Originally Posted by
Nibaruian
Got a very good rate at a local LV location. Tried to extend. Avis came back with a rate for the week about $50 higher than my contracted rate. When I spoke with the agent about this, she tells me that there's "an extension fee of $45" -in addition to the $10 that usually comes with an extension. Agent claims this rate is "based on current availabilty"
[deleted]. Their head of security comes on FT and threatens prosecution for using contract IDs that you don't have permission to use. Then this. The weasel factor has gotten sky high with them.
All I can tell you is for the last year and a half, car rental rates in the local LV market have been very competitive. For one reason, the Budget franchisee didn't sell to Avis-they actually compete in this market. But with Hertz buying DTG (and HLE is a disaster here), and gas prices going through the floor-which makes it easier to travel to LAS-rates have gone up dramatically in the last 3 months. It's gotten harder and harder to shop a good deal.
But the Avis thing is flat out illegal.
Explain the legal issue with Avis charging a reservation modification fee/extension fee? You don't have to accept it, you can return the car as expected with no incurred fee. They could call it a rate charge, but they articulate it as an extension fee. This may actually be benefit depending on taxing districts because rates may be taxed differently then fees.
Do I personally like it, not really, but I don't see the legal issue.