Are there hidden fees when renting from Enterprise?

Enterprise may be charging you a high amount due to airport fees, hidden or optional add-ons, fuel charges, insurance gaps, or late return penalties.

Customers on Facebook commonly experience bills that are higher than initial quotes because of extra items added at the counter or undisclosed fees.

Common Reasons for High Enterprise Charges

• Airport and Location Surcharges: Renting at an airport adds high concession recovery fees, tourism fees, and local taxes that can nearly double a base rate.
• Insurance and Coverage: Declining optional collision damage waiver (CDW) or roadside protection isn't always clear, and if you are using an insurance replacement, your policy might only cover a specific daily limit, leaving you to pay the difference.
• Fuel Policies: Returning a car with less fuel than when you picked it up incurs steep refueling service fees.
• Late Returns: Returning a vehicle even an hour late can trigger a charge for an entire extra day.
• Tolls and Violations: Using electronic toll lanes without a pass often results in administrative fees added by third-party toll processors weeks later.
• Additional Drivers or Young Drivers: Fees apply for any unlisted or additional drivers, as well as drivers under the age of 25.

According to consumer data and satisfaction rankings from sources like Consumer Reports and TripSavvy, budget-tier brands consistently score the lowest in customer satisfaction.

Brands and Companies to Approach with Caution

• Thrifty, Fox, and Dollar: These discount brands frequently rank at the bottom of national customer satisfaction surveys due to long wait times at counters, hidden fees, and unexpected charges.
• Budget and Avis: While major global names, specific high-volume airport locations often receive heavy criticism for long lines, understaffed counters, and issues with vehicle cleanliness.
• Off-Brand / Third-Party Aggregators: Lesser-known local or ultra-cheap booking sites can sometimes act as middlemen rather than fleet owners, leading to confusion over terms, insurance, and hidden deposits.

Common Traps to Watch Out For

• Counter Upselling: Aggressive pressure to buy expensive daily collision damage waivers or roadside assistance.
• Pre-Paid Fuel Policies: Charging high flat rates for a full tank upfront, which penalizes you if you return the car with gas still in it.
• Airport Surcharges: Renting directly at airport terminals often doubles base rates through local concession fees and taxes.

You can get cheaper rates with Enterprise by booking off-airport neighborhood locations, taking advantage of multi-day discounts, and using eligible partner or organization codes.

Key Ways to Save at Enterprise

• Avoid Airport Locations: Renting at neighborhood or off-airport branches often bypasses steep airport concession fees and local surcharges.
• Book Multi-Day Rentals: Booking a rental of 3 to 27 days through the Enterprise Deals Page can automatically save you 10% on standard classes and up to 15% on other eligible vehicle classes.
• Use Member & Partner Discounts: Check for corporate codes, military/government leisure discounts (5% off), or partner offers (such as through Southwest Airlines or membership groups). Users on Facebook generally agree that checking rewards credit card portals or organizational memberships helps uncover lower base rates.
• Join Enterprise Plus: Sign up for the free loyalty program to earn points toward free rental days with no blackout dates.
• Decline Unnecessary Extras: Save on daily fees by declining optional damage waivers if your personal auto insurance or credit card already covers rental car damage.

Enterprise typically places a hold on your credit card for the full estimated cost of the rental plus a security deposit ranging from $200 to $400.

The exact hold amount can vary depending on a few key factors:

Key Hold Factors

• Standard Vehicles: For most standard cars, SUVs, and minivans, the security deposit is usually a flat $300.
• Luxury & Large Vehicles: If you rent a premium vehicle, large passenger van, or specialty SUV, the security deposit hold can increase up to $850.
• Alternative Hold Formula: At certain locations or for specific account types, Enterprise may calculate the hold as 120% of the estimated rental cost instead of a flat fee. For example, if your total rental cost is $300, the total hold amount would be $360 (the cost of the rental plus a $60 security hold).

How the Hold Works

• Credit Limit Impact: The total amount (rental cost + deposit) is held as a pending authorization. It is not an actual charge, but it will temporarily reduce your available credit limit.
• Release Timeline: Once you return the vehicle in its original condition, Enterprise releases the security hold immediately. Your card is then only processed for the actual final rental cost. It typically takes 1 to 5 business days for the pending hold to disappear from your bank statement, depending entirely on your credit card issuer.

Note: Deposit amounts can vary significantly by location and country. You can check the specific requirements for your branch on the Enterprise Security Deposit FAQ page.

Budget, Avis, and Sixt often rank among the cheapest major national car rental companies, while budget-focused regional brands like NU Car and Routes frequently offer the lowest base rates.

Top Budget-Friendly Companies

• Major Brands: Budget, Avis, and Sixt regularly test as the least expensive among large, mainstream fleets, with average weekly rates often hovering around $333.
• Independent/Regional Brands: Companies like NU Car, Routes Car & Truck Rentals, and Easirent frequently post the lowest headline daily rates (sometimes under $10 a day), though they have fewer locations and stricter terms.
• Peer-to-Peer: Platforms like Turo let you rent directly from local car owners, which can beat traditional agency rates depending on the city.

Tips for Finding the Absolute Lowest Price

• Compare Aggregators First: Use comparison tools like KAYAK Car Rentals, Priceline, or AutoSlash to scan multiple providers at once.
• Book Direct: Once you find a low price on an aggregator, check the rental company's direct site (like Budget Rent a Car) to see if a "Pay Now" or member discount drops the price further.
• Leverage Memberships: Use discounts from AAA, Costco Travel, or credit card reward programs to shave 20% to 35% off base rates.
• Avoid Airport Locations: Renting at neighborhood or downtown off-site locations usually bypasses heavy airport taxes and fees.