(Note: Clicking on a picture brings up a full resolution version of it, and a viewer that allows you to browse all the pictures)
Arrival Drama
The flight we booked arrived on schedule in Las Vegas at 9:30pm. I had a host book our Caesars room, and specially asked her to do what she needed to do to make sure our room was not given away due to our pre planned 10:30-ish check in time. The fact that I said this should tell you where this is heading.
I went to Diamond check in and after some typing, the agent told me that not only was the room I reserved and blocked off for me not available, but no other rooms were available. They were sold out. I assumed they would then take it upon themselves to resolve the situation, somehow. Maybe worst case, put us in Bally's or Paris. I stood there, and she stood behind the counter, staring. "Well what should we do?", I asked. She had a blank look on her face in dealing with this "valued Diamond customer". "We just travelled 10 hours to get here, we had a reservation, and the host blocked off a room, with notes about a 11pm check in, which one of you then assigned to someone else. What do you expect us to do now? What do you suggest?".
I guess she was hoping we'd drag our bags out and try to find a room somewhere else at 11pm on a Friday night? I wasn't going anywhere. I leaned my head forward, looked behind her check in desk station, and asked her if she thought a mattress would fit in there. She then chatted with another agent, and then when back to typing, and typing and typing. A few minutes later she said "there was another blocked off room, and they haven't checked in yet, so I'll assign you that room". Ironically, her solution was to do to someone else what had been done to me. I can only hope that this other party ended up being a total no-show, because now I had their room.
Hard to beat this view from the room! The tent in the lake was for the NFL Draft.
A Rental Car Deal that Stunk
The next morning I had a car rental reservation for pick-up, next door, at Bellagio. This was the first time I was able to save significant money by renting outside the airport.
In the morning I found the Avis booth, which is off the main driveway if you headed to Cosmo. Only one person was ahead of me at the desk. When I got to the desk, the attendant mentioned that only certain cars can be returned to the airport (I reserved that return location), and so there was only one vehicle there I could have. I was wondering what would have happened if I was next in line, and she gave this car to someone else. Anyway, I went into the Bellagio parking garage and found my rental.
There was one issue.... the car stunk.... literally. Like an all night cannabis convention had just been held in the vehicle. It wasn't just a scent, it reeked! I exited the garage and pulled up to the Avis desk area and went in to complain about it (good thing I did, as you will see later). She came out and wrote up a damage report about the odor, but repeated that she had no other cars to switch me with. I know I could have driven to the airport to switch cars, but the drive and process would have taken an hour, and we had a brunch reservation in less than an hour. I figured I'd just drive with the windows open for a few trips and the stench would leave.
The rep then told me, "oh, that car has a story". It was listed as missing at one point, and it was supposed to be returned in Colorado, days ago, but unexpectedly showed up in Las Vegas. Must have been an interesting trip. We drove with the windows partially open, but it took about 3 days for the odor to even begin to let up. If that wasn't all, as I first started it up, I noticed the fuel remaining estimate said 3 miles. Yes, this wonderful person left the gas tank with practically down to nothing but fumes, and yet Avis didn't bother to put any gas in it. I alerted the agent to the possibility that I might not make it to a gas station, and if so, I'd expect them to help me out. Yes, I am aware that typically the miles remaining estimate is conservative, but I wanted to plan for the worst. Lastly, we found a champagne cork under the seat, to complete the party in the car vibe.
So, after a stop on Flamingo for gas, we headed downtown, speeding on I15 towards the the Downtown Grand, windows open, full wind running through the car, trying to air the car out.
You'd think that with the check in drama, and now the smelly rental car from hell, I might be thinking this was a bad omen for the trip, but my mind was on what was ahead, that we had planned out for the trip.
Freedom Beat Brunch Leads to Another Deal!
In planning the trip, I was looking for something a bit different to try. I somehow came across the Downtown Grand website, and saw they have a weekend brunch in the Freedom Beat coffee shop, along with free live entertainment, a rarity in today's casino world. The icing on the cake was that they have a promo where a select few entrees are half price with a kiosk coupon generated after only $50 of coin in on video poker. It is against my "religion" to spend money on food in LV, when I have ample comps on several of my cards still, but we are all sinners, so I planned on sinning and spending for meal since it was a great deal, especially considering the meal came with musical entertainment. I did a quick look at a couple of videos from the entertainer for the day we'd be there, (https://yvonnesilva.com/) and said this would be fine.
So, we made the trek to Downtown Grand for brunch, the first morning of our trip, and parked in their self parking lot. I had no idea that their self parking garage was not new, like the rest of the hotel, but was a garage almost identical to the Four Queen garage in age and construction, across the street from the hotel. We quickly played our $50 coin in, and broke even. This play also qualified for validating parking to be free also.
This was so quick that we now had time to walk around the area, since our brunch reservation was still 20 or so minutes out. It was a bright sunny day, and in our walk we saw some kind of event next to the Mob Museum. We took a walk over and there were about 12 desks under sun shades where exhibitors talked about all sorts of safety issues, like bikes, fire, child safety, EMT, etc. And it was obvious that they were giving away freebies. It was called Community Safety Day. Despite not being locals, we were warmly accepted and encouraged to visit the booths. But the real coup was that they gave out cards to be checked off at each booth, and when you completed the card, you'd earn a free pass to enter the Mob Museum, a $30 per person value. A deal (brunch) that leads to another unexpected deal! Shades of the old Las Vegas, ironically, with nothing to do with a casino promotion, not surprising.
We were really pleasantly surprised at the entertainment. I had no prior experience seeing a "loop-performance artist" and it was interesting watching her do it. She would record little repeating bits, either guitar parts, backing vocals, or tapping the guitar body like a drum, right up on the stage, mostly without the PA system on, so this part was relatively quiet to the audience. She did these one by one. There were some foot pedals and a small tablet on the mic stand that she used to set this up. This was done pretty quickly, maybe in a minute. Then she'd start the song and the other backing tracks would play. In other words, a high tech one man band. I took a short video of one song. At the beginning, in the first 9 seconds, you can see where she is laying down the last of the 3-4 loop pieces, the guitar part. Then she kicks into the song.
While listening, we ordered the two entrees for half price, which were the two we'd probably pick anyway. One was an egg dish, the other, pancakes.
After that, we went back to finish off the booths at the expo outside, and we snagged a tape measure, some reflective safety wristbands for running/walking, pens/pencils, AND a couple of car air fresheners! How timely!
After this, we used the earned passes to visit the Mob Museum. I really had no prior interest in paying to visit before this, and was surprised the lowest admission price was $30, but for free, sure, we'd do it! Even after visiting, I don't think I'd pay for admission. Free was the right price, and we got to see it. Supposedly this promotion event goes on occasionally in the lot next to the Mob Museum.
For me, the interesting items were the historic casino collections.
Did my Yenta neighbor follow me to the Southpoint?
One dinner was at Don Vito's in the SouthPoint. Immediately behind me as I entered the restaurant was a woman that reminded me of my most pushy, obnoxious, annoying neighbor. Ironically, I had just seen this neighbor, the day before my flight (okay, it was 4 days earlier, but this makes a better story) at the local Post Office, ahead of me on the line, yakking loudly on her phone. But you can't judge a book by it's cover, right? Well it turns out this look-alike was seated, alone, at table only about 15 feet from us, and guess what? She was talking on the phone, loudly, in the restaurant. Since I had this neighbor vibe from her, I immediately considered asking to be moved to another table, as the potential was that if she was like my neighbor, that she'd be sitting there alone on the phone the entire meal. But once again, you can't judge a book by it's cover, so we we sat. Yak yak yak, we heard all about her "business" as she spoke on the phone. She "interrupted" her phone call to order a martini, and told the waiter that her tablemate was on his/her way. The yakking on the phone continued. I predicted right then that no one would be showing up. She sat there and drank while waiters would occasionally check if she would want to order food, but none was ordered. At some point, about 15 minutes later, for some reason, she placed the menu on the floor, leaning it against her chair. As to why she did that, your guess is as good as mine.
Still she drank, yakked, and told the world about all her talents. Finally, about a half hour after she was seated, she paid the check for the one drink without any food ordered, and left, as her tablemate never showed. I fully understand why they would do such a thing! Luckily we were only halfway through dinner, as we were able to enjoy the rest without having to listen to her phone voice. She turned out to be exactly like my neighbor! Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover.
Later, after the Yenta left, another stellar guest treated us to this sight, crack! Nothing like fine dining!
We attempted to use the free appetizer coupons from the American Casino guide, but were first initially rejected. The manager came over and said "you need to present the physical coupon from the book". I pointed out there was no more book, and the terms and conditions said it could be printed or just shown on the phone. The manager went back and 5 minutes later told me that I was correct. What I don't understand is that this was late April! Was I the first one to attempt to use this coupon at Don Vito's? To the rest of you who used this coupon for the rest of the year, you might have me to thank for not taking no for an answer, and breaking the ice, with this manager.
We had the one moderate priced breakfast buffet left in town, the Southpoint. They have free Bloody Mary's at breakfast. I figured since it came with the meal, I'd have a taste. I haven't had too many in the past to compare to, but this was the most awful drink, of any type, I've ever had. I couldn't tell if it was due to maybe the worst vodka, or the worst Bloody Mary mix, or both, but it was undrinkable. Two sips were all I could stand.
VP Play Days 1-3:
Well I brought what I thought was an ample amount of cash, but Day 1 was one of those 99% theoretical returns turning into a 90% actual return kind of beating that I know all too well. Day 2 was only a bit less worse. I'm looking at my bankroll, and the fact of 5 days of play remaining, I reluctantly decided, for insurance, to visit my bank's ATM for a withdrawal. At this rate, I'm looking at what a disaster this trip might turn out to be, based on this start!
Day 3 didn't start out any better, as through the day my play was more pain. I kept at the 99+% machines, currently playing volatile but high paying Double/ Double Double Bonus type games, in a 5 play. At last, late afternoon, I hit a few premium quads, so at least I stopped the bleeding. Just after dinner, I went on another premium quad run, and now was up for THAT day. I said to myself, if only I could keep this up, and hit a bunch of nice quads, that my goal would be to cash out at even for this play from Days 2&3. After dinner, the up run continued. Suddenly many of my 5 play 3 of a kind holds were hitting a premium quad. With each one I got closer to my goal, just hoping for a miracle, undoing a good portion of the prior losses. I regrouped and calculated that I was now one premium quad away from my goal, and was dealt a 3 of a kind. I just needed one quad on the 5 play to pretty much reach my goal. Well on the very first card of the first of the 5 play hands, I nailed the premium quad! I watched as the credits accumulated, knowing I'd be close to my goal, and wow, I was now exactly even, for the past 2 days! I kept my word and cashed out.
I then moved to Jacks or Better VP for some low volatile play to finish out my coin in goal. Well, I went on a run there! Hitting everything, and in an hour or so having a small but significant profit for the Day 2 to 3 period! I felt quite relieved! Disaster week avoided?
Using up Stations points
One of my longer term "to do's" is to spend the nice chunks of points that I've accumulated over the years at places that are no longer mecca's of value, good VP and deals. The leader of this list is Station "Get lost you visitors" Casinos. I had some points that were pre revamp of their program and could only be used for food. So, one dinner we looked at a Station's restaurant that we'd wanted to try that was reasonably priced. We decided on Blue Ribbon Sushi at Red Rock. Even though it is a sushi place, they had their legendary fried chicken on the menu. So the plan was for some sushi and fried chicken, without the wait and lines like at their Cosmopolitan location (chicken).
I rarely have fried chicken, but after tasting the Blue Ribbon fried chicken, I was less than impressed. Nothing wrong with it, but it didn't seem special or delicious. Just a nice crunchy crust on fried chicken. Happy though that we tried it. The sushi was fine, but again, nothing outstanding and awesome, just decent sushi.
Asian restaurant at Red Rock, with soup bowls suspended on steel poles.
But, we achieved the goal of spending some of my Stations meal points. Another portion of my points were convertible to cash, 1:1, so we took that option and cashed out those points. Now I have a meal or two left in points on my card, and then after that, I won't have to think about keeping my points alive by playing once a year, any longer.
VP Day 4
Midweek now, playing at an upstairs bar at the D, and it looks like another bad day. Buy in after buy in. "Luckily", I found a machine that played very fast, so I took out my frustration with speed. I don't often calculate my hands per hour, but since I was trying to plan the day and see what time I'd be finished with my coin in goal, I calculated my rate. I was playing at about 1,000 hands an hour. Playing fast tends to make the losses in a bad session more manageable for me, mentally. Less obsessing over missed draws. I had enough punishment for a while and it was time for dinner at Andiamo, never a disappointment.
Despite the losing, I was fortunate enough to be in a decent mood because a few seats away a longtime local senior (age 79) who was chatting with the bartender about the really old days in Las Vegas. I actually recorded some of it and thought it would be fun to post as a video, but the background music is so loud that it is hard to hear him, plus the music would be a copyright issue.
Anyway, among his stories were that the Mint casino didn't have doors, but had vents that would blow hot or cool air up or down, in place of doors, that would form a wall of air to keep the casino heat or A/C from escaping. As kids they loved to play in the air, and then run in to play a bit on the slots, hoping they didn't hit a jackpot, and then run out. Easy to do with no doors.
There was casino where Circa is, that was crooked, and was shut down by the gaming board for 90 days for having fixed dice...twice! Another story about how Sammy Davis Jr used to run through the casino, and then "jump up on a 21 table and yell 'Blackjack!'"
He also claimed the mob entered the El Rancho casino and threw firebombs in the casino because the mob was rejected by the owner. (the story sounds good, but didn't check out)
After dinner, I returned to the evil machines, playing faster and faster, just hoping to get this over with. I hadn't reached all my target coin in yet, so I went back to feeding the monster my cash, and watching it take it from me, with its great appetite. Five minutes later, I saw a bunch of clubs drawn to my two high cards, and in the first instant, was happy to see a rare runner, runner, runner flush, but the pay line jumped high, and the words Royal Flush appeared on the screen. Out of the blue, on a bad day of VP, a single line royal, after holding two cards! (A real royal in my book, one that typically puts one ahead for the week). I had almost completed my play at the time of the royal, and in fact if I had pulled my card and checked a few hands earlier, I would have seen that I met my coin in goal and stopped. I played 3 hands after the royal and Day 4 was complete, with a big win. Suddenly instead of being in fear of an all time high losing trip, I now had ample cash on hand!
Chart House at Golden Nugget
We ate at the Chart House and requested a table against the Aquarium, as usual. This time there was a "special guest", as a yellow eel was recently added to the tank. The waiter warned us that it tends to sit and hide much of the day, but we caught it in an energetic mood and having a short swim!
VP Play
Day 5 was a multi play day. I was torn between playing 10 play and 5 play games. The multi play machines take so long to deal the cards that it takes a lot more time for a given dollar amount of coin in. So I decided to at least start out, just before 7am, at a 10 play Bonus Poker machine, and if I needed to, drop down to 5 play.
Well I had a good start, and it was nice to not have to add to my initial buy in. And 15 minutes into my play, I hit an inside straight flush, holding 4. Just before an hour of play, I was dealt 4 Kings! My first nice pull at 10 hands of 4 of a kinds. Maybe this 10 play would work out for me. 15 minutes later, it got very good, as a QJ of hearts turned into a mini royal flush on one line! Now I had some real credits to bank on a long day of play on.. hopefully.
In the meantime, in addition to these big hands, I was dealt frequent 2 pairs, and hit enough draws on flushes, etc, to even slightly increase my credits as I continue to play. In the next hour, I landed another straight flush on one line, and in another hand, hit 4 Aces for the first time on one hand. My credits had increased since the royal flush!
Then another inside straight flush was hit. Now, 2.5 hours into my play, 3 Aces turned to four on one hand, just keeping me even for the past 45 minutes or so. Half an hour later, another inside straight flush. Still just holding my gains for the past hour or so, which is fine. 15 minutes later, I hit a single double inside straight flush. You kind of need something like that, every 20 minutes or so, to hold even.
For the next couple of hours, it was remarkable how non volatile this 10 play game was for me. No big runs down, just holding my own. It was so fun to play that I said to myself I'm not heading to breakfast until this run ends. I'll just keep racking up the coin in until the machine cools off.
Now I'm close to 5 hours of play, straight, and I finally get the hand that I've never had in my short experience at 10 play VP, a four to a royal hold, with 10 chances to hit the royal. I turned the game speed down to low so I could watch the cards dealt, and on hand #9, I hit the second mini royal of the day, of course pushing me up to a new daily high in credits! Now a nice win was assured. It was 11:30, but breakfast would wait. I didn't even take a bathroom break (didn't really feel the need to) nor did I stand up. I was pounding the machine for just under 5 hours straight, and saw no reason to stop, as I feared if I came back later, I'd probably be bleeding away my credits.
20 minutes later, I turned 3 Aces into four on one hand, for a new daily high in credits...... then, FOUR minutes later, dealt 3 Aces, I hit 4 Aces on two of the 10 hands! I'm tired, weary eyed, and stunned. I am not paranoid, but I'm having these thoughts of a slot manager being alerted to my now over 5 hours of play, being up huge, with no significant down runs during the day, and shutting down my machine in suspicion that something is wrong.
I stopped counting at 6 times of getting 5-6 flushes, out of 10 hands, on a four flush draw.
Then, just like Forrest Gump had said in the middle of the road after his 2nd long cross country run, I too, just short of 6 hours, straight, of play, suddenly stopped, and said, "I'm pretty tired, I think I'll go home now"! I hadn't noticed how many points I had run up in the day, but once I figured out the point total, in coin in, I suddenly noticed that this was now one of my top days of coin in, lifetime, in my LV history. I later calculated I had played 40,000 hands (10 at a time). It was the right time to stop! I stood up for the first time in 6 hours, and my legs felt like I had returned to Earth's gravity from a trip to outer space! I was pretty much done for the day, as I only played later, on our other card, for about 45 minutes, to qualify for a promotion. So effectively, my play was done for the day by 1pm, and it was time to eat "breakfast". Luckily the coffee shop served breakfast all day. I tried to process what had happened, but it was so off the charts that it was difficult to fathom. I've had many years of VP playing experiences, with all the ups and downs, but this session left me in awe. We enjoyed the rest of the day, much of it outdoors.
So now, this trip has turned from a bad one, to a VERY good one, with two days to go!
VP Play Day 6
Okay now, Day 6 is a day of Double Bonus, single line, which can be very volatile, but at least I have a nice bankroll now. I started early in the morning, again, put in my generous buy in, and got on with it. 15 minutes after my start, I hit my first quad of the day.... Aces! The first thing that went through my mind is that one of my worst all time sessions was a double bonus day where I hit Aces in the first 15 minutes, and proceeded to lose my shirt. I am happy with the start, but it means little, as I will be playing about 9,000 more hands on this day. Things then progressed.
25 minutes later - four Jacks.
10 minutes later, two Fives become four.
The last two quads still left me a bit lower than I was after the Aces, just to put this "success" in perspective.
36 minutes later, I get dealt four Sixes.
22 minutes later, 3 two's became 4, but still, believe it or not, just under my earlier credit total, post Aces!
This is beginning to feel a lot like my prior trip's great day of Double Bonus! Link to Oct 2021 Amazing VP
15 minutes later, I get dealt four 9's. Guess what? Still just under my earlier high. All these quads, and yet I'm just holding even since the Aces.
Now after a 50 minute drought, before four 3's bring me UP TO a couple of hundred credits lower than after my Aces! Just treading water since the early Aces.
Time for a breakfast break and some free time.
(continued later.....)
Custom Upscale Exotic Vehicle Show at Arizona Charlie's Decatur
We stopped at Arizona Charlie's Decatur to keep my TrueRewards points alive, most of which were earned at Aquarius Laughlin. Only at such a place can such a sight be seen! This clearly experimental, state of the art, low air resistance vehicle was parked in the lot. No doubt one of the designers had parked it there on a test drive, not realizing that others like myself, with a keen eye for detail, would notice the subtle performance improvements on the experimental vehicle in the lot.
Lastly note the customized potential vehicle "marketing slogan" beneath the "Fusion" nameplate on the trunk. (Click on the photo for a better view). Perhaps this was also the manufacturers code name for this prototype vehicle.
The designers no doubt had experimented with different amounts of special sealant tape for the front passengers side window, and found that 5 pieces was the best choice. Once again, safely secured to the vehicle in the optimum aerodynamic placement. Probably some wind tunnel experiments helped them decide the exact placement, leaving two inches of space between the glass and the door pillar.
Please don't think this vehicle was "modified" on the Arizona Charlie's grounds. No, it was driven here from elsewhere! None of the remnants of the "aerodynamic improvements" were found in the lot under the car. Think of the looks this car must get, driving by, through town! I'm so thankful that I'm one of the lucky ones to see it, up close, in person, before it goes into full production, for sale at high end, rare car showrooms!
Day 6 Continued
Getting back to "work" after another mini drought first gave me four 6's which, ready for this, brought me from DOWN for the day, to slightly up. Yes, before that quad I was then down, for the entire day, and the Aces are a distant memory. Impressed?
2 minutes later, four 2's. Another run up?
7 minutes later, four 4's... finally at a new high for the day. Easy, right?
20 minutes later, Tens brought me just back to where I was 20 minutes ago.
A 40 minute mini drought ended with four 3's, now back to where I was, post Aces!
15 minutes later 3 Aces became four, for the second Aces quad of the day! Now we're getting somewhere!
4 minutes after the quad Aces, 2 Aces become four, and now I had achieved 3 quad Aces in a day, and of course at a major new high for the day! I'm not getting up now if you paid me!
I kid you not, 1 minute later two fours become four! How's that for a 5 minute run?
Is the run over? Wait, 3 minutes later, Kings!
A whole 8 minutes later for four 6's. I'm up well over 1/2 a royal flush now.
22 minutes later, Jacks. Now I'm up almost 3/4 of a royal flush!
13 minutes later, I nailed a double outside straight flush.
The last 3 quads and straight flush just held me even for that period~
Next though, I hit a two hour quadless drought that wiped out a huge amount of my gains!!!!!
Dinner break!
10 minutes after I restart after dinner, hoping to end this quad drought... OMG holding two, and I get two more Aces for the 4th Aces quad of the day!
3 minutes later, I am dealt four 9's and I'm back on the big upswing.
1 minute later, four 2's. Guess what? I'm back to where I was before the drought! In just 15 minutes!
15 minutes later, four 7's
5 minutes later, I hit a 3 card single card inside flush.
5 minutes later, 3 Fours become four! We are back to crazy town!
15 minutes later, Four 4's again!
15 minutes later, JJJJ
Next, over an hour of quad drought, to end the day, not as much up as my October DB day, when I was up 3/4 of a royal flush, but up over a half a royal.
I've hit my coin in goals after a long day of play, time to cash out and call it a day!
This trip, which started as a losing trip was now a big winner. Hard to believe.
I have one day to go, at a Jacks or Better game, which means even if I do horribly I am assured of a great winning week.
After a boring moderate loss day at Jacks or Better, I decided to try playing at Binion's, on the "gas promo" for extra free play. My losses in less than an hour, even with a four of a kind were shocking. There was no way I was going to make it even to the first $25 free play promo level, at this rate, without ending my trip on a very sour note. Hard to believe I was playing 10 play Bonus poker (of course at a much lower denomination) for hours without seeing anything like this one hour loss.
And with that, a top 10 all time winning trip was in the books.
On the way back, the car rental shuttle driver was ex-Seattle running back Shaun Alexander's former housemate for years, and he looked like he came right out of the active linebacker spot. He had the best personality of any driver we've ever had, too!
EPILOGUE
But, there was a post trip related event. I was cleaning out my personal item travel bag and came across the car rental receipts. Event though it was now 2 weeks since we returned, I put it aside while disposing of my casino mailers from the trip, just to be safe.
Well wouldn't you know, about a week later, I received a letter in the mail, from Avis. From the looks of it, I knew it was going to be trouble, as they don't mail receipts after rentals. Sure enough, it was a letter notifying me of a $450 charge, due for cleaning "smoke smell" from the car!
What is most ironic is they raised this issue even though after about 3 days of driving with the window, the odor was down to reasonable levels, and 90% of the odor we experienced was gone by the end of the trip. Yet after 7 days, Avis still felt the odor was objectionable enough to fine me! I would have loved to seen their reaction if they had experienced the ten times stronger odor in the car on the day they rented it to me!
Anyway, this was potentially going to be an interesting "discussion". I called the customer rep and gave my detailed version of events, and how after notifying at the agent at pickup about the odor, I was told this was the only vehicle available, along with the history of the car being missing, and returned in NV instead of CO, which I wouldn't have known unless I had discussed all this with the agent. While speaking, I fumbled through the rental paperwork, and found a damage report that it turned out I filed at a time of pick up! I hadn't remembered I had done this, as pick up day was pretty hectic.
Well the first thing in the pick up damage report, filled out by the agent, and signed by me was, "Marijuana odor". Even I was shocked, and I asked the agent why they didn't consult their own paperwork of the vehicles original condition at the rental before assessing me with a fine. Obviously this was a rock solid case. It took about a half hour to go through the details, but they agreed to removed the charge, and give me a coupon credit for a future rental.
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