What's the book corporate America doesn't want you to read? Find out now -- or you could get scammed.

Are car rental companies downgrading their categories to rev up revenues?

July 1, 2009

ishot-1

P.J. Zornosa is a longtime Alamo Rent a Car customer. He knows what to ask for when he’s renting a car, and knows what to expect. Or at least, he thought he did.

This week, Zornosa rented a midsize car from Alamo. But instead of being given the key to a Pontiac G6 “or similar” he was offered a Volkswagen Beetle. Could that be correct?

I inquired as to how could a Beetle be a “midsize.” I was defensively told that it and the Toyota Corolla were midsize cars. They said, “I don’t determine the classification of cars and their size.”

Zornosa is right. Even VW classifies its Beetle as a compact car.

Are car rental companies quietly changing their categories to make more money? An Alamo spokeswoman denies it.

Alamo has always classified the Volkswagen Beetle as a midsize car. No changes at all. However, car classes obviously are subject to change — as fleets change over time, criteria may be revised here and there. Also, while there are some similarities among car rental companies’ classifications, there are also differences.

If you’ve seen a car rental category downgrade in the recent past, let me know.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

Tagged as: , , , ,

8 comments

  • Pingback: Are car rental companies downgrading their categories to rev up … « Tips

  • MJ

    Enterprise tried something similar on me, trying to pass off a Chevy Aveo as an ‘Intermediate’. I had the rental agent go to the Enterprise website, which specifically puts the Aveo in the ‘Economy’ category to make my point.

  • http://aewjvc@yahoo.com Alan Wallace

    I was on Vacation to Olympia Wa and an old customer of Hertz. The car I rented was a mid-size car and I got a toyota Corolla. I ask the booth in the garage if it was a mistake and he indicated that is now a mid size car. I think they made about $50 more. I think those $50 do add up. It was the 18% sales tax that really got me mad. All the taxes and fees added anothe $150 to my invoice.

  • Rick

    I frequently rent from National in Tucson. I reserve a full size, but they always try to give me a Malibu as the default. They do switch to an Impala when I ask.

  • http://www.ffocus.org Bruce InCharlotte

    Conspiracies everywhere!

    I would encourage the car rental agencies to be more explicit and transparent. “Or similar” is to vague. Is it that hard to know what they have in their fleet and add a web page listing what’s in what category? I know, keep dreaming Bruce.

  • Jim_J

    Enterprise has been doing the downgrade thing for years. I stopped using them when, about four years ago, their Providence, RI location insisted that a Ford Focus was a mid-size vehicle. Since all of the rental car companies are hurting and need to make as much money per rental as possible, I am awaiting the day that one of them tries to pass off a Toyota Yaris as full size.

  • Pingback: cars rentals » Blog Archive » Are car rental companies downgrading their categories to rev up …

  • http://waynedayton.tripod.com Wayne Dayton

    Print out their website in advance, as well as the classification from the manufacturer as to what it really is….if they try to give you a run-around, walk to their competitor and vote with your dollars. Car rentals are the most expendable element of the travel experience — i.e. buses/limos/taxis can replace them, whereas inter-city transport by air/rail/bus, or accommodations in a hotel, are more the necessity…so, if they don’t like it, they can sit and cry that business is down.

Previous post:

Next post: