Q: I rented a car from Budget at Los Angeles International Airport recently. I returned the vehicle with a full tank of gas after stopping at a station a few blocks away.
After I dropped off the car, I received a receipt that indicated they would charge me a $90 fuel service fee. I immediately called Budget, and they agreed to reverse the charge.
Today I received a letter from Budget stating that they will charge me $125 for a cleaning fee. I absolutely dispute this.
I contacted Budget again and asked them to remove the cleaning fee. Budget refused. Supposedly, they had to send the car to a detailer for cleaning. They sent pictures of the car, but I am still disputing the charge. I feel as though I am being scammed. Can you help me get rid of this $125 cleaning fee?
A: If I didn't know any better, I'd say Budget was trying to make a little extra money off your rental — first with the refueling charge, then with a cleaning fee.
I'm glad you could get the refueling fee removed. Always remember to keep the gas station receipt and to take a picture of the gas gauge on "full," which will help prove that you returned your rental car with a full tank.
But the cleaning fee is a mystery. Budget sent you photos, but you say they are not of the car you rented. I'm reluctant to intervene in disputes like this. It's difficult to advocate in a "he said, she said" circumstance where no proof is available.
Sometimes, the car rental company makes a mistake. I recall a Budget case last year where the company tried to charge a customer $450 to clean up after his dog. He didn't have a dog. Could this be one of those times?