ArcaMax

Michael Margulis returns a Budget rental van in good condition, only to be hit with a $450 cleaning fee 18 days later. The car rental company's delayed inspection report cites dirty floor mats but doesn't offer proof or a cost breakdown. Can a vague charge hold up without evidence?

Q: I rented a van from Budget for a family trip this past ...Read more

Q: I booked a business class seat for my American Airlines flight from St. Thomas to Charlotte, North Carolina. But 45 minutes before boarding, a gate agent told me that my seat was broken, and I'd have to move to the main cabin. They promised a refund for the fare difference, plus a $500 inconvenience fee. Another agent printed a new boarding ...Read more

Q: I rented a car from Avis for a quick 7-hour trip between California airports. I returned the vehicle clean with no odors or damage. A week later, I received a $450 cleaning fee for a "heavy smoke smell," even though neither I nor my wife smoke. The company's "proof" included photos of dust and a form that was dated for three days after my ...Read more