Price glitches? With confirmed print out, will they be honored?

[WDWsnooper]

Late one evening I was looking on Travelocity for a car rental, for a month long stay (31 days)....Most rentals were in the range of $700-$1000 EXCEPT for one....it showed a minivan for $12 and taxes of $112...yes, total of $124 (rounded off the change part) and additional days at $.63/per day. I locked in on that and printed out confirmation. Now I'm reading some negative reviews about this company, one person even said they use "bait and switch" tactics. What am I in for? I can steel myself for a hard sell on any extras, and I don't plan on ANY modifications which might 'update' the reservation. BTW, an hour later and the rental rates were right back up there with it's competitors rates. Any opinions as to whether they'll deny the rental? ~Snooper

 

[bsiev1977]

Late one evening I was looking on Travelocity for a car rental, for a month long stay (31 days)....Most rentals were in the range of $700-$1000 EXCEPT for one....it showed a minivan at Advantage for $12 and taxes of $112...yes, total of $124 (rounded off the change part) and additional days at $.63/per day. I locked in on that and printed out confirmation. Now I'm reading some negative reviews about Advantage, one person even said they use "bait and switch" tactics. What am I in for? I can steel myself for a hard sell on any extras, and I don't plan on ANY modifications which might 'update' the reservation. BTW, an hour later and the rental rates were right back up there with it's competitors rates. Any opinions as to whether they'll deny the rental or do they just not pay the employees enough to care about my good deal? ~Snooper

Unfortunately, my guess would be that there is little to no chance they honor that price.

Most likely they will deny it and blame a glitch in the reservation system. You hear about things like that happening sometimes to online services.

If I were you, I'd make a backup reservation with another company. Just in case, so you're not left without a proper vehicle for your vacation.

 

[seashoreCM]

Is the price similar to any prices any companies have offered on any dates in recent times?

Twelve dollars for a week with sixty three cents for an additional day sounds unreasonable and sounds like a glitch subject to correction even if you have a confirmation. But if the same company had advertised random super discounts of the same character on TV or in newspapers then I would say they have to honor this one.

Twelve dollars for a day plus taxes sounds reasonable and sounds like something they can be expected to honor.

If any company advertised and rented cars for $12 a day Feb. 1-7 and Dec. 1-7 and July 10-17 and you found that rate for Dec. 22-30 or July 1-7 then IMHO this company can be expected to honor it.

If an airline offered a super discount fare for ten seats but due to a glitch they found most of the plane sold at that fare before finding and fixing the glitch then IMHO they can be expected to honor it.

 

[Yellowjj]

Is the price similar to any prices any companies have offered on any dates in recent times?

Twelve dollars for a week with sixty three cents for an additional day sounds unreasonable and sounds like a glitch subject to correction even if you have a confirmation. But if the same company had advertised random super discounts of the same character on TV or in newspapers then I would say they have to honor this one.

Twelve dollars for a day plus taxes sounds reasonable and sounds like something they can be expected to honor.

If any company advertised and rented cars for $12 a day Feb. 1-7 and Dec. 1-7 and July 10-17 and you found that rate for Dec. 22-30 or July 1-7 then IMHO this company can be expected to honor it.

If an airline offered a super discount fare for ten seats but due to a glitch they found most of the plane sold at that fare before finding and fixing the glitch then IMHO they can be expected to honor it.

He said a month long rental.. for $12; not $12 a day. No industry is required to honor mistake rates or fares. Some do as a gesture of goodwill and publicity. Advantage doesn't strike me as caring. That's why companies have T&C's.

"Without limitation, this means that National may refuse to accept or may cancel any reservation or transaction, whether or not the reservation or transaction has been confirmed, for any or no reason, in our sole discretion, and without liability to you or any third party"

This is National, but rest assured. Every company has something similar.

OP, in my opinion. It's a glitch. You said so yourself the price went to normal after you booked. There is no way their going to honor that. You would stand a better chance if it was a major car company and if the rental was for a day or two. I suggest you book a backup reservation someplace.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Again, most likely it was a glitch, BUT that said you've got time. I'd keep what you booked and book a back up with one of the other car companies just in case.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I would be astounded if they honored it. And really, you know it is a glitch, so basically you are saying too bad I am going to capitalize on your mistake.

I feel it to be morally wrong and I certainly wouldn't do it. But that is a moot point as I said, it is very unlikely the rental company will honor it. But why not ask them? Get it in writing if someone actually agrees to honor it. It shouldn't hurt anything as you say the prices have adjusted right back up there with all their competitors.

 

[seashoreCM]

"Without limitation, this means that National may refuse to accept or may cancel any reservation or transaction, whether or not the reservation or transaction has been confirmed, for any or no reason, in our sole discretion, and without liability to you or any third party"e.

The OP does not necessarily fall into this category but, with this clause int he terms and condtions, what good is a reservation?

 

[Lewisc]

Almost zero shot it will be honored. Airlines are generally required to honor "mistake" fares. AFAIK every other industry has no obligation to honor price glitches.

You can do a search. Disney doesn't honor "glitch" rates, even rates which look reasonable.

I guess you could book a "back up" reservation with another agency. Advantage requires a shuttle. The shuttle bus runs every 15-20 minutes. Take a shuttle. Wait in line. Argue over the validity of your rate. Decide if you want to accept the alternate rate. Maybe you get lucky and they'll beat your backup rate by 10%. Otherwise take the shuttle back to MCO wasting over an hour.

I'd considering calling Advantage. Maybe they'll give you a great rate, but considerately more then your worthless reservation, as a thank you for bringing the issue to their attention.

 

[Yellowjj]

The OP does not necessarily fall into this category but, with this clause in the terms and conditions, what good is a reservation?

He actually does fall into that category. All companies would have this disclaimer or something similar in their terms. Basically they can cancel rates deemed to be mistake, glitches or ineligible for that person.

Same thing with Hotels and Airlines. Look at the Delta mistake fare from last December. $12 First Class tickets. They honored them however, but it was their choice.

I have zero doubt Advantage would honor his rate however.

 

[undertheradar]

You expect them to honor a rate of roughly $0.39 per day?

 

[WDWsnooper]

Most everyone confirms what I am thinking, they're not going to honor it....I already have a backup reservation which I'll continue to tweak as rates change and coupons are available. Lewisc suggested bringing the glitch to the attention of Advantage to see if they'd beat my existing back up reservation---I like that. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Lewisc]

Look at the Delta mistake fare from last December. $12 First Class tickets. They honored them however, but it was their choice.

I have zero doubt Advantage would honor his rate however.

Delta didn't have a choice. Government regulations require airlines honor "glitch" fares.

 

[WDWsnooper]

OK, called them, they had the reservation and confirmed it. Asked specifically if we'd run into a problem and they said no, no problem, it was in the computer that way. Fella laughed, said he'd have jumped at it too. I still have a back up just in case, but will sure grab a great deal when I can.