Additional charges w/ Priceline

[mkrober]

I rented a car earlier this month in Orlando (MCO) thr/ PL and everything went uneventful during my trip. I did not accept any addtional services or options on my rental. I returned the car with a full tank which the attendant confirmed, but was charged an additional sum, which Avis said that priceline did not cover. Once I got home, I spoke with customer service at Avis, and it turns out that PL did not send Avis the full amount that PL charged my credit card. This difference represents the charge that Avis charged me. I called PL and spoke with a "travel specialist", who at that time told me that I would be issued a credit. After waiting two weeks, I had yet to receive the credit on my card. I then called PL concerning this credit. I spoke with both a CSR and a "travel specialist". I was polite and firm, but at no time was I discourteous. I explained that I had spoke previously with a specialist and was told then that a credit would be issued. The specialist that I spoke with this time said that the fee represented an extra fee imposed by Avis and that no credit would be issued despite what previous specialists had said. During our conversation, I was repeatedly interrupted and ultimately, was hung up on. The specialist name was Shante. Disappointing and unprofessional is an understatement. While the amount in dispute is not a large amount, I am more concerned about the principle. PL markets itself as an advocate of the consumer. While I am not so naive' to think that PL doesn't consider its bottom line first, I consider this tactic unethical in a business sense and will think twice before I use PL again. So much for "you name the price". I urge others to keep this in mind this when they consider Priceline for their travel.

 

[seashoreCM]

Should'a disputed it with your credit card company.

What was the "extra fee"? For a charge or increase that mysteriously appears on your bill, the credit card company has to give you an explanation which the credit card company gets from the merchant, or take it off your bill.

It is not your duty to first make a good faith effort to resolve the problem directly with the merchant unless we are talking about quality of goods and services.

If the extra fee is something all the rental companies charge then it is "legit".

Car rental hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/carrent.htm

 

[inkkognito]

I would definitely dispute this too. I have used Priceline many times and thankfully have never had a problem. I print out everything and would use it immediately in a dispute. They can't charge you for any amount that you did not agree to, so if you have your Priceline ressie documented at a certain price, you should win the dispute.
BTW, the only weird thing I ever had happen with Avis/Priceline was one night when our flight was delayed and we arrived after midnight. The Avis computer thought it was the next day (which technically it was) and kept saying there were no cars available. Avis didn't give us any hassle about honoring the ressie, but it took some doing to get it into the computer, and we ended up getting the insurance free (I think they ended up coding it as some corporate thing).
Barb

 

[Lewisc]

Could it be an extra driver fee? With a PL reservation you can be charged even if the additional driver is your spouse and even if the agency doesn't normally have this charge.

 

[mkrober]

After speaking with Avis, the amount that PL sent them for the rental was different than the price that Avis charged PL (and ultimately, me)for the rental. This difference was the amount that I had to pay.

 

[inkkognito]

I would dispute that...you agreed to pay a certain amount, and it sounds like Priceline should have to eat the difference and take it up with Avis themselves. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose of "name your own price!" Your credit card is charged immediately when you make the Priceline ressie, and they are not authorized to add anything on.
On the spouse-driver thing, I have had some agencies allow my spouse to drive for free with Priceline and some who would not do it. I think Avis has let us do it for free in the past.
Barb