Frustrations: Multiple keys with no way of separation
Apr 20, 2017, 11:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 247
Frustrations: Multiple keys with no way of separation
A majority of the time I rent, I am given multiple keys/fobs that are attached with a metal (unopenable) loop.
On most occasions, it's just me driving and I have no need for multiple keys, especially if they're attached. The most I've been given on one of these loops is two large key-integrated fobs and an additional key. How is that supposed to fit in a pocket??
On other occurrences, I have multiple drivers in my reservation and would like each of us to have a key. However, 100% of the time, these fobs are attached with the metal loop and I cannot accomplish this. I have to meet with the other drivers at odd times to trade the loop of 2+ keys.
Attempting to look from the perspective of National, they want all the keys to a car to move with that car. If I have a one-way rental, all of the keys should arrive at the return facility. If I lose a key, I'd be losing a whole bunch of keys, so they can charge a lot more in fees because you can never lose just one of them. I can only see this as a downside to the consumer. If National separated their key loops on request, they might be able to charge more key-loss fees to those that just lose 1 key.
Is there anything in Terms & Conditions that would prevent me from taking a wire-cutter to the key loop? I've called and complained a few times, but I know it goes no where. The rep said that I just had to return all of the keys I was given; there was no mention that the key loop also had to be returned or untouched.
Am I the only person this bothers so much?
On most occasions, it's just me driving and I have no need for multiple keys, especially if they're attached. The most I've been given on one of these loops is two large key-integrated fobs and an additional key. How is that supposed to fit in a pocket??
On other occurrences, I have multiple drivers in my reservation and would like each of us to have a key. However, 100% of the time, these fobs are attached with the metal loop and I cannot accomplish this. I have to meet with the other drivers at odd times to trade the loop of 2+ keys.
Attempting to look from the perspective of National, they want all the keys to a car to move with that car. If I have a one-way rental, all of the keys should arrive at the return facility. If I lose a key, I'd be losing a whole bunch of keys, so they can charge a lot more in fees because you can never lose just one of them. I can only see this as a downside to the consumer. If National separated their key loops on request, they might be able to charge more key-loss fees to those that just lose 1 key.
Is there anything in Terms & Conditions that would prevent me from taking a wire-cutter to the key loop? I've called and complained a few times, but I know it goes no where. The rep said that I just had to return all of the keys I was given; there was no mention that the key loop also had to be returned or untouched.
Am I the only person this bothers so much?
Apr 20, 2017, 12:17 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Programs: United 1K, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 690
A majority of the time I rent, I am given multiple keys/fobs that are attached with a metal (unopenable) loop.
On most occasions, it's just me driving and I have no need for multiple keys, especially if they're attached. The most I've been given on one of these loops is two large key-integrated fobs and an additional key. How is that supposed to fit in a pocket??
On other occurrences, I have multiple drivers in my reservation and would like each of us to have a key. However, 100% of the time, these fobs are attached with the metal loop and I cannot accomplish this. I have to meet with the other drivers at odd times to trade the loop of 2+ keys.
Attempting to look from the perspective of National, they want all the keys to a car to move with that car. If I have a one-way rental, all of the keys should arrive at the return facility. If I lose a key, I'd be losing a whole bunch of keys, so they can charge a lot more in fees because you can never lose just one of them. I can only see this as a downside to the consumer. If National separated their key loops on request, they might be able to charge more key-loss fees to those that just lose 1 key.
Is there anything in Terms & Conditions that would prevent me from taking a wire-cutter to the key loop? I've called and complained a few times, but I know it goes no where. The rep said that I just had to return all of the keys I was given; there was no mention that the key loop also had to be returned or untouched.
Am I the only person this bothers so much?
On most occasions, it's just me driving and I have no need for multiple keys, especially if they're attached. The most I've been given on one of these loops is two large key-integrated fobs and an additional key. How is that supposed to fit in a pocket??
On other occurrences, I have multiple drivers in my reservation and would like each of us to have a key. However, 100% of the time, these fobs are attached with the metal loop and I cannot accomplish this. I have to meet with the other drivers at odd times to trade the loop of 2+ keys.
Attempting to look from the perspective of National, they want all the keys to a car to move with that car. If I have a one-way rental, all of the keys should arrive at the return facility. If I lose a key, I'd be losing a whole bunch of keys, so they can charge a lot more in fees because you can never lose just one of them. I can only see this as a downside to the consumer. If National separated their key loops on request, they might be able to charge more key-loss fees to those that just lose 1 key.
Is there anything in Terms & Conditions that would prevent me from taking a wire-cutter to the key loop? I've called and complained a few times, but I know it goes no where. The rep said that I just had to return all of the keys I was given; there was no mention that the key loop also had to be returned or untouched.
Am I the only person this bothers so much?
Also, if you want a key in your pocket, release the valet key and you now have the fob to put in your pocket. Give the valet key with the other complete key to your secondary driver. Easy peazy and done.
Apr 20, 2017, 1:53 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA Platinum, Delta Silver, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 41
A majority of the time I rent, I am given multiple keys/fobs that are attached with a metal (unopenable) loop.
On most occasions, it's just me driving and I have no need for multiple keys, especially if they're attached. The most I've been given on one of these loops is two large key-integrated fobs and an additional key. How is that supposed to fit in a pocket??
On other occurrences, I have multiple drivers in my reservation and would like each of us to have a key. However, 100% of the time, these fobs are attached with the metal loop and I cannot accomplish this. I have to meet with the other drivers at odd times to trade the loop of 2+ keys.
Attempting to look from the perspective of National, they want all the keys to a car to move with that car. If I have a one-way rental, all of the keys should arrive at the return facility. If I lose a key, I'd be losing a whole bunch of keys, so they can charge a lot more in fees because you can never lose just one of them. I can only see this as a downside to the consumer. If National separated their key loops on request, they might be able to charge more key-loss fees to those that just lose 1 key.
Is there anything in Terms & Conditions that would prevent me from taking a wire-cutter to the key loop? I've called and complained a few times, but I know it goes no where. The rep said that I just had to return all of the keys I was given; there was no mention that the key loop also had to be returned or untouched.
Am I the only person this bothers so much?
On most occasions, it's just me driving and I have no need for multiple keys, especially if they're attached. The most I've been given on one of these loops is two large key-integrated fobs and an additional key. How is that supposed to fit in a pocket??
On other occurrences, I have multiple drivers in my reservation and would like each of us to have a key. However, 100% of the time, these fobs are attached with the metal loop and I cannot accomplish this. I have to meet with the other drivers at odd times to trade the loop of 2+ keys.
Attempting to look from the perspective of National, they want all the keys to a car to move with that car. If I have a one-way rental, all of the keys should arrive at the return facility. If I lose a key, I'd be losing a whole bunch of keys, so they can charge a lot more in fees because you can never lose just one of them. I can only see this as a downside to the consumer. If National separated their key loops on request, they might be able to charge more key-loss fees to those that just lose 1 key.
Is there anything in Terms & Conditions that would prevent me from taking a wire-cutter to the key loop? I've called and complained a few times, but I know it goes no where. The rep said that I just had to return all of the keys I was given; there was no mention that the key loop also had to be returned or untouched.
Am I the only person this bothers so much?
Apr 20, 2017, 1:58 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,834
Me too. Just cut the wire. I do this on every rental because I hate carrying around that plastic tag. I just want to carry the key/fob itself. I just hand them in separately when I return.
Apr 20, 2017, 2:31 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
Apr 20, 2017, 4:13 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Programs: United 1K, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 690
Apr 20, 2017, 4:53 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 247
Not always. If I'm at the office and want to drive somewhere for lunch, I won't take my backpack with me. Nor when I'm getting in the car with my bag it is always close enough to the driver's seat to activate the systems.
Apr 20, 2017, 5:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
Apr 20, 2017, 5:16 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: National Exec, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 599
For those who cut it, do you re-wire it before you returned the car? If you don't, have you had a situation where they claim you didn't return all the keys? It seems like it'd be easy to claim that a key was lost or for them to lose one and place the blame on you.
My guess would be that the one-way trips are the reason for keeping the keys together. In Hawaii, where one-ways aren't leaving the island, I usually receive just one key and the tag.
My guess would be that the one-way trips are the reason for keeping the keys together. In Hawaii, where one-ways aren't leaving the island, I usually receive just one key and the tag.
Apr 20, 2017, 5:21 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,834
For those who cut it, do you re-wire it before you returned the car? If you don't, have you had a situation where they claim you didn't return all the keys? It seems like it'd be easy to claim that a key was lost or for them to lose one and place the blame on you.
My guess would be that the one-way trips are the reason for keeping the keys together. In Hawaii, where one-ways aren't leaving the island, I usually receive just one key and the tag.
My guess would be that the one-way trips are the reason for keeping the keys together. In Hawaii, where one-ways aren't leaving the island, I usually receive just one key and the tag.
Apr 21, 2017, 12:48 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,672
Assuming we're talking about this:
there's no need for wire cutters.
Hold one key in your left hand. Hold another key in your right hand, and start twisting. Keep going and the wire will break. Works every time.
Hold one key in your left hand. Hold another key in your right hand, and start twisting. Keep going and the wire will break. Works every time.
Apr 21, 2017, 7:32 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Programs: United 1K, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 690
Apr 21, 2017, 10:07 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 247
Apr 21, 2017, 10:16 am
#15
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
Yes we noticed. That's why it takes you longer at the TSA checkpoint. Go through "oh you mean this cell phone will set off the alarm" Take cell phone out, go through again "oh you mean $20 worth of change in my pocket will set off alarm" and so on. LOL!