Complain about a product or service

Dollar Rent A Car

Dollar Rent A Car •Rate Disputes •Damage Disputes •No Car Available •Surprise Fees/Taxes

Renting a car is one of those transactions that should be fairly straightforward. But if often turns out to be anything but ... and Dollar customers seem to have more than their share of problems, as the complaints in this section show.

Here are a few of the more recent complaints:

Chris of Oak Hill VA (12/03/08)
I rented a car in St. Louis, MO on October 7, 2008 from Dollar Rent-a-car. I looked over the car, even though it was a rainy night, and I signed off that it was ok. I was the only person in the car the entire time during my rental period and I never opened the passenger car door. At the end of my rental period, I parked the car in a lot of cars and walked in and returned the keys. I got a receipt but no agent ever inspected the car before handing me my receipt.

It wasn't until a couple months later that I received a letter telling me that there was damage on the car totaling 665.50. I called and explained that the damage was not caused by me and I asked her to send me a picture of the damage which she did over email. It was clear from the picture that someone left the car door open and backed into something. I knew that there was no way it was me as I NEVER opened the passenger door.

I found the entire thing suspicious but feel trapped. I never had anyone inspect the car after I dropped it off so it is their word against mine! What can I do? I have pictures of the damage. The damage appears to have been caused by someone who had the door open with the car moving.

Patricia of Phelan, CA November 21, 2008

Patricia of Phelan CA (11/21/08)
I flew into Nashville and American Airlines had made a Dollar Car Reservation for me. Unknowing to me when I used my Visa Debit card when Dollar Car used my debit card it also did an inquiry on my credit report. I was unaware of this policy and never told about it until I got a copy of my credit report and saw Dollar on it. It make a ding on your report if you have to many inquiries. I should have been told about this and I never was told or I would have used a credit card.

I am buying a home and it caused the credit report to show too many credit inquiries on my credit report.

Tod of Redmond, WV November 11, 2008

Tod of Redmond WV (11/11/08)
MYself and three other guys returned our car Sunday Nov 2nd 7:30am. At the orlando airport. This would be within our time so we would not be charged an extra day, also I noticed that if you submitt frequent flyer they charge you .95/day. This added another 7.60 to the bill.

When we pulled in to drop our car off, the attendant said pull forward as there were cars behind as well. I went to my gate as did the other three. I did not get a receipt as I was counting on my good buddy to do so. He later told me the attendant was nowhere to be found and they needed to get to their gate. M0nday November 3rd I called dollar to check and follow up and make sure the charges were accurate. The representative informed me my account was still being processed. Call back in a few days.

Thursday, Nov 6th I called and I was being charged thru tuesday nov 4th. I spoke with a lady there and gave her information and also had to fax in my flight intinerary showing that I flew out sunday Nov 2nd. She also inaccurately took info and submitted to an express account rep who then emailed me saying that I owe for the two extra days. I now have called my credit card company and have disputed the amount. What about the attendant who is an employee? It shouldn't be too hard to find out why he didn't close our account at 7:25am sunday Nov 2nd. I still needed to credited for another 40.00 for the extra day we did not use> right now I'm being overcharged 117.00

I have 3 hours into this. I'M out 117.00

Jim of Washington, DC October 23, 2008

Jim of Washington DC (10/23/08)
The desk agent tried to upsell me from a reserved wild car, which he assured me was a PT cruiser. When I respectfully declined, he presented papers for a Kia Optima instead. I was then told that the 'reservation system tells us what kind of car you can get' and if I wanted to change I would have to take the worst car on the lot, a subcompact Suzuki.

I was told the car fleet was the exact same as the neighboring Thrifty rent a car, and I might not even get a car there. Having made a reservation there as well, I tested the agent's truthfulness. There it became apparent the dollar agent tried to defraud me. The choices were wonderful at Thrifty, I was rented a Sonata Limited with heated seats, XM, and sunroof for a very reasonable rate.

Beware Dollar, it's worth a little more to go with any other company.

Doris of Mannford, OK October 9, 2008

Doris of Mannford OK (10/09/08)
Oct. 5, 2008, In Oklahoma City Airport I had a reservation I made through the continental airlines site, which I am a member of. The attendant verified the reservation. He said all 3 credit cards were denied. I called the credit card company they said the transaction had never been run thru. I then went back to the counter he says, oh it went through now but it says you have an invalid Drivers License.

I called the OK DMV they said nothing was wrong with my DL and it is against the law and the rental car people are not allowed access to information about DL. So that is lie two. They refused to rent me a car. While I was on the side lines they had turned away two other customers.

I asked to speak to a supervisor he called her and hung up the phone and said she said she was to busy to talk to me. I insisted to talk to her, he gave me her cell number and she was furious and told me she couldnt help me if it said my license is invalid they would not rent me a car. I asked the man if they had run out of cars or something he said no, sorry I cant rent you a car.

So I went to another place at the airport, they ran the credit card and drivers license with no problems. They said if Dollar could not rent because they have no cars they have to pay the difference. SO they lied and said the Credit card was no good, I proved that to him there, then it was the drivers license.

So how can I get reimbursed the extra 150.00 they cost me?

Doris of Mannford, OK October 9, 2008

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