf you must use them, go over everything with a fine toothed comb. Take your time. Ask every \"dumb\" question ... Even if you assume you know - ask them to explain ... you very well may be surprised.\n\nCheck with your own auto insurance to see if they cover car and personal injury, to see if you can decline all waivers ... else know your rate is something quite astronomically inflated from the \"stated rate\".