thursdaysd

"Most people don't bother to read the T&C before booking or the contract."

Which is what the companies count on and why it is a scam.

Merriam-Webster definition of a scam: "a fraudulent or <b>deceptive</b> act or operation" (emphasis added).

It is not just not bothering, it is not even knowing to look for them - I bet you've never been handed a copy! But thanks for the warning about Hertz.

CooperSlay

I am pleased to announce that after 10 emails by me and 8 by them, Avis has refunded to me the inappropriate charge they made for foreign currency exchange. My case with them is now closed. The warning to other international car renters is still appropriate. Avis apparently intends to continue making surprise, unannounced, unauthorized, after-the-rental charges for foreign currency exchange. They tell me that the only way to avoid it is to refuse the "service" in writing EACH TIME you rent in a country other than the one that issues your credit card.
Cooper Slay

thursdaysd

Good for you for sticking with it. Glad to hear you got your money back!

lincasanova

I guess, thanks to you, we will all be putting that in writing. If you hadn't posted we would never had known about it. Thank you VERY MUCH.

kybourbon

>>>Which is what the companies count on and why it is a scam.<<<

It's not a scam. You as a purchaser signing a contract should read what you are signing. It's not in small print even. It also lists the charges for providing your info to the police if you violate any traffic laws and the license plate is caught on camera. The very same thing is in contracts if you rent in the states. You are signing a legal contract and agreeing to everything in it. You should, at the very least, skim through it.

>>>Avis apparently intends to continue making surprise, unannounced, unauthorized, after-the-rental charges for foreign currency exchange. They tell me that the only way to avoid it is to refuse the "service" in writing EACH TIME you rent in a country other than the one that issues your credit card.<<<

There was no unannounced, unauthorized charge. You agreed to the charge when you signed the contract. You are lucky they gave it back to you as they didn't have to if their contract is worded the way the Hertz contracts are. By renting you are agreeing. Just like you can't opt out of the fee to have your info provided to the police. It you want to rent from them, it's under their terms, not yours.

As I stated earlier, you can avoid all of this by paying in advance.