Car rental companies are up to their old tricks again
Filed under: Budgets, Ripoffs and Scams, Transportation, Travel
Back in June, consumers were puffed up with pride when Hertz announced it was ending its policy of overcharging customers for gas. If you returned the car without filling the tank all the way again, Hertz gave customers the option of pre-buying gas set according to the going rate at the pumps in that city, plus a $7 fee. Considering that before then, it was gouging us for twice the market rate of gas, or some $8 a gallon, the policy revision was a breath of fresh air.We're gasping again. A few weeks ago, with none of the P.R. fanfare that accompanied the policy's implementation, Hertz quietly eliminated them. We're back to square one. As gas prices became more manageable, the rental car company's panic evaporated, and now that it isn't so desperate for our business, its true colors are returning.
Hertz's policy, poorly disclosed to customers, has also been that if you drive less than 50 to 100 miles during your rental, you are automatically charged a refueling fee. Even if your tank was returned full. That policy, too, seems to live on, unchanged. (I've asked Hertz to tell me if it does. No response so far.)
In early summer, the Maryland Attorney General was threatening to sue car rental companies over practices like these, and some bystanders thought that the legal pressure was what convinced them to relent. Something must have changed behind the scenes -- back-room deals, perhaps? -- because Hertz is no longer playing ball.
Holiday Travel = Waiting?
Passengers wait at the Budapest airport during a strike by two trade unions over demands for improved labour conditions December 10, 2008 . The unions launched an indefinite strike, causing flight delays and cancellations at Budapest's biggest international terminal. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh(HUNGARY)
Reuters
A passenger waits at the Budapest airport during a strike by two trade unions over demands for improved labour conditions December 10, 2008 . The unions launched an indefinite strike, causing flight delays and cancellations at Budapest's biggest international terminal. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh(HUNGARY)
Reuters
Passengers wait at the Budapest airport during a strike by two trade unions over demands for improved labour conditions December 10, 2008 . The unions launched an indefinite strike, causing flight delays and cancellations at Budapest's biggest international terminal. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh(HUNGARY)
Reuters
Passengers waiting at the Budapest airport during a strike by two trade unions over demands for improved labour conditions December 10, 2008. The unions launched an indefinite strike, causing flight delays and cancellations at Budapest's biggest international terminal. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh(HUNGARY)
Reuters
A passenger waits at the Budapest airport during a strike by two trade unions over demands for improved labour conditions December 10, 2008 . The unions launched an indefinite strike, causing flight delays and cancellations at Budapest's biggest international terminal. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh(HUNGARY)
Reuters
A passenger sits in front of an airline check-in counter at the Budapest airport December 10, 2008 during a strike by two trade unions over demands for improved labour conditions. The unions launched an indefinite strike, causing flight delays and cancellations at Budapest's biggest international terminal. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh(HUNGARY)
Reuters
A passenger waits at the Budapest airport on December 10, 2008 during a strike by two trade unions over demands for improved labour conditions. The unions launched an indefinite strike, causing flight delays and cancellations at Budapest's biggest international terminal. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh(HUNGARY)
Reuters
A passenger sits in front of an airline check-in counter at the Budapest airport on December 10, 2008 during a strike by two trade unions over demands for improved labour conditions. The unions launched an indefinite strike, causing flight delays and cancellations at Budapest's biggest international terminal. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh(HUNGARY)
Reuters
Holiday travelers at Northwest McNamara Terminal in Romulus, Mich. on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008. (AP Photo/Velvet S. McNeil, The Detroit News)
AP
ONTARIO, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Travelers line up at the Southwest ticket counter at L.A./Ontario International Airport where holiday travel is expected to plummet 30 percent from last year, on the eve of Thanksgiving November 26, 2008 in Ontario, California. In addition to the loss of ExpressJet and JetBlue, a faltering economy and higher airfare prices are keeping many people from taking to the air at Ontario. At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), a drop of 14.3 percent from last year is expected. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Base rates have also returned to ridiculous levels, proving yet again that the biggies aren't going to do us any favors if they don't have to. As of Dec. 1, Avis has hiked rates $3 a day and $20 a week on most rentals. To rent a car in the days after Christmas in South Florida, even an economy class clunker will set you back $110 to $130 a day. A week's worth of wheels could cost you nearly as much as you pay to rent your home for a month.
I know that the rental companies got slammed last summer, when the price of gas kept lots of people from renting, but is this the way to win back customers? (Of course, go somewhere less alluring, like Indianapolis, and you'll pay for a week what Boca Raton charges you for a day.)
Back in July, working the media to promote the reduction in charges, Hertz's chairman gave an interview to the New York Times and said, "The unfortunate thing is that when you look at the rental industry at large, people have a tendency to believe that rental companies have all kinds of hidden charges. We're trying to show people that we don't."
Well, you didn't. For five months, anyway.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
12-17-2008 @ 8:25PM
Carol Linscott said...
I just got my rental bill from Hertz and was surprised by a refueling fee and surcharge of almost $25 as the car was returned with a full tank, I called Hertz and they said they would remove the charge Look at closely at your bill...
Reply
12-17-2008 @ 8:28PM
Bv said...
Just so you gyus know, the rich people have a lifestile and image to suport and they will do that no mater who or what they have to they have to do.
Reply
12-17-2008 @ 10:51PM
th said...
lifestyle
12-17-2008 @ 9:49PM
j said...
thats stupid they should fill up there own tanks why do we have to if we need an emergency rental car if we break down or whatever. god isnt paying them to rent it enough! hell maybe they should walk there butts home ! stupid rental car people tick me off! im sorry but i think things need to be free in life rediculous fees on bills even hospital bills are outrageous! now days!
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12-17-2008 @ 9:56PM
Tom said...
In Orlando Hertz doesn't even bother to put gas in the cars. They tell you to just bring it back with the same amount in there. Try renting a car with only 1/4 tank of gas and then returning it with exactly 1/4 tank. You can't do it and they are banking on you giving it back to them with more gas than it originally had in it. When it comes to sleazy business practices Hertz is number 1!
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12-17-2008 @ 10:04PM
Stratbear said...
hey, I live in Indianapolis it is`nt that bad. Its cold but we still have things to do that are a lot of fun. Museum`s and Broadway shows, the Lion King is at the Murat. The Colts, and Pacers, come spend some time and you will see !
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12-17-2008 @ 10:20PM
Car Rental said...
Do you all know that you can now rent a car for LESS money than you could in 1925? In 1925, the daily rate to rent a car was about 8 dollars. With a cost of living increase over the past (we'll say 80) years, the daily cost to rent the same car today should be $93.31 on average. The average cost to rent a care in the United States today is STILL under $40 per day, less than 50% of what it should be. I agree that car rental companies have a way of inventing fees, etc, but they still have to make money. That's what they are there for. Costs increase, so therefore rates have to increase or fees must be added to stay in business. People who want everything and want to pay nothing for it are so prevalent these days. Businesses simply can't operate at a loss just so that you as a consumer can have everything for free. If you all think you know everything about running a business, perhaps that's what you should do instead of complaining about how everyone else runs theirs...
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12-17-2008 @ 10:54PM
th said...
car rental.....I don't know where your renting cars but the average rate is no where near $40.00 a day average......you better recheck your sources....because as a shareholder of Hertz and reading the annual reports of the other majors......no one.....no one in the Big 3/4 are renting for $40.00 dollars a day........I suspect your counter clerk or sales person for a rent a car company.
12-18-2008 @ 10:38AM
MC said...
I just set up for a rental car for the middle of Jan 09. It is going to cost more than 100 bucks for the three days, and that is the cheapest I could find, for a small gas mizer, {if there is such a thing}. No, actually the rtes have gone up along with the cost of living the whole time, it is just that they have started giving names to all kind of various charges, instead of just setting a rental fee for the vehicle.
12-18-2008 @ 8:04PM
roger spurback said...
I think maybe you should not be so arrogant in your remarks. At even 40.00 a day ,.............this comes to 1200.00 a month !
get real in markets like Florida,.............rentals are taken every day !
Your making money and your arrogance speaks for itself. My solution would be for competetion to teach you a lesson in the real world as people struggle to scratch for every dime they can save!
Believe me,..............it's not at your expense.
Go out of business and do all of us a favor
Roger Spurback
12-17-2008 @ 11:02PM
jkm410 said...
I had a situation in Hawaii, where I was actually told to bring back the car as empty as possible and they refill, when I brought it back, I was told another story and charged $35.00 for gas (this was 1989). No one believed what I was told originally.
Reply
12-17-2008 @ 11:05PM
Albert said...
That puts HERTZ on my "NEVER RENT FROM THEM" list.
You should delete them from consideration when renting a vehicle. They'll NEVER "put me in the driver's seat", and I've rented vehicles a various locations for a total of over 2 months a year.
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12-17-2008 @ 11:42PM
Nowlin Tubbs said...
Hertz needs a good ole pumping from aTexas Korn Hole Machine.They are just another crooked American company stealing money.
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12-18-2008 @ 12:47AM
Tom said...
I see a lot of people here have bought into the liberal spin about businesses being evil. I am sure that some business people are greedy and crooked. But, I also suspect that there are a lot more complainers who would be just as greedy and evil if they were able. Nothing material is free in this world, if you didn't pay for it, someone else had to. If I donate to a charity to help someone, that is one thing. But when the government steals part of my hard earned money to dole out to someone else, that is only legalized theft. Tom
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12-18-2008 @ 12:38AM
OJ SIMPLETON said...
I WONT BE IN THAT THERE MARKET FOR A RENTAL CAR FOR A FEW YEARS, BUT WHEN I GET OUT I'M NEVER RENTING FROM THOSES CRIMMINALS EVER.
Reply
12-18-2008 @ 12:51AM
Yvonne said...
Just rent from Thrify or Budget...same cars...better treatment!
Reply
12-18-2008 @ 2:18AM
Edward said...
National & Alamo car rental is a great company. At least they have been for our family, over the last five years. Friendly and they have great deals and cars.
I know some of you will not agree. But, we give them "FIVE STARS".
Reply
12-18-2008 @ 9:20AM
Wayne said...
I agree with you 100%. Join the Emerald club and you can pick your car.
12-18-2008 @ 3:00AM
Mike Cook said...
Maybe we should let these guys go the way of the Big Three..but, w/out the bailout..
Reply
12-18-2008 @ 3:03AM
Joseph Guignon said...
Miami area it costs $120.00 to $130.00 a day to rent a car? It may be easier to just go there and buy a cheap used car that is in reasonable shape and then sell it! You might get all you paid for it back!
Reply