Avis falsely charged me for "Smoke Smell"
I rented a car from Avis a couple of days ago. Returned it at the airport, the agent gave me a receipt and everything felt like a normal rental experience. However today I got mail from Avis accusing me of smoking in the car (I don't smoke) and charging me $450. This is a completely false accusation. What are my options?
Hope you have insurance from credit card. If not DM for referral to American Express for any of their cards. Amex would give you a $450 statement credit same day
Dispute the charge with credit card company. Credit card company will investigate the claims, usually in your favor
Did you try calling their customer service to resolve the issue? If they don't, you can try disputing the charge with your credit card provider.
You can also send an email to their executives. Google it they should be available for public to reach out. I used once, got a really quick and prompt response.
Hey OP, if you don’t want to try an option then why did you post asking for options? Google saying avis executive customer service emails etc… or avis executive email.. Just FYI, nobody puts their company executives email on their website, at most they may give you executive customer service contact form or something.
I just got the mail and their customer service is closed. Will call first thing tomorrow morning. I have just BofA Visa Signature which I use for all my rentals. It has some car rental insurance on it (not sure exactly what). I'm still in a shock they can come up with this accusation a week later after I returned the car ... they are totally making it up.
I would request proof that you smoked in the car (photos w timestamps) and that they actually had to deep clean the car. Did they find cigarette butts in the car? Ash? Do they have a receipt for a special odor cleaning right after you returned it? I would push for this with their customer service, along with letting them know that you are not a smoker. Even if they turn you down once to remove the charge, I would call again, as they may remove it is you keep calling to complain.
Thanks for the advice. Will keep trying.
If customer service wont remove the charge, dispute with your credit card and post a (respectfully written) complaint on their facebook page detailing your side of the story...see how quick they get in touch....
Sounds like a plan, thanks :)
Don’t back down or apologize
Sooo, I called this morning and the customer service agent told me they found ash on a dashboard and that they have a photos of that. I argued the return agent checked the car and it was in the same state as when I was borrowing it and then the customer service agent worked for a while and then told me they are dropping the charges. So far so good, but lets see how quickly they drop the actual charges from the CC. BTW I still wonder what might have happened - I don't think they are making it up, but I wonder who and when someone smoked in that car ...
Start with calling your credit card you paid for the rental on. That’s where credit cards shine - hopefully you have Amex as they should take care of it