Whether you’ve booked a rental car for two weeks or chosen to take a quick, scenic trip to upstate New York, when you get to the checkout (or even a few days later, when you check your car statement). ), you might be surprised to find out that you’ve been charged some extra fees.
These hidden car rental fees, which can range from additional fuel costs to cleaning fees, can easily be in the fine print.
In fact, it can ruin any situation when additional fees are added to the final bill that were not initially noted through the car rental service when booking or pick-up. Several TPG staff members have even noticed that car rental companies charge unjustified fees, which were thankfully later credited to their accounts.
Before you book a rental car, or even after yours, it’s important to watch out for those hidden fees to ensure you don’t pay more than you owe.
Related: Common Car Rental Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
While some fees are simply unavoidable, it’s no secret that some rental car corporations possibly impose additional fees to serve their interests. TPG members percentage the hidden car rental fees they were charged after the trip.
TPG scenario: Content director Nick Ewen collected a cleanup fee for “excess dirt. “
TPG Tip: When you pick up your car, check with the car rental agent to see if there will be any cleaning fees and, if so, for how much. Some car rental companies will ask if you want to pay a one-time upfront cleaning payment, which is usually less than the additional costs the company might charge. Whether you decide to pay the payment upfront or decline it, it’s best to take pictures of the interior and exterior of your car beforehand. Return to the agency. Also, if you make a payment and have been charged unfairly, be sure to contact the company for an explanation about the payment and request a refund.
TPG scenario: Social media manager Capri Whiteley was charged for driving her rental car too few miles.
TPG advice: Before dropping off your rental car, fill the gas tank, keep your receipt and take a picture of the fuel meter. While it may seem excessive, it’s easier to dispute an additional charge with proof that the extra fees are unwarranted.
Related: TPG Staff Discovers ‘Surprise’ Charge on Car Rental BillYou’re Alone
TPG scenario: Technical assignment manager Taylor Stephenson had to pay an airport concession payment that added up to the end of the booking process.
TPG Tip: Although those fees are unavoidable when booking a rental car at the airport, to avoid them, our recommendation is to book with a company that is not on site, but a few miles from the airport. Airport: To avoid them more Fees are added to your electronic booking.
TPG scenario: Content director Nick Ewen cashed in on rental car insurance even though he turned down coverage.
TPG Tip: If you have a credit car that offers rental car insurance, it’s in your best interest to decline the policy submitted through the rental car company. Even after you’ve declined the policy, check your final bill to make sure nothing is charged.
TPG scenario: Chief Content Officer Nick Ewen was charged tolls through the car rental company after his private transponder to pay the fees.
TPG Tip: Whether you use your private transponder or not, be sure to keep your receipt after passing a toll to ensure you are charged.
Related: Save money on your next trip: Use these tips to never pay full price for a rental car
Remember, always check your credit card statement after you return your rental car because there may have been additional fees you were not aware of added to your final bill.
If you notice questionable rates, before contacting your auto credit company to dispute them, call the rental car company to inquire about the legitimacy of the rates. If you have evidence through photographs or receipts that the car has not broken down and/or you have refused for an additional service presented through the company (such as insurance), you may present the evidence to the visitor service representative and the fees will need to be removed from your account.
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