Avoid Brussels at all costs
 

Hi all. Just back from Europe, and my Avis Brussels rental is turning out to be a real mistake. Long story short, they are claiming I damaged the car, even though I did not. In addition, they charged my credit card in USD instead of the Euro that I asked for (and that my rental receipt reflects). That little bit of shadiness cost me an extra $100!!!

In retrospect, I should have heeded the warnings that I saw about this station on Tripadvisor, as all of these things have previously been noted by other renters. Instead, I stuck with Avis out of idiotic loyalty. I'm warning all of you so that you don't do the same!

Sadly, this is really souring me on Avis. I've rented internationally from them numerous times without incident, but everyone I dealt with at that Brussels location was really shifty. My blood pressure is rising again just thinking about dealing with them!

Avoiding BRU at all costs seems a little extreme.
Perhaps you could provide a few details about the "damage"?
Also, I would suggest you read this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/avis/...mage-rant.html for potentially similar experiences by others and routes for remedy you may pursue.
As to being charged Dollars instead of Euros, it's called DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/avis/...argebacks.html

OP stated that he had requested billing in EUR, in which case the application of DCC - which in any event is a scam, owing to exorbitant exchange rates - was indeed underhanded.

The "damage" is 2 minute scratches of less than 1/8" each on the front undercarriage spoiler. Given how old they look (they were beginning to peel), I'm quite certain they were there on the car before. It's not a place I would have checked for damage prior to the rental, because you basically have to get on the ground and look up. I also picked up the rental at 10:30 at night, and the pickup area is a poorly lit parking garage. The Avis attendant who checked the car back in immediately pointed out the damage on a car covered in raindrops in a dark garage (without getting on the ground, mind you), so I believe he was familiar with this car and knew these scratches were there. I had to get on the ground to see it when he pointed it out. For these two teeny tiny scratches, I am being charged $500.

I am familiar with DCC. As FriendlyConfines also points out, I did not consent to DCC. I have a credit card that charges no forex fees, so I would not agree to have my card charged in USD. They asked me whether I wanted to be charged in USD or Euros, I said Euros, my receipt is in Euros, but they charged me in USD and screwed me on the conversion rate. In over 6 foreign rentals with Avis, this is the first time a station has gone ahead and processed the rental in USD. My credit card company advises me that this alone is enough to dispute the charge on my credit card.

Again, I've rented internationally from Avis without incident numerous times. My story is simply a warning that the BRU location seems to be a shady location.

Did they send you pictures of the damage? I'd love to see them.

Nothing yet from Avis. They tell me that it can take 30-60 days to get any information from the location, with no guarantees of what they will actually give me. Apparently, the location is not obligated to provide me with any further information than the line item that is on my bill (which creates another headache for me if I were to try to claim this from Visa insurance, because they require detailed info from Avis).

Avis Brussels Claiming Damage
 

I am having a nearly identical problem with Avis Brussels. I rented a car from them last week. Brought it back and they claimed I damaged the car. When the guy pointed out the "damage" to me, I almost laughed at first because I thought he was joking. You could not see it unless you stood in exactly the right place and the light hit it just the right way. Plus, when I wasn't driving it was in a private garage, so there's no way it was caused while I had it. They billed my card and additional $475. I am fighting it, but so far have had absolutely no response from Avis Brussels.

There are a number of other travel boards indicating other renters have had similar problems with Avis Brussels, which makes me suspect me suspect it is some sort of branch policy to hyper-inspect cars being returned as a way to increase revenue.

If anyone has any thoughts on how to fight this kind of thing, I would be most grateful.