Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
When you travel, you expect a few things to go wrong—flight delays, long lines, maybe forgetting your toothbrush. But getting scammed by a well-known car rental company wasn’t something I anticipated. I want to share my experience with SIXT Car Rental, how a seemingly small “upgrade” turned into a costly mistake, and what you can do to avoid falling into the same trap.
A few months ago, I was planning a week long trip and needed a rental car. I didn’t need anything flashy—just something reliable to get from point A to point B. After some browsing, I settled on SIXT Car Rental. Their website was clean, the prices were competitive, and I reserved a mid-size sedan for around $300 for the week.
Simple enough, right?
That’s what I thought.
When I arrived at the SIXT counter to pick up my car, the agent gave me a big smile and said something that seemed like good news:
“Great news! I can upgraded you to a luxury SUV at a discount—just an extra $30 a day.”
I paused for a second. I didn’t ask for an upgrade, but the way it was pitched made it seem like a deal—like they were doing me a favor. I assumed the $30 a day was over the original $300 total (which would have been about $180 extra for the week), bringing my expected cost to $480 or so.
That assumption was a mistake.
In my travel-weary haze, I signed the rental agreement, got the keys to a sleek-looking SUV, and hit the road.
Fast forward to when I returned the car. I expected to see a final charge close to what I had calculated—somewhere around $480, maybe a bit more with taxes and fees.
Instead, my jaw dropped when I saw the final bill: over $750.
I stared at it for several seconds, thinking it had to be a mistake. But no, the agent explained that the upgrade was $30 extra per day on top of a completely new base rate for the SUV, not the sedan I originally booked.
In essence, the upgrade invalidated my original reservation price entirely. I wasn’t paying $30 per day—I was paying for a different class of car altogether, and that rate ended up being double.
Feeling duped, I had no choice, but to eat the cost of the trip and remember to not fall into the same trap again.
That was the moment I realized: this wasn’t a one-time misunderstanding. This was a tactic—a bait-and-switch scam disguised as customer service.
Looking back, it’s painfully obvious how I got tricked.
If you’re planning to rent a car—whether through SIXT or any other company—learn from my mistake. Here are some essential tips to avoid getting scammed:
Be skeptical of any so-called “upgrade.” Ask very specifically:
Get clear numbers, not vague language like “only $30 more.”
Don’t rely on verbal estimates. Insist on seeing the final estimated total cost before you sign anything. Compare it to your original reservation confirmation. If they won’t provide it, walk away.
Yes, it’s annoying. But those few minutes could save you hundreds of dollars. Look for sneaky language like “new base rate” or “price override.”
Snap photos of your original reservation, the car they give you, the rental agreement, and the final odometer/gas reading. It creates a paper trail that can help in disputes.
Rental counters are trained to upsell you: GPS, insurance, toll passes, roadside assistance, and vehicle upgrades. Most of it is unnecessary. Politely decline everything and stick to what you reserved.
Some credit cards offer rental insurance or purchase protections that can be helpful if you need to dispute a charge. Check your card’s policy before your trip.
If you feel you were misled, file a complaint with:
Even if you don’t get your money back, you’re helping expose shady practices.
You might be wondering: How do companies like SIXT get away with this?
The answer is simple: because they can.
The fine print protects them. The counter reps work on commission or quotas. And most customers don’t fight back because they’re too busy, tired, or unsure how to proceed.
Car rental companies know this. They count on it. They’ve optimized the system not for clarity, but for revenue extraction.
Until regulators step in—or enough consumers push back—this kind of behavior will continue.
Getting scammed by SIXT was frustrating and expensive. I felt embarrassed, angry, and powerless all at once. But it taught me a valuable lesson: Don’t trust smiles at the rental counter. Trust your paperwork.
From now on, I’ll approach every rental with suspicion and caution. And I hope this post helps you do the same.
If you’re reading this before a trip—take it as a sign. Be vigilant, ask questions, and don’t assume anything. The “upgrade” you’re offered may not be a gift—it might be a trap with a luxury price tag.