The price I was quoted from the online reservation, versus the actual price I was initially billed on spot in person at the counter for Dollar Rental at MSY: off by about $60. We didn't buy any additional amenities, because it's the digital age and I don't need one of their ancient navigational tools, as I simply have a free app on my phone. I didn't need car seats, because we don't have kids. And so quite honestly, I must say that there was not one single thing that when I got to the counter I had to say, "OHHH dang! yeah thanks for bringing that up! I forgot to click yes online, so please add this in." No, everything I registered for online, I registered for at the desk. Except it actually cost $60 more.
THEN when the "polar vortex" hit the south and everyone freaked out and closed up shop, we had to get back home to work. We were in Mississippi when the snow storms hit. Typically every other type of travel agency deems it an act of God and at least nominally works with you to accommodate you and keep you happy and loyal to their particular company.
Well, the lady on the Dollar Help Line was the exact opposite. She barely spoke English, and on such a frustrating matter in the first place, simply having a native speaker would be so lovely! But they didn't. It was pretty horrid trying to get any answers from her as I swear it felt like she was just reading out of the same brochure we were holding in our hands. Which to her credit, if the brochure actually answered any questions for our specific situation, then she would have been spot on for reading it to us. But alas, it covered nothing as to our reason for calling. All we found out is, no matter what, if we didn't return our car to the closed rental Dollar rental lot, at the closed MSY International Airport by our designated time for which no one could verify because no one was there, there would be an additional day charged to us for breach of contract. In addition, if we switched to the only town in the South who can function in cold weather (Memphis, apparently) we still had to have it checked in by our designated time, fueled up 10 miles out just like before, except that since we "breech contract it cost you 165 more dollar."
Even that was inaccurate, because it was an additional $204 to return it to Memphis. The only thing we did "wrong" as per the contract (which says nothing about serious weather altering your travel/THEM being liable if they aren't open for business that day) was returning the car to the only open and available airport in a 6 state region.
The entire 6 state region surrounding and including Mississippi were closed, except for Memphis, Tennessee. This was a 3 hour further drive for us, we had to leave in the dead of night to make it by our return time. As much fun as night icy road driving can be, sense the sarcasm please, you can be assured it was not based from a place of whimsy, nostalgia, or pleasure that we decided the only option was going through Memphis.
My guess now, is that the rental car industry is similar to the airline industry. Spirit Airlines will ALWAYS seem cheaper on paper, but ends up being the same cost as Delta or United once you actually get to your final destination. Except Delta and United actually have space in their seats, beverages on their flights, and you can get on board with a carry on and personal bag at no extra charge. I will not be tricked into the same predicament again.
If you don't mind waiting on hold for a half hour-45 minutes (while they pitch you for "More great deals on their products" which yes, because I'm this torqued at your company, I would LOVE to hear more options for how I can wreck my next trip), speaking to a non-American about a problem with an American rental car in America, head-aches, and paying $508 to rent a Chevy Spark Economy car for 3 days...then by all means, Dollar Thrifty is for you! read more
