Consumer Alert: Beware of the forced car rental upgrade this summer!

Companies might charge you extra without telling you

When Peter Stalun rented a car from Sixt in Maui recently, the agent had bad news: The Mazda he reserved wasn't available.

But the agent had good news: Sixt would upgrade him to a BMW — for the same price.

Sixt gave him a BMW, as promised. But then it charged him an extra $315.

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