Originally Posted by
guv1976
It's still not clear to me where you first challenged the rate. You said, "at the counter." Which counter? The one where you picked up the car, or the one where you returned the car?
If you challenged the rate at the pick-up location, I would first contact Avis Customer Service. If you do not receive a refund -- or a satisfactory explanation for the rate change -- I would then file a bait-and-switch complaint with the Consumer Protection Bureau of the NYS Attorney General's Office (assuming that the pick-up location is within New York State).
Were you using a special AWD code on the reservation? If so, have you checked to see whether the rate on the corporate/association contract has changed?
Thank you for the pointers.
I challenged it at the pick-up location when I saw they were seeking a $300+ authorization on what I expected to be a $77 rental. I reached CS after a 15 minute hold and the agent was basically useless. She told me about the "security deposit", but did not know the exact amount and implied that everything will be correct when I return the car, without telling me exact numbers.
I accepted because I had a flight to catch, and already wasted almost 45 minutes at the counter. Later, I noticed that the "base rate" itself has changed.
I live in CT. So I will see if I can use the AGs office here as the next escalation if the customer service does not help.
Yes, I have a special AWD, my employers. How do I check if the corporate contract rate is different now? I tried pricing out another rental with same details for Dec 20 2025, and it priced at a base rate of $100 now for a Minivan, different from both $68 (booked rate) and $150 (charged rate).