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October 2024 by Alaaddin Erkan
Even though I returned my vehicle early, they charged me as if I returned it 2 days late. Don't forget to take a video recording when returning your vehicle.
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October 2024 by Rick Huffman
Review of Dollar Car Rental & PlatePass: Unethical Billing Practices
I recently rented a car from Dollar Car Rental at Buffalo Niagara International Airport and was hit with an undisclosed $139.95 fee from PlatePass after the rental period ended. Unfortunately, this experience has left me deeply disappointed with both companies, and I want to warn others about their unethical practices.
When my wife and I picked up the car, the EZ-Pass transponder was already open and active, and we were given no information at the rental desk about optional toll services like PlatePass. As tourists from a city without toll roads, we reasonably assumed the transponder was part of the service. At no point were we informed that using the transponder would automatically enroll us in a $139.95 PlatePass All-Inclusive package.
After returning home, Dollar and PlatePass attempted to charge my credit card, but the transaction was flagged as potential fraud. When I contacted them, they acknowledged that the fees were not clearly explained at pickup and offered only a partial fee reduction—still expecting me to pay administrative charges I never knowingly opted into.
The transponder was pre-activated when we got in the vehicle. We never had a chance to opt in or out. Even if the terms were buried in a lengthy rental contract, it is unreasonable to expect customers to comb through fine print for such critical information. It is clear that Dollar and PlatePass use this hidden-fee tactic to generate revenue at the expense of unsuspecting customers.
If you are planning to rent from Dollar or any company partnered with PlatePass, be extremely careful—check the transponder before driving off and ask detailed questions about their toll policy.
I hope Dollar and PlatePass address this deceptive practice. But as it stands, I will not be using their services again and strongly recommend renters consider other options to avoid similar issues. To be clear, Dollar/Thrifty/Hertz are all owned by the same company.
In 2011, a class action lawsuit was filed against Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, and their partner PlatePass over allegations of undisclosed and misleading toll-related fees. Customers reported being charged excessive administrative fees without proper disclosure, and some were enrolled in toll programs without their knowledge or consent.
The legal proceedings culminated in settlements between 2014 and 2019. Hertz agreed to an $11 million settlement to address complaints that it had charged customers without sufficient notice about the PlatePass fees. Dollar and Thrifty faced similar legal challenges.
These cases highlight a pattern of complaints about the lack of transparency in toll-related programs offered by the Hertz Corporation. Be warned. Better yet, choose another rental company.
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October 2024 by Stephen L
I had an issue with Dollar Car Rental at Buffalo Niagara International Airport regarding an overcharge. I rented the car from October 10, 2024, to October 13, 2024, and returned it on the 13th around 3 PM. However, I recently checked my invoice and discovered that it shows I returned the car on October 18, 2024, resulting in a charge for an entire week's rental.
I tried calling Dollar for assistance, but the only response was automated, and I couldn't get to speak with anyone who could help resolve the issue. Please be cautious and double-check your charges when renting a car.
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October 2024 by Dennis Edwards
I rented from Dollar but the people who helped me might have been Hertz employees. Cody, Dora and Omar went out of their way to help me get an item that I had forgotten on the back seat of a rental car that I had returned. Thank you very much to these 3 individuals.
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October 2024 by Shabsi Mertz
"I recently rented a car from Dollar Rent a Car at the Buffalo International Airport location and had a terrible experience. Unfortunately, I left my phone in the car when I returned it, and that's when the nightmare began.
I tried calling the location multiple times, but there's no way to connect with a live person.
The only way to claim a lost and found is through their website,
I filed a loss report, called customer service multiple times, and filled out the lost & found messaging reporting tool, all with no help nor response.
I didn't get any updates, even though I saw on their website that they found phones wasn't away to claim it, I tried to click on it but it simply didn't work!
I'm extremely disappointed in the lack of customer service and care from Dollar Rent a Car. Losing my phone was stressful enough, but the complete lack of response from the company has made it even more frustrating.
As a traveler, I expect more from a reputable car rental company like Dollar. It's unacceptable that they don't have a reliable system in place for handling lost items.
_Warning to others:_ Be careful when renting from Dollar at Buffalo International Airport. If you lose something, don't expect any help from their customer service team.
I hope someone from Dollar Rent a Car sees this review and takes steps to improve their lost and found system and customer service.
_Update:_ I'm still waiting to hear back from Dollar Rent a Car about my lost phone. It's been over a month and I've had no response.
I hope this review helps others make informed decisions when choosing a car rental company."
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October 2024 by Ashley Menna
I won't ever be renting from here again. It took us 2 hours to get our rental in spite of reserving weeks in advance. When we got there, there were people who had waited over 4 hours for a car. My husband is type 1 diabetic and there was no place for us to get anything to eat while waiting ( if you left you were taken off the list). Horrible service and the employees were rude
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October 2024 by K D
Reserved a car from 5:30pm, but I was told I have to wait at least two hours until next available car gets ready. Don't use Dollar if you don't want to waste your time and money, especially family trip.
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October 2024 by Rental Property
I just rented a car here for 5 days. My experience was nothing like the reviews on here. I was so worried based on the reviews, but my wait was 25 minutes to get to the counter, about 5 minutes at the counter and off I went to my car. I reserved mid size, Toyota Corolla or similar and got a 2023 Toyota Corolla with about 32K miles on it. The 2 guys working the counter were friendly and efficient and kept the line moving fast. I flew in around 2pm on a Saturday and had no issues.
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October 2024 by Zoran Pandiloski
I just returned my car. When I picked it up 2 days ago, ON the receipt was marked full fuel. When I picked up the car was half, just bellow half. I went back to advise, the clerk said "no worries I put notes, you neednto return it half"( I took picture from the dash as well ). I just returned the car at the airport, when I received final receipt, I was charged for 6 Gallons at $10.99, total $69.99 and I returned it 3/4 , more than what I received. Calling, forget it, good luck, you are talking to machine. I rent weekly vehicles due to travel this never happened to me.
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October 2024 by Allie
Oh my god. My partner booked a car a car but his license expired on the day we were to return the booking. Took us 3 hours because all the rental car systems are sooooo outdated and old. Nikki was my GIRL though. She came through for us and walked us through everything and made sure this didn’t ruin our quick trip. She went above and beyond and her understanding was so appreciated. Thank you!! Don’t recommend these rental car services but i 10000% recommend working with Nikki.
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October 2024 by Amanda Bittinger
Dollar makes you check in online and then you still have to wait 90
minutes before you get the keys after checking in. Repeat customers in line said it was normal to wait 2-4hrs to receive the keys.
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October 2024 by Joaquin Cortez
A rented a vehicle from Philadelphia Pennsylvania and I was vacationing in Canada. So I came here so they can extend my vehicle by one day. As soon as I got there I was approached by this skinny blonde girl with glasses. She asked to see my paperwork and then she immediately said she could not help me out because she couldn't do it. I told her you didn't even try, you just told me you just can't do it. So she began to argue with me. Her whole demeanor was just unprofessional and just unwilling to help me at any cost. When I tried to leave my vehicle so I can go talk to someone else she held the vehicle door closed. I could not believe she was doing that. I went to the counter, and I explained my situation to the gentleman who was sitting there. He was very nice and he WAS able to help me get my vehicle rental extended for one day. I don't know what was up her attitude.
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October 2024 by Deborah Kukuruda
AWFUL
WAITED ALMOST 2 HRS IN Buf
Only one person working the dollar rent a car counter.
And she us not nice
Where is her help??????
Enterprise has 3 people and they are moving right along
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October 2024 by K T
Don't rent from here EVER. They overbook and have no idea what the word reservation means. We waited 3 hours for a car. When they say they have a car for you, they really mean "we have a car if you wait 3 hours". Funnily enough they can't process refunds here too you have to loop through tedious customer service so you waste hours either way.
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October 2024 by ChknWyng
I will fly into Rochester , I will never use this airport due to dollar ever again, worst experience in my 40 years of flying , never again
