Returning a rental car

[Princess Disney Mom]

Hi
Just got back and dropped a car off at Avis at MCO. The staff told us to just leave the keys on the car and go they did not have enough staff to check us out. I usually rent from Dollar and have always checked out and received a receipt. We did stay with the car and insist on being checked out.

Would it have been okay to just leave the keys in the car for them to check us out after we left? Does anyone do this ?

 

[EACarlson]

I do this. I take a picture of the car obviously in the return lane so they can't argue with me about what time I returned it. And if I'm not in a rush I will take a video going around the car to verify no new scratches or dings. At least with the Major rental companies. The minor players I'm demanding a receipt. Every time I've left the car I've gotten the final receipt emailed to me before I got on the plane, and always for the price agreed upon.

 

[Ross Kratter]

Yes, it would have been fine. This is standard procedure for Avis at MCO.

 

[OKW Lover]

I do this. I take a picture of the car obviously in the return lane so they can't argue with me about what time I returned it. And if I'm not in a rush I will take a video going around the car to verify no new scratches or dings. At least with the Major rental companies. The minor players I'm demanding a receipt. Every time I've left the car I've gotten the final receipt emailed to me before I got on the plane, and always for the price agreed upon.

Taking pictures on return is a really good, cheap insurance policy so you won't be hit with extra charges later. I'd also suggest taking pictures at the time you pick up the vehicle, especially if there is any existing damage.

 

[LYSE]

I can't imagine not having the option to just park it and go, this is standard at big volume locations and standard with loyalty programs

 

[MICKIMINI]

I want the receipt in hand. We typically use Avis, but it is an industry I can't say I trust 100%. Having a "membership" at any car rental or airline you use is smart as it gives you a bit of an edge but in the end it is just your word against a big, scary corporation...

 

[LYSE]

I want the receipt in hand. We typically use Avis, but it is an industry I can't say I trust 100%. Having a "membership" at any car rental or airline you use is smart as it gives you a bit of an edge but in the end it is just your word against a big, scary corporation...

Using a good credit card that has Primary rental car insurance as a benefit helps a lot with piece of mind as well.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Using a good credit card that has Primary rental car insurance as a benefit helps a lot with piece of mind as well.

Yes and we have DVC travel insurance which becomes the Primary. $99 year!

I don't think insurance will get involved solving a fight with the rental car company regarding returning a vehicle though. It is for accidents, stolen vehicles and such. Have you seen the hertz horror storries of people being arrested for "stealing" a vehicle they returned?

 

[LYSE]

Yes and we have DVC travel insurance which becomes the Primary. $99 year!

I don't think insurance will get involved solving a fight with the rental car company regarding returning a vehicle though. It is for accidents, stolen vehicles and such. Have you seen the hertz horror storries of people being arrested for "stealing" a vehicle they returned?

The insurance probably would not but the charge back / dispute process probably would, the hertz issue was because of the bankruptcy filings hertz did some shady stuff and reported them stolen when they were being rented out right? - I didn't look too much Into it

 

[EACarlson]

Taking pictures on return is a really good, cheap insurance policy so you won't be hit with extra charges later. I'd also suggest taking pictures at the time you pick up the vehicle, especially if there is any existing damage.

I always take a video walking around, making sure to stop and get closer to any damage I see. Since I put every rental on a Chase Sapphire Preferred with Primary Insurance I'm not too worried about it, but still want to save myself the hassle if I can.

The insurance probably would not but the charge back / dispute process probably would, the hertz issue was because of the bankruptcy filings hertz did some shady stuff and reported them stolen when they were being rented out right? - I didn't look too much Into it

No, the issue is that Hertz would file sometimes legitimate stolen vehicle reports but then either not notify law enforcement that the matter was handled, either through payment or by getting the vehicle back. Or someone would call to extend their contract and the agent would screw it up and the vehicle got put on the list to have reports filed even though it was on contract. Then LE license plate readers would tag the vehicle as stolen. Sometimes the LEOs would have some common sense with a rental contract in the vehicle, and sometimes they would not.

 

[georgina]

I can't imagine not having the option to just park it and go, this is standard at big volume locations and standard with loyalty programs

I have always been given a receipt when I return at Alamo at MCO. I have never waited more than a few minutes for someone to check the gas and print me a receipt on the spot.