“My experience with EconomyBookings was extremely disappointing because of the way a mandatory insurance charge was presented.
During the booking process, EconomyBookings offered me its Full Coverage, which I purchased. The rental voucher prominently shows this coverage and, on the very first page, states:
“Pay at pick-up: USD 0.00.”
The same page lists the rental inclusions, including unlimited mileage, local taxes, airport fees and Full Coverage USD 48.27.
This gives the customer a very clear impression that there are no mandatory additional amounts to be paid when collecting the vehicle.
The voucher then goes even further. On page 2, EconomyBookings states that additional insurance may be offered at the rental counter and that, if Full Coverage has already been purchased, that additional insurance can be declined.
However, only much later, on page 5 of a seven-page voucher, under “YOUR RENTAL EXCLUDES,” the document states that Third Party Liability (TPL) insurance is mandatory at the counter, required by Mexican law, must be purchased at the counter, and is not included in EconomyBookings Full Coverage.
Most importantly, EconomyBookings does not disclose the price of this mandatory insurance in the voucher.
Only when I arrived at the rental company to collect the vehicle was I informed that this mandatory insurance would cost USD 25 per day.
At that point, the customer has no meaningful opportunity to reconsider the booking. EconomyBookings' own cancellation terms state that cancellations made less than 48 hours before collection are non-refundable.
So the practical choice at the rental counter was:
pay an additional mandatory USD 25 per day, or refuse the vehicle and lose the money already paid for the reservation.
My complaint is not that the TPL insurance is completely absent from the voucher. It is mentioned.
The problem is the way this material cost is disclosed.
EconomyBookings prominently states “USD 0.00 to pay at pick-up,” prominently displays the Full Coverage that was purchased, and even tells customers that additional insurance offered at the counter may be declined if they already have Full Coverage.
Only several pages later does it state that another insurance policy is actually mandatory — without disclosing how much that mandatory insurance will cost.
A mandatory charge that materially changes the real price of the rental should be clearly displayed before payment, together with the rental price, so that customers can compare the actual total cost with other rental companies.
Had EconomyBookings clearly disclosed before booking that collecting the vehicle would require an additional USD 25 per day, I could have compared the true total price with other offers and made an informed decision.
Instead, I learned the real mandatory cost only at the rental counter, when cancelling was no longer a realistic option without losing the money already paid.
That is why I consider the pricing and disclosure process seriously lacking in transparency.”
“i book the car when I arrive in
Paris I was told the booking was no good and I will have to book and pay again.
I have written and spoke to Booking Group enclosed all the paper work and was told I would be refunded the first booking amount and the money would be in the visa in 10 days, one year later and many emails there has been no $1500 refund.
Disgraceful”
“Absolutely trouble experience. Rented a car paid for it , the Rental Voucher said 0.00 payable on pick-up. Boy did they screw you when you show up to pick-up the car at Boutique Rent a Car which is at an offsite location. They try to upside you and you say NO then they say they are not renting you the car and they can leave is what they say. Again you are screwed where do you go ???? ended up paying an extra $400. Never again”
“I book a car for my stay @ Dubai for a week. It was really a mess , the voucher mentioned that as soon I reach Dubai airport whatever the terminal I should reach call a dedicated phone number which never answer , the airport police officer try to reach the phone even other car rental tried NO ONE PICK UP THE PHONE.
how do you manage your agent selection!?”
