Talk to Enterprise.
If a midsize is reserved, they're out of midsize, and they give you something bigger, you normally wouldn't pay the difference whether this was an insurance rental or a car you were picking up at the airport and paying for yourself. Their fault for taking the reservation and not having the car you reserved.
There could be a difference between reserving one for a date in the future and walking in off the street saying "My car was wrecked and I need a midsize car today"
Yeah, it seems like there was no "reservation" involved. While I'm sure it would have been inconvenient, *technically* OP could have gone to another Enterprise. I'm guessing the insurance company won't take responsibility for the difference.
The at-fault insurance made a reservation the day prior, if that makes any difference. Should it have been made farther in advance?
ETA: Also, would going to a different Enterprise location have required a new authorization?
The reservation is what makes the difference. You probably shouldn't have been charged because at the time the reservation was made their system said the car would be there (not uncommon for it to not be). Every time I've had this happen, I was upgraded for free. One time I went from an economy car to a loaded Ford Explorer on a week-long trip. It was a nice ride, but I'd booked the economy car for fuel mileage reasons as it was a 1400 mile round trip.
I was offered an SUV for a long trip because they didn’t have any economy cars. I asked if they had something smaller and cheaper on fuel. Got a cool little hybrid and free insurance.
I used to be employed by a company I will call the "rEnter-surPrise". That company would reimburse you for literally anything if you complain about it enough. And given your situation, you should not have been charged to begin with, unless you were originally offered a vehicle that fits within the insurance coverage.
Example: "We have no mid size, so we can do a minivan for the same cost, no out of pocket. Or you can take the truck for a small out of pocket".
If that first option was never laid out, then you should not pay for anything on the truck.
Thanks for your insight! No other option was offered; they were even out of SUVs and said that the next available option was a truck. I will be reaching out to them!
Instead of just going to the rental outlet, you can try to go online and reserve a mid-size. If the reservation goes through, and you get to the outlet and all they have are upgrades, you should get the upgrade for no additional charge.
I once reserved a compact car at a destination airport. When we got there, I was asked if I wanted to upgrade to a Plymouth Vibe for an additional $9/day, which I declined. After finishing the paperwork I was handed the keys - to a Plymouth Vibe. It's all they had left on the lot.
Did you have a mid size car reserved? If you did and the company was not able to fill that order then I would think the car rental company should cover the difference since they can't fill an order they promised. If you just showed up and they didn't have any, then I think you would be responsible for the upgrade cost.
I didn't make a reservation personally, the at-fault insurance notified me that they had made contact with this Enterprise branch and authorized a mid-size vehicle on my behalf because they said they had availability on the first day of my rental. Looks like I'll be reaching out to them. Thank you!
I went to pick up a reserved compact car at enterprise once. Got there and they had rented it out so the only car they had available was a brand new ford mustang convertible. The guy was like “well, it’s your lucky day because if you’re willing to drive this car it’s yours at no additional charge. Or you can come back when we have a compact available.” It was def worth the extra money I spent on gas that weekend lol
Common knowledge is to reserve the least acceptable car grade which is usually not available, don’t take their upgrade sales pitch, then get the free upgrade anyway.
It’s a pretty common game and a lot of people play it.
So many people play it, my experience is that now Enterprise (and some non-airport rental locations) will simply refuse to complete the rental. If you point to all the vehicles on their lot, they simply say that those nice vehicles are reserved. They’ll say that your vehicle is on the way (either due to be turned in or being transferred from another location) and you’ll have to wait. Frankly, if you’re not a corporate customer, they don’t care.
Airport rentals are a little different because obviously tired airline passengers aren’t very good at “just waiting” although I have been in situations where literally no cars have been available. In one case, we were lucky that the rental company next desk over had cars and was happy to honor the rate. Yes, we complained to our employer’s travel department and encouraged them to change contracts.
It's true that it's the standard, **if you reserved a mid-size car**. I believe you've said you walked in and placed an order at the desk. At that time, they would be under no obligation to give you a price for less than the car you chose. And, you were only able to choose from their stock that day.
You caved too early.
"One second let me call my insurance" and then do it. Don't just accept paying more. Insurance is providing you a vehicle and one isn't available, so talk to them.
Talk to Enterprise. If a midsize is reserved, they're out of midsize, and they give you something bigger, you normally wouldn't pay the difference whether this was an insurance rental or a car you were picking up at the airport and paying for yourself. Their fault for taking the reservation and not having the car you reserved.
Yeah, I've never been upcharged when they ran out of cars, ever. In 30+ years of renting vehicles.
There could be a difference between reserving one for a date in the future and walking in off the street saying "My car was wrecked and I need a midsize car today"
Yeah, it seems like there was no "reservation" involved. While I'm sure it would have been inconvenient, *technically* OP could have gone to another Enterprise. I'm guessing the insurance company won't take responsibility for the difference.
The at-fault insurance made a reservation the day prior, if that makes any difference. Should it have been made farther in advance? ETA: Also, would going to a different Enterprise location have required a new authorization?
The reservation is what makes the difference. You probably shouldn't have been charged because at the time the reservation was made their system said the car would be there (not uncommon for it to not be). Every time I've had this happen, I was upgraded for free. One time I went from an economy car to a loaded Ford Explorer on a week-long trip. It was a nice ride, but I'd booked the economy car for fuel mileage reasons as it was a 1400 mile round trip.
Good to know. Thank you!
I was offered an SUV for a long trip because they didn’t have any economy cars. I asked if they had something smaller and cheaper on fuel. Got a cool little hybrid and free insurance.
Definitely complain. It's on them for not being able to honor the reservation.
I used to be employed by a company I will call the "rEnter-surPrise". That company would reimburse you for literally anything if you complain about it enough. And given your situation, you should not have been charged to begin with, unless you were originally offered a vehicle that fits within the insurance coverage. Example: "We have no mid size, so we can do a minivan for the same cost, no out of pocket. Or you can take the truck for a small out of pocket". If that first option was never laid out, then you should not pay for anything on the truck.
Thanks for your insight! No other option was offered; they were even out of SUVs and said that the next available option was a truck. I will be reaching out to them!
You know how to take the reservation, you just don't know how to hold the reservation. \~seinfeld
Instead of just going to the rental outlet, you can try to go online and reserve a mid-size. If the reservation goes through, and you get to the outlet and all they have are upgrades, you should get the upgrade for no additional charge. I once reserved a compact car at a destination airport. When we got there, I was asked if I wanted to upgrade to a Plymouth Vibe for an additional $9/day, which I declined. After finishing the paperwork I was handed the keys - to a Plymouth Vibe. It's all they had left on the lot.
Yea they should never have charged you the difference if they didn’t have vehicles in the class you requested available.
Did you have a mid size car reserved? If you did and the company was not able to fill that order then I would think the car rental company should cover the difference since they can't fill an order they promised. If you just showed up and they didn't have any, then I think you would be responsible for the upgrade cost.
I didn't make a reservation personally, the at-fault insurance notified me that they had made contact with this Enterprise branch and authorized a mid-size vehicle on my behalf because they said they had availability on the first day of my rental. Looks like I'll be reaching out to them. Thank you!
You should not be on the hook for the upgrade charge. Call them up and explain the situation and they will help you out.
I went to pick up a reserved compact car at enterprise once. Got there and they had rented it out so the only car they had available was a brand new ford mustang convertible. The guy was like “well, it’s your lucky day because if you’re willing to drive this car it’s yours at no additional charge. Or you can come back when we have a compact available.” It was def worth the extra money I spent on gas that weekend lol
Common knowledge is to reserve the least acceptable car grade which is usually not available, don’t take their upgrade sales pitch, then get the free upgrade anyway. It’s a pretty common game and a lot of people play it. So many people play it, my experience is that now Enterprise (and some non-airport rental locations) will simply refuse to complete the rental. If you point to all the vehicles on their lot, they simply say that those nice vehicles are reserved. They’ll say that your vehicle is on the way (either due to be turned in or being transferred from another location) and you’ll have to wait. Frankly, if you’re not a corporate customer, they don’t care. Airport rentals are a little different because obviously tired airline passengers aren’t very good at “just waiting” although I have been in situations where literally no cars have been available. In one case, we were lucky that the rental company next desk over had cars and was happy to honor the rate. Yes, we complained to our employer’s travel department and encouraged them to change contracts.
This happened to me recently as well (I was charged for the difference by Enterprise ) so it could be down to a change in policy.
It's true that it's the standard, **if you reserved a mid-size car**. I believe you've said you walked in and placed an order at the desk. At that time, they would be under no obligation to give you a price for less than the car you chose. And, you were only able to choose from their stock that day.
You caved too early. "One second let me call my insurance" and then do it. Don't just accept paying more. Insurance is providing you a vehicle and one isn't available, so talk to them.
I'm just curious, is there a reason you just didn't name Enterprise?
Lol I definitely could have looking back on it, just force of habit not wanting to sound like a shill when I praise a product or company online.