A new study from Travelocity shows that the average taxes added to base rates for car rentals at major U.S. airports has increased from 25.8 percent in March 2005 to 28.04 percent in December 2006. These taxes, such as "facility charges," are imposed by local and state governments, rather than the rental car companies.

Travelocity’s 2006/2007 research findings showed such taxes to be substantially lower at neighborhood car rental locations than airport locations, averaging only 14.9 percent of the final rental price.

Kansas City tops the list this year with a 63 percent average difference in the price between the base rates and the total price including taxes that consumers paid at the airport. Three cities in California tied for the least sticker shock: San Diego, Orange County and Palm Springs all came in at 7.8 percent average. 10 Airports in 2006 with HIGHEST Percentage Difference in Price Between Daily Base Rate and Total Amount Due at Airport Locations (averages include the top 100 U.S. airports):

Airport and Average Percentage Jump in Price
1. Kansas City: 63.0%
2. Seattle: 54.4%
3. Anchorage: 54.4%
4. Atlanta: 53.5%
5. Dallas/Fort Worth: 52.1%
6. Phoenix: 47.9%
7. Austin Bergstrom: 46.2%
8. Albuquerque: 44.6%
9. Las Vegas: 44.2%
10. Houston – Bush: 43.6%

10 Airports in 2006 with LOWEST Percentage Difference in Price Between Daily Base Rate and the Total Amount Due at Airport Locations (includes top 100 U.S. airports):

Airport and Average Percentage Jump in Price
1. San Diego: 7.8%
2. Orange County: 7.8%
3. Palm Springs: 7.8%
4. Sacramento: 7.9%
5. Los Angeles (LAX): 8.2%
6. Long Beach: 8.3%
7. Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena: 8.3%
8. Honolulu: 15.1%
9. San Jose: 17.0%
10. Burlington, VT: 17.4%

A complete analysis of Travelocity’s findings at each of the 100 airports researched can be found at www.travelocity.com/rentalcarstudy.