Avoid After-the-Fact Charges From Rental-Car Companies

Q: Peter, I rented a car at Reagan Washington airport through Budget on August 5th. When I turned the car in on the 6th, I waited until the attendant looked it over, then paid and left. Eleven days after returning the car, I received a letter saying I was being charged an additional cleaning fee of $69 for pet-hair removal. This charge is fraudulent! There was never an animal in the car. I and my overnight bag were the only occupants of the car. I do not own a pet, and my bag was in the airplane cabin with me, so there was no way pet hair could have gotten on it and transferred to the car. I did not even have anything to eat or drink in the car. I've tried repeatedly to contact the manager of the branch, but he never answers calls, and no one else there seems to be able to do anything. I guess I will have to dispute the charges with my credit card company. … Back to Article