WARNING: Watch out for mileage charges
Dec 22, 2018, 9:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
WARNING: Watch out for mileage charges
Rented a car this week using the same wizard number and AWD code as always. Rate was the same as always. Total estimated charges were as expected. When arriving at the airport I had to get a contract from the counter (very unusual for me) the car wasn’t waiting. Upon arrival at my destination I looked more closely at the printed page to discover that the rate did NOT include unlimited mileage. I booked it with the app and didn’t recall seeing anything about a mileage charge. Guess this is Avis’ way of saying Merry Christmas. Not sure if it’s a one off odd-ball occurrence or an attempt at increasing prices without increasing the base rate ala bag fees, seat fees, resort charges, etc.
Anyone else encountered this?
Anyone else encountered this?
Dec 23, 2018, 5:11 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,210
Why didn't you notice and call them out on the mileage charge once you picked up the contract at the counter? That would have been the time and place to prevent the issue from occurring. And possibly cancel to take this one-way business to somebody else if they refuse to budge.
Chargebacks have often resulted in the renter being placed on the Do Not Rent list. You may not care, but this could be a problem for booking through opaque sites, as well as affiliated companies like Zipcar. If you have a corporate travel desk, it could be time to get them involved.
Chargebacks have often resulted in the renter being placed on the Do Not Rent list. You may not care, but this could be a problem for booking through opaque sites, as well as affiliated companies like Zipcar. If you have a corporate travel desk, it could be time to get them involved.
Dec 23, 2018, 6:13 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
What did your contract provide?
If the contract provided for a mileage charge and you have initiated a chargeback, you will lose. But, if you prevail, you will likely wind up on their DNR list until you pay up and at that point they may want the entire $6,400.
If the contract provided for a mileage charge and you have initiated a chargeback, you will lose. But, if you prevail, you will likely wind up on their DNR list until you pay up and at that point they may want the entire $6,400.
Dec 25, 2018, 12:21 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 212
The agreement and the receipt show Unlimited mileage yet I was still charged, when asked to remove the charge they refused - it would be a valid chargeback.
Why didn't you notice and call them out on the mileage charge once you picked up the contract at the counter? That would have been the time and place to prevent the issue from occurring. And possibly cancel to take this one-way business to somebody else if they refuse to budge.
Chargebacks have often resulted in the renter being placed on the Do Not Rent list. You may not care, but this could be a problem for booking through opaque sites, as well as affiliated companies like Zipcar. If you have a corporate travel desk, it could be time to get them involved.
Chargebacks have often resulted in the renter being placed on the Do Not Rent list. You may not care, but this could be a problem for booking through opaque sites, as well as affiliated companies like Zipcar. If you have a corporate travel desk, it could be time to get them involved.
Dec 25, 2018, 12:22 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 212
The contract showed Unlimited mileage and so did the receipt, there’s no need to charge me $6400 for mileage that should have been included.
Dec 25, 2018, 5:44 am
#8
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,665
Something doesn't add up here. If the contract showed unlimited mileage, on what basis did they charge you $6,400? What did they say when you called/emailed them? If you had documented proof that unlimited mileage was included then you should have paid $0. The only way I could see you coming up with a 50% settlement with them is if maybe it wasn't actually unlimited mileage and you didn't notice or something and they agreed to cut you a break. There appears to be a piece missing to this story because at least if it were me, there is no way I would have agreed to pay anything at all if I had documented proof that a mistake was made.
Dec 25, 2018, 7:18 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 212
Something doesn't add up here. If the contract showed unlimited mileage, on what basis did they charge you $6,400? What did they say when you called/emailed them? If you had documented proof that unlimited mileage was included then you should have paid $0. The only way I could see you coming up with a 50% settlement with them is if maybe it wasn't actually unlimited mileage and you didn't notice or something and they agreed to cut you a break. There appears to be a piece missing to this story because at least if it were me, there is no way I would have agreed to pay anything at all if I had documented proof that a mistake was made.
Dec 25, 2018, 8:23 am
#11
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,665
I would escalate that to the highest levels at Avis to avoid paying anything at all and being put on the DNR list. Something is very wrong there, and if your documentation is accurate, Avis owes you $3263, an apology, and probably also some additional compensation for your trouble. I would use the contacts on this page to start escalating.
Dec 25, 2018, 9:18 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 212
I’ll try again through this method.. I agree it’s not right, and was settling with 50%.
I would escalate that to the highest levels at Avis to avoid paying anything at all and being put on the DNR list. Something is very wrong there, and if your documentation is accurate, Avis owes you $3263, an apology, and probably also some additional compensation for your trouble. I would use the contacts on this page to start escalating.
Dec 25, 2018, 9:24 am
#13
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,665
Dec 25, 2018, 11:25 am
#14
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,032
Did you meet the terms of the original agreement (pickup/return location/time)? I've never seen it say "unlimited mileage" but still charge. If you met all the original terms, definitely worth a call to any/all of the following: corporate, your travel manager (if it was a business trip), your credit card, the local news station, etc.
Dec 25, 2018, 11:42 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
While the words "unlimited mileage" clearly appear, is there any contract language which limits that? Was there any language used at return in your discussion at the return as to how the charge was calculated and why?