Katys Grandad
11-09-2009, 05:49
I'm a firm fan of the car rental on this site and will be collecting my car in Florida booked through them on Monday.
Earlier this week I rented through another UK agent because I was outside Florida and the choice of car on here wasn't just what I wanted. In any case it was a bit last minute and only for a few days so I just went for it.
The rate seemed pretty good and when I telephoned them I asked whether it was worth booking their "premium' package (the equivalent of Gold on here) for an extra £22. The agent firmly told me that it wasn't worth the extra as gas was very cheap and I could fill up for "much less" than that.
Anyway, I arrived at the rental desk at the airport and handed over my voucher. Pretty straightforward except I was then told that I had to pre-pay the gas at a rate of no less than $6 a gallon! I said I preferred to bring the car back full and was told that the voucher I presented didn't allow for that as the agent had an arrangement with them that they should charge that rate and they would rebate a commission to the agent from it. No amount of my protesting that I hadn't been told about this requirement did any good and I had no choice but to pay up.
I probably shouldn't identify the agent in question but it is a company most people will be aware of and have their offices in Preston in Lancashire. I will of course be giving them the benefit of my views on the matter when I get home.[msnmad]
Earlier this week I rented through another UK agent because I was outside Florida and the choice of car on here wasn't just what I wanted. In any case it was a bit last minute and only for a few days so I just went for it.
The rate seemed pretty good and when I telephoned them I asked whether it was worth booking their "premium' package (the equivalent of Gold on here) for an extra £22. The agent firmly told me that it wasn't worth the extra as gas was very cheap and I could fill up for "much less" than that.
Anyway, I arrived at the rental desk at the airport and handed over my voucher. Pretty straightforward except I was then told that I had to pre-pay the gas at a rate of no less than $6 a gallon! I said I preferred to bring the car back full and was told that the voucher I presented didn't allow for that as the agent had an arrangement with them that they should charge that rate and they would rebate a commission to the agent from it. No amount of my protesting that I hadn't been told about this requirement did any good and I had no choice but to pay up.
I probably shouldn't identify the agent in question but it is a company most people will be aware of and have their offices in Preston in Lancashire. I will of course be giving them the benefit of my views on the matter when I get home.[msnmad]