Author Topic: why does it cost so much to fly to or rent a car in houston? (Read 10251 times)

Rebel Jew · « **on:** June 17, 2008, 10:07:56 am »

every airline, including continental, is at least $40 cheaper if you go to austin instead of houston, and renting a car is at least $15 a day more. is this because of taxes to build such civic landmarks as enron field? does it also cost more to stay in a hotel room in houston?

JimR · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2008, 10:09:33 am »

Quote from: Joey Trum on June 17, 2008, 10:07:56 am

every airline, including continental, is at least $40 cheaper if you go to austin instead of houston, and renting a car is at least $15 a day more. is this because of taxes to build such civic landmarks as enron field? does it also cost more to stay in a hotel room in houston?

damn, you're bitter for one so young. chill.

Andyzipp · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2008, 10:17:07 am »

Houston is a bigger city than Austin. There is dramatically more traffic flying into Houston than into Austin. There are more businesses in Houston than in Austin. As the vast majority of flying is still done by business travelers, they can charge more to land here.

As far as the hotel rooms and rental cars, yes there is a tax added to pay for Reliant, MMPUS and Toyota Center. But much of the price difference you're seeing is driven by the large amount of business travelers coming to Houston.

MusicMan · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2008, 10:19:14 am »

Noe, what is supply and demand?

Limey · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2008, 10:40:28 am »

Quote from: Joey Trum on June 17, 2008, 10:07:56 am

does it also cost more to stay in a hotel room in houston?

Yup. And if you stay at the Omni...no Spanktravision (which is why my colleagues visiting from across the pond now stay at the Hilton on Post Oak).

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2008, 10:51:08 am »

Quote from: Joey Trum on June 17, 2008, 10:07:56 am

does it also cost more to stay in a hotel room in houston?

As a frequent traveler I can let you in on a little secret...it depends on the hotel (location, ammenities, quality, etc). It costs more to stay at the Four Seasons in Austin than it does at the Motel 6 on the West Belt in Houston.

tophfar · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2008, 12:01:15 pm »

Quote from: Joey Trum on June 17, 2008, 10:07:56 am

every airline, including continental, is at least $40 cheaper if you go to austin instead of houston, and renting a car is at least $15 a day more. is this because of taxes to build such civic landmarks as enron field? does it also cost more to stay in a hotel room in houston?

Fly to austin, rent a car, drive to houston, take care of your business, drive back to austin, stay there overnight in one of their cheap hotels and then fly back to SF the next day.

problem. solved.

Limey · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2008, 12:16:27 pm »

Quote from: tophfar on June 17, 2008, 12:01:15 pm

Fly to austin, rent a car, drive to houston, take care of your business, drive back to austin, stay there overnight in one of their cheap hotels and then fly back to SF the next day.

problem. solved.

...except for the $100 you'll spend on gas.

tophfar · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2008, 12:28:05 pm »

Quote from: Limey on June 17, 2008, 12:16:27 pm

...except for the $100 you'll spend on gas.

that's his own problem. he wanted a cheaper car and a cheaper hotel. that part was done and done.

MikeyBoy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2008, 12:32:15 pm »

Quote from: Joey Trum on June 17, 2008, 10:07:56 am

every airline, including continental, is at least $40 cheaper if you go to austin instead of houston, and renting a car is at least $15 a day more. is this because of taxes to build such civic landmarks as enron field? does it also cost more to stay in a hotel room in houston?

It's just one way of dealing with our small town complex.

Noe · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2008, 01:21:24 pm »

Quote from: Joey Trum on June 17, 2008, 10:07:56 am

every airline, including continental, is at least $40 cheaper if you go to austin instead of houston, and renting a car is at least $15 a day more. is this because of taxes to build such civic landmarks as enron field? does it also cost more to stay in a hotel room in houston?

I guess you missed the creation of the Sports Authority and the money that is allocated to them by Harris County. Basically, the hotel and car rental taxation pays for Reliant Stadium, Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park. "It will cost the taxpayers very little and make downtown rejunvenated" was the mantra. It has delivered on the promise made in spades (you know, make the city of Houston less of a small town mentality!).

So if you're from out of town and pay high hotel and car rental taxation, welcome to the world of "don't rape the taxpayers, rape the visitors!" government. See also: Florida, State of

MusicMan · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2008, 01:29:00 pm »

Quote from: Noe in Austin on June 17, 2008, 01:21:24 pm

So if you're from out of town and pay high hotel and car rental taxation, welcome to the world of "don't rape the taxpayers, rape the visitors!" government. See also: Florida, State of

Every industrialized country, including the US, is looking to increase their crackdown on business travelers for income taxes. Apparently everyone is figuring out that you're better off taxing people that don't vote than taxing those that do.

Limey · « **Reply #12 on:** June 17, 2008, 01:30:38 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on June 17, 2008, 01:29:00 pm

Every industrialized country, including the US, is looking to increase their crackdown on business travelers for income taxes. Apparently everyone is figuring out that you're better off taxing people that don't vote than taxing those that do.

Taxation without representation?

MusicMan · « **Reply #13 on:** June 17, 2008, 01:35:31 pm »

Quote from: Limey on June 17, 2008, 01:30:38 pm

Taxation without representation?

Just so.

PS... it's all I can do to not make the easy joke here.

ybbodeus · « **Reply #14 on:** June 17, 2008, 01:38:16 pm »

Quote from: MikeyBoy on June 17, 2008, 12:32:15 pm

It's just one way of dealing with our small town complex.

Nicely done.

Limey · « **Reply #15 on:** June 17, 2008, 01:42:47 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on June 17, 2008, 01:35:31 pm

Just so.

PS... it's all I can do to not make the easy joke here.

Taking the high ground is rare around these parts. The opposite will often get you nominated for a Stubing.

MusicMan · « **Reply #16 on:** June 17, 2008, 01:46:18 pm »

Quote from: Limey on June 17, 2008, 01:42:47 pm

Taking the high ground is rare around these parts. The opposite will often get you nominated for a Stubing.

I've seen the opposition this week. I save my ammo for the down weeks.

JaneDoe · « **Reply #17 on:** June 17, 2008, 01:53:27 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on June 17, 2008, 01:46:18 pm

I've seen the opposition this week. I save my ammo for the down weeks.

Did you just call yourself "chicken"?

Rebel Jew · « **Reply #18 on:** June 17, 2008, 01:56:01 pm »

Quote from: Andyzipp on June 17, 2008, 10:17:07 am

Houston is a bigger city than Austin. There is dramatically more traffic flying into Houston than into Austin. There are more businesses in Houston than in Austin. As the vast majority of flying is still done by business travelers, they can charge more to land here.

As far as the hotel rooms and rental cars, yes there is a tax added to pay for Reliant, MMPUS and Toyota Center. But much of the price difference you're seeing is driven by the large amount of business travelers coming to Houston.

wouldn't the increase in plane traffic lower prices because of fuller flights and more frequent flights? especially with two airports? or is it strictly a matter of the airports charging higher landing fees because they know they can?

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #19 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:01:09 pm »

Quote from: Joey Trum on June 17, 2008, 01:56:01 pm

wouldn't the increase in plane traffic lower prices because of fuller flights and more frequent flights? especially with two airports? or is it strictly a matter of the airports charging higher landing fees because they know they can?

They charge the landing fees required to keep the airport operational. A larger airport costs more to operate than does a smaller one.

MusicMan · « **Reply #20 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:01:42 pm »

Quote from: JaneDoe on June 17, 2008, 01:53:27 pm

Did you just call yourself "chicken"?

I prefer "judicious".

JaneDoe · « **Reply #21 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:02:32 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on June 17, 2008, 02:01:42 pm

I prefer "judicious".

Of course you do.

Rebel Jew · « **Reply #22 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:02:52 pm »

Quote from: MikeyBoy on June 17, 2008, 12:32:15 pm

It's just one way of dealing with our small town complex.

it just sucks because i wanted to spend the extra $80 on front-row Clay Walker tickets, but i might have sit in the nose bleeds now.

MusicMan · « **Reply #23 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:03:28 pm »

Quote from: Joey Trum on June 17, 2008, 02:02:52 pm

it just sucks because i wanted to spend the extra $80 on front-row Clay Walker tickets, but i might have sit in the nose bleeds now.

WFW

tophfar · « **Reply #24 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:12:10 pm »

Quote from: Joey Trum on June 17, 2008, 02:02:52 pm

it just sucks because i wanted to spend the extra $80 on front-row Clay Walker tickets, but i might have sit in the nose bleeds now.

hold the fucking phone.

Quote

the city canonizes b and c-listers like clay walker, rick trevino, matress mac, and andy pettitte, and self-applies a taj mahal-like reverence to places like reliant stadium and goode company barbecue.

and now your flying halfway across the country, to cry about the hotel and car rental prices, to see a fucking cannonized b or c list hometown boy, and YOU ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT NOT BEING IN THE FIRST FUCKING ROW.

you sir, a a piece of work.

MusicMan · « **Reply #25 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:13:08 pm »

Quote from: tophfar on June 17, 2008, 02:12:10 pm

hold the fucking phone.

and now your flying halfway across the country, to cry about the hotel and car rental prices, to see a fucking cannonized b or c list hometown boy, and YOU ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT NOT BEING IN THE FIRST FUCKING ROW.

you sir, a a piece of work.

I'm not sure it's the POTW, but this was an entirely deserved smackdown.

Ty in Tampa · « **Reply #26 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:16:47 pm »

Quote from: tophfar on June 17, 2008, 02:12:10 pm

hold the fucking phone.

and now your flying halfway across the country, to cry about the hotel and car rental prices, to see a fucking cannonized b or c list hometown boy, and YOU ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT NOT BEING IN THE FIRST FUCKING ROW.

you sir, a a piece of work.

I think trum may be fucking with us.

Limey · « **Reply #27 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:23:46 pm »

Quote from: Ty in Tampa on June 17, 2008, 02:16:47 pm

I think trum may be fucking with us.

He meant Clay Aiken.

tophfar · « **Reply #28 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:28:08 pm »

Quote from: Ty in Tampa on June 17, 2008, 02:16:47 pm

I think trum may be fucking with us.

i sincerely hope so.

MusicMan · « **Reply #29 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:28:45 pm »

Either way... I find "why does x cost so much??" whining to be tiresome.

It costs that much because you, and others, are willing to pay that much.

Noe · « **Reply #30 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:40:06 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on June 17, 2008, 02:13:08 pm

I'm not sure it's the POTW, but this was an entirely deserved smackdown.

SDOTW (hall of fame is just around the corner... ahum... a very long and arduous corner, but a corner nonetheless).

Andyzipp · « **Reply #31 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:41:29 pm »

Quote from: Noe in Austin on June 17, 2008, 02:40:06 pm

SDOTW (hall of fame is just around the corner... ahum... a very long and arduous corner, but a corner nonetheless).

Sweet...are we reopening the slamzone as well?

MusicMan · « **Reply #32 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:45:57 pm »

Quote from: Andyzipp on June 17, 2008, 02:41:29 pm

Sweet...are we reopening the slamzone as well?

Two words:

Shit. Zone.

MikeyBoy · « **Reply #33 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:53:05 pm »

Quote from: Joey Trum on June 17, 2008, 02:02:52 pm

it just sucks because i wanted to spend the extra $80 on front-row Clay Walker tickets, but i might have sit in the nose bleeds now.

In lieu of the concert, spend that money on a really cool "duck fallas" t-shirt. You should be able to pick one up at the airport.

Trey · « **Reply #34 on:** June 17, 2008, 03:39:45 pm »

Quote from: MikeyBoy on June 17, 2008, 02:53:05 pm

In lieu of the concert, spend that money on a really cool "duck fallas" t-shirt. You should be able to pick one up at the airport.

Why does your post make me think of Howard or Donald's penis?

Limey · « **Reply #35 on:** June 17, 2008, 03:43:24 pm »

Quote from: Trey on June 17, 2008, 03:39:45 pm

Why does your post make me think of Howard or Donald's penis?

Because you're into the whole brevity thing?

MusicMan · « **Reply #36 on:** June 17, 2008, 03:44:57 pm »

Quote from: Trey on June 17, 2008, 03:39:45 pm

Why does your post make me think of Howard or Donald's penis?

I don't know, but your response of "duck's penis" to all cards on the Rorshach test was rather disturbing.

Trey · « **Reply #37 on:** June 17, 2008, 03:45:26 pm »

Quote from: Limey on June 17, 2008, 03:43:24 pm

Because you're into the whole brevity thing?

Vagina? I mean, you know the guy?

Rebel Jew · « **Reply #38 on:** June 17, 2008, 03:47:10 pm »

Quote from: MikeyBoy on June 17, 2008, 02:53:05 pm

In lieu of the concert, spend that money on a really cool "duck fallas" t-shirt. You should be able to pick one up at the airport.

i just looked up clay walker tour dates on the internets:

http://www.pollstar.com/tour/searchall.pl?By=Artist&Content=Clay+Walker&Exact=Y

if you've got a state fair, then h-town clay's on the way.

strosrays · « **Reply #39 on:** June 17, 2008, 06:07:24 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on June 17, 2008, 02:01:42 pm

I prefer "judicious".

"LaRussian"

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #40 on:** June 17, 2008, 07:27:06 pm »

Quote from: Joey Trum on June 17, 2008, 03:47:10 pm

i just looked up clay walker tour dates on the internets:

http://www.pollstar.com/tour/searchall.pl?By=Artist&Content=Clay+Walker&Exact=Y

if you've got a state fair, then h-town clay's on the way.

It must have been Clay Walker that kicked your ass in Houston.

MusicMan · « **Reply #41 on:** June 17, 2008, 08:25:41 pm »

Quote from: strosrays on June 17, 2008, 06:07:24 pm

"LaRussian"

"Now you're just being nasty."

chuck · « **Reply #42 on:** June 18, 2008, 01:27:09 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on June 17, 2008, 07:27:06 pm

It must have been Clay Walker that kicked your ass in Houston.

Clay's from Beaumont. Although I do vaguely recall an elementary school ass kicking story taking place in Beaumont...

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #43 on:** June 18, 2008, 03:12:09 pm »

Quote from: chuck on June 18, 2008, 01:27:09 pm

Clay's from Beaumont. Although I do vaguely recall an elementary school ass kicking story taking place in Beaumont...

Actually, I think he's from Vidor. At any rate, he's not from Houston, which is why I'm somewhat puzzled as to why Joey's relegation of him to the "C" list after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and drastically cut back his music career affects the view of Houston as a two-bit backwater with an inferiority complex.

tophfar · « **Reply #44 on:** June 18, 2008, 03:19:07 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on June 18, 2008, 03:12:09 pm

Actually, I think he's from Vidor. At any rate, he's not from Houston, which is why I'm somewhat puzzled as to why Joey's relegation of him to the "C" list after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and drastically cut back his music career affects the view of Houston as a two-bit backwater with an inferiority complex.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T_KGHubIGo

is why.