I was in Los Angeles for business yesterday and needed a car for the day, and I reserved a car online for about $50.00, including taxes and fees.

After dropping off the car, I took the shuttle back to LAX (Los Angeles International Airport), and looked at my receipt.  Much to my surprise, there was a $13.99 charge for Fuel Service.

I was asked when at the counter if I wanted the “Fuel Option” where they charge you a full tank’s price regardless of how many miles you drove prior to taking possession of the car, but I declined, and said I would fill the tank, which I did at the gas station down the block from the return lot.

I called the 1-800 number on the back of the receipt and asked why I was charged $13.99.  The semi-cordial customer service representative told me it was “a standard charge.”  I asked why is it standard when I declined the fuel option and filled up the tank on own.  She said it “just was,” without elaborating further.  She then told me she would remove the $13.99 from my credit card bill “because I was unhappy with the charge.”

Please re-read the reason, “Because I was unhappy with the charge!”  It was not because of an error, but because I complained.  I am wondering just how many people actually check and complain and how many $13.99’s they have banked.

I am smelling a class-action lawsuit against Avis, unless I really missed something here.

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