What can happen is you're assigned one car, but you end up in a different one and they (the rental company) doesn't properly document the new plate/car info before you leave the rental lot. The last time I rented a car, they called me about a week later asking when I would return the vehicle, and I told them I had returned it on X day, and here's a photo of the mileage etc... But the mileage they had and the vehicle location didn't match, as someone had driven it to another airport in the meantime... Basically, they thought I was in one vehicle, when really I was in a different one altogether and between the security footage and what info I could give them (I always take a picture of the mileage/gas level before i exit the car...) they figured out what happened. They actually worked with me to help find the solution, and clear it up. They were trying to charge me for an additional $1200 and report the car stolen initially. Just took being patient and working w/ them to sort it out. And this wasn't Hertz...
Idk if you paid for your gas with a debit or credit card. I’ve had luck with my credit card getting me my money back when I submitted proof and to a letter to them. I called first and explained. Your letter of explanation. Your purchase of gas near the airport in Sacramento. Why else would you be buying gas? You send copies of the emails to your credit card company. It might get your money back. They’ll just take it back from Hertz. Your explanation makes complete sense. In the meantime, I’ll tell others about your experience. I’ve used Hertz without problem in Nashville, but will probably use Enterprise in the future. I don’t like corporate fraud. I’m sorry that happened to you. Thanks for the heads up. Good luck.
Before you leave the house, find out if your own insurance companies or credit card companies will cover any issues with the rental companies or hotels. Always film your rental car when you get it--especially if you are coming from another state or far enough away that you won't drive to their place of business easily. Record any dents or scratches inside and out. Any dirtiness inside the car. Pay for everything using a credit card or keep receipts--let them photocopy the receipts if they want, but don't give them the originals. Before you return the vehicle, do the same thing with the filming to show the state it was returned, including gas level and mileage. No matter the company, this is good to do while you are traveling for any rentals or hotel rooms. CYA! CYA! CYA! Could save you thousands of dollars!
Even if it wasn’t intentional, you showed them proof with bank statement of their mistake. They had the opportunity to keep you as a customer but instead they lost a customer for life over $78. Very poor.
