Watch your Avis reservations!

[jmasgat]

Today I went in to Avis to review my upcoming reservation. I had a confirmed rate of $175 minus a coupon for a free day. Total was estimated at $196.

So I pull up the reservation and see that the base rate has mysteriously changed to $750!!!! I haven't changed anything about it since I made it in October.

After one frustrating phone call with an Avis rep who just didn't grasp the problem, and two times on hold, I was transferred to customer service. That rep apologized and said if I would send a copy of my confirmation (I had saved the email), they would correct the rate. No one had a clue why it changed.

I just get an email back from customer service now saying "Sorry, we can't override the rate, but AFTER I rent the vehicle they will make an adjustment in 24-48 hours.

Do I look like I was born yesterday? Why would I ever trust that they will fix it once my rental is complete.

Anyway, I intend to cancel. But just check any reservation you may have. I have never had this happen to me before anywhere. And I would still like to understand how they can change a confirmed reservation for no reason.

 

[supersnoop]

How did you book it to begin with? Did you use some sort of special discount code?

Maybe I'm naive, or maybe just lucky, but I've always been okay with them fixing the rate afterwards. What's the worst case? You dispute the entire charge with your credit card company if they won't make good on it. The confirmation will be enough proof for anyone.

 

[jmasgat]

I booked at the Avis web site using my corporate leisure code--all strictly legit.

It just seems really odd for them to say they can't fix the reservation--unless they have a Disney-created IT system! And I don't need the hassle of having to do extra work to make sure they keep their word. How is that good customer service?

I'm more confused over this than anything else. It is just weird to change a confirmed reservation.

 

[Lewisc]

Is it possible your corporate contract with Avis expired 1/1/14? Is it possible your company decided to switch their business to a different agency? Is it possible the code changed and all you have to do is make a new reservation with the updated code? Is it possible the corporate rate is no longer available for leisure use and the code you used is no longer valid?

I'd check with my company.

I'm not sure if Avis has to honor a rate if the contract with your company changes.

 

[jmasgat]

No, the contract is still in effect (it's General Motors). I could go in and make a new reservation using that same code and it would show up correctly. But now they have restricted the coupon I used, so the extra cost would be substantial.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I've had similar problems with Avis EVERY time we rent. I ALWAYS bring a copy of my reservation because the price I made the reservation for is never the price they want to give me walking out the door. Twice they tried charging us more when dropping off the car...hundreds more. I call, I complain and they remove the charges. But I tell Avis it happens every time and I feel they're trying to pull one over on me and or take advantage of someone who doesn't look so close to their bill. Oh, and twice they said I didn't reserve a car seat and that they were out. Showed them my copy and there is said in black and white and what would you know, they got me a car seat. Not a good way to do business. Going to WDW in a couple of months and probably going with National.

 

[seashoreCM]

I want to say, do not sign the rental agreement with the higher price expecting to dispute or negotiate the charge later, say when you return the car.

The outcome would be equal or better if you did not call in advance but simply brought your printed confirmation sheet with you to the rental office.

If they are capable of honoring the reservation but at a higher price, then they are certainly capable of honoring the reservation at the original price.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I don't know what happened to the OP's reservation, but we rent from Avis whenever we need a rental and have never had any problems or had the rate change. The only odd thing that ever happened with them was 2 weeks after we had turned in an Avis rental at the Marseilles Airport, they called me to see if I had ever turned in the car! I said yes; never heard from them again.