After more than 30 rentals with AVIS, I was the victim of a bait-and-switch at FCO, overcharged €1342, AVIS admitted their mistake—then refused to refund. How can I rent from them again?
Subject: After more than 30 rentals with AVIS, I was the victim of a bait-and-switch at FCO, overcharged €1342, AVIS admitted their mistake—then refused to refund. How can I rent from them again?
Details: In September, AVIS overcharged me €1342 on a 50-day rental from FCO to MXP—a clear bait and switch at the FCO Preferred counter. I booked online from the U.S. for an estimated total of €2317, but at pickup, the agent split it into two contracts. When I asked why, I got no answer. When I asked if the total cost remained the same, she said, “Yes.” Jet-lagged, I signed without scrutinizing the details.
Later, I discovered unauthorized charges. On the phone, a live Customer Service representative admitted the mistake, promised a refund in 14 days—yet nothing came. Despite escalating twice in writing, including to AVIS Corporate directly, they refused to correct it, simply stating, “You signed the contracts.”
My mistakes? Trusting the agent’s word and waiting for the refund instead of disputing the charge immediately. After more than 30 rentals from FCO since 1993, always with AVIS, pleased with the past service, this is how a loyal customer is treated? How can I ever rent from AVIS again? Michael Iademarco Original confirmation number: 04626411US6