22-Day Journey from the Northern to Southern End of Highway 1

Dollar is the worst rental company I've ever encountered. When picking up the car, I specifically told the attendant that I didn't need additional insurance. They verbally agreed, but still added over $200 in insurance. It was my fault for being in a rush to get to the hotel and trusting people I shouldn't have. I signed without reading the papers. Lesson learned. I returned the car with a full tank and went back to my country, but over a month later, they charged my credit card without any notification. This is the first time I've dealt with such a terrible company.

Dollar's service is good, convenient, and offers competitive prices. However, the counter at San Francisco Airport is very crowded and slow, requiring over half an hour of waiting.

Not bad.

About picking up the car. I rented from Dollar. The car was in good condition, but they secretly changed my Jeep Compass to a Nissan Rogue. After I complained, they switched it back. There was also an issue with hidden fees. They tried to make me buy liability insurance, claiming it was mandatory and illegal not to have it. This was totally false. Before going to California, I called my insurance company to check if my U.S. car insurance would cover the rental, and they confirmed it would. Dollar insisted I buy their insurance. I told them I had coverage and asked for it to be transferred, but they said it wasn't possible. The great thing about this rental service is that their SMS service told me that any mandatory charges had to be in writing. So, I asked the employee to write down and sign what insurance I needed to buy, and he backed off, saying it was optional. This guy was Indian, and his tactics had been reported by other customers. When dealing with him, stand firm and demand everything in writing with his signature; he'll give up on trying to overcharge you.

The pick-up point was easy to find. Just take the light rail after exiting airport security. The Asian customer service representative was very friendly.