MilesBuzz! - New low for car rental agency practices...

Arrived at SFO and had a vehicle reserved with Payless. After doing the wait-in-line routine and answering the 50 questions, they asked for proof of insurance, which, of course, we didn't have.

Only option? Purchase their supplemental insurance coverage at $12.95/day or they wouldn't rent to us. Already somewhat late for a meeting, we signed for the coverage under duress.

This was a first for us. Anyone else experience this?

I've never experienced it myself renting a car, but CA does require proof of insurance to be carried by all drivers. Sounds like they are enforcing it to their advantage, but anyone they catch without insurance really can't be (legally) allowed to drive in CA anyway.

A new twist on an old scam, trying to force you to buy their overpriced insurance. Too bad you couldn't tell them to "stuff it" and rent from someone else.

If you want to spend the time, call their headquarters and request a refund.

Next, if you charged the rental on a credit card, you may want to dispute the charge and tell your side of the story to the card issuer. You may lose, but at least you will make Payless work for whatever money they scammed from you.

What horsebleep.

Called and talked to the franchisee. No luck in getting the charges changed. Ditto with Payless headquarters in Florida.

From the sound of their response, sounds like they're used to hearing from customers about this new enrichment scheme.

Will take it the next step and dispute the charge -- and I agree, make them work for it and pay the chargeback fee to their processor.

I did explain to Payless national headquarters that whatever amount they're spending in advertising, trying to gain customer goodwill, is sure being undone by this cr*p.

Here's a related Payless thread with an experience at the Oakland Airport in August:
Rental car frustration -- do I have recourse? (http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/Forum11/HTML/011212.html)

Ejulber,

While despicable, this has nothing to do with miles or points, I'm going to move it over to TravelBuzz.

Flipside