WARNING!!! Rental Car Overcharges

[jensen]

I've rented many times from Alamo and never had this happen, so I wanted to warn others about my recent experience. We rented a car during the DNC in Charlotte, NC (so maybe it's just the Alamo office there).

Prices were crazy high during DNC, so I was only going to rent for a couple of days. But, things didn't go as planned and I ended up negotiating a lower rate, so I could keep the car for the whole week.

I had a rate of $105 for the week (plus taxes/fees) and my contract showed $0 for extra hours and $0 for extra days. It showed a return time of 12 noon. I specifically asked about that because we weren't returning the car until later in the afternoon, but was told not to worry about it.

Well, it turned out that I should have worried... we returned the car at 4PM and were in a rush to get to the gate, so didn't even look at the receipt that was handed to us.

The next day as I was unpacking, I came across the receipt and was shocked and angry to find that they'd charged us $117 for an "extra day". We rented the car at 2PM Saturday, renogiated the rental at 12 Noon on Tuesday and returned at 4PM on Saturday. In my experience weekly rates apply to rentals from 5 days to 8 days. So, I didn't expect any extras since we were returning within 8 days. But, I guess it all goes by what the contract says for a return time.

We called and were lucky to get this deducted from our total. But, others may not be as lucky, so double-check your contract and look at the receipt they give you at return!!!

Another odd thing they did was at the beginning of the rental. They gave us a slip that we were supposed to fill out to show all of the dents and dings in the car when we picked it up. The car we had was pretty banged up, so I hope we didn't miss anything and have another bill show up for damages.

 

[rwdavis2]

You were lucky. What we do besides fill out the dents/dings sheet is photograph every one of them regardless of how small. One time it took me 10 minutes to do a mini van.

 

[momto1]

I really don't like renting from Alamo. I have had problems that past 3 rentals! I had a similar situation happen last August. I caught the extra charge before leaving MCO. They were able to make the adjustment at that time - thankfully!

Lori

 

[gmeh1]

I've rented many times from Alamo and never had this happen, so I wanted to warn others about my recent experience. We rented a car during the DNC in Charlotte, NC (so maybe it's just the Alamo office there).

Prices were crazy high during DNC, so I was only going to rent for a couple of days. But, things didn't go as planned and I ended up negotiating a lower rate, so I could keep the car for the whole week.

I had a rate of $105 for the week (plus taxes/fees) and my contract showed $0 for extra hours and $0 for extra days. It showed a return time of 12 noon. I specifically asked about that because we weren't returning the car until later in the afternoon, but was told not to worry about it.

Well, it turned out that I should have worried... we returned the car at 4PM and were in a rush to get to the gate, so didn't even look at the receipt that was handed to us.

The next day as I was unpacking, I came across the receipt and was shocked and angry to find that they'd charged us $117 for an "extra day". We rented the car at 2PM Saturday, renogiated the rental at 12 Noon on Tuesday and returned at 4PM on Saturday. In my experience weekly rates apply to rentals from 5 days to 8 days. So, I didn't expect any extras since we were returning within 8 days. But, I guess it all goes by what the contract says for a return time.

We called and were lucky to get this deducted from our total. But, others may not be as lucky, so double-check your contract and look at the receipt they give you at return!!!

Another odd thing they did was at the beginning of the rental. They gave us a slip that we were supposed to fill out to show all of the dents and dings in the car when we picked it up. The car we had was pretty banged up, so I hope we didn't miss anything and have another bill show up for damages.

A weekly rental goes from 5-7 days. However, you should have not been charge an amount over your original daily rate.
The damage sheet is odd, we don't do this at MCO. I wonder if this was a corporate owned site.
Glad you got the charges removed. And, yes, it is always a good idea to check the receipt. Much easier to get it corrected before you leave.

 

[Buckimion]

Its a long story and old to boot, but Alamo has been on my *hit list for 18+ years. I wouldn't even take a free car from them in a contest.

 

[gmeh1]

Its a long story and old to boot, but Alamo has been on my *hit list for 18+ years. I wouldn't even take a free car from them in a contest.

Alamo has changed owners at least two times in the last 18 years. They are now owned by Enterprise.

 

[nancy155]

Alamo has changed owners at least two times in the last 18 years. They are now owned by Enterprise.

I rented from them this July and I will never rent from them again! Had pre-paid as I had an excellent deal. I printed out the e-mail listing the price I paid and what was to be included. It took me 60 minutes at the check out to leave airport to begin our vacation for them to get it straigtened out and when he "finished" I noticed he did not add in the additional insurance coverage I was to have. He said "Oh well nothing will happen you will be okay, and if not if something does happen you have the e-mail to prove what coverage you were to have." Well my briefcase with all of my electronics and numerous other items was stolen they did not touch it would not touch it and said they would call if it was "found". Not happy with Alamo! Never will rent from them again.

 

[DMRick]

Well my briefcase with all of my electronics and numerous other items was stolen they did not touch it would not touch it and said they would call if it was "found". Not happy with Alamo! Never will rent from them again.

I don't understand. Who stole it, and why would that be their fault? Or were you supposed to have insurance that covered stolen items? Or was it left in their car after you turned it in?

 

[sam_gordon]

Alamo has changed owners at least two times in the last 18 years. They are now owned by Enterprise.

I thought Alamo and National were the same company. Does Enterprise own both of them?

 

[jensen]

I thought Alamo and National were the same company. Does Enterprise own both of them?

Yes. Enterprise bought them a few years ago.

 

[Brian Noble]

If I understand your post correctly, you were charged a day for two extra hours' rental time. If so, that's pretty standard---hourly rates are charged for the first hour (or maybe two), but after two hours, even by a minute, the hourly rate is typically such that the daily rate is cheaper than two hours plus.

The problem was the $0 extra hour/extra day on your confirmation, and that is clearly wrong. But, I'm not sure I'd expect them to honor that if I were you---it just doesn't make sense that a rental car agency would say "Sure, keep the car an extra day, we're cool with it."

 

[jensen]

If I understand your post correctly, you were charged a day for two extra hours' rental time. If so, that's pretty standard---hourly rates are charged for the first hour (or maybe two), but after two hours, even by a minute, the hourly rate is typically such that the daily rate is cheaper than two hours plus.

The problem was the $0 extra hour/extra day on your confirmation, and that is clearly wrong. But, I'm not sure I'd expect them to honor that if I were you---it just doesn't make sense that a rental car agency would say "Sure, keep the car an extra day, we're cool with it."

The problem was that they charged me $117 for the "extra day" - which was more than I paid for the whole week. Plus, charging me for a whole extra day caused me to be charged all of the daily fees/taxes - which amounted to over $30. They were charging me $156 for two hours.

When we first picked up the car, our contract was $21/day and $7/hour - it didn't note a weekly rate. Because it didn't note a weekly rate, and because I wanted to keep the car for one week, I went in and negotiated with the manager to get a weekly rate of $105 (actually, we agreed on $15/day). The guy who was doing the paperwork put it in as $105/week.

Unfortunately, the guy who was doing the contract paperwork was having a heck of a time figuring out how to override things and had to ask for help more than once from a co-worker That is why I specifically asked him about the $0/day and $0/hour and the incorrect return time. He said not to worry. I now realize he just didn't want to fix his mistakes.

If they had charged me $14 for the two extra hours (2 hours @ $7/hour), I probably wouldn't have complained. But, charging me $117 for two extra hours was insane. They agreed and removed all charges.

My point in telling this to others is to warn them that they need to look the contract over closely to see what extra charges may be lurking. And to make sure they look at their return receipt to make sure there are no surprises.

 

[gmeh1]

I thought Alamo and National were the same company. Does Enterprise own both of them?

Yes, Enterprise owns them both. Way back in March of 2007.

 

[gmeh1]

The problem was that they charged me $117 for the "extra day" - which was more than I paid for the whole week. Plus, charging me for a whole extra day caused me to be charged all of the daily fees/taxes - which amounted to over $30. They were charging me $156 for two hours.

When we first picked up the car, our contract was $21/day and $7/hour - it didn't note a weekly rate. Because it didn't note a weekly rate, and because I wanted to keep the car for one week, I went in and negotiated with the manager to get a weekly rate of $105 (actually, we agreed on $15/day). The guy who was doing the paperwork put it in as $105/week.

Unfortunately, the guy who was doing the contract paperwork was having a heck of a time figuring out how to override things and had to ask for help more than once from a co-worker That is why I specifically asked him about the $0/day and $0/hour and the incorrect return time. He said not to worry. I now realize he just didn't want to fix his mistakes.

If they had charged me $14 for the two extra hours (2 hours @ $7/hour), I probably wouldn't have complained. But, charging me $117 for two extra hours was insane. They agreed and removed all charges.

My point in telling this to others is to warn them that they need to look the contract over closely to see what extra charges may be lurking. And to make sure they look at their return receipt to make sure there are no surprises.

Good idea to warn people to look over their paperwork, very few people do. They always say no problem in returning the car late, which it is not a problem, what they often fail to tell you about is the charge for returning late. Anything over 2 hours is charged as a full day and obviously someone really messed up with your contract. As an employee of Enterprise Holdings, Inc. I do apologize. The original contract would not have shown a weekly rate as you did not book it for a week. The second contract should have shown the time you were planning to return it and it should have shown the total charges for the time you had the car. You would have incurred the taxes and fees regardless, but, certainly not to that excessive amount. I don't have a problem with an agent getting help from another agent, but, to mess up a contract like that is inexcusible and it really makes me angry. To me, that is very very lousy customer service. I am just glad you were able to get it straightened out.

 

[gmeh1]

I rented from them this July and I will never rent from them again! Had pre-paid as I had an excellent deal. I printed out the e-mail listing the price I paid and what was to be included. It took me 60 minutes at the check out to leave airport to begin our vacation for them to get it straigtened out and when he "finished" I noticed he did not add in the additional insurance coverage I was to have. He said "Oh well nothing will happen you will be okay, and if not if something does happen you have the e-mail to prove what coverage you were to have." Well my briefcase with all of my electronics and numerous other items was stolen they did not touch it would not touch it and said they would call if it was "found". Not happy with Alamo! Never will rent from them again.

Your homeowners or rental (home) insurance should cover that loss. However, I do have to ask, where was it stolen? And did you have Personal Effects coverage?

PAI/PEC - US Only
Personal Accident Insurance / Personal Effects Coverage (PAI/PEC): US (Where available): If selected and paid for, PAI provides Renter and Renter's passengers with Accidental Death, Accident Medical Expenses and Ambulance Expense benefits. PEC insures the personal effects of Renter, or any member of Renter's immediate family who permanently resides in Renter's household and who is traveling with Renter, against risks of loss or damage while in transit or in a building, (other than your personal residence) or locked in the Vehicle. PAI & PEC are available for an additional charge as stipulated on page 1 of the Rental Agreement. "Renter" is the person who signs the Rental Agreement as Renter.


PAI Benefits
Renter
Passenger

Accidental Death, not to exceed
$175,000
$250,000 (NY and FL only)
$100,000 (MN only)
$17,500
$125,000 (NY and FL only)
$10,000 (MN only)

Accident Medical Expenses,
not to exceed

$2,500
$3,500 (MN only)

$2,500
$3,500 (MN only)

Accident Ambulance Expense,
not to exceed

$250
$150 (MN only)

$250
$150 (MN only)



Accident Aggregate, not to exceed $225,000 per accident. (For rentals commencing in NY and FL the aggregate is $500,000 and for rentals commencing in MN the aggregate is $130,000.)

The above PAI benefits for Renter apply to accidents during the Rental Period whether or not Renter is in Vehicle. Passengers are covered only for accidents occurring while they occupy Vehicle. Anyone other than Renter occupying or operating Vehicle shall be considered a "Passenger" for the purposes of PAI benefits

PEC Benefits

$600 per person; $1,800 maximum coverage for all covered individuals during the Rental Period. PEC benefits apply to personal effects belonging to Renter, or any member of renter's immediate family who permanently resides in Renter's household and who is traveling with Renter, against risks of loss or damage while in transit or in a building, (other than your personal residence) or locked in the Vehicle.

PAI & PEC Exclusions:

PAI shall not cover any death or injury caused wholly or partly, directly or indirectly by suicide, attempted suicide, or self inflicted injury; aircraft travel, except as a passenger in a licensed aircraft on a regularly scheduled flight; committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense; an accident which occurs while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, unless prescribed by a physician; an accident which occurs while participating in a prearranged or organized race or testing of a vehicle; war or any act of war; or engagement in an illegal occupation; nor shall this insurance be in effect if Renter converts Vehicle or during any period Renter is in violation of the Rental Agreement. Renter shall be deemed to have converted Vehicle whenever Vehicle is not returned to the Owner by the return date or by the extended return date. PEC shall not cover automobiles, automobile equipment, motorcycles, watercraft, motors, or other conveyances or their appurtenances, furniture, currency, coins, deeds, bullion, stamps, tickets, securities, documents, contact lenses, artificial teeth and limbs, perishables and animals. Loss or damage to property while actually being worked upon, or while in the care, custody or control of any common carrier are also not covered.

THE POLICY DOES NOT COVER LOSS BY MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE. ALL LOSSES BY THEFT MUST BE REPORTED TO THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES OR THEY WILL NOT BE COVERED.To file PAI/PEC claims, obtain a claim form from any rental office of Owner, complete it and return it with a copy of the Rental Agreement to: Xchanging, P.O. Box 94950, Cleveland, OH 44101-4950 Phone: 1 888 515-3132 Fax: 1-440-914-2903
The purchase of PAI/PEC is optional and not required to rent a car.

The coverage provided by PAI/PEC may duplicate the renter's existing coverage. Alamo is not qualified to evaluate the adequacy of the renter's existing coverage; therefore the renter should examine his or her personal insurance policies or other sources of coverage that may duplicate the coverage provided by PAI/PEC.

 

[doris1976]

Not saying this was policy there, but it was during the DNC and I'm sure a lot of people were overcharged for many things. Most will not notice and if they do, maybe it will be removed, maybe not, but the companies probably made a good amount of extra money.