WARNING for DOLLAR rentals

[wonderlandaddict]

I made a reservation for a mini-van on-line for Feb5-14 at the little rock, AR airport location. I made this a couple of months ago after alot of looking at prices, locations, and of course unlimited mileage. We live 1.5 hrs from little rock, but this was the best price and we could return on a Sunday, so it wouldn't effect our returning to work on Monday. We even went to the location 2 wks prior to Feb5 to talk with them and look at the vans( make sure of luggage space.) I needed to work for a few hrs on Feb 5, so I even called Dollar the night before to make sure my van would be ready for pick-up 9:00am, so I could get to work and be home by 3:00 to leave for vacation.
I printed out my reservation and my daughter drove me to the airport. I was listening to the customers in front on me in-line- the dollar repersentive MADE them take out insurance on their cars (they arrived by plane & didn't bring their proof of insurance with them) & she made them pre-pay their tank fill-up at $4.99 per gallon. So I was already getting upset since I knew I was not going to pay either one of those charges. When she got to me she (I handed her proof of insurance and my reservation) she asked where are ya'll going on vacation? When I told her WDW she said we can't honor your unlimited mileage. I informed her it clearly stated on the reservation Unlimited mileage. She informed me that they do not have to honor resvations to that particular state and it will be an additional $30.00 per day. Of course, I asked for the manager, who happened to be her and I told her to keep the van. I would gladly pay more to another rental agency who honors their word. Little did I know that EVERY mini-van within 60 miles of LR was booked up!!! I was at the airport 3hrs intill enterprise (located across town) took mercy on me and went & picked up a new large SUV off a lot so we could go on our trip. I didn't get to go to work and still didn't get home intill 5:00 and we left at 6:00 instead of 3:00. We only have a car and we had 6 people going on this trip. It is not worth it to rent from a company with policys like that. It cost alittle more from Enterprise, but I didn't have time to look for discounts or coupons. Plus dollar cost me a day of work and almost losing my mind!!!!!!!!!

 

[uva185]

Sorry but the agent was 100% correct.

I just made a mock booking on www.dollar.com for a mini-van from Little Rock. On the 2nd step of the booking process under "Important Local Policy Information" it clearly states Driving Restriction: Driving is restricted to the state and bordering states,Arkansas,Oklahoma,Texas,Louisiana,Mississippi and Missouri. Vehicles taken outside of the listed states receive 125 miles/day & .32 each additional mile for the entire rental. Not allowed into Canada or Mexico.

 

[wonderlandaddict]

I made the reservation 2 months ago and printed the entire receipt, it does not have that restriction on the orginal reservation. I can clearly see the restriction now.
I may not have rented very many cars, but that is one of the reasons that I read every word.

 

[uva185]

I made the reservation 2 months ago and printed the entire receipt, it does not have that restriction on the orginal reservation. I can clearly see the restriction now.
I may not have rented very many cars, but that is one of the reasons that I read every word.

Just out of curiosity do any of the other local restrictions appear on your receipt? I have never rented a car from Dollar so I am not sure what the receipt looks like. Either way its common to impose such restrictions so I am not surprised.

 

[bavaria]

Just out of curiosity do any of the other local restrictions appear on your receipt? I have never rented a car from Dollar so I am not sure what the receipt looks like. Either way its common to impose such restrictions so I am not surprised.

I take it as being similar to the Hertz restriction that I can only drive certain cars into Slovenia.

That appears on the website, but not on my email confirmation.

 

[seashoreCM]

Geographical restrictions are found in their policies or rules that you can find if

1. You dig deep enough into their web site,
2. Travelocity has a version if they list that brand,
3. You ask at the counter.

You'll have to contact the particular office you are renting from for their exact policy but if you see restrictions unfavorable to you in the preceding you might as well stop and try a different company.

Now if the agent did not catch you and you took the car and had an accident outside the geographical limitations, you might find that your own insurance and your credit card insurance or even their collision coverage (if you bought that) do not cover you.

If their policies or brochures do not state need for proof of collision insurance then the company may not refuse your reservation or require purchase of any optional add-ons if you don't have that proof.

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

OP, I feel for you, but glad it worked out for you, Although I agree with pretty much all the previous posters, I would have done EXACTLY what you did. On the same note, my DW and my DD Tink, flew into St. L MO this week and are in a Dollar rental, just in state, good rates.

Enterprise saved my life once in Mobile Ala, my ship was in drydock and I was to fly home (key west, at the time) for 4th jul weekend to see my and DW, got to airport and they said I was late...I said "no ma'am, my wife told me to be here no later than 4pm and it is ten to four now" The lady at the counter than said, "your wife is right, you needed to be here by 4pm....YESTERDAY..." and as it was July 4th weekend all flights out were sold out...

So I rented a enterprise mustang convertible , made it home to key west by dawns early light (seem to remember Orlando being so peaceful at midnight and 100plus mph.. LOL)

I rented a boat at 0700 that morning at the navy marina on Sigsbee island military housing area of Key West and sailed all day after driving all night...Such was a day I will always remember and cherish...funfunfun....Have a great trip OP

 

[NYDisneyKid]

Back in 06 I rented a 15 passenger van from AVIS (in upstate NY mind you) and even told them there were 8 of us going to WDW with it....no problem at all,,,,had it for 12 days and unlimited mileage