Avis - Beware Avis MSP Airport

Just a heads up if you decide to rent with Avis at the MSP airport.

I reserved an intermediate car online through the avis website. Total cost on my confirmation was $143.22 ($107 base plus $36.22 taxes and fees).

I arrive to the Avis counter at MSP and the rep asks if I would like to upgrade to a full sized Volvo for $16.95 additional cost. I reply that no, I would like to stick with what I reserved. He then asked if a Dodge Avenger would be ok. I replied "That's fine. I just want the cheapest way possible." He then asked about the insurance coverage which I declined. He told me to just hit continue on their touch pad thingy.

I return the car less than 24 hours later and find a total cost of $228. When I asked I was told that there was a $44.00 additional charge for an upgrade (from intermediate to intermediate) plus I had accepted the insurance coverage. Turns out they consider the Dodge Avenger a sports car. Never was told this nor was I told about the additional charge. As for the insurance, even though the receipt said I declined the coverage, unless you are careful and notice that you have to check the decline boxes on the touchpad (I thought the rep had done this) you are accepting the insurance.

The rep at the return desk said she would credit the upgrade charge as a "one time courtesy" but not the insurance. I called the Avis 800 number and they removed the insurance charge. They told me this is not a company owned location but a franchise.

So financially all was ok. But I have no doubt that the reps at this location get some sort of bonus or credit for up selling upgrades and insurance. I have no problem in their asking but take great issue with being deviously screwed. Just a heads up to be careful if you rent here.

Just a heads up if you decide to rent with Avis at the MSP airport.

I reserved an intermediate car online through the avis website. Total cost on my confirmation was $143.22 ($107 base plus $36.22 taxes and fees).

I arrive to the Avis counter at MSP and the rep asks if I would like to upgrade to a full sized Volvo for $16.95 additional cost. I reply that no, I would like to stick with what I reserved. He then asked if a Dodge Avenger would be ok. I replied "That's fine. I just want the cheapest way possible." He then asked about the insurance coverage which I declined. He told me to just hit continue on their touch pad thingy.

I return the car less than 24 hours later and find a total cost of $228. When I asked I was told that there was a $44.00 additional charge for an upgrade (from intermediate to intermediate) plus I had accepted the insurance coverage. Turns out they consider the Dodge Avenger a sports car. Never was told this nor was I told about the additional charge. As for the insurance, even though the receipt said I declined the coverage, unless you are careful and notice that you have to check the decline boxes on the touchpad (I thought the rep had done this) you are accepting the insurance.

The rep at the return desk said she would credit the upgrade charge as a "one time courtesy" but not the insurance. I called the Avis 800 number and they removed the insurance charge. They told me this is not a company owned location but a franchise.

So financially all was ok. But I have no doubt that the reps at this location get some sort of bonus or credit for up selling upgrades and insurance. I have no problem in their asking but take great issue with being deviously screwed. Just a heads up to be careful if you rent here.

Unfortunately, this is not really an Avis phenomenon, nor an MSP one... Dishonest people will find ways to take advantage of others. I'm glad the company reduced the impact of the issue, but it's the morality of the person you dealt with that's at issue. (and there are dishonest people at franchise, non franchise, all brands, everywhere in society... the hope is that they get rooted out fairly quickly.)

This is why you should sign up for Avis Preferred (and the equivalent program from other rental companies if you use them). It allows you to bypass the counter, and you don't sign anything, you don't press any "accept" buttons, you just go straight to your preselected car and (unless you have a problem with it) you drive off the lot, typically showing your ID to the exit gate attendant as your only interaction.

At smaller airports, you do have to go the counter, but typically they still just check your ID, hand you the keys, and explain where the car is.

(Only at some overseas rental locations do you get upsell harassment or "dangerous" stuff to sign as a Preferred in my experience.)

There's a vast difference in the counter experience for a Preferred (which is free, but does require that you make the reservation in a manner which allows you to enter your Wizard number) than for the "ordinary" renter.

Note: On your first rental after joining Preferred, you may still need to visit the counter, but only to show your ID and confirm you credit card physically. After that, you can bypass the counter (they bill to the same credit card each time automatically).

Thanks for the heads up and just signed up for the Preferred Program.

I am flying on UAL and just realized that there are 2 terminals to pickup your car from. Which terminal is closer to UAL?

How was the selection for the Full Size?