We rented a car from Budget at the airport in Phoenix over Thanksgiving. Yesterday, we got a letter from Viking Billing Service (acting as "administrator" for Budget) that we owed about $250 for damage to the car (there was no damage to the car). My husband called to complain and they said “Never mind, it was a small amount, documented too long after the damage, and therefore we were billed in error.” He also said "it sure looked like an attempt to collect an invalid claim and that I wondered how many people paid without questioning."

Anyway, just wanted to offer this as a warning. From now on we'll note damage on pickup AND return!

Yipes! Thanks for the warning.

" From now on we'll note damage on pickup AND return!'

Of course, and a quick walk-around with the camera on your phone while waiting for the car to be checked back in is only commonsense.

Come on ??? How many people would pay a $250 damage claim without questioning it???? Maybe 20 or 25 surcharge without a though. Recently had a $14 toll charge - didn't think that was correct but not fighting about. And it might be accurate.

Last time we rented from Budget was at SFO, and never again. They insisted we had agreed to the daily insurance plan, and were charging us an additional $100.

Of course, they know their clients are going to catch a plane, so they gotcha.

We stood in line, talked to the rep at the counter, who insisted we must have agreed, said they could find the video footage of our transaction at a future date, but we'd have to settle it with 'corporate'.

We caught our flight, never got the overcharge back, and will never use Budget again.

Thanks, sf, I don't think you can over warn about this kind of thing.

Did your husband call Budget or Viking?

Google "Viking Billing Service" and you'll see it's not an uncommon occurrence with many different car rental companies and Viking.

I hope you don't mind me piggy backing your post but we are hiring a car through Alamo from LAX in a couple of weeks. Travel agent hasn't answered my questions about tolls. How are these charged and passed on? I'm an Aussie and have no knowledge of the US toll charging system!!

> How are these charged and passed on?

There are very few toll roads on the West Coast, and the ones that do not accept cash.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/t...strak-pay.html

If you're in a rental car, I'd avoid these at all costs. The $57 fee for using these roads without an account or transponder will be forwarded to the rental agency, which will add its own "handling fee" and then charge your credit card.

I've rented cars several times in Southern California, and never had to use these roads. If your travels absolutely require that you use them, then check with the rental agency about getting the transponder that will work on this system.

We always photograph the whole car when we pick it up and also note every little nick or scratch before we leave their lot. We have used both Budget and Avis in several cities and never had a problem.

Thank you PaulRabe!! All of our toll roads in Australia require a transponder or call and pay within 7 days. Will do our best to avoid them but we are heading up to San Francisco via Yosemite (google maps keeps telling me there are tolls on these roads)

>>Come on ??? How many people would pay a $250 damage claim without questioning it????

On your routes, you may pass through the Golden gate Bridge and or the bay bridge.

The bay bridge connecting San Francisco to the East Bay still excepts cash payments for tolls. You just have to make sure you're in the cash line.

The Golden gate Bridge does not have any total attendance. But you can pay for a one time or range of dates to pay the toll through your credit card in advance going online.We have been known to do this on the approach to the bridge with a Rent-A-Car when we forgot to do it before hand

https://www.bayareafastrak.org/en/gg...epayment.shtml

jodmaree, be sure to ask Alamo what is their policy on tolls.

Because auto rental companies can charge you a daily rate, once you use their toll payment device. I thought that was really sneaky, and luckily we knew about it in advance, and avoided getting stuck with the additional daily fee. It's kind of a scam.

I can't think of any toll roads in the LA area other than the Express Lanes on the Harbor Freeway which are clearly marked (the furthest left lanes) and easy to avoid. There are a few in Orange County and San Diego but again clearly marked and easy to exit before you get onto the toll portion.
You may want to start a new thread about tolls and toll roads.

Jodmaree, I don't mind at all!

Obx, he called Viking. I showed him your post and he said he'd also call Budget when we get home from our current trip (writing this from the beach bar at a hotel in Tulum, Mexico!).

Tulum? Lovely! Have fun!

Good point PaulRabe.

Toll roads in Southern California offer a short cut to the state freeways but you can get where you are going by not using them.

A photo of your license plate will be taken and a bill sent to your home address as there are no longer Toll Booths.

It is easy to get more info for drivers who need to know in advance by checking on line.

Birdie, we love it here! Unfortunately we'll only be here 5 days, but we're already planning to return.

Have a great time, SF, a little over six weeks until I can return to Akumal and naturally will hang out at Tulum a day or two.