I know that car rental companies are getting more onerous in their restrictions on rentals. (Like low-mileage charges…)

I also previously discussed the reduction in the grace period from 59 minutes to 30 minutes at Hertz.

But yesterday, when I picked up a car from Dollar Rent a Car at Salt Lake City Airport, I was treated to two conditions in the contract that I’d never seen from a major rental agency at an airport:

- No grace period at all. None. Pick up the car at 12 noon, return it a week later at 12:10? Pay an extra hour.

- No taking the car out of state. I’ve seen this at Enterprise Rent-a-Car for insurance rentals, but at an airport? From a major agency that deals with tourists, businesspeople, etc.?

Dollar seems to be actively trying to alienate its customers. Is this a case of incompetence or malice?…