MareW

We've had good luck with renting from Dollar so far, so they are our preferred company for trips within the U.S. I've never used them overseas like GlobalTraveler has, though.

GlobalTraveler

I always had a good experience with Dollar, as long as you rent from them in the US. I have rented Dollar cars when they cost $1.- per day, hence the name. The problem is in Germany, specifically with the Dollar/Thrifty licensee Terstappen, a dishonest, deceptive and dubious company with only one goal: Screw their customers and screw them big time. The sad thing, however, is that Dollar does not seem do do anything against these deceptive practices and thereby soils it own good name. When you read the comments of disgruntled Terstappen customers in TripAdvisor, it makes your hair stand up. Dozens and dozens of Dollar customers who have been taken to the cleaners by Terstappen and had their travel budget and their vacations ruined.

Rent from Dollar in the US, but stay away from them in Germany, you will be screwed out of hundreds of dollars.

Check the comments in TripAdvisor

nukedoc

I recently rented a car through dollar (used kayak.com) for a one way rental from San Francisco to San Jose. It was supposed to be $35 prepaid with $0 due at rental counter, so I thought. I didn't realize until I was told by the counter agent that the contract required me to purchase a full tank of fuel at $55 and an additional $11 in taxes. Thus it costed me over $100.

I have never had this happen to me before, done similar rentals through Hotwire. I feel in this case Dollar's practice (perhaps the UK affiliate) to have been very deceptive!

Lesson learned: Read the fine print before making the deal!!

isabel

When I rented from them they gave you the option of paying for the tank of gas upfront and then you could return the car empty, or you could return the car full - or if you didn't prepay for the tank of gas and you didn't return it full then they'd charge you a high price per gallon to fill it up. This was the same option we were given last summer when we rented from a different company. I take the 'return it full' option cause otherwise, unless you are able to time it right that you breeze in there on empty, you are effectively giving them some gas that you paid for.

Is your problem that you bought the prepaid tank of gas but only used a small amount since you were only driving from SF to San Jose?