High Point market taps Enterprise as 'preferred rental car company'

High Point— The International Home Furnishings Market Authority has designated Enterprise as the "preferred rental car company" of the High Point market after the company agreed to offer rates that are significantly lower than most other rental car agencies.

The Enterprise rates,

while still above the rates the company charges when the market isn't in town, represent the first time the Market Authority has been able to convince a rental company to give market attendees a price break.

"They wanted to partner with us because they have several offices outside the (Greensboro) airport," said Tammy Covington, the authority's director of operations. "In most cases, they can deliver a car to the hotel where you're staying."

Rental car rates typically are high on the list of complaints from marketgoers, but Covington said several rental agencies have refused to meet with IHFMA to discuss the situation. With the exception of Enterprise, the others opted not to lower their rates.

Last week, Enterprise's Web site was quoting rates of $75 per day for a compact car during market, $90 per day for a full-size car and $110 per day for a premium car. The Hertz and Avis Web sites both were quoting rates of $94.99 per day for a compact and $129.99 per day for a premium car.

For a full-size car, Hertz was quoting $104.99 per day and Avis $119.99 per day.

Cars rented at the Greensboro airport are subject to a variety of taxes and surcharges that add about 25% to the base rate.

Renters who use Enterprise's off-airport locations will still pay North Carolina sales tax, but won't pay the 11.1% concession fee and 5% rental car tax added to airport rentals.