Advantage Rent A Car Consumer Reviews - Page 2

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -- When I picked up my car, I asked the CSR about my free additional driver using the discount code I entered. He said there was nothing there about a free driver, so I went ahead and paid for it, planning on clearing it up when I got home. I spoke with someone on the phone who told me that since I didn't get the discount code from Advantage, they would not honor it. I explained that it was on several discount websites and was directed to their website to enter the code. It was accepted when I put it in.

He said that I was out of luck basically and had to pay for the extra driver. I emailed the company as well and got the same response from Pedro. If they aren't going to honor the discount codes from other sites, then you shouldn't be able to enter them. This was my first and last experience with Advantage and I want to let everyone else know about their deceptive practices.

SALT LAKE CITY -- I rented this car at the Salt Lake City Airport.

The WORST part, I was rushing to the airport and forgot to fill up the tank with gas and they charged be $9+/gallon to fill up the tank. The tank was only half empty and they charged my $73 to fill it up the tank. If this isn't the definition of robbery, I don't know what is, this should be illegal!

On top of that the customer service agents rude and rushing me when going to get the car but the 'shuttle' which is supposed to run every 15 min took 45 min before it showed up and made me late.

EL PASO, TEXAS -- I rented a car from Advantage that had a ding in the windshield. I was told by the rental person that it had a ding a signed an inspection report that showed the ding. When my son and I picked up the car it showed the ding with a magic marker circle around it. When my son and I returned the car the attendant tried to say I did it. I showed her the inspection report she got on the phone with someone and then refunded my deposit but I don't think she returned my copy of the inspection report. I was not worried because I thought the issue was settled.

A month later I get a bill for $75, $25 for damages and $50 for administrative charges. When I talked to them and told them I could not find my copy they said I would have to produce my yellow copy or pay the bill. I asked them if they had their copy of the inspection and could not get a straight answer. I believe this whole thing is a scam and I will never rent from Advantage again. I also will never rent a damaged car again no matter how small the damage is and, live and learn, never to leave my paperwork with the car rental.

AUSTIN BERGSTROM INTL AIRPORT, TEXAS -- I rented a car from Advantage Rental Car at the Austin Texas airport. I had booked online for 7 days for a total of $208.10. After returning the car I was billed an additional $190.13 for toll fees, taxes, concession fees and an admin fee of $125. The actual amount of the tolls were $20.23. I had signed the contract waiving the "Optional Products" which included waiving the toll fees (which I didn't realize at the time) . I didn't notice this part of the contract or even understand what it implied. I called the company and disputed the charges above the actual amount of the tolls. I have rented cars in Texas before from other companies and will get the bill for the EZ Toll fees after the car is returned for the toll fees only, no admin fee, additional taxes and concession fees. The toll fees have always been under $30. since I do about the same amount of driving each year. These "Optional Products" should each require a separate initial and they should be explained to the consumer. I was given no explanation. I now see that this is a problem for other consumers of Advantage Rental Car.

I have rented from Thrifty and Budget in the past years and have had no problem. I will not be renting from Advantage again and want to caution anyone that does that they should make sure that this "toll" portion of the contract is clarified and not waived. This may cause a problem since it is all lumped together with the other "Optional Products" .

PHOENIX, OHIO -- Booked a car for my husband through Travelocity for three days. We declined additional insurance and was quoted the price of $85.85, tax and fees included. At pickup, there were long lines (an hour and a half just to pick up a car) and the counter staff refused to look at the hard-copy booking information and price.

Having to essentially re-book at the counter, my husband stated again he didn't want additional insurance, but they insisted on charging him $388.81, $200 of which was said to be a security deposit not mentioned when we originally booked with Travelocity. The $200 was refunded when he returned the car, but he was still charged $188.81, $102.96 over the $85.85 we were told it would cost by Travelocity.

I called Travelocity. They looked into it, but Advantage wouldn't talk to them. I was told I would have to call Advantage myself. When I did, Advantage customer service (Mike) said that when my husband signed the contract, it included an additional charge for insurance when we had declined it at booking and explicitly declined it again at the counter. Customer service would only offer (yelling) to send me a copy of the contract, even when I asked to speak to a supervisor and even though the insurance had been fraudulently added. These people are frauds, liars, and cheats. Avoid at all cost!!!

ATLANTA AIRPORT, GEORGIA -- Advantage charged me 83.70 for turning the car in late. I flew out at 6:30 AM. They said I turned the car in at 7 p.m. Also make sure you read your contract. The girl at the desk ask me 3 times for the option for them to fill up the car. If you rent cars they charge you more. She put it in the contract and I'm getting charge for it. Also they said the car was half empty. It was on full. I rent cars all the time because I'm in the military and fly home once or two times a year to see my mom. I got majorly screwed by these guys. I never had any problems with any other car rental place. This happen May 17 2018. Never use these guys.

SANTA ANA, NEW YORK -- I decided to try out these guys. I booked the car and at the pickup I asked the person if I can change the drop off location from Orange county to LAX as work plans had changed. He told me it can be done for a fee but I need to call customer service. I then changed all my travel plans etc. to fly out of LAX. When I called customer service (3 times) I was told it can't be done but a person will call me back. I'm still waiting. I had to drive an hour back to Orange county, drop the car off where the person didn't care for my complaint. Book another car through a different company and then drive to LAX in rush hour traffic. It was the first and the last time I am renting from these guys. We have 60 people that travel for work and rent cars every week. This company has now been barred on our rental car company list. Better to stick to the bigger companies that are more flexible. It might cost more but it would have saved me 3 phone calls and 4 hours in traffic wasted because of these guys. NEVER AGAIN

AUSTIN, TEXAS -- We dealt with an individual named Marc (manager of the Austin office). They put our friend with cystic fibrosis life at risk by renting us a vehicle that had no external power for an 8 hour trip. I highly recommend not doing business with Advantage. We put together events for terminally sick kids and they rented us a vehicle that had no internal power and achieved 7 miles per Gallon when they told us it was 18 mpg. When trying to deal with the situation Marc said that he didn't want to deal with giving us a proportionate refund simply because " he didn't want to".

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- I booked through Hotwire and purchased the full coverage insurance. When I arrived, the agent working informed me that I was required to have full coverage insurance. I told him I purchased through Hotwire and he told me they didn't accept that. I was told I have to personally have full coverage which I only have liability through my insurance company. It didn't state this when I booked online. I know because I took screen shots of everything. He pointed to a sign and said he would not honor the reservation even though everything was already paid for.

Luckily when I called Hotwire they refunded my money and informed me that Advantage has their own policies which are not stated online. I told the Hotwire agent that I would normally call the rental agency ahead of time but since I chose the red hot deal through Hotwire I didn't find out the rental agency until after my purchase which was technically non-refundable. Thank you Hotwire for resolving the issue and assisting me in booking another rental agency. Buyer Beware - Do not book Advantage unless you personally have full coverage insurance on your vehicle and don't purchase additional insurance through a booking agency unless you like throwing money away.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA -- I had to travel quickly for my grandfather's funeral, and my 2-year old daughter came with me. After a long day of travel, I just wanted to pick up the car that I had pre-paid for online. I was asked about insurance and I said I had my own insurance. The desk clerk said "So, just the basic insurance." At this point, my daughter was crying that she was hungry and tired. I said yes. He directed me to initial a bunch of lines on this barely readable screen, telling me to initial and then move the arrow down to read the rest. He notified me that there would be a $200 hold placed on my credit card - okay fine. Never once was I told about additional charges, and I was so exhausted and grief-stricken that I didn't bother to read through each line of the contract. About 5 miles after leaving the airport, the "Maintenance Required" light came on. The mileage corresponded to needing and oil change, so I just left it. I had the car a few days as I drove to my grandfather's funeral and spent time with family. Upon returning the car, I was notified that I would be charged more than double the rate expected because of PAYING for THEIR basic insurance. I asked the guy that I returned the car to, and he said it wasn't his thing. He also completely blew off the maintenance light. I contacted customer service and they were no help. "You initialed on the contract". I replied back with a full explanation and mentioned how I felt completely swindled. No response AT ALL. I will NEVER do business with Advantage Rent A Car again, and you should think twice before you do.