Avis Rental: Help & Advice Over Cost

[agent009]

Hi

Booked a car via Qantas to collect in Melb this Sat. Original cost was $230, cancelled that booking to just double check other providers.

Rebooked with Qantas and Qantas sends a confirmation email saying cost is $0.

Rang Avis, they couldnt help because they ssaid I have to call Qantas but they agreed the cost was $0. So called Qantas, the lady was perplexed and went to ask somebody. 15 minutes later she comes back to the phone and tells me to go to the Avis site and quote the Avis booking number.

So did that and on Avis it shows amout owing as $0 for the 3 day hire.

Obviously there is an error but I cant get it sorted and whilst I am happy to pay $0 I feel that when I go to pick the car up in Melb the price may be very high or there is no car, so I need some advice or help on what I should do.

Thanks

 

[Hvr]

Will you have some 'stuffing around time' as it were? If so do nothing now and see what happens when you go to collect the car. Also, have some options up your sleeve so if they do muck you about you can walk out.

Obviously have your booking printed out to refer to so they have a reference and to ensure that even if it does disappear between now and then you have proof it did exist.

Please let us know how it goes.

 

[agent009]

Thanks.
Flight arrives around 1300 and collecting the car at 1400. I have copies of both the Qantas email and the screen shot of the Avis screen

Please dont take this the wrong way, but surely cant go to the counter with a $0 amount owing and expect a free car ?

I am wonder if I should book elsewhere just in case Avis refuse to rent the car because of this stuff up. And I need the car for those 3 days.

 

[Hvr]

Is it possible they have already charged your credit card therefore you've already paid for the original reservation and they've carried over the payment to this reservation?

 

[agent009]

Is it possible they have already charged your credit card therefore you've already paid for the original reservation and they've carried over the payment to this reservation?

Checked that and no no credit card deductions. I also dont recall giving my credit card when I booked.

When I spoke to Avis I asked about payment and they said at the collection present your credit card and we freeze the rental amout on your card. This will be interesting since the cost is 0. I hope I dont get stuck because they then quote me some really high rate for the rental because the prices have gone up or something like that.

 

[MrHyde]

Have you noted down the name and reference number of the conversation with Avis? I would suggest that if they start stuffing around, you bring up that you have already run this by Avis and give them the reference number of the call.

 

[Chief Wiggum]

So did that and on Avis it shows amout owing as $0 for the 3 day hire.

If nothing else you will miss out on QFF points bonus "per dollar spent on your Avis car hire"

If it were me I would take a copy of the original booking showing $230 if you have it. The car will still be reserved when you get there. It's almost certain the Avis desk folk will pick up the error. Then it's just a matter of negotiating the actual correct price (using the first booking) and then you're on your way. Car hire charges are not finalised until after you return the car. As mentioned a preliminary estimate is reserved on the CC at time of pickup.

 

[agent009]

I have a confirmation email from Qantas and screen shot of the Avis site where they quote the price for my booking.

I also have the logs of calls on my mobile to Qantas & Avis.

My fear is that this is going to cost me a lot of time at the Avis counter when I arrive to find some solution to the mess. I need to be somewhere by 3:30pm and plane at 2pm. Thats why this is a real pain.

 

[agent009]

If nothing else you will miss out on QFF points bonus "per dollar spent on your Avis car hire"

If it were me I would take a copy of the original booking showing $230 if you have it. The car will still be reserved when you get there. It's almost certain the Avis desk folk will pick up the error. Then it's just a matter of negotiating the actual correct price (using the first booking) and then you're on your way. Car hire charges are not finalised until after you return the car. As mentioned a preliminary estimate is reserved on the CC at time of pickup.

I have the original quote as well. Interesting about picking up the error as over the phone neither Qantas or Avis seem to have. I am guessing this isnt something that happens often, maybe in reverse where there is an over charge.