[capetonianm]

This ‘buy the tank and return the car empty’ is a huge scam.
I have always wanted to do exactly that, as above, but could never be bothered.

A friend got conned into taking that option, returned the car with 3/4 of a tank of fuel, and asked, quite reasonably if he could have some kind of credit, which was refused. Imagine how many times they ‘resell’ what’s left in the tank.

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openfly

[LuganoPirate]

[quote quote=953755]I’ve just had two Avis rentals in SA. As usual they have helped themselves to my money.

I returned the car absolutely full of fuel at DUR. They added £4 for fuel.

I returned another car to CPT and they helped themselves to £309 for “damage”….lying thieving gits! But Amex are brilliant as usual with Avis SA rentals and are fighting Avis…yet again.

Why do I continue using Avis? Better the devil you know!

I sent a protest email to the U.K. ceo Nina Bell and various managers in SA. Needless to say three weeks later I haven’t had a reply or the courtesy of an acknowledgment. Are we surprised? Nah…that’s Avis.[/quote]

I’ve just been renting from Budget (Avis owned) in South Africa, and they do not make a charge for filling the car other than for the petrol. I have full cover using one of two credit cards, Amex and a Platinum Mastercard, and both have settled claims in the past (one with each) without problem. However, I now add Tyre and windscreen cover when I rent. It’s not expensive but just saves an awful lot of hassle if you do have to claim. Luckily I had it this time, as a stone hit the windscreen and made a crack from bottom left to the top right.

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ASK1945, openfly

[GeorgeJ]

Like others I have excess cover, in my case via my Amex platinum. Never had to use it though Amex/Axa were excellent (fair and efficient) in dealing with medical and cancellation claims we have lodged.
After some poor experiences elsewhere years ago I have stuck to Avis and Hertz for car hire, I have premium status with both (a combination of volume and the platinum card again). So far I have never had any excess claim despite a couple of occasions where they would have been entitled to have a discussion about the subject. In my view cheap car hire and claims for damage often go together.

[ASK1945]

[quote quote=954461]Like others I have excess cover, in my case via my Amex platinum. Never had to use it though Amex/Axa were excellent (fair and efficient) in dealing with medical and cancellation claims we have lodged.

After some poor experiences elsewhere years ago I have stuck to Avis and Hertz for car hire, I have premium status with both (a combination of volume and the platinum card again). So far I have never had any excess claim despite a couple of occasions where they would have been entitled to have a discussion about the subject.

In my view cheap car hire and claims for damage often go together

.[/quote]

……………… but Avis are not “cheap car hire” and a number of contributions on this thread have been about Avis and their add-on “tricks”.

[GeorgeJ]

I can only report as I find and Avis have always been fine with me, the only improper post hire add on was quickly dealt with and rebated.

[ASK1945]

[quote quote=954478]I can only report as I find and Avis have always been fine with me, the only improper post hire add on was quickly dealt with and rebated.[/quote]

My own experience with Avis has been frequent small additions unexplained post-hire charges, with no invoice sent on request and then receiving a rebate from Amex, when Avis have not answered the queries from Amex. You are fortunate that Avis “quickly dealt with [it]”.

[capetonianm]

As I mentioned tyre damage in post #953541, I am happy to report that the company concerned – Europcar – has accepted my contention that one of the tyres I had to replace was previously damaged and has agreed to refund me the cost, meaning I will only need to claim on my insurance for one and not both.

This is why I will continue to use EP. They are probably not always the cheapest (admittedly I don’t normally check others) but their service is always good and they have treated me fairly over the years.

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ASK1945

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