Budget Car Rental

I am a pretty easy going guy, and have never felt compelled to throw a business under the bus… until now. These guys doubled my quoted rental car price with BS «insurance.» I just wanted to get on with my day so I rolled with the punches (for those wondering… the total went from $ 170 to $ 330). I returned the car in perfect condition, the guys at Budget inspected it and agreed that the final price would be $ 330. I logged on to check my finances only to find a mysterious $ 1700 charge to my credit card from Budget, made some time after I dropped the car off. I had to report fraud, and at this time there is no guarantee that this will work out. Next time I am trying my luck with hitch hiking. These guys are crooks.

SCAM ALERT
After hearing several horror stories of how difficult it is to rent a car in Mexico, I called Budget International to ask if any of the stories were true. I had heard that people were forced to purchase insurance and if they didn’t they would be charged for non existing «damages» after they return the car. I had also heard that credit card information had been stolen and other «rumors». After speaking to the rep who clearly stated that NO i was not required to purchase any insurance and that my credit information was protected I felt more comfortable. Due to the nature of my credit card and personal insurance, its useless for me to purchase insurance when renting a car. The budget rep over the phone advised me that a hold of $ 100 plus the price of the rental would be placed upon picking up the car. The norm. Well– thats not how it went in Mexico (PVR). I was told I HAD to purchase insurance and if I opted not to, a hold of $ 10,000 would be placed on my credit card. I asked to speak to a Manager or to be contacted with Budget over the phone. I was told NO, that there was no Manager and that they would not call anyone at Budget. It was then followed by a «Listen, you want the car you take it and you pay, otherwise you can leave» this was said by a rep named HUGO (He denied providing me with his last name). I had no options at that point but to accept to purchase the insurance. Then he proceeded to tell me that a hold of $ 3000 would be held on my credit card. Now, being an Amex Platinum card holder I thankfully don’t have a spending limit, but I could imagine what a nightmare this would be for someone that didn’t have this credit card. Not only was I ripped off and forced to purchase insurance that I did not need, but I had to sign a blank slip with my credit card imprint on it. Giving them pretty much the freedom to charge whatever they wanted. I have also notified AMEX of this practice as it goes against their credit card procedures. This experience was a nightmare. Now I know why so many people rather pay for transportation than renting a car in Mexico. It was a very bitter way to begin our vacation.

The worst rip off scam going in Mexico — and there’s a lot of them.
They will rip you off on the ‘insurance’ then when you try to dispute it on your credit card, they take if off for a minute, then add it back on and say there’s nothing they can do.
There is one good rental car company in PV — check it out on Unilocal. Where you find the good and the bad.