F1 Extortion

I look at the flip side, too, in that back in the good old days, I didn't have to have this defensive mindset that I was liable to be screwed over at every turn if I wasn't hypervigilant. Now, I feel I can't walk up to a blackjack table without carefully scrutinizing it for a tiny sign that says, "Anyone dealt the Ace of Spades automatically loses." Or order an ice cream cone without having to pay the "30% scoop service charge."

I mean, really...at some point, is it just not worth it to get fucked over? There are other activities, and other destinations. Life is too short to piss it away in Vegas.

Yet you keep going......

I do? You know my movements...how? I feel a bit creeped out, honestly.

A minor recent example from our trip. We rented a car from Budget ( via Costco.. secured a truly great comparative rate). We'd rented from Budget several times in the past during Vegas trips..member of the loyalty club..unicorns and butterflies..never an issue. Upon return this time, we refilled the car just before returning it full per normal; the final bill receipt indicating a $25 higher charge than what I rented it for initially. Budget is now requiring a fuel receipt at return (  which was never in force on previous experiences) even if the car is fully refueled. I rechecked the contractual T & C's of the rental agreement, and this new policy was clearly stated there. Due to past experiences with this company, I didn't peruse those T & C's at, during, or after the rental process....can't read the small print anymore anyway. So it was in fact my error, but still represented  just another gouge attempt in my mind. They did not address this issue at the time of the rental agreement signing.  I was able to lobby and pled ignorance ( that common Vegas method) and was able to get the extra charge waived/ removed. It's the thought that counts. *l*

And of course, the vast majority of folks will be in a hurry/ mentally on the plane home and won't question the charge...which is the most disgusting type of gouge IMHO: the one that is carefully timed/positioned to succeed. Fuck people over when they're distracted/occupied, that's the ticket.

I've dealt with Budget many times in the past and have never had this kind of shady nonsense pulled on me. Unsettling to know that they've crapped on their own business ethics.

The last time we rented a car in Vegas, I believe it was in 2021, the rental company tried to say there was damage we caused when we returned the car.  I took pics of the car before we ever drove it, and the damage was in the pics - clearly not caused by us.  We had to go to the rental car window inside the garage and complete a form stating our case.  They said they would let us know.  We were pissed to say the least.  They ended up not charging us, but it was the principle of having to fill out the form and "they would let us know".  Really - when I had a picture showing it was damaged when we picked up the car?  I don't remember the exact rental car company but it was Budget or Avis.  Aren't they owned by the same parent company now? 

They put more pressure on renters to get their damage insurance in Vegas than they do in other cities where we have rented.  Maybe now they are looking at other income-producing means, such as enforcing fine print or falsely accusing renters of damage.  

Well, you made the classic smart move, taking pics of the car and any preexisting damage before you ever drove it. I still find it unsettling that you have to take all these basic precautions just to avoid getting scammed.

I write squeaky wheel letters when this sort of shit happens and almost always end up getting compensated for my trouble in some way. In fact, the groveling nature of some of the replies suggests that responses like mine are rare indeed.

That damage insurance is a HUGE moneymaker BTW, with premiums collected amounting to over 400% of claims paid out. If you multiply it out, you're basically letting them say that you'll completely destroy the car if you have it for for more than two weeks and should cough up the premiums accordingly.

Fortunately, both my bank card provider and my insurance company cover my damage waiver. But I tend to drive to Vegas rather than fly and rent a car because of the horrific logistics of the latter course.

But you don't go to Vegas.  Do you have split personalities or something?

They put more pressure on renters to get their damage insurance in Vegas than they do in other cities where we have rented.
---------------------------------------------------------

Agreed.

I had an issue pre-Covid with insurance at Hertz (a long and convoluted story in itself l).  Their corporate office reported that the agents were paid commission on insurance sold to unsuspecting hirers.  Corporate also said the policy of paying commission to agents was "under review".

I have no idea whether this is still their policy - haven't been back to them because of their "naughtiness" back then.

By the by, prior to then I always got a better rate renting off airport (they picked me up at the hotel to go to the yard and dropped me off post return of the vehicle).

My dramas were with a rare airport pickup.

Corporate did fix my issue rapidly - they simply shouldn't have had to.

.