A UK traveler's three-week car rental in Los Angeles more than doubled in price after disputed charges appeared post-return—including a $400 "odor fee" that emerged following a confrontational interaction with a Sixt employee.
The case highlights growing concerns about questionable post-return fees from rental car companies and what travelers can do to protect themselves.
The traveler pre-booked a Toyota RAV4 from Sixt LAX for 21 days at approximately $650. Upon arrival, they were told no vehicle was available and offered a damaged Ford Escape as a temporary replacement, with promises of a free upgrade on Monday with no additional costs.
After completing the upgrade and returning the final vehicle with a full tank, no damage, and what they describe as normal cleanliness for a three-week rental, an aggressive employee confronted them about parking briefly outside the return area while unloading luggage—then photographed their license plate.
Weeks later in the UK, the traveler discovered additional charges: roughly $400 for insurance they'd been told was included in the resolution, plus an additional $400 "odor fee." The original $650 rental ballooned to over $1,400.
According to Consumer Reports rental car data, post-return dispute fees have increased 34% since 2020, with "cleaning fees" and "odor charges" among the most commonly contested.
The Better Business Bureau shows Sixt US has received over 400 complaints in the past year, with unexpected post-return charges representing a significant portion. Other rental companies face similar complaint patterns, but the aggressive fee structures appear concentrated at major airport locations.
How rental car odor fees work:
Companies claim authority to charge cleaning fees ranging from $150-500 for odors from smoke, pets, spilled food, or other sources that require professional detailing. Unlike damage charges with photo documentation, odor claims rely on subjective assessment by return staff.
