Beware of Dollar Rent-a-Car USA scam!

lgs6753

I hired a car from Dollar at LAX (Los Angeles Airport). They charge you for a full tank of fuel, and tell you to return it empty (nice little earner there).
When I took a closer look at the rental agreement, I noticed I had been charged for 18 US gallons. The user's manual in the car told me the tank capacity was 15 US gal, but even running it low, I never managed to get more than 12 gallons in (over 3,200 miles!).

So Dollar are dishonestly creaming off at least 3 gallons from every hire of this type of car (Ford Escape = UK Ford Kuga).

When challenged, they refunded the difference, but I have a feeling this is done knowingly. Beware!

WebNI

Always, always, always opt to return a car rental with full tank. Always.

ic

lgs6753 wrote: »

but I have a feeling this is done knowingly.

I'd suspect somebody has simply wrongly entered the car's details on to the system when they first acquired it. Its a worthy point to make though, I've never looked in the paperwork to see what I'm being charged when in Spain, vs the tank size on the car I'm driving.

photome

WebNI wrote: »

Always, always, always opt to return a car rental with full tank. Always.

Not always.

I always pay up front with a UK broker (for US hire usually end up with Dollar)) for a full tank of fuel and then return empty

Archergirl

But you never can return it empty can you, you always make sure there is enough (too much) to get you back to the drop off place.