RJD1983

I rented a car for about 10 days in Las Vegas in August. I returned it to McCarren Airport, no problems. I get a letter in the post about a month later (international mail) saying that they had detected an odour of cigarettes and it would be a $450 charge. I was like, I don't smoke, I had no passengers in my car (at all) during that time, blah, blah.

I phoned Avis up, explained that I received this letter and that I don't smoke. The woman on the phone said for me to hold the line whilst she checks. In about 5 minutes of holding, she said that the charge was applied in error, and I would not be charged. I received e-mail confirmation from them saying I would not be charged a cleaning fee.

So, happy days. I wonder how often this happens?

guv1976

Did the car smell of smoke when you picked it up?

RJD1983

Nope. It smelt alright inside. It was dirty on the outside, as they hadn't washed it (that location had no car washing facilities), but that was it.

kulak

Happened to me as well. In my case it did have a smell which I had noted at pickup.

I now no longer accept any car that has a smoke smell no matter how faint or air freshener was added.

I came a bit unglued when I got the letter and emailed the manager immediately giving him 2 days to fix it. I practically accused them of charging multiple renters in a row for the same smoke smell. He did reverse it on my schedule.

I religiously 360 video/photo each rental on pickup and drop off. People look at my funny but I�ve seen too many people get screwed. Smoke smell is the one thing I can�t video or prove one way or the other.

guv1976

How did you have it "noted" at pickup? On the rare occasions when I have accepted a car which smelled of smoke, I always insisted that an employee note the issue on my contract, and sign or initial the note. That's how you prove that there was a smell of smoke at pickup.