Car rental lesson – National Consumers League

By Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director

I recently joined a car rental “club” for one of the big rental agencies. This allows me to be dropped off right at my car from the courtesy bus.  So I went online to book a car for this weekend, and the “daily rate” was $51+ a day for three days, starting on Saturday through Tuesday. They wanted a credit card in advance and I didn’t feel like putting my card down, so I called the number instead.

What do I get but a “weekend rate” that’s half of what was being offered online!  Of course, I grabbed it, but the final bill will literally be half of what I would have been charged had I not made the phone call. Once again, the lesson to consumers – Caveat Emptor – let the buyer beware, and don’t just look online when booking hotel or rental cars. Always call and try to negotiate a better rate!