My turn for a rant...

[funkymonkey1111]

Easy to Monday morning quarterback this thing--but wonder if you could've just rented a car for two days, then just turned it in in Denver. Oops!

[Dave_L]

Back to the OP, this is one of the reasons why I hate flying. Driving may take longer but at least I'm in control of my schedule. I know that driving isn't always feasible but what a headache.

[RCCrawler]

Easy to Monday morning quarterback this thing--but wonder if you could've just rented a car for two days, then just turned it in in Denver. Oops!

I totally thought about doing that, but figured I'd probably get hit with some crazy outrageous fees. My uncle is a merchant marine and one time they were on shore on the east coast, he rented a car for what was supposed to be a couple days, then they found out the ship needed repairs and told him to just be in Seattle in a month to get on another ship. He just kept the rental car and toured the country. He didn't have a cell and no one cod get ahold of him. My grandpa had access to his bank account so my dad and grandpa hunted him down watching where his purchases were.

Anyway when hen he turned the car in in Seattle he had to pay a shit load. They charged him the normal rental, plus a fee for an unscheduled rental, plus a fee for returning it in a different location, plus a fee for shipping it back across the country.

1 thing that pisses me off about the system is that if I was a lowlife that had 10 maxed out credit cards, didn't pay my bills and had in the past filed bankruptcy they'd have rented me a car because I could have handed them a card. Since I choose to not live a life of debit, pay for what I purchase with money I have on hand and held the same job for 20years I get screwed.

The system is fucked. If you go to college max out student loans for degree in a career field that doesn't pay well we'll forgive those loans. If instead you choose to skip college and go straight to work and bust your ass from the bottom and make it to the top we'll just take money from your check to help pay for everyone else.

Everyday they make it easier for people to just sit on the couch and smoke weed, and harder for those of us who bust our asses.

[TheGrey]

What a wretched way to end what would otherwise be a perfectly good vacation!

Shop around for credit cards- there are CCs that won't charge you a yearly fee for the privilege of having a card, and you can rack up points that offer a discount on purchases.

Be aware that most credit card companies are bloodsucking weasels. That way, you won't be surprised.

[HoneyBadger]

1 thing that pisses me off about the system is that if I was a lowlife that had 10 maxed out credit cards, didn't pay my bills and had in the past filed bankruptcy they'd have rented me a car because I could have handed them a card. Since I choose to not live a life of debit, pay for what I purchase with money I have on hand and held the same job for 20years I get screwed.

The system is fucked. If you go to college max out student loans for degree in a career field that doesn't pay well we'll forgive those loans. If instead you choose to skip college and go straight to work and bust your ass from the bottom and make it to the top we'll just take money from your check to help pay for everyone else.

Everyday they make it easier for people to just sit on the couch and smoke weed, and harder for those of us who bust our asses.

Nailed it.

[Great-Kazoo]

What a wretched way to end what would otherwise be a perfectly good vacation!

Shop around for credit cards- there are CCs that won't charge you a yearly fee for the privilege of having a card, and you can rack up points that offer a discount on purchases.

Be aware that most credit card companies are bloodsucking weasels. That way, you won't be surprised.

I have my CC through our bank. Use it to buy tax stamps and occasional vehicle service.

IMO the rental places don't crack off with one way rentals , especially in large airport hubs.

[CHA-LEE]

I don't get it. Why go into "PANIC MODE" in that situation and spend a shit ton of extra money to get home a day earlier than what the original airline proposed as a solution? You and your family could have simply extended your vacation and enjoyed what the town had to offer, then fly out the next day. Sure, this might cost you an extra day of hotel or local rental, but that sure as hell wouldn't be $1800.

Lastly, we ALL know that the travel economy pretty much runs on credit cards. There would be no way that I would try to travel without a credit card. What cash you have in hand, in your bank account or what your credit score is doesn't matter when their requirement is the use of a Credit Card to secure a transaction.

Two lessons should have been learned here. First, Don't fly on "Cheap-O" airlines and expect "compensation" when they screw up. You do get what you pay for. Second, ALWAYS have a credit card available to leverage when traveling.

[RCCrawler]

I don't get it. Why go into "PANIC MODE" in that situation and spend a shit ton of extra money to get home a day earlier than what the original airline proposed as a solution? You and your family could have simply extended your vacation and enjoyed what the town had to offer, then fly out the next day. Sure, this might cost you an extra day of hotel or local rental, but that sure as hell wouldn't be $1800.

as I posted earlier the lady told me that there was no guarantee they could get us all on the same flight, and with 200 more pissed off people there I wasn't willing to risk it.

Lastly, we ALL know that the travel economy pretty much runs on credit cards. There would be no way that I would try to travel without a credit card. What cash you have in hand, in your bank account or what your credit score is doesn't matter when their requirement is the use of a Credit Card to secure a transaction.

I have traveled all around the country, been to 40+ states and have never owned a credit card, nor has it ever been an issue.

Two lessons should have been learned here. First, Don't fly on "Cheap-O" airlines and expect "compensation" when they screw up. You do get what you pay for. Second, ALWAYS have a credit card available to leverage when traveling.

Agreed with not flying cheap airlines, but I never expected compensation I only expected what I paid them to do, get me home.

I I will also be looking into getting a credit card even though I despise them.

[cstone]

Sorry to hear your vacation ended badly.

If I had a vehicle large enough, I would have come and picked you up and driven you home for less than $1000.

I hope this is the worst thing that has ever or ever will happen to your family while traveling as it soon will be over and you all will be home.

Be safe.

[theGinsue]

If you use a debit card they do a "soft" credit check that literally takes 2 seconds. For whatever reason this was denied for both my wife and I. I know my credit usually hovers just over 800 and hers just over 750 so we have no clue why we both got denied seperatly.

As I understand it, debit cards usually have a $300 or $500 maximum daily charge to reduce the effects of stolen cards. Avis likely tried to do their "soft" check for more than that amount - which resulted in the denial for each of you.

Just my best guess.

As far as not getting the reach around, the airlines have contracted that out to TSA these days. (Sorry Chuck, I couldn't resist)