Skip to content
Elliott Report

Elliott Report

  • Home
  • Features
    • Advocacy
    • Destinations
    • Problem Solved
    • On Travel
    • Safe Travels
    • The Travel Troubleshooter
    • Red List/Green List
    • Ultimate Consumer Guides
  • Company Contacts
  • Sites
    • Elliott Advocacy
    • Christopher Elliott’s books
    • Elliott Confidential
    • EA Facebook Group
  • Newsletters
    • Elliott Advocacy Today (Daily)
    • Elliott Confidential (Premium)
    • Elliott’s E-Mail (Weekly)
    • Media Leads (Weekly)
  • Advocacy
  • About
  • Contact Us
Get Help
Elliott Report

Elliott Report

  • Home
  • Features
    • Advocacy
    • Destinations
    • Problem Solved
    • On Travel
    • Safe Travels
    • The Travel Troubleshooter
    • Red List/Green List
    • Ultimate Consumer Guides
  • Company Contacts
  • Sites
    • Elliott Advocacy
    • Christopher Elliott’s books
    • Elliott Confidential
    • EA Facebook Group
  • Newsletters
    • Elliott Advocacy Today (Daily)
    • Elliott Confidential (Premium)
    • Elliott’s E-Mail (Weekly)
    • Media Leads (Weekly)
  • Advocacy
  • About
  • Contact Us

CAR RENTAL FEES

ravel companies are adding unexpected fees, from luggage weight to water charges. Learn about these new "gotchas" and how to fight back.

New “gotchas” that travelers never see coming

September 28, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When Yesim Saydan flew from New York to Amsterdam recently, she was shocked when a ticket agent weighed her carry-on backpack.

Categories On Travel
Just when you think you've seen every car rental fee under the sun, you hear from someone like Jason Hunter.

Do I really owe Budget $450 for cleaning my rental car? It’s just a little sand!

April 2, 2025October 28, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

What’s this $450 cleaning fee on Irina Safonov’s Budget Car Rental bill? Sure, she rented a Chrysler Voyager in Detroit recently. And yes, she returned it with “a little” sand on the floor mats.

Categories Advocacy

What’s Your Problem?

If you have a consumer problem, please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. We’re always here to help. Our help is free.

Get Help

Our Newsletter

Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. Did we mention it's free?

Sign Up

What's This Site?

The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers.

Join Us

Follow Us

© 2026 Elliott Report | Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Features
    • Advocacy
    • Problem Solved
    • On Travel
    • The Travel Troubleshooter
    • Ultimate Consumer Guides
  • Company Contacts
  • Sites
    • Elliott Advocacy
    • Elliott Confidential
    • EA Facebook Group
  • Newsletters
    • Elliott Advocacy Today (Daily)
    • Elliott Confidential (Premium)
    • Elliott’s E-Mail (Weekly)
    • Media Leads (Weekly)
  • Advocacy
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Get Help