 Poster: A snowHead
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For years I've done most of my car hire booking direct with Hertz or Avis, and avoided being stung as a result.
However, last weekend there was a new fee at Avis Geneva swiss side:
CHF25 to prepay for snow chains or CHF70 (I think) if you don't prepay but actually need to use the chains (i.e. break the seal on the case). Of course, if you don't pay and don't use them (my situation) then they are still "free".
All cars still have chains in them (thus meet legal requirement), but basically it's a gamble as to whether you'll need them or not; if you think you will, its CHF25 but if you think you won't and then use them, its almost 3x that.
I think this is a new thing, I wasn't hit by it at Xmas.
Interestingly, they didn't check the seal on the chains when I returned the car.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Probably a result of the number of idiots destroying chains by misuse.
Geneva side you will of course have snow tyres so even in snowy weather mostly won’t need chains.
It’s a reasonable gamble.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Have the free ones, get to a supermarket and get a ch15 set then use those if needed?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
Probably a result of the number of idiots destroying chains by misuse.
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Unlikely....it's another sharp practice from car hire companies in which they threaten you with a wholly unreasonable charge (CHF75 - you could buy a new set of chains for that), to coerce you into paying CHF25 for peace of mind. It's similar to what they've done with car hire excesses, where the uninsured excess has risen from a few hundred pounds to £3-4,000, to try to get you to buy their overpriced excess protection insurance (typically around £20/day, when it can be bought separately from an independent insurer for about a third of that figure).
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Go on Twitter and let them know.
EG BA have a resolution team that sit on twitter and sort things out. I did the same to EasyJet and was sorted in 2 days.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Julian T, maybe. But if I hired cars out and had my entire fleet of chains destroyed in one night I’d be getting grumpy. As has happened (both).
Car rental is a very funny business ...
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Europcar charged me 25 Francs in December for the same thing. 1st time for me, as well... 
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I’ve hired through Avis for a collection next week. I added snow chains on booking as I didn’t realise they would have been in the car regardless. Happy to pay 25 CHF for piece of mind if I use them or not.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Take some tiny tie-wraps and cutters 
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@altis, I was intending to take a photo of the relevant zip tie and post it on here, but as usual the car hire and airport faff at the end meant I forgot!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I like the idea of taking a zip tie with you...that will teach them!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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What's the story here? Company offers optional service which, if used, incurrs a fee?
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@froomie, company changes its policy from prior years (unannounced, and not specified on its website) and charges for something that's been included for over a decade.
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Poster: A snowHead
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altis,
Or, if it's a conventional cable tie, a small screwdriver or pen knife (checked in with luggage, of course..) to open it.
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FAQ
had a funny five minutes 