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.
In this case, the traveler noted the car may have had "some crumbs, along with a receipt and a few coins in the centre compartment" but no food packaging, spills, smoke, or actual odors. This level of debris falls within normal use for a 21-day rental.
The timing raises red flags. The odor fee appeared only after the confrontational parking interaction where the employee photographed the license plate—suggesting potential retaliation rather than legitimate cleaning needs.
Protection strategies for travelers:
• Document everything - Take time-stamped photos and videos of the car's condition at pickup and return, including interior, exterior, odometer, and fuel level
• Return during staffed hours - Avoid after-hours dropoff where you can't get a signed condition report
• Request written confirmation - Get the return agent to sign off that the vehicle is returned in acceptable condition
• Use credit cards with rental coverage - Many premium credit cards provide secondary rental insurance and dispute resolution support
• Video the return process - A continuous video from parking through final walkthrough creates indisputable evidence
• Dispute charges immediately - Contact both the rental company and your credit card company the same day unexpected charges appear
Consumer protection laws vary by state. California law requires rental companies to provide itemized invoices and allow customers to inspect vehicles before accepting damage claims, though enforcement remains inconsistent.
Multiple r/TravelHacks commenters shared similar experiences. One reported a $350 cleaning fee from Sixt LAX for "sand in the vehicle" after a beach trip—despite returning it vacuumed. Another successfully disputed an odor charge by providing time-stamped photos showing a clean interior.
The US Department of Transportation provides guidance on rental car consumer rights, though jurisdiction issues complicate complaints when renters have already left the country.
For this UK traveler, the dispute process involves credit card chargeback procedures across international borders—a complex situation that may take months to resolve.
Industry insiders suggest post-return fees have become a profit center for rental companies facing compressed margins on base rates. An analysis by AutoSlash found major rental companies generate an estimated 12-18% of revenue from post-rental fees and charges.
The best travel isn't about the destination—it's about what you learn along the way. And sometimes what you learn is that five minutes of documentation can save hundreds in disputed fees.
