Fireflly car rental, Never Again

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Hmmmm. One poster's untold "story" but another poster's "rant." Just as we all know to put gas in the tank and air in the tires, we also know that we can get bad service from any provider of vacation services (airline, car rental, Airport Security Screeners, hotel, restaurant, town car, etc.), even those that most often provide good services. Waiting to hear the details on OP's car return story. ETA - so far Firefly is on my don't book list along with a very few others. Irregardless of the details, I'm not seeing reports, here and elsewhere, of a good enough level of customer service.

If I told my Alamo story our 'cheerleader' would come on the thread and accuse me of lying. Not worth dealing with her LOL

 

[Arielle22]

I know that this board loves the "save $10 system" but I stick with National and pay more, I have learned that "cheap" often has a price when it comes to rental cars.

I love watching the People's Court. The judge has a saying "the cheap comes out expensive".

I have had various issues with different rental places but I do stick with National or Dollar.

 

[Pipkin]

Do I have this right. The low tire pressure light came on. The OP called and was told to either bring the car back to the renting location or wait until a tow truck is dispatched. Sounds reasonable to me. Sounds like the OP did what many of us would have done, gone to a gas station and check the air.

I'm not sure what the issue was regarding a free additional driver. Rental agencies generally charge for an extra driver, unless otherwise indicated on the reservation confirmation.

The OP makes reference to an issue with the fuel policy but chose not to offer details. Rent the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank almost always is the cheapest option.

They were NOT going to dispatch a tow truck. That would have been 26 miles at my expense. Secondly, I did not want to get a tire damage bill for what ended up probably being a faulty indicator light. I have had the exact same situation happen before. I filled the tires, the light went out. Another time I had an issue with Dollar. They sent us to the Disney Hotel Plaza, on property to resolve it. Without asking, we were given a $25 voucher for our next rental.
I reserved this car specifically because I was told that there was NO ADDITIONAL DRIVER CHARGE, otherwise I would have stayed with my original plans. We have not paid extra driver charges with Budget, so it was a believable statement. Lastly I reserved a standard car. On the website this indicated a midsize car. A Versa was originally offered and then a Jetta. Not midsize cars.

Now on to the return. We always stop at Boggy Creek Rd to get our gas before returning to the airport. It is one of the closest gas stations. We did however take the Flex Fuel option because it is easy insurance in the event of running late. It was presented at the counter as very easy; Take the plan, top of the tank, present the original recent on the return and the $45 charge is removed. Upon arrival however, they have no computer at check in. To get a refund of your $45, you must return to the rental counter. This is the same rental counter with ONE agent and no cars. Ahead of us was another customer. They were there to rectify the $25 per day collision damage insurance that they did not want. The only one who could resolve the problem was the manager. He was 'on site' but they had already waited an hour. The people arriving behind me were there to get a refund on their flex fuel as well. Fortunately, the people in front of us were happy to let both parties go ahead of them but it was still an extra 15 minutes that should have been handled at the garage and not at the terminal. If anyone had come to the line to rent, I would have told them to flee while they still had the opportunity. I have rented dozens of cars, at multiple sites, and this by far was the worst. We rented an Chevy Citation from Alamo years ago. When leaving WDW, the back window exploded, showering glass all over the back seat passengers. Things happen. Its what happens when things happen that makes a company one I want to return to. Alamo gave us a larger car for the "inconvenience". At least they recognized that exploding windows are indeed an inconvenience.
Now you all can do what you want. You can accuse me of whining, not knowing how to inflate tires, etc. This is not a "TELL ME WHAT TO DO", thread. It is a buyer beware thread, nothing more.

 

[katallo]

Personally, thank you OP. I appreciate the feedback. I had booked through firefly for 2014 and need to shorten our time by 3 hours. Our rate doubled. So it's a no brainer to cancel and book with Dollar. Since their rates are now high and service not so great I feel better with using someone else. Would have been nice to have some additional competition though

 

[Lewisc]

This is not a "TELL ME WHAT TO DO", thread. It is a buyer beware thread, nothing more.

This is an internet discussion board. Once you start a thread posters are free to comment and discuss.

The website says:

Optional Extras include child seats, additional drivers, fuel purchase options, insurances (incl. excess waivers). These all carry a fee.

I have no idea what you were told on the phone.

I don't see any reference on their website to car classifications, they list examples. The lowest rate is typically an economy car. Based on your posts we have no idea if you were downgraded.

Maybe I'm wrong but it sounds like you were disappointed/upset your "issue" with the tire sensor didn't result in getting an upgraded car.

Problems with returning. You need to share the blame. I'd assume change the contract, dropping the prepaid gas, might require skipping "express" drop off.

Do the math. Paying the "penalty" gas price for the gas you used might cost less then paying for the tank.

 

[Pipkin]

This is an internet discussion board. Once you start a thread posters are free to comment and discuss.

The website says:


I have no idea what you were told on the phone.

I don't see any reference on their website to car classifications, they list examples. The lowest rate is typically an economy car. Based on your posts we have no idea if you were downgraded.

Maybe I'm wrong but it sounds like you were disappointed/upset your "issue" with the tire sensor didn't result in getting an upgraded car.

Problems with returning. You need to share the blame. I'd assume change the contract, dropping the prepaid gas, might require skipping "express" drop off.

Do the math. Paying the "penalty" gas price for the gas you used might cost less then paying for the tank.

I didn't get the car I reserved. I didn't care about an upgrade. In fact when we arrived at the counter to rent, the party ahead of us had been waiting an hour. Apparently most of their cars were at the B terminal and hadn't found their way to A. That should have been a clue. On the return the customers I encountered weren't happy. I apparently missed the happy ones. If I were new at this, I might be fooled. You are welcomed to try Firefly. I am sure you will report a different experience just because.....

 

[Lewisc]

I didn't get the car I reserved. I didn't care about an upgrade. In fact when we arrived at the counter to rent, the party ahead of us had been waiting an hour. Apparently most of their cars were at the B terminal and hadn't found their way to A. That should have been a clue. On the return the customers I encountered weren't happy. I apparently missed the happy ones. If I were new at this, I might be fooled. You are welcomed to try Firefly. I am sure you will report a different experience just because.....

You don't reserve a specific model of car. You reserve a car in a category.

You were offered a Versa and accepted a Jetta. Both cars seat 5. The trunk space is similar, 14.9 vs 15.5 cubic feet.

I see firefly is offering some incredible rates. Sometimes we get the level of service we're willing to pay for.

Rental agencies have gotten "creative" with how they classify cars.

You had a bad feeling from the start. Sometimes you need to go with your first instinct.

I've had good, and bad, experiences from most of the rental agencies.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Interesting that some posters live in a world where Versas and Jettas are "standard" cars. Same world allows them to "know" someone's motivations at the same time disregarding reports of fact because poster didn't hear the conversation. Isn't it OK to accept the report?

With apologies to Sam Cooke, What a Wonderful World it must be.

Thanks for the OP info.

 

[Lewisc]

Interesting that some posters live in a world where Versas and Jettas are "standard" cars. Same world allows them to "know" someone's motivations at the same time disregarding reports of fact because poster didn't hear the conversation. Isn't it OK to accept the report?

With apologies to Sam Cooke, What a Wonderful World it must be.

Thanks for the OP info.

Things may have changed since the OP made his reservation....The firefly web site doesn't list categories of cars. Rather they show an example of what kind of car is in the category you're reserving. They don't have a category called standard (or economy....). The first car category which comes up is whatever has the lowest price. Reserve the first car category shown and you'll be reserving what other agencies might call an economy car. The first category currently shows a Kia Rio, the second a Ford Focus and the third a Toyota Corrolla next a Nissan Altima (2 door).

I have no idea what category the OP reserved. My point is the Jetta may not even be in a higher category then the car they first wanted to give him.

 

[Pipkin]

Things may have changed since the OP made his reservation....The firefly web site doesn't list categories of cars. Rather they show an example of what kind of car is in the category you're reserving. They don't have a category called standard (or economy....). The first car category which comes up is whatever has the lowest price. Reserve the first car category shown and you'll be reserving what other agencies might call an economy car. The first category currently shows a Kia Rio, the second a Ford Focus and the third a Toyota Corrolla next a Nissan Altima (2 door).

I have no idea what category the OP reserved. My point is the Jetta may not even be in a higher category then the car they first wanted to give him.

I just reviewed the website and the first category is a Kia Rio, clearly economy. I did not reserve that. The second category is Ford Focus, again, a subcompact car. That takes us to the next category;The Corolla, which I did reserve. I didn't expect a Corolla, just one of equal size and quality,but the Corolla is comparable to a 4 door Altima, not a four door Versa. A Versa is comparable to a Yarus, which is below the Corolla is size and quality. Just as the Versa is below the Altima in size and quality. Clearly if my choice was a Versa or a Jetta, I did not get the Corolla category. I would not reserve a 2 door, as we had a third passenger. I consider the Ford Fusion comparable to the Corolla as well, not a Focus, which fits into the Versa/Jetta catagory.
I guess I am confused about the purpose of this page. I mistakenly thought thought that there are some readers who might be interested in a personal experience with a new vendor. I didn't save any money going with this vendor vs. Dollar; it was essentially the same price. I chose it because of the no second driver charge. Interestingly enough, there was someone at the counter that told me he ignores that rule all of the time. He pointed out that if you are not buying their insurance and are on your credit card and on your own insurance, your insured are already covered. "Violating the terms of the agreement", short of not returning the car in the condition in which you found it, results in what exactly? Probably not much.

 

[Pipkin]

How to avoid additional drivers fees. http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2011/12/14/all-about-additional-driver-fees/

 

[Alexander]

I try to stick with the big companies: National, Alamo, Avis. One called Firefly would have scared me off in name alone!

 

[Lewisc]

I try to stick with the big companies: National, Alamo, Avis. One called Firefly would have scared me off in name alone!

Firefly is owned by Hertz, a big company. I have no idea if the OPs experience is an isolated case, Hertz hasn't gotten the bugs out or if the story was embellished. I'd be concerned if a pattern of similar situations are posted.

AAA and COSTCO members generally get good rates and have the extra driver cost waived.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I try to stick with the big companies: National, Alamo, Avis. One called Firefly would have scared me off in name alone!

They all probably endorse Firefly