“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!?”
“BEWARE: BAIT & SWITCH / PHANTOM INVENTORY
I prepaid for a rental in San Juan (Booking B46454143), but this company left me stranded at the airport. When I arrived at the counter ("Ride"), they had zero cars available.
I called EconomyBookings support immediately. In a conversation I have recorded, their own agent admitted that they knew there was no inventory and had effectively cancelled the booking, yet they failed to notify me. Instead of helping, the agent told me, "Unfortunately, you will need to pay again," and tried to force me to book a new car at triple the price ($500+).
I was forced to walk to Enterprise and pay $445 out of pocket to get home. Despite their own agent admitting on a recorded line that they failed to provide the car, they are now holding my money and stalling with a "28-day investigation."
This is a deceptive trade practice. They sell cars they don't have and then hold your money hostage. Do not trust them with your vacation.”
“virtually no way to amend bookings and the request for help is dependent on an algorithm; also the refund is in their own currency which is another hurdle to get your refund swiftly.”
“price is changing at very last step, final price is hidden until the payment processing - you MUST be extremely careful and verify every step in the process, otherwise you WILL BE charged unintentional services, options etc
your card is charged IMMEDIATELLY - even if you opt for 1h cancel
currency is changing to EUR without your knowledge, again at the very end - when you see payment confirmation - there is no option to change”
“Looks like a scam. After paying the advance, the company changed the booking conditions, including deposit requirements and terms that were not shown at the time of payment. Very misleading and untrustworthy experience. I would not recommend using this company”
“When I arrived, there was no car available. This was the day before my wedding, leaving me no option but to book elsewhere at roughly three times the cost. It has now been four months and I still have not received a refund, nor any meaningful response despite repeated attempts to contact them. Being left stranded is bad enough, but ignoring a customer for months afterwards is unacceptable. If reliability or customer service matters to you, I would strongly suggest booking elsewhere.”
“Well for Starters you cancelled my booking sent me an Email and I need the car, I wouldn't have booked it otherwise. and now I dont have the car that I needed,
So I book another which is cheaper and you Charge me another $294 when the E-Wallet had enough Cash. You should have sent me an SMS because calling from some random Number I will probably Ignore due to Scammers and fraudulent calls you could have sent me an SMS saying please contact us, Also what Company do I get the car from Some one Please call me immediately so I can find out the rental company and also credit me back or discuss payments currently paid around $2800 for a car that I should be paying $1500 for”
“Terrible service, the pick up location was far from my landing airport, when we reached the rental company they refused to release the vehicle even though we agreed to upgrade the insurance to fully comprehensive. That was all fine now that we're asking for a refund for service promised but not rendered, we're asked a million questions and no sign of a refund and it's almost a month now since we informed them the services we not rendered even the rental company confirmed in their service that they did not render the service. Pathetic service. it looks like the company is using us to give them interest free finds. I'm still waiting to get my refund.”
