"RoadSafe" - latest rental car scam
Sep 11, 2008, 6:27 pm
#1
Original Member
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 120
"RoadSafe" - latest rental car scam
I just encountered a new rental car scam renting from Dollar Rent a Car at the Dayton, OH airport.
They presented a "Roadsafe" $4.99/day optional charge on the bill in such a way that it looked like a tax or airport fee.
When I picked up the car, I was asked to initial several circles on the contract, indicating that I declined optional coverages, and that I accepted the rate. The "Roadsafe" fee was not listed under optional coverages - it was bundled in a single circle with the base rate and taxes. I did not notice the scam at that time, so I accepted the charge.
When I returned the car, I noticed the charge. When I complained, the manager agreed to remove the charge.
Caveat Emptor. I'd be good if some of the travel blogs publicized this so others are not scammed.
They presented a "Roadsafe" $4.99/day optional charge on the bill in such a way that it looked like a tax or airport fee.
When I picked up the car, I was asked to initial several circles on the contract, indicating that I declined optional coverages, and that I accepted the rate. The "Roadsafe" fee was not listed under optional coverages - it was bundled in a single circle with the base rate and taxes. I did not notice the scam at that time, so I accepted the charge.
When I returned the car, I noticed the charge. When I complained, the manager agreed to remove the charge.
Caveat Emptor. I'd be good if some of the travel blogs publicized this so others are not scammed.
Sep 11, 2008, 6:32 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ABE or Cambridge, Mass.
Programs: AGR, CO
Posts: 223
Here's the official description:
http://www.dollar.com/TravelCenter/T.../RoadSafe.aspx
Not very classy at all to include this by default, and to do so in the "stealth" manner described.
http://www.dollar.com/TravelCenter/T.../RoadSafe.aspx
Not very classy at all to include this by default, and to do so in the "stealth" manner described.
Sep 11, 2008, 8:41 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,543
Looks pretty slimey to me! This is one of the reasons I avoid Dollar.
Sep 11, 2008, 8:48 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Wow.
This is one of those services that the major car rental companies all used to include as part of their rates. Having it separated out is bad, especially when listed as one of the "fees" for the rental.
This is one of those services that the major car rental companies all used to include as part of their rates. Having it separated out is bad, especially when listed as one of the "fees" for the rental.
Sep 12, 2008, 4:43 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1MM, Delta Plat
Posts: 11,224
What? I have to pay extra to get THEIR dead battery jumped? 
to Dollar.
to Dollar.
Sep 12, 2008, 8:01 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,671
Here's the official description:
http://www.dollar.com/TravelCenter/T.../RoadSafe.aspx
http://www.dollar.com/TravelCenter/T.../RoadSafe.aspx
Dollar.com is having difficulty loading on your computer.
To provide you with great rates and services, Dollar.com utilizes advanced internet technology. Unfortunately Dollar.com does not support some older browsers.
To provide you with great rates and services, Dollar.com utilizes advanced internet technology. Unfortunately Dollar.com does not support some older browsers.
Sep 12, 2008, 8:52 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,195
Sep 12, 2008, 12:22 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: *A Gold
Posts: 123
If the battery is dead and it is not your fault, then Dollar will pay for the jumping. If you leave lights on all night, well, then its your own fault and you pay.
Same goes for tires etc. Their fault, their expense. Your fault, your expense. Of course it gets kinky when it comes to disputes over whose fault a problem is, but that's not the essence here (although it's worth a discussion too).
S.
Sep 12, 2008, 12:53 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: CO, UA, AA, WN, DL Gold
Posts: 2,981
Roadsafe?
So what IS Roadsafe? I haven't seen a reference to it before.
Sep 12, 2008, 3:48 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,195
Basically a paid roadside assistance program. Covers the same stuff as the one you can buy through your cell phone carrier or whatever (except they cover towing to the nearest Dollar office, even if it's more than $50 (the usual limit for the cell phone contracted roadside assistance programs).
Sep 12, 2008, 11:56 pm
#11
Original Member
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 120
In other words, Dollar is charging $4.99/day for the same coverage you can get from AAA for less than 25 cents/day