Hertz charged a customer for a red light ticket before they even rented the car, a new low in the rental car company’s disservice. Even for Hertz, this is not a good look.
Renting a car at Calgary Airport on May 15th for six days starting at 10:30 p.m. became a hassle. The agent mistakenly logged the rental as starting 12 hours earlier at 10:30 a.m., which led to a huge billing nightmare for the customer.
They were billed for an extra day but didn’t have the car. The system incorrectly recorded their rental start time as 2:33 pm, coinciding with a red light violation by the previous renter. This error resulted in a $436.50 charge to their credit card.
Despite evidence (boarding passes) proving they were flying at 2:33 pm, the red light ticket and associated fees remained. Hertz only removed the extra day’s base charge and stopped responding.
Many suggest fighting the charges. However, even a justified dispute could put you on Hertz’s blacklist, barring you from renting from them or similar companies in the future.
How to avoid incorrect charges with car rentals
Billing errors can turn a rental experience into a major headache. Here are some tips on how to avoid these hidden fees and leave stress-free.
Before Rental:
- Double-check paperwork: Carefully review the rental agreement before signing. Ensure the start and end times, car details, and included charges match your reservation.
- Inspect the car: Take pictures or videos of the car’s condition before driving off, noting any existing dents, scratches, or malfunctions.
During Rental:
- Report discrepancies: If you notice any errors in the paperwork, like an incorrect start time, immediately notify the rental agent and have them corrected.
- Keep receipts: Get receipts for any additional charges you incur during the rental period (e.g., tolls, GPS rental).
After Rental:
- Review the final bill: Check it thoroughly for any unexpected charges once you receive it.
- Dispute errors: If you see a mistake, contact Hertz customer service immediately and provide documentation to support your claim (e.g., boarding passes for the red light ticket example). Be polite but persistent.
Additional Tips:
- Use a credit card: Many credit cards offer rental car insurance that can help resolve billing disputes.
- Consider pre-paying tolls: Prepaying tolls electronically through the rental company or using toll roads with transponders can avoid surprise charges later.
- Document communication: Keep records of your communication with Hertz, including dates, names, and reference numbers, in case you need to escalate the issue.
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