Complain about a product or service

National Car Rental

Kathleen of Mesa AZ (01/07/09)
I had rented a car and paid for un upgrade, but when I arrived there were no upgrades, I offered to pay for an additional upgrade but the kid could not figure out the credit card machine, the car we ended up with had bald tires and totally unsafe for Montana highways in the dead of winter so we ended up having to go have tires put on, when leaving there we were pulled over to find out the license was expired. No sorry or anything when we returned the car.

We wasted a whole day having to get new tires put on.

Jenny of Denver, NC November 26, 2008

Jenny of Denver NC (11/26/08)
My husband rented a Nissan Maxima from National Car Rental at the Bozeman, Montana airport in July 2008. The car was in his possession for only five hours, and he drove a total of 51 miles. He returned it after hours, to the airport location; and used the key drop. A few days later, he got a call from PurCo, telling him he owed 308 for rock chip damage to the windshield, down in the lower right corner of the windshield on the passenger side, which they said happened during the five hours he had rented the car. The claim was so ridiculous that he almost laughed. He told the woman that there was no way that damage happened during his short rental, and that he would be disputing the claim.

They sent us documentation, showing a tiny white speck on the windshield, the alleged chip. We did dispute it, for months. They rejected all disputes.PurCo recently called and said they had reduced the fee to 230 if we paid by a certain date. We paid it.

Bottom line: If my husband had been responsible for the damage, we would be upfront and honest about it. We own up to our responsibilities. We also know that damage was not done on my husband's rental time, so we refuse to say it did. We will NEVER rent from Alamo or National again; and we will take our own pictures of any rental cars from now on, as well as inspect them with a fine-toothed comb before we return them. Our advice: DO NOT RENT FROM NATIONAL OR ALAMO.

Worldtraveller of Madrid, OTHER September 30, 2008

Worldtraveller of Madrid OTHER (09/30/08)
UNACCEPTABLE 5-HOUR WAIT I rented a car with National one month in advance. I had to pick it up at their Union Square premises in San Francisco. I arrived punctually on the agreed time and date and had to wait for almost 5 hours to pick up the car.

All clients from National and Alamo (both companies share the same premises) were made to wait in line, first in the street under the burning sun and afterwards in an unhealthy garage. No explanation was given by National or Alamo employees and they did not seem surprised by such unacceptable situation, so I guess it must be usual.

David of Dacula, GA December 10, 2007

David of Dacula GA (12/10/07)
Due to a change in my travel plans, I needed to return my car at the Shreveport, LA airport location and not the little Rock location I had picked it up at. As I was very rushed, when I looked at the final bill sheet, I did not notice that my bill had gone from 524 to 1404. I mis-read the 880 amount as the final amount and not an up charge. After calling customer service several times, as well as the Little Rock location several times, I have not been satisfied. I was even put on hold and hung up on twice by the Little Rock location.

I was overcharged 880.

E of Mt Laurel, NJ October 9, 2007

E of Mt Laurel NJ (10/09/07)
i am a frequent traveler and for at least the last year or so i have noticed a disturbing trend by these auto rental companies. at every rental i have had during this time when i leave the rental agency the fuel gage shows slightly less than full it seems they are not filling the gas tank completely. the amount is usually less than 2 gallons below full but on three occassions the gage showed 3/4 to 7/8 of a tank instead of full.

when i complained at the counter (twice i drove off before i noticed the discrepency and had to return to have the situation corrected) the agent apoligized and either had the tank filled or noted the shortage on the agreement. this has happened so many times to me that i am now careful to check the fuel gage closely. it boggels the mind to think how much the thousands of auto renters are cheated in this manner (if it is deliberate) and how much the rental companies gain by not completely filling the fuel tank. my last rental (dollar) was short 3 gallons, at todays prices almost 10.00.

my economic damage has been minimal because i am now aware and make it a point to check the fuel gage and take the time to have the potential damage corrected. i have no idea how much damage i suffered before i became aware of this problem. the potential damage to the general auto renting public could amount to millions of dollars!

Charles of Breckenridge, CO February 4, 2003

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