Comments on: Steer clear of these 4 new car rental scams http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: leo http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/comment-page-1/#comment-89010 leo Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:18:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/#comment-89010 Rented from Oakland Airport Thrifty. 4 weeks later, $56 was taken from my checking. They said it was a toll ticket and tried to sell me retroactive coverage for ticket which would cost me about $40 (so, I can get $16 refund). I refused and demanded that they prove there is an actual ticket. Of course they couldn't show me the ticket. Today they refunded, but only partial amount of $43! Rented from Oakland Airport Thrifty. 4 weeks later, $56 was taken from
my checking. They said it was a toll ticket and tried to sell me
retroactive coverage for ticket which would cost me about $40 (so, I can
get $16 refund). I refused and demanded that they prove there is an
actual ticket. Of course they couldn’t show me the ticket. Today they
refunded, but only partial amount of $43!

]]> By: Leo http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/comment-page-1/#comment-88751 Leo Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:34:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/#comment-88751 Rented from Oakland Airport Thrifty. 4 weeks later, $56 was taken from my checking. They said it was a toll ticket and tried to sell me retroactive coverage for ticket which would cost me about $40 (so, I can get $16 refund). I refused and demanded that they prove there is an actual ticket. Of course they couldn't show me the ticket. Today they refunded, but only partial amount of $43! Rented from Oakland Airport Thrifty. 4 weeks later, $56 was taken from
my checking. They said it was a toll ticket and tried to sell me
retroactive coverage for ticket which would cost me about $40 (so, I can
get $16 refund). I refused and demanded that they prove there is an
actual ticket. Of course they couldn’t show me the ticket. Today they
refunded, but only partial amount of $43!

]]> By: Leokil http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/comment-page-1/#comment-88748 Leokil Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:24:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/#comment-88748 Rented from Oakland Airport Thrifty. 4 weeks later, $56 was taken from my checking. They said it was a toll ticket and tried to sell me retroactive coverage for ticket which would cost me about $40 (so, I can get $16 refund). I refused and demanded that they prove there is an actual ticket. Of course they couldn't show me the ticket. Today they refunded, but only partial amount of $43! Rented from Oakland Airport Thrifty. 4 weeks later, $56 was taken from my checking. They said it was a toll ticket and tried to sell me retroactive coverage for ticket which would cost me about $40 (so, I can get $16 refund). I refused and demanded that they prove there is an actual ticket. Of course they couldn’t show me the ticket. Today they refunded, but only partial amount of $43!

]]> By: Ken Smith http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/comment-page-1/#comment-86459 Ken Smith Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:41:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/#comment-86459 I recently returned to Maui from LA where I rented a car from Thrifty for 10 days.  When I picked up my car, I know with absolute certainty that I told the clerk that I waived all extra insurance options.  Apparently though when I was initially and signing on the electronic device, I was actually signing that I wanted the extra coverages which amounted to $229.90.  I have put the amount in dispute with credit card company.  Has anyone ever had a similar experience?  I recently returned to Maui from LA where I rented a car from Thrifty for 10 days.  When I picked up my car, I know with absolute certainty that I told the clerk that I waived all extra insurance options.  Apparently though when I was initially and signing on the electronic device, I was actually signing that I wanted the extra coverages which amounted to $229.90.  I have put the amount in dispute with credit card company.  Has anyone ever had a similar experience? 

]]> By: Ashley http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/comment-page-1/#comment-84259 Ashley Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:58:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/#comment-84259 Alamo (which is the same as national) is the biggest scam of all! I am sure they billed multiple customers for the same 'damage' In Hawaii, they gave you a piece of paper with a circle.  Go figure ....! Alamo has a scam department and profit center called Damage Recovery Unit in OK who does nothing but scamming lower to middle class Americans! Shame on them.  Read those horrible experiences on www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/alamo.html.  Thank you Christoper elliot for protecting us.  I will never rent from Alamo or national ever again! Alamo (which is the same as national) is the biggest scam of all! I am sure they billed multiple customers for the same ‘damage’ In Hawaii, they gave you a piece of paper with a circle.  Go figure ….! Alamo has a scam department and profit center called Damage Recovery Unit in OK who does nothing but scamming lower to middle class Americans! Shame on them.  Read those horrible experiences on www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/alamo.html.  Thank you Christoper elliot for protecting us.  I will never rent from Alamo or national ever again!

]]> By: William http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/comment-page-1/#comment-60042 William Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:03:33 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/#comment-60042 Never have I run a toll or not paid a parking meter. Thrifty of Miami Airport just sent me a bill for $50.75 for a 75 cent alleged toll violations plus thier customary fee. This is how I believe they make up for giving you a good rate to rent. This is serious to me. Sometime, just type into Google, "Thrifty scams" and see. Never have I run a toll or not paid a parking meter. Thrifty of Miami Airport just sent me a bill for $50.75 for a 75 cent alleged toll violations plus thier customary fee. This is how I believe they make up for giving you a good rate to rent.
This is serious to me.
Sometime, just type into Google, “Thrifty scams” and see.

]]> By: Robert Menconi http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/comment-page-1/#comment-18958 Robert Menconi Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:34:54 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/#comment-18958 A few years ago on a vacation trip, we landed at Seattle, rented from Alamo and going to drop in San Francisco. I knew there was going to be a drop charge and accepted that. The rental agent, smiled and said they were giving me a double upgrade. That is nice I thought and it was a beautiful car, but the double upgrade had California license plates meaning I was paying the rental, paying the drop charge and driving the car back for them. I questioned it and was told there was nothing they could do, so I indicated they gave me a double upgrade but this car was not acceptable, I wanted another. After standing my ground, I received a similar car with Washington license plates that I gladly drove to San Francisco for them. Consumers can beat the system too. A few years ago on a vacation trip, we landed at Seattle, rented from Alamo and going to drop in San Francisco. I knew there was going to be a drop charge and accepted that. The rental agent, smiled and said they were giving me a double upgrade. That is nice I thought and it was a beautiful car, but the double upgrade had California license plates meaning I was paying the rental, paying the drop charge and driving the car back for them. I questioned it and was told there was nothing they could do, so I indicated they gave me a double upgrade but this car was not acceptable, I wanted another. After standing my ground, I received a similar car with Washington license plates that I gladly drove to San Francisco for them. Consumers can beat the system too.

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/comment-page-1/#comment-14886 Stephanie Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:39:29 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/#comment-14886 We recently reserved an SUV thru Thrify. When we arrived at our destination we were "upgraded" to a minivan. The car was damaged. There was a cracked windshield, cracked mirror cover and a dent in the back. These were all noted on the paperwork given us by the attendant. We returned the car in the early morning at a different airport. The was no lot attendant nor anyone at the counter inside. We left the keys in the drop box inside. It took almost 3 weeks for the charges to show on our credit card and THEN..........we get a bill for a replacement windshield. I received this bill on a Saturday, but still called and left a message at the extension listed on the bill. It is now the end of the following business day and no one has returned my call. NEVER EVER will we rent from Thrifty again. We recently reserved an SUV thru Thrify. When we arrived at our destination we were “upgraded” to a minivan. The car was damaged. There was a cracked windshield, cracked mirror cover and a dent in the back. These were all noted on the paperwork given us by the attendant. We returned the car in the early morning at a different airport. The was no lot attendant nor anyone at the counter inside. We left the keys in the drop box inside. It took almost 3 weeks for the charges to show on our credit card and THEN……….we get a bill for a replacement windshield. I received this bill on a Saturday, but still called and left a message at the extension listed on the bill. It is now the end of the following business day and no one has returned my call. NEVER EVER will we rent from Thrifty again.

]]> By: TimC London http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/comment-page-1/#comment-10233 TimC London Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:24:50 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/#comment-10233 I am Hertz Gold for over 20 years and returned a car to them at boston Logan completely full to the hilt. Later received a bill for nearly $90 dollars for fuel charges. Called Hertz London but they not going to reverse the charge without a receipt from the gas station. Luckily I found the gas receipt, which I submitted to Hertz in U.K. Hertz U.K. upon receiving my receipt refused to give me a refund because the Hertz rep said " your receipt has something called Exon-mobile written on it, and I have no idea who Exxon-mobile is" After I told her off, I called Hertz head office in Oklahoma, the rep immediately reversed the charges. I am Hertz Gold for over 20 years and returned a car to them at boston Logan completely full to the hilt. Later received a bill for nearly $90 dollars for fuel charges. Called Hertz London but they not going to reverse the charge without a receipt from the gas station. Luckily I found the gas receipt, which I submitted to Hertz in U.K.

Hertz U.K. upon receiving my receipt refused to give me a refund because the Hertz rep said ” your receipt has something called Exon-mobile written on it, and I have no idea who Exxon-mobile is”

After I told her off, I called Hertz head office in Oklahoma, the rep immediately reversed the charges.

]]> By: Mindy M http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/comment-page-1/#comment-6296 Mindy M Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:42:34 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/#comment-6296 It's absolutely worht it these days with incredibly high gas prices - I take the option and routinely return the car about about or less than a 1/4 tank. I agree that when gas prices are lower, it is NOT worth it. It’s absolutely worht it these days with incredibly high gas prices – I take the option and routinely return the car about about or less than a 1/4 tank. I agree that when gas prices are lower, it is NOT worth it.

]]> By: Michael http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/comment-page-1/#comment-6294 Michael Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:01:32 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/steer-clear-of-these-4-new-car-rental-scams/#comment-6294 The full gas tank offer rental car companies offer is such a scam, unless return the car so close to empty you risk running out of gas it's never worth. The full gas tank offer rental car companies offer is such a scam, unless return the car so close to empty you risk running out of gas it’s never worth.

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