Read last week's car rental horrors mailbag

Bad experience 1: We booked a fly drive to South Africa. The allotted car hirer was Avis. The booking was one way from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town. After we returned to the UK we had three charges on our credit card on successive months, all for the same amount. We corresponded with Avis and were told that it was traffic violation fines. We were totally unaware of having committed any offences. Eventually the charges were refunded. Bad experience 2: We booked a car through Air Miles for Portugal. At the Avis collection office in Lisbon we resisted all attempts to extract extra insurance. The agreement form listed various 'optional extras' including traffic license contribution, fuel costs and the insurance. None were ticked and no policy receipts were handed over. When returning the car (with a full tank of fuel) we were charged for the insurance. They would not return the money as they had our credit card imprint and said that we had signed the agreement. After contacting Air Miles we received a goodwill gesture of 50 per cent refund. General gripe: never getting the car you think you have ordered. Stephen Dray, Cranleigh, Surrey

Please complete the form below and your contribution will be considered for publication. It may be necessary to edit your comments. Please include your name, town and county/state of residence.

Times recommends

• October: the time for foodie breaks to France
• The 10 best winter sun music festivals
• Your Say Pick of the Week – Oct 6