Travel Leaders - As America's largest traditional travel agency company, Travel Leaders Group delive

Our new expert help forum will help you get assistance in real time. You can also find the names and numbers of key executives on our new company contact database or, if you need help from Chris, you can contact him directly . We're here to help!
By Christopher Elliott | February 11, 2011 Q uestion : I recently returned from a nine-day trip to Cancun, Mexico. Before arriving, I booked a car rental through Hotwire.com, accepting a midsize vehicle with Europcar for $9.80 a day. With taxes, my rental was supposed rental car atlanta hartsfield airport to come to $97.
Before leaving for my trip, I verified that my credit card company covered all types of rental car insurance and that no additional insurance rental car atlanta hartsfield airport should be purchased. When I arrived in Cancun, the Europcar agent insisted that it was company policy that I take the extra insurance, otherwise he could not rent me the car. He even insisted that this would have been on the Hotwire agreement page.
Reluctantly, I accepted the insurance. When I got home, I ended up being charged $268 for the rental car. The Hotwire and Europcar websites do not mention mandatory insurance, yet neither will compensate me for what I believe was an attempt to overcharge me for services. What can be done about this? Gordon Houston , Calgary, Canada
Answer : Ah, the old Mexican insurance scam! Regular readers of this column already know about this one. It goes something like this: You rent a car south of the border, believing the rate you ve been quoted includes all mandatory charges. But wait. When you get to the car rental counter, an associate tells you that without insurance, you re not going anywhere. So you pay.
Europcar and Hotwire offered you an unbelievably good rate for a rental car in Cancun. Even with the extra insurance, the $268 rate wasn t bad. But I agree with you. Hotwire should have disclosed the mandatory insurance, preferably in the initial price, and if not there, then at least sometime before you pushed the buy button.
Even Hotwire s fine print appears to do an inadequate job of warning customers of the Mexico rental car atlanta hartsfield airport insurance rules. In fact, it suggested the exact opposite : You will have the option to purchase insurance and add additional drivers to your contract at the rental counter for an additional charge, it says.
This lack of clear disclosure doesn t benefit Hotwire, rental car atlanta hartsfield airport or any other intermediary. It only helps the car rental company, which profits from selling you insurance. Still, Hotwire bears some responsibility for failing to quote you a total price, and it should have been more responsive to your complaint.
If you ever run into this problem again, run your complaint up the flagpole, in writing. First, through Hotwire s website (keep a copy of your e-mail for your own records) rental car atlanta hartsfield airport and then escalate it to a company executive.
To apply additional pressure, copy the insurance commissioner in your state and the nearest American rental car atlanta hartsfield airport consulate in Mexico. Even though neither will likely be able to help, it sends a signal to Hotwire and Europcar that you re serious about getting this situation resolved. As a last resort, you can dispute your credit card charges or sue Hotwire in small claims court.
Fortunately, none of that was necessary. I contacted Hotwire on your behalf. A representative phoned you and agreed to credit you for the extra money you were forced to spend on insurance. Christopher Elliott
Christopher Elliott is an author, journalist and consumer advocate. You can read more about him on his personal website or contact him at *protected email* . Got a question or comment? You can post it on the new forum .
Allianz Travel Insurance — The Allianz Travel Insurance company has built its reputation on partnering with agents all around the world to provide comprehensive travel insurance for their clients. Contact Allianz Travel Insurance for a comprehensive list of coverage.
Enterprise Holdings — Enterprise operates the largest fleet of vehicles in the world through a global network rental car atlanta hartsfield airport of more than 8,600 neighborhood and airport locations under the Enterprise Rent-A-Car , National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands.
Fareportal — Fareportal’s portfolio of brands, which include CheapOair and OneTravel , are dedicated to helping customers enjoy their trip. Whether you want to call, click, or use one of our travel apps, one thing is clear: We make it easy to take it easy.
Insuremyrentalcar.com – An independent rental car atlanta hartsfield airport provider of low cost CDW/LDW insurance for use with rental cars. Up to $100,000 cover with no deductible. Policies available on a per day, per trip or per year basis. Also works with overseas rentals. Try Insuremyrentalcar.com now.
Luggage Pros — Offers a huge selection of luggage, bags, briefcases, handbags, rental car atlanta hartsfield airport laptop bags, travel accessories and more. It comes with a low price guarantee and free shipping. There’s only one place to buy your next bag: Luggage Pros .
MedjetAssist — MedjetAssist is the premier global and domestic air-medical transport membership program for travelers. If you become hospitalized more than 150 miles from home, and you are a member of MedjetAssist, we will get you from that unfamiliar hospital all the way home to the hospital you trust. All you pay for this bedside-to-bedside is your membership fee. Become a Medjet member rental car atlanta hartsfield airport today and take advantage of discounted rates available for Elliott.org readers. We’re not insurance, we’re better: MedjetAssist .
refund.me - Helps passengers claim up to $800 per passenger for delayed rental car atlanta hartsfield airport or canceled flights to or from Europe, including on US airlines. With a success rate of over 94%, they are one of the leading passenger rights specialists in Europe and operate worldwide. Check your flight today!
rental car atlanta hartsfield airport Travel Insurance – Squaremouth.com helps travelers easily and instantly compare all the major travel insurance plans. To ensure customer satisfaction, only companies that meet squaremouth.com’s strict requirements make it into the system. You can save over 70 percent on your next policy at Squaremouth .
Travel rental car atlanta hartsfield airport Leaders - As America’s largest traditional travel agency company, Travel Leaders Group delivers high-touch, personalized travel expertise to leisure and corporate clients through our various brands, including our flagship Travel Leaders . Our knowledgeable travel agents are dedicated to delivering the best travel rental car atlanta hartsfield airport experiences. It’s our heart and soul. It’s all we do. We look forward to serving you.
HOW TO BE THE WORLD'S SMARTEST TRAVELER rental car atlanta hartsfield airport is the definitive manual for saving time, money and avoiding hassles when you're on the road . It's filled with expert advice and fascinating cases that will make you the world's smartest traveler. rental car atlanta hartsfield airport Order your copy now.