Originally Posted by
AutoSlash
Well, typically once you sign a rental contract it is a legally binding document for both parties. Hertz should not " arbitrarily change your rate" subsequent to the contract being signed. That said, it may depend on why they changed the rate. For example, if they could prove that you acted in bad faith and used a discount code you were not authorized to use, then they might have grounds to alter the rate. It's difficulty for us to comment on a particular situation without knowing specifics but here is general language written into Hertz's rental contract (emphasis ours):
Now, the above is rather general, but if you're asking whether Hertz can legally change your rate post-contract (meaning after you leave the location with your vehicle) if they determine that you acted in bad faith and used a CDP which you were not entitled to use, then the answer is....maybe. It's probably not something we'd want to test, and if it happened, we'd advise speaking with a manager at rental return to get the charges adjusted to match the originally contracted rate. If they refused, then you might be able to take them to small claims court or have grounds for a credit card chargeback (but this could lead to being put on the
DNR list), but again, there are the "fraud" and "deceptive conduct" angles to worry about, so it's not a clear cut thing.
If we're jumping to conclusions and this is not about using a CDP that you're not authorized for, then they certainly should adjust the rate at rental return barring some sort of legitimate reason for a rate adjustment, such as you being quoted a monthly rate originally, but you returned early such that the rental length was now under 28 days and the rental reverted to a weekly rate.
Bottom line, it's complicated, and it depends.
My friend protested the difference in the billed charges with his credit card company. He hasn’t seen the paperwork from them yet but the credit card company closed the claim stating that it seems to be an allowable charge (I would assume so because it was a last minute change by Hertz and the credit card company can’t validate that)
Furthermore, the most disturbing was that Hertz said he broke the terms of their legal contract by returning the car 5 hours early and they used the best rate available at the time.. Also mentioned if he reopens the claim, they would take him to collections?? Really?? Any thoughts, The difference is about $500 so I mentioned to him (and sent him) the link for the arbitration thread on FT. He’s frustrated, thinking about even letting it go but I said I believe he should pursue because he did nothing wrong.
I looked at one of my rental receipts and it clearly says that the rate may be changed if you return more than 24 hours or less than 24 hours of the required return time..
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
AutoSlash and others