Autounion Car rental - BEWARE!!
Just returned from our Florida trip where we rented a car through, what we thought, was a legitimate company because it car from Tripadvisor and Rentalcars.com.
Far from legitimate, the experience was excruciating and painful. AUTOUNION doesn't exist. Despite all the emails and instructions that made them sound legitimate, we were left stranded.
FLL has a separate car rental terminal that passengers are shuttled to for car pickup. NOT ONE rental agency had ever heard of AUTOUNION!
So, BEWARE and STEER CLEAR of AUTOUNION!!
I wonder if TripAdvisor and Rentalcars.com will even acknowledge their connection in this matter?
It sounds like you had a very frustrating experience with Autounion Car Rental at Fort Lauderdale. Unfortunately, this is a case that illustrates the risks of booking through third-party sites without verifying the actual rental company at the airport. Autounion does not appear to be a legitimate car rental company, and it seems many travelers have been caught off guard when arriving at the rental terminals.
Key points and warnings for future travelers:
- Confirm the rental company directly: Before booking, check the official website or contact the rental company directly. Many third-party booking platforms, including TripAdvisor and Rentalcars.com, sometimes list resellers or “phantom” agencies that do not operate at the airports.
- Airport terminals: At FLL (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport), all legitimate rental agencies are located in the centralized car rental terminal, which is served by free shuttles from the main terminals. If a company is unknown to the terminal staff, it is likely not legitimate.
- Documentation and confirmation: Even if you receive email confirmations and instructions, this does not guarantee the company exists. Always cross-check phone numbers and addresses with official listings.
Preventive measures for future trips:
- Book directly with well-known, reputable rental agencies such as Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, or Sixt.
- If using third-party platforms, verify that the rental company is recognized at the airport and can provide a physical rental counter upon arrival.
- Consider using credit cards that offer rental car protection; some also provide coverage if you encounter a fraudulent rental.
- Read recent traveler reviews cautiously, as some older reviews may not reflect current scams or legitimate companies.
Regarding TripAdvisor and Rentalcars.com, you may be able to open a complaint or dispute, but many travelers report that resolving issues with phantom agencies through third-party platforms can be difficult. Documentation of emails and payment receipts will help, but the key takeaway is to verify the company exists at the location before relying on any confirmation emails.
In summary, Autounion is not a legitimate car rental agency at FLL, and future travelers should only book with confirmed, reputable agencies and check airport terminal information in advance to avoid being stranded.
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