Is Fox Car Rental Any Good? (Top 5 Issues + Comparisons)
Fox cannot compete with industry giants like Avis, Hertz, or Enterprise on fleet size and rental locations.
However, its super-low rental rates and industry-average customer satisfaction are worth considering if it has a location in your destination.
Is Fox Car Rental Legit?
As a car rental company outside the ownership of North America’s three industry leaders – Avis, Hertz, and Enterprise – consumer doubts about Fox Rent-A-Car’s credibility are understandable.
Although relatively small, Fox is a legit car rental with over 100 locations within the United States, plus approximately 28 more outside the country, offering ultra-competitive rates.
Is Fox Car Rental Part of Enterprise?
No, Fox Rent-A-Car isn’t part of Enterprise Holdings.
Europcar Mobility Group acquired full ownership of Fox in 2019.
Is Fox Car Rental Reliable?
Fox Rent-A-Car isn’t one of the eight biggest car rentals JD Power included in its annual customer satisfaction survey.
Still, Fox is a reliable little car rental that performs better than expected, with major customer review sites rating the company’s overall performance above many more reputable industry players.
Fox Car Rental Problems & Complaints:
#1 High Charges for Toll Pass Coverage
The counter rep led some unsuspecting customers to believe that having the electronic toll pass is handy if the renter drives in an area that needed one.
Even when the customers allegedly did not pass any toll booth, the charge that appeared in the bill amounted to several times higher than quoted at the counter.
Complaints about outrageous toll costs are common as they come with hidden charges, and rental companies’ extortionate administrative fees are the main culprit.
#2 Renter Declined But Still Charged for Insurance
Disputing a false charge for an add-on you did not opt for is straightforward if you signed a hardcopy rental contract.
However, a Fox customer signed an authorization electronically, oblivious to the details.
Despite declining the Fox insurance, the customer received an invoice including the coverage, and the issue went into dispute.
#3 De-Smoking Charge Turned Cleaning Fee
One renter took the initiative to have the rental car cleaned and vacuumed before returning it to avoid the infamous cleaning fee.
However, the rental representative claimed that the car reeked of smoke and that the company would charge a $250 de-smoking fee; the renter didn’t smoke, and the vehicle smelled almost new.
The rep’s claim subsequently changed to inability to re-rent as the fragrance isn’t recognizable.
Ultimately, the extra charge on the bill was for cleaning, which the renter disputed.
#4 Paid, But the Company Won’t Hold the Car
Customers should be able to change or cancel car rental reservations, subject to conditions and cancellation fees when applicable.
Apparently, the customer that filed a complaint with Consumer Affairs couldn’t edit or cancel his reservation as he can only collect the vehicle past the scheduled pickup time.
The rental company provided no refund after several days.
The case looks like an outlier. Still, it’s a fraudulent practice that harms the company’s reputation and erodes customer trust.
#5 Extra Gas Charges
Car rentals typically have the options to:
- Re-fuel the car to the same level when returning the vehicle, or
- Prepay, which means you don’t get charged for whatever little gas remains at the end of the rental.
Some customers reportedly received gasoline charges in their bill even after prepaying for the tank.
Meanwhile, another customer was told by the counter rep not to fill up the car upon return as it was cheaper for the company to do so but got charged a sky-high per gallon price.
Other gas-related complaints include Fox slapping fuel charges after the customer returned the vehicle with a full tank.
Fox vs. Other Car Rental Companies:
Fox vs. Ace Car Rental
| FOX | ACE | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Low. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 2.5/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.0/5 | 1.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.0/5 | 2.0/5 |
| Deposit | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. | Approx. $200-$500 for credit and debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. | Yes, an additional charge may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, all vehicles. | Yes. |
| Mileage Fee | Nil. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. | NA |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. | NA |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $10.99/day | NA |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. | NA |
| Allow Towing? | No. | NA |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Restrictions vary by State. | NA |
| Allow Smoking? | No. Cleaning fee applies. | NA |
While Fox and Ace are lesser-known car rentals with few locations, Fox is likelier to provide a better rental experience, judging by the mediocre renter reviews.
Fox vs. Advantage Car Rental
| FOX | ADVANTAGE | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Low. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 2.5/5 | 2.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.0/5 | 2.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.0/5 | 2.0/5 |
| Deposit | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. | $350 or 25% of rental amount, whichever higher. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. | Yes. $75-$200, location-dependent. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, all vehicles. | Yes, most vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | Nil. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. | $10/day. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. | $25-$100/day. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $10.99/day | $12.99/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. | Yes. Cleaning fee applies if car is unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Restrictions vary by State. | Yes. US-Canada allowed. US-Mexico prohibited. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. Cleaning fee applies. | No. |
Choose Fox over Advantage for your car rental if both options are available in your destination, as Fox offers a marginally better rental experience.
Still, if other bigger-name car rentals are available, consider them.
Fox vs. Alamo Car Rental
| FOX | ALAMO | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 837/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Low. | Moderate to Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 2.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. | $300-$400 for credit and debit cards; debit cards accepted only if accompanied by a ticketed return itinerary. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. | Yes; charges apply and vary depending on the location. Higher rental rates may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, all vehicles. | Available in all vehicle classes. |
| Mileage Fee | Nil. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. | $5-$15/day, location dependent. Free for spouse or domestic partner. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. | 21-24-year-olds pay approx. $25/day surcharge, location dependent. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $10.99/day | $12/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. | Yes, crated. Service animals without carrier is OK. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Restrictions vary by State. | Most US vehicles can travel into Canada. Exotics and vans may not travel outside the US. Most renting locations forbid travel into Mexico w/o additional insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. Cleaning fee applies. | No. |
In Fox versus Alamo consideration, opt for Alamo as it is under the reputable Enterprise’s ownership, and Fox’s low rates have seen customers complaining about their deceptive practices.
Fox vs. Avis Car Rental
| FOX | AVIS | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 826/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Low. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 2.5/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 if you prepaid with a debit card. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. | Yes; charges and higher rates apply, and they vary depending on the location. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, all vehicles. | Yes; standard for most vehicle classes and locations. |
| Mileage Fee | Nil. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. | $3/day in New York, no max. $11/day in Nevada, max. $65/rental. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Qualifying family members drive for free. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. | 21-24-year-olds pay $28-$35/day surcharge, location dependent. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI pay $41-$84/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $10.99/day | Up to $14/day, depending on rental length. Must return the seat to the same location, or pay a $50 fee. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. | Yes, but keep the car clean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Restrictions vary by State. | Can travel into Canada w/ prior arrangement; a Canadian non-resident insurance may be necessary. Can drive into Mexico only when renting from select Avis locations, through a corporate account, and with special Avis insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. Cleaning fee applies. | No. $450 cleaning fee. |
Although Fox advertises extremely low rates, the higher amounts at final bills and the smaller number of locations make Avis the better choice than Fox for your travel rental car.
Fox vs. Budget Car Rental
| FOX | BUDGET | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 807/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Low. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 2.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, all vehicles. | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. |
| Mileage Fee | Nil. | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $10.99/day | $14/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Restrictions vary by State. | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. Cleaning fee applies. | No. |
Fox beats Budget with ultra-lower rates on its website; however, Budget car rental’s considerably greater number of locations makes a better choice if you need to drop off your car in another area.
Fox vs. Dollar Car Rental
| FOX | DOLLAR | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 786/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Low. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 2.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, all vehicles. | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. |
| Mileage Fee | Nil. | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. | $13.50/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. | Available at time of rental. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $10.99/day | $13.99/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Restrictions vary by State. | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. Cleaning fee applies. | No. $400 de-smoking fee. |
Dollar enjoys better consumer feedback than Fox, albeit by a small margin, and it has more locations and a great selection of vehicles, making Dollar the car rental of choice ahead of Fox.
Fox may offer extremely low rates, but copious reviews complained about hidden fees and add-ons that significantly inflate the final amount.
Fox vs. Enterprise Car Rental
| FOX | ENTERPRISE | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 861/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Low. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 2.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. | $400-$850, depending on the vehicle class. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. | Yes, but only at participating outlets. A one-way drop charge applies but varies by location. Higher rates may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, all vehicles. | Yes for most car classes. |
| Mileage Fee | Nil. | $0.10-$0.25 per additional mile, if applicable. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. | $5/day in New York. $15/day in other States. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. | $25/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $10.99/day | $12/day; max $72/rental. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. | Yes, but crated. Cleaning fee may apply if unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | Generally, no. But allowed for select pickup trucks in Enterprise truck rental locations. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Restrictions vary by State. | Yes; anywhere within the US and Canada, except for Exotics and large vans. Can drive into Mexico with Enterprise’s special insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. Cleaning fee applies. | No. |
If paying more for better-quality service isn’t an issue, opt for Enterprise over Fox car rental.
Fox may advertise significantly lower rates, but, going by customer reviews, the hidden fees do not make the final bills that much cheaper than an equivalent rental with Enterprise.
Fox vs. Hertz Car Rental
| FOX | HERTZ | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 826/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Low. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 2.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Deposit | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, all vehicles. | Yes, for most vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | Nil. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. | $19/day per driver. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $10.99/day | $13.99 |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. | Yes. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Restrictions vary by State. | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. Cleaning fee applies. | No. $400 cleaning fee. |
Although Hertz isn’t the leading car rental in the industry, it has comparatively better service and more locations than Fox, making it the car rental of choice between the two.
Fox vs. National Car Rental
| FOX | NATIONAL | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 852/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Low. | Pricey to Exorbitant. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 2.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.0/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Deposit | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, all vehicles. | Yes. |
| Mileage Fee | Nil. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. | $15/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $10.99/day | $12-$13.99/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Restrictions vary by State. | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. Cleaning fee applies. | No. |
With Fox’s lower satisfaction level among renters, going with National, which has a significantly greater number of locations for accessibility and one-way rentals, is a straightforward decision.
That said, National’s exorbitant rates may not work for all wallets.
Fox vs. Payless Car Rental
| FOX | PAYLESS | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Low. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 2.5/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. | $250 for credit cards. $300 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. | Yes, depending on the rental location. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, all vehicles. | Yes for most vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | Nil. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. | $13/day. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. | $25/day. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $10.99/day | $14/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. | Yes. $250 cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Restrictions vary by State. | Yes, but must notify the rental location first. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. Cleaning fee applies. | No. $450 cleaning fee. |
Both have minimal presence in the US car rental scene with super-cheap rates, but when faced with these options, choose Fox over Payless as the former enjoys marginally better customer reviews.
Fox vs. Sixt Car Rental
| FOX | SIXT | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Low. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 2.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. | Minimum $200. $2,500 or more for the priciest vehicle group. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. | Yes. $0 between airport locations. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, all vehicles. | Yes for most vehicles, except for some sports and premium models. |
| Mileage Fee | Nil. | $0.55/mile or higher, vehicle-dependent. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. | $15/day. Free for renter’s spouse and immediate family members. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. | Not disclosed. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $10.99/day | $15/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. | Yes. Cleaning fee applies if returned unclean; no cleaning fee for rental w/ service animal. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Restrictions vary by State. | Yes. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. Cleaning fee applies. | No. |
These two services aren’t the most prominent in the car rental business, although Sixt betters Fox in fleet size, transparent pricing on its website, and more locations to meet one-way rental needs.
Fox vs. Thrifty Car Rental
| FOX | THRIFTY | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 768/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Low. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 2.5/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Deposit | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. | Yes, at select locations. One-way drop fee applies. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, all vehicles. | Yes, standard. |
| Mileage Fee | Nil. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. | $13.50/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. | Not disclosed. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $10.99/day | $13.99/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. | Yes. But $50-$250 cleaning fee if returned with damage or unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Restrictions vary by State. | Yes. Can cross into Mexico only with Mexico Insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. Cleaning fee applies. | No. $400 smoke cleaning fee will apply if evidence of smoking found. |
Fox and Thrifty do not enjoy glowing reviews online, but if you must choose, Thrifty has slightly better rates and more rental locations for greater accessibility.
That said, you will need to be extra careful when signing paper or electronic contracts with either company to ensure the unwanted add-on boxes aren’t checked.
Fox vs. Turo Car Rental
| FOX | TURO | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Low. | Very low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 2.5/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, all vehicles. | No. |
| Mileage Fee | Nil. | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. | No. |
| Under-25 Fee | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $10.99/day | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent. Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Restrictions vary by State. Check each State’s policy for details. | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. Cleaning fee applies. | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. |
As Fox is one of the smallest car rentals with minimal locations and deceptively low rates, choosing Turo for greater flexibility and vehicle selection is the better decision.
If a one-way rental and unlimited miles aren’t necessary for your travel plans, Turo is the ideal choice.
Fox Car Rental FAQs:
Does Fox Car Rental Have Unlimited Miles?
Fox does not impose any mileage restrictions so that you can drive anywhere in the US.
Does Fox Car Rental Charge for Mileage?
No, Fox Rent a Car does not charge for extra miles as their vehicles have unlimited mileage.
Does Fox Car Rental Allow Pets?
Fox Rent-A-Car allows your pet to travel in the rental vehicle, but you need to return the car in a clean condition or risk a cleaning fee; Fox did not disclose the fee.
Does Fox Car Rental Allow Towing?
Fox Rent-A-Car does not permit towing with any of its rental vehicles.
Does Fox Car Rental Allow Out-Of-State Travel?
Restrictions for out-of-state driving with Fox rental cars are:
- Rentals originating in AZ, CA, CO, NV, UT, and WA: can only drive within AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, NE, NV, NM, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, and WY.
- Rentals originating in FL: can only drive within FL.
- Rentals originating in TX: can only drive within TX, AR, LA, NM, and OK.
- Rentals originating in IL: can only drive within IL, WI, IA, IN, MO, and KY.
Restrictions for driving US rental cars outside US borders include:
- Driving into Mexico: allowed if you buy Mexico Insurance from Fox, and limited to Mexico cities/states closest to California and Arizona.
- Driving into Canada: allowed only for rentals originating in Washington driving into the province of British Columbia, Canada.
Does Fox Charge for Additional Drivers (incl. Spouse)?
These additional drivers who meet Fox’s renter requirements on age, license, and credit card can drive for free:
- Renter’s spouse or domestic partner.
- Companion to a renter with a driving disability.
- At California rental locations.
Other additional drivers pay $12.99/day per driver in most Fox rental locations throughout the US, except for some locations in New York state, paying as low as $5/day per driver.
What Is Fox Rent-A-Car’s Cancellation Policy?
The consequences of a cancellation, if any, vary depending on how you made the reservation.
For “PAY LATER” reservations:
- No cancellation fee.
- You need to cancel if you want your rewards points returned.
- If booked through another provider, you must cancel with that provider.
If you pre-paid:
- Cancel after booking and more than 24 hours from pickup: a cancellation fee of $50 applies, and you’ll receive the remaining balance in store credit. Fox will not return the balance to your payment method.
- Cancel less than 24 hours from pickup: full pre-paid amount forfeited.
- No cancellation and no-show: full pre-paid amount forfeited.
Note that Fox does not allow modifications to a reservation except for add-ons; you need to cancel and re-book at current rental rates.
However, you can buy Fox Travel Insurance at 10% of the rental amount to guarantee a 75% cash refund or 100% of store credit should you cancel for any reason. If plans change, you’ll have 48 hours after pickup time to claim your cash refund or store credit.
If you book through a non-Fox provider, you must follow that provider’s cancellation policy.
References:
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/fox.html