Budget Car Rental Chicago Scam

Question

Beware bait and switch. I prepaid a car reaservation on the Budget website for $283. Mystery car manager special for 3 days. Received email confirmation but did not open it. When I returned the car I was charged additiional fees to total $691. Complete bait and switch. Beware, check total fee before you rent. Sure enough my conformation email had this ridiculous base rate of $199/day for the piece or crap Kia that I reserved

Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with Budget Car Rental. It sounds like a classic bait-and-switch tactic, where a lower rate is advertised upfront, only to be followed by hidden fees or charges upon return. Here are some key takeaways and suggestions to avoid this issue in the future:

1. Check the Confirmation Email Carefully: As you mentioned, you didn’t open the confirmation email, and this ended up being a costly mistake. It’s essential to carefully review all reservation details before picking up the car. Look for any additional fees, base rates, or terms that might not be immediately clear on the website. In your case, the base rate was much higher than expected, which led to the price hike.

2. Understand "Mystery Car" Terms: Mystery car deals often have hidden terms, and while they may sound enticing at first, they can result in higher charges. The "Mystery Car" program typically means you don’t know which car you'll get, and it might come with additional costs. If you choose a deal like this, be sure to ask about the details of the car you're likely to receive, as well as the final total cost, including taxes and fees.

3. Examine the Fees Breakdown: Before agreeing to any car rental, it's important to clarify the full breakdown of fees and the rental agreement. Additional charges such as insurance, fuel, or fees for extra services can quickly drive up the total cost. If any of these fees are unclear, ask for an itemized list. This can help prevent surprises at the end of the rental period.

4. Prepaid Reservations: When booking a prepaid rental, ensure that the total fee is locked in and confirmed at the time of booking. If the total cost is unclear, or if it’s subject to change based on availability or car choice, ask for a guarantee in writing. In your case, the $283 booking price was drastically increased at the counter, so it’s worth pushing back on those discrepancies and requesting clarity on the final charges before paying.

5. Report the Issue: If you haven’t done so already, it might be worthwhile to report the situation to Budget’s customer service. Many car rental companies will work to resolve complaints, and you could receive a refund for the unexpected charges or at least get the fees lowered. It also helps other customers avoid the same experience if the issue is flagged.

In conclusion, it’s always best to review the rental details thoroughly before confirming, especially with "mystery car" deals. If you feel like you've been misled, don't hesitate to contact the company and seek a resolution. Hopefully, this information helps others avoid a similar situation.

Budget Car Rental Chicago Scam

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