Travel Troubleshooter: Budget bills a $450 cleaning fee for dog hair to non-dog-owner

DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER:

Car rental companies have been clamping down on customers who trash their vehicles. I reviewed the correspondence between you and Budget, and here’s how it justified the fee. Budget said it would gladly remove the charge if you could show the condition of the car before you rented it. That’s a valid request. You should always take a picture of your car — inside and outside — before you leave the lot. If someone forgot to clean the vehicle, or if it has dings or dents on the outside, ask for a different car.

In the end, it’s difficult to prove you didn’t have a dog. I see cases like this all the time. Among the car rental companies’ favorite fees is charging nonsmokers a cleaning fee for “smoking” in a rental vehicle. But pet cleaning fees seem to be a close second. And it’s not limited to car rental companies. A few years ago, a vacation rental management company in Sedona, Arizona, tried to charge me for dog hair in my vacation rental. Yet, I don’t have a dog.

Holiday Holiday Latest News, Holiday Holiday Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Family travel 5: Reasons to be thankful for travel this fallDuring this season of gratitude, we are reminded of the many reasons we can be thankful for the freedom and opportunity to travel. Here are five to consider.
Source: TucsonStar - 🏆 339. / 59 Read more »

Why booking travel on your phone is a bad ideaWhile buying a flight on a phone is more convenient, it could be more costly. Here's why.
Source: dothaneagle - 🏆 337. / 59 Read more »

Travel diary: Tracking climate, migration and the far-right from Africa to EuropeWelcome to the travel blog for the NPR project that examined how the ripples of climate change radiate outward.
Source: KPBSnews - 🏆 240. / 63 Read more »

Carlucce's Brush Set is My Go To Travel-Friendly Makeup Brush KitName a more iconic duo – we dare you. 👯 These pro-level brushes are in this month's allurebeautybox.
Source: Allure_magazine - 🏆 473. / 51 Read more »

Arizona Cardinals travel to L.A. without Prater; center Rodney Hudson on injured reserveThe Arizona Cardinals on Saturday made some roster moves ahead of their game in Los Angeles against the Rams.
Source: azcentral - 🏆 585. / 51 Read more »

Why booking travel on your phone is a bad ideaWhile buying a flight on a phone is more convenient, it could be more costly. Here's why.
Source: TucsonStar - 🏆 339. / 59 Read more »