Avoiding currency exchange ripoff?
 

Hi all. I reserved a car in Bilbao, with the reservation made in US dollars. I just picked the car up and it seems that AVIS has forced some sort of absurd exchange rate on me, as what should have been around an 87 Euro charge ($113US at the current market rate), became 118 Euro! The agent confirmed that the reservation total was $113 USD, so I know it's an issue of exchange rate and not a problem with the reservation itself. My question is, is it possible to 'force' Avis to charge my CC at the originally quoted USD rate? I'd much prefer to use VISA's near-market rate then AVIS' 30% commission. I'm returning the car on Tuesday so any tips on what to fight for would be appreciated.

I've never had this problem but I don't usually rent from Avis internationally. Seems like you could insist on being billed in dollars if the reservation is priced in dollars. But isn't it the practice to bill in the local currency? Sort of surprising that your reservation was priced in dollars.

I think I read in the Wall Street journal a few days ago that the rental car companies were instituting a new currency charge / exchange system for Europe. Then I heard that they have gone back. So perhaps the new system has bitten you. Might have some value to contact Avis USA with a question /email.

All's well that ends well. The final bill at time of return came in under the 87 Euro I was hoping for. Either a mistake was made earlier, or Avis' computers are not very good estimators...

At MIA last week I was given the option of being billed in USD or GBP, I took the GBP option and it came in about 20% less than the price quoted on Avis.co.uk, plus I don't pay any credit card conversion charges.

Spike