Rental car companies don't have great reputations as many of them seem to have no idea that you're coming even though you made a reservation. An industry that should know its entire demand outside of walk-ups has never seemed to staff its stores based on the knowledge.
During busier times, companies like Dollar, Hertz, and Sixt don't seem to add workers, or print rental contracts in advance. In fact, the entire industry seems based on outdated technology.
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It should not take 15 minutes to actually fill out your paperwork, but it usually does, and that includes having to navigate a gauntlet of scams. Do you want insurance? It's hard to know because your actual car insurance policy and some credit cards may protect you.
Even harder is the question about filling up the gas tank. It's usually cheaper to do it yourself, unless you intend to use more than one full tank, but unless you know that there's a gas station near the rental car return (there rarely is) then you run the risk of paying a penalty.
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It's a confounding process where it only pays to be loyal if you're a frequent renter. Bring loyal comes with a lot less hassle, but infrequent renters generally spend much less by shopping each rental player for the best price.
Few people like any of these companies which seem to be engineered to add hassle to your trip. Now, a big name national rental brand appears to have abruptly shut down.
Image source: Getty Images
Advantage Rent A Car may have closed
While the company has not released a statement, and franchised operations appear to still be open, it appears like a major car rental brand has begun shutting down.
“Advantage Rent A Car appears to be shutting down. The Las Vegas location apparently closed last week. Their flagship headquarters Orlando airport location closed yesterday. Franchise locations appear to still be open. A Dallas off-airport location also shows closed, and I’m hearing Denver as well,” View From the Wing's Gary Leff reported.
Leff got his information from Jonathan of Autoslash “which is both a great source of absolute best deals on car rentals and awareness for what’s going on in the industry,” he wrote.
Calls to multiple Advantage Rent A Car locations were answered by machines and it was not possible to get a human on the phone.
Advantage is still taking reservations its website. The company makes no mention of its apparent shutdown. It does share its rental car pledge:
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“We are happy to offer free changes to your reservations to better accommodate your travel schedules or any interruptions in your trip. If you have to cancel your reservation, please contact our support center and we would be happy to cancel your reservation without any additional fees,” it posted.
This would be a fourth Advantage Rent A. Car bankruptcy
Advantage did not return an email from TheStreet asking for clarity on its operations. The company has not posted on its Facebook page since late April.
Reviews for the brand on Yelp for the Orlando location are scathing and the company has a 1 1/2 out of 5 star overall rating out of 324 reviews.
“I really regret not reading the reviews before booking with this company. I made a last-minute reservation and didn't do my research–big mistake. Do not rent from here. You have to take a shuttle to a remote location, and the price you see online is completely misleading. I booked a car for three days at $70, but after all the hidden fees and surprise charges, I ended up paying $210,” Kierstin K, wrote.
Nalini P also gave the company a 1-star review.
“DO NOT rent from this company. I had a reservation, my flight was delayed i contacted Advantage and I was told my reservation was cancelled because i will not be at the time for when I booked it for pick up. I told them not to cancel I do need the rental.” they wrote.
The reviewer was angry about the situation and does not believe any other company would have operated this way.
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“Any other rental will hold your car or call you. I had control over flight…I ended up paying over $500. extra for this vehicle because according to them my reservation was canceled cause i did not come at the time of booking so i have to pay the rate that was given to me at that time i arrived at the car rental.”
Leff was not able to find any evidence of a new bankruptcy filing.
