Originally Posted by
djk7
One problem car rental companies have that airlines don't is that customers don't always return cars on time. So overbooking is not the only reason cars aren't available. From what I have read, in some jurisdictions, hotels can't easily kick out guests staying past their reservation as long as they are paying, so a similar situation can exist there too.
If a customer doesn't return a car on time, then that customer pays penalties. Why should Hertz get to double-dip by collecting those penalties AND demanding an upgrade fee to the vehicle that DOES happen to be available?
Fortunately for airline passengers, they usually WILL upgrade you (or someone) to a higher cabin if that's all that's left and you have a reservation. If they don't, there are specific penalties that they must pay by law. Not sure what federal agency regulates car rental companies, but perhaps they should get on a similar regulation.
I recognize however, that in many cases, a reservation is not a contract, since there has not been any consideration paid prior to the rental, so that may complicate regulation. On a pre-paid rental, however, I would be livid if they tried to charge me an upgrade fee if they didn't have my vehicle class available.