bhbloke

For those of you that weren't aware the CMA has looked at this in the UK and has told the big 5 to clean up their act.

They were supposed to have done this by January 2017 which they clearly haven't. To me it looks as though any car booked from the UK rather than just rented in the UK ?

I sincerely hop ethe CMA clobbers them with some large penalties.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/d...-hire-websites

albpenny

unfortunately the CMA doesn't have the power to fine companies that breach consumer protection legislation. It will monitor the Big 5 though to ensure compliance, so write to the CMA if you think they aren't meeting their commitments.

JAXBA

For my rental booked through BA Holidays from 14-22Aug in CPT, Avios posted on 03Sep.

jms_uk

Thanks!

Mine was 20-21 AUG in PDX - still nothing...

NeverFirst

That suggests they are only looking at car-hire brokers, not the companies themselves;

The AVis/Hertz/Etc was a separate, even earlier, action.

snaxmuppet

I have now heard back from BA Holidays regarding this additional charge...

They claim that Avis do not have a 15 hour grace period and that as I collected the car the next day that I have gone onto the standard, non-contracted, daily rate.

BA Holidays have refused to refund me the additional charge.

I am sooo angry! What else was I to do? I called Avis to ask the question in order not to incur additional charges, I get told I have 15 hrs and then they slap a £915 addition charge on me for following their advice.

I am at a loss really as to where to go from here. It is basically their word against mine as I did not get it in writing and I suspect that they won't be able to find the recording of the telephone conversation.

I want to take this further but who should I take it to? I paid with a visa debit card (to avoid the CC fees on a £7000 holiday)... should I in the first place charge-back on my visa debit card or try complaining elsewhere first?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

markle

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markle

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lavajava

Hi OP,

Think I recall mentioning this on your other thread about picking up the car late. It does seem like you were not advised correctly about how many hours Avis leave until they cancel your booking. It's not clear from the thread whether Avis provided you with a receipt on collection that provided a breakdown of estimated charges, as this could have been the first tell that things were not quite right. I remember spending nearly an hour at the preferred counter for the manager to make a number of adjustments to my booking so I could still get the voucher rate after collecting the car just over 12 hours late.

I can understand why BA can't do anything about it so would urge you to contact Avis directly to explain what happened and try and get a refund. I suspect this may be a challenge, but something they may be willing to do for the sake of customer service...

I don't see why any card charge back would be valid option. It sounds like you entered into a new contract at the higher price and this was not realized until you got the final charge.

Some good advice up thread that you have already recognized.

Good luck

corporate-wage-slave

Can you clarify whether the unexpected bill from Avis was also to a Visa debit or a UK credit card?

I'm not an expert in car hire legalese, but my first thought is that it is that Avis should be the focus of your complaint, since if I have understood correctly, they said one thing and did something else. Had you known about the additional charge you would not have deferred by 15 hours.

doctoravios

I know this is a long shot but did you, by any chance, pay the deposit on a credit card? If so, then you could still make a section 75 claim through the credit card even if you paid the remaining balance on a different debit card. However, the onus would still be upon you to demonstrate that you were incorrectly charged (which might be difficult if you have nothing in writing).

snaxmuppet

As I said earlier... payment was by visa debit card.

I was told, on two separate telephone conversations, that I had 15 hrs grace by Avis customer support.

I cannot find anywhere in any of the BA Holiday T&Cs that there is any time constraint to car pick up. That is why I contacted Avis.

Looks like this little cock up by Avis will cost me £915. I will never book with BA Holidays or Avis again... unfortunately I have a booking outstanding for November. After that... never again.

I will try a charge-back through my bank but as you say... it is their word against mine.

lavajava

I know this must be really frustrating, not to mention the potential loss of >£900. Please take this to Avis and see what they say, as CWS says, it's not like you would left it 15 hours if you had known there would be a charge. I've found the Avis office in Berkshire, UK to be quite helpful in resolving issues I've had post rental, including one where I had signed for extra upgrade charges but hadn't realised/was never explained to me at the counter.

Perhaps your bank may agree to dispute the extra charge with Avis on your behalf, I believe you do have at least some protection using a UK debit card.. It seems BA may have already gone down this avenue by investigating your complaint.

Let us know how you get on.

Ldnn1

Your word could actually be pretty strong evidence, were it to end up in court (which hopefully it won't).

I'd definitely be pursuing it with Avis and your card issuer if I were you. I don't think BA Holidays are in the wrong in this instance.

Your biggest hurdle may be if the charge was properly set out in front of you at the time you signed for the car, but you didn't read it. But that's very commonly the case with car rental ruses and if the agent didn't mention at all to you that - despite you having a prepaid voucher - you would be charged a huge sum which you could never previously have been aware of let alone agreed, then I don't think that charge is defensible.

snaxmuppet

I have emailed Avis customer service in the UK and explained. I will see what they say.