$100 for a compact car? You betcha! TICKET editor Chris McGinnis provide tips on how to save on increasingly expensive car rentals.
Car Rental Tips from Chris (CNN Video)
News and Tips For Your Trips
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Sent to me from reader Tom:
I got this in an email from Avis. I quit renting from Avis several months ago because they kept giving me dirty cars. One had so much dirt on the windows, I could barely see out of it!! But, $250 if you return a car smelling like smoke??? I can understand Marriott charging that, but, for a car? That is one expensive bottle of Febreze!! I see a few battles looming at the check in line.
12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, September 13, 2009
Los Angeles Times
If you’re planning to rent a car from Avis or Budget Rent a Car after Oct. 1, then you’d better plan to use their ashtrays for spare change and not much else.
Starting next month, Avis and Budget are making their entire fleets 100 percent smoke-free, parent company Avis Budget Group Inc. said in a statement.
Every make and model will be affixed with a sticker to inform customers about the policy, and Avis and Budget are also instituting a new inspection process and cleaning fee to ensure cars stay smoke-free, Avis Budget Group said.
If a rental car is returned with the smell of smoke or other evidence of smoking, the renter will be charged a $250 fee, Avis said in an e-mail to customers.
Tell me about it!! My wife and I were flying to Fargo, ND via Minneapolis last month. Our connecting flight to Fargo was mysteriously cancelled. We had to be there for an event, so decided to rent a car and drive the 4 hours. One-way charge to Fargo with all junk fees, taxes, etc. $281.00 from Alamo–by far the least expensive price we found. And, we were doing them a favor by driving a car back to Fargo that originated there! What a rip off–and the companies know they have you over a barrel.