When you are Locked out of your Avis Car -- Prepare to be Gouged
Jun 4th, 2014, 03:06 AM
#21
In Maui last year on a family trip the car keys went missing in a flurry of unpacking groceries from the car. Avis charged us $75 to send a replacement set to our hotel (free had we gone to the airport but it was a good half hour cab ride away) and $125 for the lost keys. They would refund the $125 if we found the keys (which we did - a couple of days later in the oddest place).
As much as I complain about car rental companies (and I do) I thought that was all pretty reasonable.
As much as I complain about car rental companies (and I do) I thought that was all pretty reasonable.
Jun 4th, 2014, 08:51 AM
#23
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Someone got butt-hurt!! We'd better call the Waaaaahmbulance...!!!
It's been covered, but let's summarize....
1. If you're careless enough to leave the keys inside a rental car that just might lock itself after several minutes (or you hit the power lock switch yourself upon exiting said car), you're not responsible enough to be trusted with large sums of money; the rental agency is right to relieve you of a little bit of it for their trouble.
2. If you know you're careless enough to leave the keys inside a rental car, or ANY car, that might just lock itself after several minutes (or you will probably hit the power lock switch yourself upon exiting said car), you need to subscribe to a roadside assistance service such as AAA (and look into AAA's other traveler services as well as their pretty nicely-priced auto and home insurance). You'll be glad you did.
3. If you can rent a car with a "smart key" (i.e., one with a transponder that prevents you locking the doors with the fob inside the car or the trunk), do so. Given the above-noted issues, it's a good precaution and might be worth the money.
Think of this as Tough Love.
It's been covered, but let's summarize....
1. If you're careless enough to leave the keys inside a rental car that just might lock itself after several minutes (or you hit the power lock switch yourself upon exiting said car), you're not responsible enough to be trusted with large sums of money; the rental agency is right to relieve you of a little bit of it for their trouble.
2. If you know you're careless enough to leave the keys inside a rental car, or ANY car, that might just lock itself after several minutes (or you will probably hit the power lock switch yourself upon exiting said car), you need to subscribe to a roadside assistance service such as AAA (and look into AAA's other traveler services as well as their pretty nicely-priced auto and home insurance). You'll be glad you did.
3. If you can rent a car with a "smart key" (i.e., one with a transponder that prevents you locking the doors with the fob inside the car or the trunk), do so. Given the above-noted issues, it's a good precaution and might be worth the money.
Think of this as Tough Love.
Jun 4th, 2014, 09:30 AM
#24
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Cars locking automatically after a few minutes is very common. I had that in a car as long as 8 or 9 years ago. It's to protect you if your FORGET to lock the car - so it won't be stolen!
And who gets out of a car without the key?
Agree you should have used your regular road service if you din't want to report the problem to Avis.
And who gets out of a car without the key?
Agree you should have used your regular road service if you din't want to report the problem to Avis.
Jun 4th, 2014, 10:21 AM
#26
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Many many years ago DH parked his hire car in a car park at Goddard Space Center. The guards had had a good laugh at the combination of surnames being checked in (Buck Rogers).
About half an hour into the first meeting of the day one of the guards interrupted. DH had left the car running, but it had locked itself.
They used the combined skills of a lot of rocket scientists to sort that one out.
About half an hour into the first meeting of the day one of the guards interrupted. DH had left the car running, but it had locked itself.
They used the combined skills of a lot of rocket scientists to sort that one out.
Jun 4th, 2014, 12:56 PM
#30
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That's OK, I'm used to being admonished for not noticing that someone had revived an old thread. Clearly I am not the only one of the last nine posters who apparently didn't notice the date of the OP.
Aug 5th, 2014, 11:48 AM
#31
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I think today most rental companies have remote unlock feature, the car isn't supposed to lock behind you, must be a mechanism failure or too much theft prevention. Some companies charge a bit extra for remote assistance, extra key FOBs etc.
