As bad as airline surcharges can be, the rental car industry may be worse. If you’ve ever looked closely at a final bill, there’s everything from a seemingly endless list of taxes to various “recovery fees.” Most rental car companies even have a small frequent-flier-mileage surcharge.
These mandatory taxes and fees are in addition to optional fees such as insurance, damage waivers, extra drivers and fuel.
Even as a travel agent, I find sometimes it’s hard to examine my rental car bill with a fine-tooth comb. Although I always pay attention to what what the computer shows the total bill should be up front as protection.
Even so, I almost got caught. This was on a two-day rental in Cincinnati, where I knew taxes were reasonably high but not as insane as say Texas or Arizona airport locations. Hertz had advertised a discount code, as well, that I thought would bring the total rate to just under $50 including taxes.
While using less than two gallons of gas, I had refueled the car, and asked the nice check-in agent if she needed to see the receipt. She waved it off and said no problem, then printed out the bill.
The total was about $55, which seemed a bit high, but hardly out of the expended range, so I headed towards the bus to the terminal. However, while walking I noticed a $17 charge that didn’t make sense.
It turned out that the nice agent had charged me for mileage as if I hadn’t put any gas in the car at the usual exorbitant rental car rate.
I returned and found another available agent (the first agent was checking someone else in). I explained the situation, offered again to show the gas receipt. She immediately took the charge off and apologized.
As it turned out, the Hertz offer – a promotion code that discounted weekend rates – was a pleasant surprise and save me more than I expected.
In the grand scheme of things, this wasn’t a horrific overcharge. But if I was in a little more of a hurry, or more distracted for other reasons, I might have easily missed it.
It’s hard to imagine corporate travelers, who barely seem read their own itineraries, taking the time to go over their bills that carefully. In addition, the amounts would not be itemized on a credit card statement.
While I don’t think the agent’s mistake was deliberate, I also doubt it was the only error of a busy holiday weekend. Clients have also reported to me problems with extra hour charges and misapplied corporate discounts.
So, even if it means putting on reading glasses, take a quick look at the fine print when you return rental cars. If a charge doesn’t make sense, ask. At worst, it’s a minute or two of your time, at best it’s money back in your pocket.
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
