Creating this thread to discuss rental car options in 2025.
Specific question for today:
I have seen posts about Hertz using AI to assess damage after turning in your vehicle, which could result in significant charges for what might normally be overlooked by the human eye. Has anyone heard of this happening in real life in Orlando? Is the technology used for other providers?
It’s currently being used by Hertz and it’s subsidiaries – Dollar, Thrifty, Sixt. I don’t know if it’s at MCO yet, but Hertz is saying 100 airports by the end of 2025 so they’re rolling it out fast.
Of course it’s “AI” this and “AI” that. It’s not even artificial anything, it’s just comparing a before and after shot and looking for discrepancies. Of course, they’re taking the “AI machine” as gospel, and making you pay for it with very little recourse, maybe the only one being a charge back on your card.
I seem to recall Nick from Frequent Miler asking about this in their FB group. I think they said it may not be in use yet, but is in the works.
I used National this week, didn’t notice any signs or weird robots, but I’m not sure I was in the same corral on our return.
It is generally recommended that you take photos of the entire outside of the car you rent before you leave the rental facility. This way if they try to charge you for some pre-existing damage, you have some recourse to prove it wasn’t you. Probably a good idea whether or not they start using some automated system.
If the numerous posts on various sites are to be believed, it’s being rolled out.
I always do this. I think we might also have to add taking photos on return too?
I don’t rent often, but when I do I take a ton of photos of the outside and then I don’t leave until they’ve inspected it. With that said, I can see something as large as MCO not inspecting it immediately on return, vs smaller off-site places. I haven’t rented at MCO since 2019.
It’s really stupid to think any vehicle would be returned in 100% identical condition. Every day we drive any car small damages occur. This is very clearly a nickel-and-dime operation.
This wouldn’t even be an option at the places I have rented. Often I am dropping off my car in a sea of dozens of other cars that have also been returned just recently, or actively being returned. But then…this is always at an airport.
Yeah. Probably is a good idea!
Yeah. The last two rentals I had were after I’d been shuttled to an offsite location. (Saved $$$.) At MCO in 2019 I requested it. But that feels like eons ago.
They just do a very quick walk around most. Photos or video are key
I agree. But I also want them to sign off ASAP. It’s going to be hard to argue a claim 800 miles away.
The whole thing is stinky.
I 100% do this as well- someone driving the car or pulling up after you drop it can easily cause damage before they officially log the car in as inspected.
ETA: I should point out that when you drop at these large locations and the person checks you in, that is not an inspection. They are just checking the car in as returned.
Last year someone smashed our rental window in a parking garage overnight. Return person at Charlotte airport didn’t even notice until I pointed it out. Then, I had to seek out a manager at the location to see if there was any additional “paperwork” to be done. They just told us to go and they’d be in touch. Took almost a week before we heard anything about it from National, then more time for the estimate.
I wish you all the luck in the world with that at MCO at present 
Jeez you have bad luck with rentals my friend!
That was my only rental issue, the rest of the problems were all my own cars. 
Oh! I thought the stolen airbag was also a rental
No, had to drive all the way home from Miami with that gaping hole of a non-airbag mocking me. 
I realize the initial question was about being charged for damage after dropping off, but I wanted to add something about Costco Car Rentals. I think it’s the best deal for so many reasons: no cc required to reserve and a second driver for FREE.
We too always take pictures or/and a video of the car. Renting in the EU is very different, mainly paying in cash and higher rates for automatics. But there has been a lot in the news the past few years of different American car rental companies going after customers. Travel is stressful enough.
I have had great experience with Sixt at MCO, a German company. Highly recommend.