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How I Got Scammed by SIXT Car Rental — And How You Can Avoid the Same Trap

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.


The Setup: Planning a Simple Trip

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.


The Bait: “I Can Get You A Discounted Upgrade!”

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.


The Switch: Surprise Charges

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.


The Denial: Hopelessness

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.


The Psychology of the Scam

Looking back, it’s painfully obvious how I got tricked.

  1. The Word “Upgrade” Feels Like a Gift
    When someone says, “I can get you a discounted upgrade,” your brain thinks: Great! More value for me! But in the car rental world, it often means: More money for them.
  2. Lack of Transparent Communication
    The agent never clearly stated that accepting the SUV would completely nullify my original rate and result in a much higher charge. They only mentioned the $30/day casually—as if it was a nominal charge added to the existing price.
  3. Signature Pressure at the Counter
    After a long flight or during a busy travel day, most people aren’t in the mindset to read fine print. Car rental counters capitalize on this fatigue. You’re rushed, you’re tired, and you’re told to sign here and here.
  4. Corporate Cover
    SIXT’s defense is always, “You signed the contract.” They rely on the legal safety net of your signature—even if their verbal explanation was misleading or incomplete.

How to Avoid This Trap

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:

1. Never Assume “Upgrade” Means Free or Cheap

Be skeptical of any so-called “upgrade.” Ask very specifically:

  • Is this free?
  • Will this change my original rate?
  • What is the total cost with all taxes and fees?

Get clear numbers, not vague language like “only $30 more.”

2. Get the Final Price in Writing Before Signing

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.

3. Read the Agreement, Even if You’re Tired

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.”

4. Take Photos and Document Everything

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.

5. Avoid Upsells Like the Plague

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.

6. Consider Using a Credit Card With Rental Insurance

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.

7. File a Complaint if You’re Misled

If you feel you were misled, file a complaint with:

  • Better Business Bureau (BBB)
  • Your state attorney general
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
  • Online review platforms (to warn others)

Even if you don’t get your money back, you’re helping expose shady practices.


The Bigger Picture: Why These Practices Continue

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.


Final Thoughts: Fool Me Once…

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.

theunemployedinvestor
theunemployedinvestor
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