For a recent four day trip to Detroit with my wife, I booked my plane, hotel and rental car reservations through an online travel website. The flight to Detroit went fine, but when we arrived at the airport, we ran into a minor problem. As we were beginning the process of picking up our rental car, the attendant told me that I was the only driver listed on the reservation, and that in order for my wife to be added as a driver, it would cost an extra $11 a day. I told the attendant that this must be a mistake, but she simply replied that if I wanted my wife to drive the car, I was going to have to fork over an additional $44.

I’m a stubborn person, and the last thing I want to do is pay extra for something that isn’t my fault. I decided that I didn’t like the way I was being treated, and starting checking with other rental car companies to find a lower price. Lo and behold, when I talked to an Avis customer service rep, they were able to give me a better car for $50 less than the original price of the other company. Additionally, I saved the $44 that I was going to be charged!