Rental Companies charging for "Roadside Assistance"

[Disneyliscious]

I was playing with rates on Budget. I see they have a "Roadside Safetynet" for $89. It covers things like if you run out of gas or lock your keys in your car (ok, those are your fault) but it also covers if your battery goes dead. What??? If you are in a rental car and the battery dies, they won't even come and replace it? Same thing on a flat tire.

For me, part of the reason we rented was the assurance that if anything went wrong (that was out of our control) that we would have a replacement vehicle. Is this not the case? I'm just amazed by this honestly.

I also notice they have a 100% smoke free fleet. While I agree that there should be non-smoking cars, Budget will never gain my business because I smoke (as do other travelers in our group).

I'd be livid if my rental died and they wanted to charge me to fix it.

 

[LilyWDW]

I was playing with rates on Budget. I see they have a "Roadside Safetynet" for $89. It covers things like if you run out of gas or lock your keys in your car (ok, those are your fault) but it also covers if your battery goes dead. What??? If you are in a rental car and the battery dies, they won't even come and replace it? Same thing on a flat tire.

For me, part of the reason we rented was the assurance that if anything went wrong (that was out of our control) that we would have a replacement vehicle. Is this not the case? I'm just amazed by this honestly.

I also notice they have a 100% smoke free fleet. While I agree that there should be non-smoking cars, Budget will never gain my business because I smoke (as do other travelers in our group).

I'd be livid if my rental died and they wanted to charge me to fix it.

I am thinking they keep a decent record on their cars and if the battery goes, then it's most likely something the driver did. If I say, left the lights on and drained the battery, I can understand why they would charge me. The battery would have worked just fine if it wasn't for my actions.

I also understand the flat tire. I am sure they check pressure and the condition of their vehicles consistently. It's not the rental companies fault if a driver runs over something and busts up the tire or the tires get slashed as a random act. So yes... the car was under the drivers care at that point and, as such, the driver could be charged.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I know of no US rental car agencies that still allow smoking in the car.

National came and took my car with the flat tire last month and did not charge me.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I know of no US rental car agencies that still allow smoking in the car.

I guess drivers should carry lots of Febreeze then. Thats what I will be doing if I can't find a company that has vehicles which allow smoking. We have some local companies though, and they are much more casual. I do remember seeing a national chain a few weeks ago which gave you a choice. Will have to go back and see if I can find who that was.

 

[DebbieB]

I guess drivers should carry lots of Febreeze then. Thats what I will be doing if I can't find a company that has vehicles which allow smoking. We have some local companies though, and they are much more casual. I do remember seeing a national chain a few weeks ago which gave you a choice. Will have to go back and see if I can find who that was.

I remember one time I got a car with Avis that smelled like Febreeze so bad that I went back and asked for another one. They probably were trying to cover a smoking smell.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Avis, National, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Thrifty and Dollar do not permit smoking in their cars. Hertz is a hit or miss, but will most likely follow suit with the other companies in the near term.

Overall some are more strict then others, but in the end, it's not your car and smoking in someone else's car is devaluing their property outside normal wear and tear. If you think Febreeze will cover up the smell of smoke, you are surely mistaken as well, if anything it makes it even more obvious.

As for the roadside assistance, it's basically a roadside assistance damage waiver for damage you may cause to the rental (ie. flat tire from running over a nail, drained battery, etc.). In most cases, it doesn't make sense to purchase it (similar to other damage waiver options provided by rental companies.

 

[seashoreCM]

You would not need the rental company's roadside assistance if you have that service from AAA or other company. Double check to be sure your own roadside assistance plan covers rental cars.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I guess drivers should carry lots of Febreeze then. Thats what I will be doing if I can't find a company that has vehicles which allow smoking. We have some local companies though, and they are much more casual. I do remember seeing a national chain a few weeks ago which gave you a choice. Will have to go back and see if I can find who that was.

You do realize that if you smoke in a nonsmoking car they can charge you a cleaning fee just like hotels do? And the Febreeze probably won't work LOL! (Rental car companies have seen every trick in the book)

 

[dioxide45]

I guess it all breaks down to the fact that you are responsible to get the car back to the rental agency. They are responsible for the repairs and fixing the problem, but you have to get it to them. Just like getting your own car to the shop if it breaks down.

 

[hildarumpole]

Do you have roadside assistance coverage with your auto insurance? You could call your carrier and ask if they'll cover a rental also.

We just rented from AVIS and I had to sign something certifying that I understood the car was smoke-free and that if they detected someone had smoked in the car, a cleaning fee would be assessed and charged to the credit card after we returned the car. We don't smoke, so it wasn't an issue. If people need to smoke, just take a break from the road and take care of it. It's better than a nasty surprise on your credit card after your trip.

 

[Disneyliscious]

Avis, National, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Thrifty and Dollar do not permit smoking in their cars. Hertz is a hit or miss, but will most likely follow suit with the other companies in the near term.

Overall some are more strict then others, but in the end, it's not your car and smoking in someone else's car is devaluing their property outside normal wear and tear. If you think Febreeze will cover up the smell of smoke, you are surely mistaken as well, if anything it makes it even more obvious.

This is incorrect. I called Enterprise, Alamo, and National - all have "smoking" cars available if you request them. Thrifty and Dollar do not. I did not call Budget and Hertz yet but found online that Hertz does allow smoking in some cars.

No need for Febreeze afterall. Plenty of smoking cars still available for 4 major carriers.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Surprised National told you that. Finding a "smoking" car may be next to impossible with National. I rent from them almost weekly and every car I have had in the past year has been clearly marked "no smoking" The cars on the Executive, Emerald and Midsize/FullSize Aisles have all been "non smoking" Not sure where they are hiding the smoking cars!

I think you got told a "story" I was curious why I never see smoking cars. So I went to the website and found this

"National Smoking Policy
What is the smoking policy for your rental vehicles?

All vehicles are considered non-smoking. Additional cleaning fees may apply if a vehicle is returned in a condition where it needs to be extensively cleaned and deodorized due to smoking.

If you are in a rental vehicle that seems to have been smoked in, please reach to your renting location or contact our customer service team."

And this was on the Alamo webpage

"Alamo Smoking Policy
What is the smoking policy for your rental cars?
All vehicles are considered non-smoking. Additional cleaning fees may apply if a vehicle is returned in a condition where it needs to be extensively cleaned and deodorized due to smoking.

If you are in a rental vehicle that seems to have been smoked in, please reach to your renting location or contact our customer service team."

Not sure who you are talking to but......be careful!

I honestly am not a "smoke nazi" My mother smokes so I am fine with it, but I would hate for you to think 'the agent told me I could smoke' and on car return be charged that cleaning fee!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

This is incorrect. I called Enterprise, Alamo, and National - all have "smoking" cars available if you request them. Thrifty and Dollar do not. I did not call Budget and Hertz yet but found online that Hertz does allow smoking in some cars.

No need for Febreeze afterall. Plenty of smoking cars still available for 4 major carriers.

Not incorrect, just misinformed customer service representatives. Please review the Terms and Conditions and the official policies on the appropriate websites.

 

[Disneyliscious]

All 3 reps I spoke with did inform me that their policy states "no smoking" but that if you ask for a "smoking" car, and they have them available, they will gladly put you in one. None of the 3 ever mentioned there was a shortage of smoking cars and Enterprise even went on to say that I "shouldn't have a problem at all". Each one did say that some locations may not have smoking cars and it is best to check with each outlet individually. So, in my area at least, there is no problem getting a smoking car from the 3 agencies I mentioned above.

I find it highly unlikely that 3 diff reps from 3 diff companies would all say the same thing and be giving me incorrect information. Sorry.