Car hire charges ..bit of advice please?

[mrs_dlw]

Morning

Last time we went in Oct '15 we got fleeced for extra charges etc when we collected our car - She asked to swipe the credit card for security and then we ended up with around $300 of extra's we didnt want! We managed to get it all back after complaining but it did put a dampner on the first few days of our holiday.

So, we have booked a car with Budget through eBookers. The booking says the following all included

Base price included
Insurance included
Taxes and fees Included

So, should there be any charges on our invoice/pick up paperwork? I know they swipe the credit card, what is this for?

Many thanks x

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Hi. Firstly the swipe of the Card is so they can bill you if for example you use the toll lanes or get a red light ticket etc. Also some people like to bring the car back empty and thus get billed as they return to the airport.

I have to say I am not happy with the wording of what you have got.
There are a host of things missing such as taxes, environment fees, airport surcharges etc.

I would go back to them and clarify what you have got and what you haven't.
Also ensure the CDW is sufficient and the SLI/EP is $1.000.000.

This is an Alamo breakdown of costs.

Rates & Charges
Time & Distance INCLUDED
Extra - Time & Distance INCLUDED
Cdw-allocated Inclusive INCLUDED
Ep-extended Protection INCLUDED
Customer Facility Charge 2.50/day INCLUDED
Priv Fee Recov Chg 10 Pct (10.0%) INCLUDED
Tire Battery Fee .02 Day INCLUDED
Florida Surcharge 2.00/day INCLUDED
Vehicle License Fee .78/day INCLUDED
Sales Tax (6.5%) INCLUDED
1 Additional Driver INCLUDED
UNLIMITED MILEAGE INCLUDED
1 Fuel Service Option $ 43.08
Priv Fee Recov Chg 10 Pct (10.0%) $ 4.31
Sales Tax (6.5%) $ 3.08


Estimated Total: $ 50.47


As can be seen my total due was just for fuel to bring back empty.

[mrs_dlw]

Thanks for your reply. Really helpful, I have looked at the more detailed pages of our confirmation and there is a list of things included - most of which you have above, except extra driver but thats fine with me!
Thanks again,Donna

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by mrs_dlw

Thanks for your reply. Really helpful, I have looked at the more detailed pages of our confirmation and there is a list of things included - most of which you have above, except extra driver but thats fine with me!
Thanks again,Donna

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Hi Donna... may I suggest what I do, place the contract, dl and cc on the counter and firmly advise you neither require nor want any upgrades, add on's, enhanced breakdown, simply what you've paid for with a $0 to pay contract to sign. I used to phrase it more firmly than above and overall they got the message, don't get hard sell now as we only take a one day hire to drive south. Thoroughly check the bottomline is $0 to pay.

[DFCH-Andy]

Budget include a free spouse as standard.

Make sure you read the screen before you sign:


and check your rental agreement looks like:
[IMG]www.discountfloridacarhire.co.uk/budgetyes.pdf[/IMG]
and not
[IMG]www.discountfloridacarhire.co.uk/budgetno.jpg[/IMG]

[mrs_dlw]

Calling Mr Tom Morrow...

So I have changed the car to Alamo, it was a little more but we really couldnt be bothered with the faff of the Budget desk and it was stressing me out, especially as we're flying indirect (read two grumpy kids and grumpy DH!)! So we have booked with Alamo, we have 'checked in' online - can you explain the process, it says we have to go to a Kiosk...what happens then? I just read on another thread (it was an old one) that the kiosks dont work with international licences (its from UK)...or had that changed? Thanks, Donna :-)

[DFCH-Andy]

Originally Posted by mrs_dlw

Calling Mr Tom Morrow...

So I have changed the car to Alamo, it was a little more but we really couldnt be bothered with the faff of the Budget desk and it was stressing me out, especially as we're flying indirect (read two grumpy kids and grumpy DH!)! So we have booked with Alamo, we have 'checked in' online - can you explain the process, it says we have to go to a Kiosk...what happens then? I just read on another thread (it was an old one) that the kiosks dont work with international licences (its from UK)...or had that changed? Thanks, Donna :-)

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Where you flying in to? If its MCO don't bother with the kiosks, just go straight to the garage with your online check in print out. If its SFB then you would need to use the kiosks (if they're on) or go to the counter.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

OP. Nothing more to add than Andy has already posted.

There is a sticky at the top that explains how to do the 'skip the counter' process if you cant link to it from your online check in confirmation.
However to be honest if you fail I wouldn't bother.
All they want is the OLCI form with the barcode on it.

Only once did I go to the kiosks in MCO and this Alamo Lady intercepted me, told me not to bother and sent me to the garage anyhow!

[novocastrian]

apologies for hijack

is LDW same as CDW ?

i have LDW & SLI $1,000,000 on my booking

cheers

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by novocastrian

apologies for hijack

is LDW same as CDW ?

i have LDW & SLI $1,000,000 on my booking

cheers

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Hi. Yes they are both the same.