Be careful if you use AVIS at MCO

[MrsHammer]

Rented a car at AVIS for the week last week and the car was fine, etc, but when I returned the car, I filled it up with gas at the Shell station at the airport and when I got home I noticed that they had charged me $115 gas fee. Luckily, Shell had emailed me a copy of the receipt and I was able to get the charge taken back off by Avis customer service a few days after I got back home. They said 'always give a copy of your receipt to the attendant when you return'....but the way they have you return cars now, you don't always have contact with an attendant (we didn't...they just directed us to park the car, leave the keys and be on our way). Also, they charge $59.99 to use their toll pass that is built into the car. That is much more than the amount that I read on the AVIS website prior to our trip. I have no complaints about the actual car, just the way they tried to hit us with the super outrageous fees afterwards.

 

[RogueX]

You're lucky they recognized you returned the car. Last year they accused us of not returning our rental and after a week of it not showing up, suddenly it appeared. My husband provided all documentation and it was left with an attendant, but it was a fight that had to be done to get a multi-thousand dollar charge removed.

 

[katallo]

One of the best tips I received from Disboards. When we return a car, we take a picture of the car in the checkin area. Just make sure you get the tag in the shot. I managed to get the rear tag and the Hertz sign.

 

[RogueX]

One of the best tips I received from Disboards. When we return a car, we take a picture of the car in the checkin area. Just make sure you get the tag in the shot. I managed to get the rear tag and the Hertz sign.

I never thought about that, but definitely will for next time.

 

[Starwind]

One of the best tips I received from Disboards. When we return a car, we take a picture of the car in the checkin area. Just make sure you get the tag in the shot. I managed to get the rear tag and the Hertz sign.

If you can, it can also be beneficial to get good photos of all sides of the car when you return it, giving you proof there is no damage. I take photos and video at our hotel before we head to the airport to return the car, and then photos again at the airport as part of returning it. I like your idea of getting the agency's sign in a picture, too !

 

[keishashadow]

yikes, some unlucky accounts above!

We typically have been renting with Avis with a corporate rate that is a bit better than any other I’ve been able to find since the rental car shortage/price gouging started.

No issues with them other than getting the last few sun pass charges on our own one reimbursed. That happens with all the rental companies. Simple email & proof of using it earlier in trip always works.

Never had a problem re returning the gas tank full either, even at the ones many mention. At times, before the new gas station at the airporat, we’ve filled up at Hess @ the BW before returning without issue.

i do inspect all rentals, even on the Alamo aisle, before accepting them. I will write down any defects (scratches, dents, etc) on the rental sleeve and have the gate attendant initial it.

 

[Gizmo74]

I rented from Avis in early June and it was hard to find an agent to check the car in. They also directed us to just leave the car but I did that once in Vegas and never again. It doesn’t take the agent long to check the car in so I don’t know why they just don’t staff it. It would help them knowing what their inventory is. I waited over 20 minutes for an agent to check us in. I wonder if anyone was ever charged “late” fee because it took the agents long time to get around checking the car in.

 

[ILuvDisney78]

I rented from Avis in early June and it was hard to find an agent to check the car in. They also directed us to just leave the car but I did that once in Vegas and never again. It doesn’t take the agent long to check the car in so I don’t know why they just don’t staff it. It would help them knowing what their inventory is. I waited over 20 minutes for an agent to check us in. I wonder if anyone was ever charged “late” fee because it took the agents long time to get around checking the car in.

We were charged a "late fee" at MCO because we were waiting for an attendant. We called Customer Service when we returned home and they refunded the charge.

 

[seashoreCM]

If you had to wait 20 plus minutes to return the car, we need to be thinking and talking leaving Disney earlier to prevent missing your Southwest Airlines A-lgroup boarding let alone missing your plane. Now we are getting close to that departure from WDW 3 hours before flight time which timing we have seen so many times in the old Magical Express literature..

 

[Cheburashka]

They gave me a lemon car in March that broke down.

 

[_19disnA]

Maybe things have changed due to covid, but every major airport where I have ever rented a car from Avis, there are 1 (or more) employees with those handheld computer/printer devices checking in cars as they return. They have always printed out a receipt they hand to me which shows the ending mileage, date/time of return and fuel status. Not sure I would ever just leave the car without getting a receipt of some kind even if the attendant tells you to do that. Way too many things can go wrong that way. Another good reason to not cut it too close when returning your car at the end of your vacation.

 

[georgina]

i would agree you have to be careful with ALL rental companies re - gas, damage, return time, tolls, correct charges.

i returned a Budget car at MCO in May and there was no one to give me one of those receipts. I took a picture of the car in the garage. (Budget & Avis same parent company) I usually rent with Alamo and they always give me a printout on the spot at MCO.

In May in Atlanta airport the Alamo attendant refused me a printed receipt, saying he emailed it to me. I was not pleased; in the next row the Alamo guy was printing them for people. I had no reception in the garage and couldn't check it, so I waited in line at the kiosk for a receipt. I never did get that email he said he sent.

 

[Carlnne]

I agree- I dont trust any of them. I recently returned to Budget at MCO and had a bad experience. The agent checked off a few things on an ipad and said I would be emailed a receipt and they rushed us out. Luckily I noticed the email when I got to the gate - they had charged my credit card $183 for returning with an empty tank. Of course I had filled the tank, took a picture, and got a receipt. I immediately called the number on the reoeipt and they put me on hold, went to check the car, and admitted I was right. But they said it would take 5 business days to reverse the charge. I learned my lesson- I wont be rushed out and will have a "gas conversation" with the agent no matter how busy they are.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

I rent from Avis when we travel to MCO. I always do the following:

1) Take a video of the car when I pick it up. Any big scuffs I take photos.

2) Get a printed receipt for the gas I purchase. I was charged a gas fee last year and DMd the photo of the gas station receipt to Avis Twitter and was removed in a few days.

3) Take a video when I return it.

4) Wait for an attendant to print out my receipt.

It's slightly more work...but helps me avoid issues.

 

[Donald Duck888]

interesting points here about renting. I was just curious if anyone on here has purchased all of the additional protections (collision damage waiver etc.) and if that makes a difference on all this stuff. I am thinking of renting toward the end of our vacation as we may fly down and drive back. Since that would mean we would only have the car for 2 days I was thinking of just going with all the extra protections (even though I have never done them before on a rental) just so that I would basically be able to be worry free about the car on the 1400 mile trip home.

 

[nekonekoneko]

interesting points here about renting. I was just curious if anyone on here has purchased all of the additional protections (collision damage waiver etc.) and if that makes a difference on all this stuff. I am thinking of renting toward the end of our vacation as we may fly down and drive back. Since that would mean we would only have the car for 2 days I was thinking of just going with all the extra protections (even though I have never done them before on a rental) just so that I would basically be able to be worry free about the car on the 1400 mile trip home.

There's a reason rental car companies push those protection plans really hard, kinda like the protection plans when buying something at Best Buy. The markup on those products are crazy high. But, if it's worth the peace of mind for you, by all means, go for it!

Most credit cards will have protection built into the terms for a rental car. Usually, they want you to go through your insurance, and then a special department will handle reimbursing your deductible.

 

[_19disnA]

Buying all of the unnecessary 'extras' in coverage they offer isn't going to change the fact they still need to properly check-in your vehicle for the date/time you actually return the vehicle. I don't see how one relates to the other.

 

[Donald Duck888]

The markup on those products are crazy high.

I totally agree with this which is why I have never purchased the products in the past. I just thought that with it being a short time rental and long distance (all the way up the east coast) that it might as you said, give more piece of mind that what ever may occur would be covered.

Buying all of the unnecessary 'extras' in coverage they offer isn't going to change the fact they still need to properly check-in your vehicle for the date/time you actually return the vehicle. I don't see how one relates to the other.

I was not really looking at the checking in part as I agree one would certainly want to make sure that occurs but would not having coverage that made it so any damage was not ones responsibility make it less of an issue if you missed a ding when renting? Now I totally agree that it is over priced and most likely will end up as a net negative money wise but having made the trip from NH to FL many times before I know all it takes is one truck throwing a rock to damage a windshield and then it may not be a net negative after all.

 

[_19disnA]

Your current car insurance and/or particular credits cards might already provide coverage while driving a rental car. Paying for their version of 'insurance' is always way overpriced and generally a waste of money.

 

[Boopuff]

You're lucky they recognized you returned the car. Last year they accused us of not returning our rental and after a week of it not showing up, suddenly it appeared. My husband provided all documentation and it was left with an attendant, but it was a fight that had to be done to get a multi-thousand dollar charge removed.

We had the same thing happen to us with Hertz! And my DH was a gold Whatever member! Said we never returned the car! Now I always return with a human, get name, take photos. I truly believe someone took the car for a joyride!