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CLEANING FEES

Marcy Schackne is mad.  She recently waited 2½ hours at LAX just to talk to a car rental agent. After completing her paperwork, she inspected three vehicles that were "beyond dirty" before finding one suitable to drive

Car rental rage: Why everyone’s losing it at the counter right now

April 8, 2026March 30, 2026 by Christopher Elliott

Marcy Schackne is mad. 

She recently waited 2½ hours at LAX just to talk to a car rental agent. After completing her paperwork, she inspected three vehicles that were “beyond dirty” before finding one suitable to drive

Categories On Travel, Popular
Avis charged me $250 for smoking weed

Avis charged me $250 for smoking weed in my rental car. But I don’t even smoke! 

March 18, 2026March 18, 2026 by Christopher Elliott

Gary Mullen-Schultz thought he was getting a reliable rental when he picked up a vehicle from Avis in Sacramento. Instead, he got something else — a vehicle that reeked of marijuana. Now Avis wants him to pay $250 to get rid of the smell. Can it do that?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
As summer travel heats up, travelers like Sharmistha Das are facing increased cleaning fees from companies like Lyft. With reports of careless behavior and profit-driven charges, discover the reasons behind this trend and learn how to avoid unexpected fees during your travels this season.

Why are travelers making such a mess this summer?

May 26, 2025May 25, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Sharmistha Das says she didn’t trash her Lyft. But her driver claims she dragged her bicycle helmet along the side of his door, leaving several long scuff marks. 

Categories On Travel
Lyft surprises So Do with an $80 charge after a recent ride. The driver claims she damaged the car. But she says it wasn't her. How does she prove her innocence?

Lyft charged me $80 for damage to a car. But it wasn’t me!

March 6, 2024February 22, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Lyft surprises So Do with an $80 charge after a recent ride. The driver claims she damaged the car. But she says it wasn’t her. How does she prove her innocence?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter

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