Car rental cancelled after flight delay

Naid23

Hi,

just looking for some advice with an issue we had with car rental in Norway. We booked and paid for our rental a few months ago for a week here in Oslo.

We were delayed while in the air, bags went missing and then had to queue 35 mins at the car rental, by the time we got to the desk we got to the desk, our booking was cancelled, 25 minutes past our grace period time. We explained the delays and the fact that we were here at the rental place before the booking was cancelled but they just said “Nothing we can do, take it up with the booking place (We booked with thriffty and was supposed to be supplied by Hertz, who own Thriffty).

They then proceeded to tell us the size car we booked that was still sitting in the car park, was not available and only ones left were €1000!! We were seriously pissed and eventually managed to get a car through Sixt but still at a cost of €750. Thrifty have told us we are not entitled to a refund even though we were at the rental place on time,

Any advice of what we can do or where we should submit a complaint would be appreciated? We have travel insurance and booked on our credit card.

thanks

Dav010

If you used a credit card, try charge back, you didn’t receive the service you paid for even though you are at the pick up point during the allotted time. It isn’t your fault that their desk staff were busy or there were a lot of customers in front of you.

KevRossi

I found in the past that a solicitors letter helps a lot here. I used to work for a place that rented about 40 cars a month in Europe and North America for various employees. You get shafted on a regular basis. Emails go to and fro with no movement. Then the letter and suddenly it's a 'computer' or 'admin' error.

We have also had the issue as mentioned above when an employee waited over an hour for the car and was then told its not available. We got a full refund plus the difference as credit for renting the new car from another company. This was 20 years ago though and legislation may have changed.

Also if they are stalling and you are in the right it may help to doorstep their offices here in Dublin when you get back. Always be unfailingly polite and don't lose your temper.

Also important to note where it is deemed the contract was made.

Best of luck with it.

pat_sconce

Car Rental companies - even the big names - are dodgier that the worst estate agents and the worst car 2nd hand car dealers combined.

European Small Claims court procedure will sort it out

Dav010

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120883011#Comment_120883011

Would that apply in Norway?

beachhead

If,not applying then find the Norwegian version of consumer affairs office

pat_sconce

Forgot Norway is not in the EU and even though they are in the free trade (EFTA), small claims would be local.

However it is where the contract is made that matters and also the terms and conditions.

If you supplied the flight number, then you have 2 hours from landing.

If you didn't provide the flight number you have 2 hours from the time of the booking.

Always best to give the flight number.

If you have insurance it should be covered

Naid23

Thank you so much for the replies. We are back home Monday and i will be doing what I can to get it sorted.

Its an absolute scam in my opinion, and the fact that the car we booked was suddenly gone so soon after the booking made was nonsense.

appreciate all your help.