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Rented a Kia in Boston near Logan Airport. The Kia drove fine except for the next to the last day of our vacation. After a day of touring in Cape Cod, on the drive back to our vacation rental,a check engine light came on, the power to the car was highly reduced, and pressing the accelorator did not increase speed. We limped back to our rental home. We got on the phone to the Advantage office where we had rented the car. We also heard the rant about us refusing to take out insurance on the performance of the car and ensuing towing issues. We never were told about the performance insurance. The smarty pants guy on the phone told us that he was pretty sure everyone is told about the insurance and he too began laughing when we became angry. He told us that we would need to get the Kia back to the rental office before another car could be exchanged. Of course the towing was going to be our responsibility to pay.

I got on the phone to my credit card company to find out what services or leverage they could provide. I decided to put the whole amount of the charge for the car in dispute until I knew how this situation was going to come out. They were shocked that we were told that we should have bought insurance to guarantee the performance of the car. I then called AAA as I have a Plus membership to check what services or protection I had in case I needed them. They also were shocked that we would need to buy insurance through Advantage to guarantee the car would function for the entire rental. I was satisfied that I had covered my bases. My sister in law found the phone number to Corporate Customer Service and talked with them about the situation. They could do nothing more file a complaint apparently. As this was becoming late at night, we decided that we would begin again in the morning.

In the morning, we went out to the car, turned it on and the engine light did not show up. It was a rainy day just outside of Boston so we were not out and about. On Sat. 6/8/13, we drove the car carefully back to the rental office. When we arrived we didn't recognize any of the personnel but waited to see what the paperwork and charges would add up to and any other events. The paperwork and charges were less than expected as the gasoline charge that we had agreed to was not on the bill. Nothing more was said and we went on to the airport.

I will remove the dispute on the charges but I will alert the credit card company to alert me to any additional charges from Advantage as after reading other horror stories, I am quite worried about what could come rolling in over the next year. I also was presented a rental contract but was not asked to sign it but it showed that we had not gotten insurance on the several items Advantage offers though we never were told about the insurances. The only paperwork I signed was a pre-rental agreement that said little. We certainly got the surprise of our lives by using Advantage and certainly will never use them again. It isn't fun to deal with issues like this while on vacation. I also did take a picture of the dash with the mileage and gas level to have proof when we turned the car in.

I cannot believe that Hertz and Advantage are in legal territory with this business practice. I believe the Attorney Generals of all the US states should give these two companies warnings to clean up their business practices.

Monetary Loss: $450.

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

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Guest

WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST CALL AAA IN THE FIRST PLACE DUH THATS WHAT IT FOR...

David V Ldf

You are right about the credit card, I did the same thing because of what they tried. you did not mention the card used BUT I used American Express Platumn when traveling and when ever I rent a car they add $9 a week to my card and that covers ALL the insurance and any problems. check with your card company they might handle it the same way

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