Avis Fraudulent Charges
Avis scammed us. We rented a car from Avis at Frankfurt Airport in Germany during our vacation. From Aug. 26 - Setp. 9, 2010. When we returned the car, a rep. from Avis check the car almost with a microscope, then told us that there was a scratch on the front bumper by the passenger side. we took a look then and saw a scratch no more than 2-inch. He told us that we'll be charged 490.00Euro. He said it's nothing because it should be covered by the credit card we used to rent the car. This is a scam by Avis. The scratch does not even look new, it's was not easy to find, unless you put your face only few inches away.
A few minutes later he gave us a receipt with a picture that he marked there's a scratch at the back bumper!!! So, what is it then?? Back or front??

It does not matter because it all were already there. Avis's scammed us because there was a rental insurance from MasterCard, that covers up to $500.00. That's is why they charged a 490.00 fee for damage. But this is in Germany, so 490.00Euro becomes 690.00 us dollars!!

We are alerting the credit card company that this Avis charge is a fraudulent charge. But my advice is be very careful. Take plenty of pictures of the rental car before you drive off the parking lot. This way you have proof that you did not cause the so call 'scratch' or 'damages', and avoid a scam like the way Avis scammed us.

Our experience, we are sharing for all our friends, who book thru internet companies.

We rented a premium car from AVIS, MCI (Kansas City International Airport) thru Hotwire.com
When we went to pickup the Car, they didn't give us two choices 2 different types of cadillac,
without any explanation or clarity they gave the papers to sign. We are in a hurry and we believed
AVIS company we initialed, thinking that we are getting the car we booked.

When we returned the car after six days and they gave an additional bill for $240 saying that,
that is for the upgrade and charged on the credit card. We said we never asked for an upgrade and they said we put initial for the upgrade.

Later we get to know from our friends that by hiding and misleading us they make money from the
customers who booked thru internet companies like hotwire, priceline etc.. We complaint about this and
got an as usual "regretting letter" from the manager.

This is a daylight white collar cheating. Don't be cheated with this types
of frauds. Double check and ask before you put initial. Make sure if there is
any additional charges, before you pickup a car.

BEWARE and AVOID AVIS MCI(Kansas City International Airport)

A ripped off customer.

I rented a car on May l4th. At the time of pick up I saw that the seats of the car had numerous stains. I could also decect a strong smell of cigarette smoke. I wanted
to get another car but was told that there was no other available at the time. I thought that Avis "tried harder." Evidentally, this was not the case.

I reserved a Avis rental car through CarRentals.com. The reservation was for 2 days @ $25.99/day. When I arrived the pickup location, Avis representative over the counter offered me an upgrade from a compact to a median size car for a “couple of more bucks” (quoted his word). I assumed he meant $2 more than the $25.99 in the reservation. I agreed. I also explained to him that my credit card covered the insurance and I did not need extra insurance. He completed the paper work and handled to me said, “sign here, initiate here. I trusted his word and did not go through rental agreement line by line before signing. I was shocked to find out the rate actually went up from $25.99 a day to $42.99 a day. That is not a couple of bucks more! The insurance was also added without my consent. My credit card was charged by $160, 100 more than in my reservation.