Charged extra for returning the car 90 minutes early then refunded
Jul 13, 2017, 2:50 pm
#1
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Charged extra for returning the car 90 minutes early then refunded
I booked a car in SAN through an online travel agency for just under two days and then returned it 90 minutes earlier than scheduled. On the way back to the airport I noticed the charge on the receipt was almost double the amount I expected. I spoke with the travel agent and just received this response.
"We regret any misunderstanding about the charges on your reservation. We have contacted Avis Rent a Car on your behalf to verify the breakdown of the charges. We were informed that according to their records, you were billed higher than the estimated charge for returning the car early. When returning the vehicle earlier than scheduled the rate may default. That's what happened in this case. We really did our best working this out with the rental partner to make sure we did not overlook anything and as a result, the rental car company honored the quoted rate and processed a credit in the amount of XXX.XX USD to your American Express card. Please allow 3-5 business days for the credit to reflect in your account."
A satisfactory outcome but I've not come across this before. Has anyone else?
"We regret any misunderstanding about the charges on your reservation. We have contacted Avis Rent a Car on your behalf to verify the breakdown of the charges. We were informed that according to their records, you were billed higher than the estimated charge for returning the car early. When returning the vehicle earlier than scheduled the rate may default. That's what happened in this case. We really did our best working this out with the rental partner to make sure we did not overlook anything and as a result, the rental car company honored the quoted rate and processed a credit in the amount of XXX.XX USD to your American Express card. Please allow 3-5 business days for the credit to reflect in your account."
A satisfactory outcome but I've not come across this before. Has anyone else?
Jul 13, 2017, 4:07 pm
#2
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I booked a car in SAN through an online travel agency for just under two days and then returned it 90 minutes earlier than scheduled. On the way back to the airport I noticed the charge on the receipt was almost double the amount I expected. I spoke with the travel agent and just received this response.
"We regret any misunderstanding about the charges on your reservation. We have contacted Avis Rent a Car on your behalf to verify the breakdown of the charges. We were informed that according to their records, you were billed higher than the estimated charge for returning the car early. When returning the vehicle earlier than scheduled the rate may default. That's what happened in this case. We really did our best working this out with the rental partner to make sure we did not overlook anything and as a result, the rental car company honored the quoted rate and processed a credit in the amount of XXX.XX USD to your American Express card. Please allow 3-5 business days for the credit to reflect in your account."
A satisfactory outcome but I've not come across this before. Has anyone else?
"We regret any misunderstanding about the charges on your reservation. We have contacted Avis Rent a Car on your behalf to verify the breakdown of the charges. We were informed that according to their records, you were billed higher than the estimated charge for returning the car early. When returning the vehicle earlier than scheduled the rate may default. That's what happened in this case. We really did our best working this out with the rental partner to make sure we did not overlook anything and as a result, the rental car company honored the quoted rate and processed a credit in the amount of XXX.XX USD to your American Express card. Please allow 3-5 business days for the credit to reflect in your account."
A satisfactory outcome but I've not come across this before. Has anyone else?
Jul 13, 2017, 4:45 pm
#4
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They were extremely helpful. I used their chat service from the airport lounge to raise the query and here we are with a resolution to the problem only 4 days later.
Jul 13, 2017, 4:47 pm
#5
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Jul 13, 2017, 6:04 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
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Now, would that happen in reality, probably not, but its feasible.
Jul 13, 2017, 6:48 pm
#7
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I was due to return the car on Sunday night at 8pm. I actually returned the car at 6:30pm on Sunday night. Would you expect that to fail to meet the rate requirements?
Jul 13, 2017, 7:19 pm
#8
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Otherwise, no, I would not expect a 6:30pm Sunday return to cause a re-rate, at least under normal circumstances.
Jul 13, 2017, 7:24 pm
#9
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What time were you reserved to pick up, and what time did you actually pick up? If it was a 3-day minimum and your rental was originally a 5pm pickup and an 8pm drop-off and you actually picked it up at 5:45pm and dropped it off at 6:30pm, your 3-day rental would have turned into 2 days + 1 hour and could have failed that.
Otherwise, no, I would not expect a 6:30pm Sunday return to cause a re-rate, at least under normal circumstances.
Otherwise, no, I would not expect a 6:30pm Sunday return to cause a re-rate, at least under normal circumstances.
It was booked for collection at 10pm on Friday and the actual collection time was 10:45pm. It was due for return at 8pm on Sunday and the actual return time was 6:30pm.
Jul 13, 2017, 10:30 pm
#10
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Weird. I guess just be thankful Priceline was able to resolve it for you...