Cheap car rental deal gone bad: What’s your nightmare?
Remember how I was telling you about this great car rental deal that I found with Ace Rent a Car? Well, like most things you think are too good to be true — and are — my car rental deal turned out to be just that: too good to be true. Why I didn’t smell the signs, I don’t know. I think I was too blinded by the cheapo price. Nonetheless, I want to pass on my hard-earned wisdom so it doesn’t happen to you.
Deal I thought I had: In my post, “Unacceptable car rental rates - tips for getting a deal” I found a deal with Ace Rent a Car that included 10 days of car rental for only $264. It had taken me a while to find it, but the big name car rental brands were over $700 for the same dates.
What really happened: I had made the reservation for 4 p.m. I got into SFO and took the train to the car rental office where I called them for further shuttle instructions. This was about 5:15-5:30 p.m. The man who answered said that my car had been given away since I didn’t turn up at 4 p.m. and that I should have called him immediately when I knew I wasn’t going to arrive on time. I was appalled but then I thought – is this why they don’t take any money up front?
I told him that I was on a plane and he said it didn’t matter. I exclaimed that this was a 10-day car rental and he said sorry but they were out of cars. When I asked when the next car would be available he said that my reservation was canceled completely. I asked him again when a car would be available and he didn’t have an answer. I explained to him that I would start a new reservation and he said that he would take my number and call me back. I told him that I would look online. When I went through the online process again, of course, the price had gone up. I searched for a rental with Ace Rent a Car for fewer days and still it was a little bit more. And I didn’t trust them anymore.
Was it my mistake? I went back to the emails thinking that I had overlooked a warning –- but there was nothing that said my car would be given away if I didn’t show up exactly at the time for which I had booked the car. This had never happened to me before. I had booked it for just before I got in so it would be ready.
Has a car rental company ever given away your car if you didn’t show up at the time for which you had booked it?
— Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel Deal blogger
[Photo: acerentacar.com]
8 Comments on “Cheap car rental deal gone bad: What’s your nightmare?”
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July 22nd, 2008 at 11:28 am
The best way to get a good rate is 1. Go with the more reputable company like AVIS or HERTZ. They will hold your car 2. Google map the off airport locations nearest the airport or location you plan to visit. Call the location directly and speak with the manager or operator. Speaking with the local operator will get you the local (non airport tax) rate and is usually the cheapest. 3. Take a taxi from the airport to the local AVIS or HERTZ. 4. Most location will allow you to return to the airport location when you depart at no additional charge. (at least AVIS) I’ve found this to be true of Denver locations especially.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:57 am
No car rental company ever holds your car, unless your an express member or club member of the rental club. There is an actuall calculated no-show rate and just like the airlines, they fill the space.Although,this company should have honored a different vehicle for the reserved rates. I have never heard of a company not allowing the customer to have a car because they were not there within hours of res time??..The worst that could have happened would be to receive a larger or smaller car.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
J Bears commment is simply not true. For one, unless its a specialty car res (12 passenger minivan, etc), no specific car is ever held. However J Bears implication is that the reservation is not held, which it is. Most big rental companies have corporate policies that specifically define a window, such as 4 hours after the res time. Ace may have had the same policy, but who knows with someone like that. The problem is, even though companies have a policy, the local employees may try to pretend it doesnt exist for various reasons.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Such little understanding of car rental on this page.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
As an employee with Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, I am upset by this situation described. Bobo88 described our policy. We do not guarantee an specific make or model of vehicle, but rather a class. We hold this reservation for the class for 6 hours past the original pick-up time, unless the customer calls in before the original pick-up tme to change the time.
August 18th, 2008 at 8:15 am
You can often find comparable rates at the big companies by smart booking. Use a rate aggregator to find the lowest company rate, look at a coupon/discount site like http://www.carrentalsavers.com and find the best money off deal, then book directly with the rental company. At a minimum recheck your rates weekly as they change constantly and rebook at no cost when you find a lower rate. Check for last minute specials within two weeks of travel.
August 19th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Hertz Car Rental nightmare…I always rent from Enterprise because they pick you up and take you back after the rental. I decided to try Hertz this past time.(big mistake) I reserved the car 6 months in advance and they assured me they also pick up and return customers. The day of the rental they refused to pick me up and said they were very busy. I immediately had a friend drive me to the rental facility and there were no customers in the place. They of course lied. They also said they had no vehicles and they were very sorry. I wrote a strong letter to Hertz and they responded with…”we apologize and will strive to do better next time you reserve one of our vehicles!
“Hey Hertz…NEVER AGAIN!
August 19th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Does anyone know how we can get back at Hertz for screwing the customers. They can take reservartions all day long…their problem is that they can’t HOLD the reservation. They don’t care! We need to get an organization to make them accountable. Any ideas?