Stride Rent A Car

- 2301 NW 33rd Ave, Miami, FL 33142

For those of us living in the vibrant state of Florida, or planning a visit to its exciting cities like Miami, securing reliable and hassle-free transportation is often at the top of our minds. The choice of a car rental company can significantly impact your overall experience, transforming a smooth trip into a stressful ordeal if not chosen wisely. In the competitive Miami car rental market, it's essential for Floridians to be well-informed and cautious when selecting a provider. Today, we're going to delve into the experiences shared by customers of Stride Rent A Car, located in Miami, to help you understand potential considerations before making your rental decision.

While many car rental companies strive to offer convenient and dependable services, the experiences reported by some customers of Stride Rent A Car at their Miami location raise several red flags that potential renters should be aware of. These accounts detail concerns ranging from unexpected charges and vehicle condition issues to challenges with customer service and reservation management. For Floridians, who often rely on straightforward and transparent services for their personal and travel needs, understanding these reported experiences is vital. This article aims to provide a factual summary of these customer testimonials, enabling you to make a more informed choice and prioritize peace of mind when arranging your transportation in the Sunshine State.

Stride Rent A Car is located at 2301 NW 33rd Ave, Miami, FL 33142, USA. This address places them off-site from the main Miami International Airport (MIA) rental car center. As such, direct access is not available from the airport terminal, and customers typically rely on a shuttle service to reach their location.

According to customer feedback, this off-airport location and the reliance on a shuttle service can be a point of concern. One reviewer explicitly stated, "First, it is not located at the airport." While Stride's website mentions shuttle services from MIA (requiring customers to take the MIA Mover to the Rental Car Center and then look for a Stride/NEXTCAR shuttle), some customers have reported long wait times for these shuttles or difficulties locating them. Upon arrival at the facility, some have also described the location itself as "not very clean or safe looking," which can impact the initial impression of accessibility and comfort. For locals, navigating to an off-airport site requires additional time and planning, and any discrepancies in shuttle service or the appearance of the facility can add unexpected friction to the rental process.

Stride Rent A Car typically advertises a range of car rental services, as is common for agencies in the Miami area. However, the execution of these services, as reported by customers, presents significant concerns:

• Vehicle Rentals: They offer various vehicle types, including compact cars, luxury cars, mini vans, and maxi vans, for pleasure or business travel throughout Florida. However, customers have reported issues with receiving the reserved vehicle type, sometimes being given larger cars than requested due to unavailability, or finding the vehicles in poor condition.
• Shuttle Service: Stride offers complimentary shuttle service to and from major airports, including MIA, FLL, MCO, and TPA, to their rental offices. However, customer reviews frequently cite long wait times for shuttles, or issues with them being unavailable.
• Flexible Rental Durations: Stride offers flexible rental periods, including daily, weekly, and longer-term options. However, experiences with sudden cancellations or inability to honor reservations have been reported.
• Insurance and Add-ons: Like other rental companies, they offer various insurance options (e.g., Collision Damage Waiver CDW, Glass and Tire Cover GTC, Personal Accident Insurance PAI/PEC) and additional services (e.g., child safety seats, SunPass/tolls). A major concern from customers is the alleged lack of transparency regarding mandatory "add-ons," particularly high daily charges for tolls (e.g., $14/day to $25.99/day for SunPass) and instances where personal or credit card insurance was reportedly not accepted, forcing customers to purchase their expensive insurance.
• Security Deposits: Stride requires a security deposit, with customers reporting amounts ranging from $250 to $1000+. Significant issues have been reported regarding the return of these deposits, with some customers stating they were never refunded despite returning the car in good condition.
• Customer Service: While Stride aims to provide support, customer reviews describe "unsatisfactory wait times," "pathetic unethical and no sense of politeness" from staff, and difficulty in resolving issues, with some reports of calls and emails going unanswered.

While a business aims to showcase positive features, it is imperative to represent the actual experiences reported by customers of Stride Rent A Car. These reviews highlight significant and recurring issues that serve as critical points of awareness rather than typical "highlights":

• Allegations of Scamming and Deception: Multiple reviews use strong language like "SCAM," "rip off," and "total scam outfit," accusing the company of deceptive practices, particularly concerning hidden charges and deposits. One customer explicitly warns, "STAY AWAY from this company!"
• Hidden and Mandatory Fees: A pervasive complaint revolves around unexpected and often mandatory "add-ons" and fees not disclosed during the initial booking. This includes high daily charges for tolls and forced purchases of their insurance despite existing coverage, significantly inflating the final price.
• Poor Vehicle Condition: Customers frequently reported receiving vehicles with "dents, stained dirty seats and overall interior," and even safety issues like "no window washing fluid" during rain, leading to dangerous driving conditions. Another review mentions a car "making weird noises and a bad tire."
• Disputed Damages and Deposit Refunds: A critical concern is the alleged attempt to charge customers for pre-existing damages upon return, with the company reportedly "conveniently" unable to find their own initial photos. Furthermore, many customers state their security deposits were never returned, despite the vehicle being returned in good condition.
• Unsatisfactory Wait Times and Service at Pick-up: Reviewers consistently mention "unsatisfactory wait time to rent your vehicle" and significant delays in the pick-up process. Staff are described as unhelpful, rude, and dismissive, with one reviewer stating, "no one cares at all."
• Reservation and Availability Issues: Despite confirmed bookings, customers reported that their reservations could not be found, or that the specific car type was unavailable, sometimes leading to last-minute cancellations upon arrival or being forced into a different, often unsatisfactory, vehicle.
• Lack of Responsiveness Post-Rental: Customers attempting to dispute charges or inquire about unreturned deposits have reported that Stride "don’t answer emails or calls," leaving them with no recourse but to file credit card disputes.

For those needing to contact Stride Rent A Car, the provided information is:

Address: 2301 NW 33rd Ave, Miami, FL 33142, USA

Phone: (786) 492-9143

Mobile Phone: +1 786-492-9143

However, based on numerous customer reviews, potential renters should be aware that reported experiences include difficulties reaching the company by phone or receiving responses to emails, particularly concerning post-rental issues or disputes. It is highly recommended to consider this feedback when attempting to contact them.

Based on the extensive and consistently negative customer reviews provided, it is critically important for Florida residents to understand that Stride Rent A Car, particularly at its Miami location, appears to be an unsuitable option for their car rental needs. The suitability of a car rental service for locals hinges on factors such as reliability, transparency, fair pricing, and dependable customer support – all areas where Stride Rent A Car has received severe criticisms from multiple customers.

The recurring themes of "scam," "hidden fees," "trashed cars," "unreturned deposits," and "unsatisfactory wait times" paint a picture of a service that could lead to significant financial loss and immense frustration. For Floridians needing a vehicle for personal travel, business, or family, encountering such issues can severely disrupt plans and cause unnecessary stress. The concern about being charged for pre-existing damages or having large security deposits withheld without justification is particularly alarming and directly impacts a local's financial well-being and trust.

Furthermore, the reported difficulties in reaching the company for support or dispute resolution via phone or email, coupled with alleged unhelpful and unprofessional staff interactions, indicate a severe lack of essential customer service. For residents who rely on efficient and reliable services, especially when problems arise, such an experience is simply unacceptable.

In conclusion, while the goal of this article is to be informative and factual, the overwhelming evidence from customer experiences strongly advises Florida residents to exercise extreme caution, or preferably, to avoid Stride Rent A Car. The collective feedback indicates that instead of providing peace of mind, choosing this company could lead to a highly problematic and regrettable car rental experience. For locals seeking dependable and transparent transportation solutions in the Sunshine State, it is highly recommended to "Pay extra for the top brand rental companies. It’s worth the peace of mind!" as one distressed customer wisely advised.

Stride Rent A Car

2301 NW 33rd Ave, Miami, FL 33142, USA