(UK) Location service charge on a prepaid rental
Apr 6, 2009, 2:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, Avis Preferred Plus, Amex Plat
Posts: 2,080
(UK) Location service charge on a prepaid rental
So I had a rental at Forth Banks, Newcastle (downtown, very un-premium location) a couple of weeks ago. As usual, I reserved on Hertz.com and chose the prepaid option.
Lo and behold, a week or so later, I get an invoice from Hertz and my credit card has been charged an additional £7 as a 'location service charge'.
I quizzed the counter staff when I was in today, and apparently it's just started appearing on some, not all, prepaid rentals. They didn't seem particularly concerned about it, nor particularly interested in refunding me.
OK, it's only £7. But a prepaid rental should be a prepaid rental right? Is this some sneaky recession-busting tactic?
Lo and behold, a week or so later, I get an invoice from Hertz and my credit card has been charged an additional £7 as a 'location service charge'.
I quizzed the counter staff when I was in today, and apparently it's just started appearing on some, not all, prepaid rentals. They didn't seem particularly concerned about it, nor particularly interested in refunding me.
OK, it's only £7. But a prepaid rental should be a prepaid rental right? Is this some sneaky recession-busting tactic?
Apr 7, 2009, 12:17 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HKG
Programs: Marriott Ambassador (Titanium Lifetime), BA Gold, Ex-Hertz 5* PC, Ex-HH Diamond, Ex-BD*G
Posts: 3,062
You might find this post interesting;
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hertz...ime-msnbc.html
The MNBC link has some interesting points, one of which is 'making a renter pay for something they've already paid for
If you had a prepaid rental and then they charged you more after the pre-pay part then I would complain, or, even simplier, just dispute it on your credit card - it clearly is not correct.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hertz...ime-msnbc.html
The MNBC link has some interesting points, one of which is 'making a renter pay for something they've already paid for
If you had a prepaid rental and then they charged you more after the pre-pay part then I would complain, or, even simplier, just dispute it on your credit card - it clearly is not correct.
Apr 7, 2009, 7:12 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, Avis Preferred Plus, Amex Plat
Posts: 2,080
Well I called customer services. The £7 was begrudgingly refunded. I quote: "It doesn't seem worth it for such a small amount". 
But it doesn't fill me with confidence that the same thing won't happen again in the future. Perhaps for a lot more than £7. The lady on the phone didn't seem to understand my point that a guaranteed rate should be ... erm ... guaranteed.
I've rented from the same location, on the same rate, with the same CDP many times before. And since. No charges until this time, but who knows what will appear on my credit card statement in the future.
But it doesn't fill me with confidence that the same thing won't happen again in the future. Perhaps for a lot more than £7. The lady on the phone didn't seem to understand my point that a guaranteed rate should be ... erm ... guaranteed.
I've rented from the same location, on the same rate, with the same CDP many times before. And since. No charges until this time, but who knows what will appear on my credit card statement in the future.