Avis
reviews and complaints

In March of this year, we booked a flight and hotel for September 28, 2022 through October 5, 2022. At that time, we also reserved a car rental through your company. The confirmation number is 06817549US4.

Shortly thereafter, we discovered we needed to shorten our trip by two days, and we set out to change our flight and hotel reservations. We also tried to change our car rental reservation. We called Expedia and they said we had to call your Customer Service. We called your customer service and they said they could not change the rental dates or issue a refund for the unused days and told us we would have to do all that at the rental car desk as the time of pickup. We tried that on two different occasions prior to our trip.

When we picked up the car, we explained the situation to the person at the desk and they told us we would have to arrange for the refund once we returned the car. When we returned the car, the attendant told us we would have to contact Customer Service for a refund.

When we returned the car and returned home, we called Customer Service, and they told us they could not issue a refund on a pre-paid rental and there was nothing they could do.

I'm sorry, but that is unacceptable. We tried several times to get those times/dates changed prior to our trip and were told they could do nothing for us. Now we were told it was too late? I am very familiar with what good Customer Service looks like and thus far, this is NOT IT!

I am not in the habit of just handing out money for no services rendered. At best, this is absolute incompetence. At worst, this is fraudulent business practices. I am not sure which of these pertains here, but we are very close to never doing business with Budget/Avis again unless this can be resolved to our satisfaction by refunding the unused portion of our rental payment.

On August 14, 2022, I made a reservation through Costco Travel for an Avis rental car (Costco Travel Confirmation Number: C404689958 / Avis Confirmation Number: 37719941US0). The reservation was for an economy car for pickup at 11:00 am on September 24, 2002, at the Four Queens Hotel and Casino, 202 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101, US. The total cost of the rental car was quoted as $316.16.

When we arrived to pickup our car we were told that: (1) our reserved car was not available, (2) Avis was sold out of economy cars, and (3) the only available cars were SUVs and specialty cars.

This was the start of Avis’ elaborate Las Vegas Rental Car Upcharge Scam (“The Scam”).

This is how The Scam works.

1. Your Avis agent tells me that our car is not available and nothing else in our reserved car class is available.

2. Your Avis agent then tells me that the only cars available are SUVs and specialty cars, but in order to get one of these there would be an upcharge.

3. Your Avis agent, in typical “I am just trying to help you” scammer fashion, tells us that these vehicles typically have an upcharge cost of ~$200/day and he then tries to convince us he is doing us a big favor by cutting that upcharge cost in half (i.e., only $100 per day more).

4. I call Avis’ “customer service” to report this scam, and the customer service agent (Charlie) tells me that there is nothing he can do to help me unless I have a signed contract.

5. I am now in Las Vegas without the car I reserved and I therefore have no other choice but being forced to accept the scam rental that was extorted out of me by your Avis agent at a new cost of $797.66, or a total upcharge cost of $491.50.

6. I then called Avis’ “customer service” to see what they could do for me now that I had a signed contract. They only offered 30% of the upcharge. I would not accept this.

I refuse to be the victim of the Avis Las Vegas Rental Car Upcharge Scam.

I fully expect that the upcharge of $491.50 that Avis managed to extort from me will be refunded immediately.

In the interim, I will be filing a complaint with the BBB, and other Nevada and federal consumer protection agencies.

I will also be providing online reviews of Avis so that others can avoid this type of scam.

Finally, I will be disputing this charge with my credit card company.

Avis should be ashamed of this type of dishonest and unethical behavior (but probably isn’t).

I pre-paid for a car rental for a week. I picked up the vehicle, a Ford Edge [protected] on September 18 at 7:00 PM at the Portland Jetport, Portland Maine. On the way home I noticed some ride quality issues and noticed that one of the Tires (driver's side front) was set to 41 PSI while the rest were 35,36 PSI. I also noticed that the rear windshield wiper was not functioning. I attempted to return the car after being on hold twice with customer service for 1/2 hour minimum. When I arrived, an intake person deflated the tire and told me not to worry about the wiper.

I started the car the next morning and noticed that the tire on the passenger side front was now at 30 PSI, way low and the oil light had come on. I looked at the sticker on the window and discovered based on the light and the sticker that the oil was due to be changed on 08/01 at 41K miles. The vehicle was now at 45999, so now almost 10K over for an oil change. I didn't not want to be held responsible so I returned the vehicle on September 20 at 6:13 PM.

I was informed that a refund was being looked at as I was due to return the vehicle on September 23. The rental was prepaid and my receipt states that a pre-pay in non-refundable! I am asking for a full refund as the car was in my estimation unsafe to drive and customer service after multiple phone calls (around 5 or 6) was unhelpful.

My original truck rental was not a big enough truck so they changed my truck to a larger one. I declined any insurance and any other extra such as gas and road tolls etc. I think the confusion was when we switched trucks. I did not opt in for gas service yet they charged me for that option. I brought back the truck full of gas. Customer service says i need to provide proof that we filled it up. My bank statement should do. i will upload it. My contact number is [protected]

Samson D Sanchez Jr

My Name is Tim Hallstrom 7 Merrill Rd Trumbull CT [protected] Wizzard #2FB69X. I Purchased a 2020 Keep Compass from AVIS Used Car Sales, Picked it Up for The Ultimate Test Drive from Avis White Plains, NY on Aug 10, I Paid for the Car Thru Tresl with Cash, No Financing on Aug 16. I Asked about the "2nd KEY" I Only Got 1 Key, I Was Told When I Pay for the Jeep, It would be Sent to Me. Now I Call Avis, I Keep Getting Transferred to another Department, Who Gives Me The Same Number, I Just Came from Being Transferred From, Or Back to the First Customer Service Number. This Is a Horrible Way to do Business with, And I'm Trying to Be Nice About It. It's a 2020Jeep Compass VIN # 3C4NJDDB1LT207980 With an Indiana Registration # FL747ACB. I Have The Indiana Registration and Marker Plate, Still On the Vehicle.

I rented a car with full car insurance for 16 days in aug 2022 with full protection with no excess. When we arrived at the office in Caen France. 44 Pl. de la Gare, 14000 Caen, France the girl tried to tell us that we didnt have full cover. Then after i showed her my reservation she confirmed that we had full cover. She then tired to get us to buy extra insurance at 8 euros per day. I said no. I confirmed that we did not want nor need any extra insurances. Id paid a price which included everything.

She confirmed that thee would be no extra charges for addtional coverage. she asked me to sign a small screen to get the keys and she said she would send me an email the full contract- it was only after the holiday I saw that i had an additional back charge on my card for 187.02 euros. I opened the email she sent with the contract and she had added.

Personal insurance at 8 euros per day, additional products at 99 euros and a 28.03 charges for the registration plate. Total 187.02 euros for extra insurance that i told her i did not want. I called Avis, they were very rude and said that i signed the contract with the additional charges. what can I do?

Rental from IAD (Dulles VA) August 21-28 rental period. Avis case [protected]. Rental agreement U322896302. Avis rented me a car with a battery that died. First time it died, I wasn't sure if I had left a light on. Second time it died, I was sure I had not left any lights on. Avis insisted on towing the car. I was offered a ride in the tow truck, to get another Avis car. I declined, since that would have taken half a day, and I was scheduled to return the car the next morning. That was August 27th. I got a ride back to the airport the next day on my own. Avis charged me for the whole week. I paid it. Avis has since notified me that they will bill me $220 for the tow. Customer service claims to have no record that the battery cannot hold a charge. All they say, repeatedly, is that I am liable since I did not buy the Roadside Assistance rider. This is flat out unfair and a bad way to treat any customer, especially a 20+ Avis preferred customer that always rents from Avis. Until now.

I have made my reservation over 30 days out. I get an email with all the specifics, reservation number, date, cost, etc.. But there is no transaction date when my card was charged. It is a company American Express and needs to be paid with 30 days. The email sent by Avis is not accepted for my travel claim I just need an invoice or receipt that has my name, date of transaction, and amount. Spent 40 mins with two different people that could not help me. Just a lot of time on hold and explaining what I should tell me company. Seriously do you think that how it works? 40223892US2

When I called about a billing issue from MT airport the agent, Aaron, interrupted me over and over and spoke while I was talking. Although the money issue seems to be fixed for now, the level of courtesy is severely lacking with your employees. The call to complain was on 9/1 to your call center. The rental conf number is 38380293US0 from 8/24/22 to 8/27/22.

The management of the 28201 Marguerite Pkw, Ste 13, Mission Viejo, CA 92692 location is extremely aggressive and hostile.

I have a rental that I’ve been issued long term due to a car accident where I am not at fault. The at fault insurance is paying. When the adjuster was on vacation he submitted me to loss prevention to have the car picked up, moreover he threatened me and told me I had to come in. Once I arrived he demanded I give him my lawyers direct information or give him the keys. I told him he was not allowed to harass them, he ignored me and repeated the demand. He also told me I had to put a card on file or he would take the car right then. I explained I was not responsible financially, he said he did not care - someone has to pay. I informed him insurance does and they’ve been paying monthly so although someone is on vacation - it will be resolved. He refused yelling at me that I must pay 200$ deposit for “the safety of his vehicle” I was sobbing and under extreme duress, he was threatening and telling me to give him my keys right now or pay. I began yelling and crying as well and eventually gave him a card for the 200. He charged me 504$ when I saw the pending charge on my credit card I called and told him he charged a different amount, he said “too bad the week costs 304$ and your adjuster hasn’t responded so you pay.” This is unethical and illegal. He had shoved the “contract” and over and over said “INITIAL THE 4 SPOTS!” while I was extremely upset, crying and begging him not to charge money I do not have. He kept saying “too bad. Someone has to pay me my money.” He would not give me his name or information, only that his name was “AB” and he’s run that location for 24 years. I told him I would refute the charge and he yelled and demanded I return the car “right now.” He repeated that he would take the car and hung up on me.

This is the worst business, and human I’ve ever dealt with. He called back and told me he had informed his supervisor of the situation and he did everything by the book and it was corporates fault this was happening and they took my money and there’s nothing I can do.

Paid for “premium” car. Car Avis gave me smelled like ash tray; had nasty air freshener pinned to vent; driver’s vent not operational; then tire blew & Avis roadside assistance rude/unhelpful. Exchanged car. Avis gave me high mileage, beat SUV...real shaky, particularly on highway…felt like issues w/steering/suspension/engine. Then a/c started blowing steaming hot air. Just got $220 charge on credit card for roadside assistance.

Let me start by saying I am almost in tear writing this. I flew by my self for the very first time with our 3 year old. I wanted to make my trip as easy as possible so I though renting a car seat was the right way to go. WRONG! After 8 hours of flying, 4 planes later and walking 30 minutes across the entire detoured airport that was under construction, I find my car without a carseat. With my daughter in one hand, two backpacks and a 50 lb suitcase, I roll everything back to the AVIS customer care area where I inquire about the car seat. The hand me a non-name brand (at least there was nothing printed on the seat itself), no instructions or pamphlet and are instructed that they are not trained or 'allowed' to even touch the car seat for liability reasons. Ok, fair enough I said " then why are you guys not trained and sign someone upon being hired". How do you expect people, with no help, nonetheless multiple children AND infants to install and completely blind carseat with ZERO help. REALLY!? After 45 minutes of trying to keep my toddler in the car I am beyond frustrated. I go back in and again, no help. I cant even google how to install it because there is no name brand attached to it. Yes, there were instructions on the side and I did everything it said and the entire seat was loose and a goose. There was no way I was driving on a main interstate with my daughter not safe! I called the local 311 number at was put on a 20 minute hold and asked to call back later. I was out of options, I called the local fire dept-- no answer. So... I called 911.. I asked if they could send out a trained deputy or fire department to help ensure the seat was installed properly as I did when I first gave birth. They told me 'due to liability reason, they are not able to come out to assist'. WAIT, WHAT?! ISNT THAT PART OF YOUR JOB!? TO HELP!? I am stranded and helpless in a place I've never been with no help. Finally after in tears, the lady behind the desk after 1.5 hours of doing everything I could finally helped me. Another 45 minutes and they figured out they are missing a 'belt piece' that secured the entire seat in the LATCH system build into the car. I left crumbled, in tears but my daughter was safe. Attached is a snap shot of the picture I took of the AVIS LATCH system "guarantee". Appalled isn't even the word!

See AVIS grantee on this link: https://www.avis.com/en/products-and-services/products/childsafetyseats

Not a single manager showed their face to help me...

Dear all,

I rented a car at Avis Germany. The car was returned and inspected by the Avis employee and taken as no damage. Afterwards I found by chance an additional charge of USD 500 on my credit card. Never received a receipt at check out, neither by email. They claim there was a damage. This damage was already marked in the rental papers as a previous damage. Called multiple times, send email requests and nothing is happening. Horrible company.

Rental contract E888727184

Claim number at Vanamayde their external claim processor DE4422.0008.3254.0

Thank you for your help

I made a reservation at San Luis Obispo airport on 8/14/2022, I arrived at the Avis desk and waited for almost 30 minutes for someone to show up. I was the first person in line followed by 4 others, no messages on the desk and no one was answering the phone. Finally a guy came running through the door to wait on us, no I'm sorry for the wait or I was helping another customer, he wasn't because one of the customers went out on the lot to look for someone. Anyway after the wait I got my car and the button to open the hatch wouldn't work so I did it manually, I started to drive from the airport and it looked like someone washed the inside of the windshield with a dirty rag, totally disgusting. I have been an Avis loyal person for years but this experience may change my mind.

Denny DeNoi

[protected]

[protected]@greenwoodchevy.com

I booked my car "premium" online and called ahead to make sure they had the category of car available, salesperson says "we have plenty of cars don't worry.

When I arrived, they did not have "premium" but offered to upgrade me to a better car and charge me the increase at the same time, other rental companies have not charged me for their lack of what i asked for.

When signing the contract, the clerk handed his phone so i could sign for condition of car based on pictures he says they took prior to my arrival and i could not review these photos. he only assured me the car was in good condition.

i initially took the car but was annoyed with the up charging, so i returned the car the next day full of fuel. the lady entered my return in the computer and charged me for 2 full days along with additional charges, i stood there and reviewed the reciept

Fuel and recovery fee 15.99 per day i asked her what this was for, she responded the computer automatically added this when car is driver over 75 miles ( i then showed her before and after photos of the odometer where i drove a total of 42 miles and had a receipt from the gas station that reflected me topping off the tank, she removed that charge

I questioned why i was charged 2 days when i returned the car after 1 day, she stated i had the car over 24 hours (2 hours over) and that constitutes a 2nd day charge, but my receipt shows where they have the options to charge me hourly for partial day and showed her on the receipt, she refuses to change

i asked her if someone was going to inspect the car as i was returning it, and commented i do not want any more surprises, the lady said the detailers would check car later, (the detailer was standing her watching something on the internet i was the only customer in the facility. At this point went outside put the car in front of the viewing area of the employees at the coulter took my own set of pictures and re parked the car

I felt she or the other person could have looked at the car in my presence since we were the only people there and it was a small lot

I have not seen any additional charges on my statement as of yet

my rental contract # [protected] Springfield MO

38797677US2

I went in to the airport location August 2 to swap a vehicle that rented to me due to the fact that the manager at that Leslie road location had no luxury cars for rent. I contacted roadside they opened a ticket for a swap secured the vehicle and sent me the text confirming the securing of the replacement. Lindsay was there as the acting manager and was very rude and stated “I know who you are I’ve heard about you”. I didn’t escalate the situation very much as I had my daughter with me so I cordially told her look I’m not going to argue with you just do the swap we are good she got very upset because I asked for the vehicle directly behind the one she had picked which was the same car a Chrysler 300 which I rented a luxury vehicle for a reason and I expected a Cadillac CTS . So either way she decided to give me the car in the color I asked for at the last minute and she did this because she knew this car was not clean which she didn’t mention. This car did not have a full tank AND had a nail in the tire I have pictures every day that I have to inflate the tire as it drops to 24 after sitting for a while and I have to keep stopping getting air that is ridiculous and i brought this to roadside attention who created a ticket and said to swap the vehicle. Ok I get there they are taking forever for no reason and then John that works preferred comes back and states so we can’t release a replacement vehicle when a car is rented on a debit card. I said ok But I rent that way each time and it’s NEVER been a problem not even two days ago when I swapped it it’s been on the same card a debit card each time so that’s infuriating. I start recording at this point because it’s blatant discrimination and uncalled for. Renting vehicles is not cheap and I’ve spent a lot of money with this company to be treated like that and I’m definitely making a big deal about it because it’s worthy of that. These people do not know who I am or anything about me and to say “I’ve heard about you” and make an excuse like that on a vehicle swap that’s clearly unsafe I showed the gentleman who let me back through the gate the pics and he said “wow I even see the tire pressure is at 29 right now for myself and it’s definitely unsafe”because clearly there’s a nail or something in the tire. On top of that John had me bring the vehicle into the return bay and I had it parked on the outside because I knew something else was going to take place and sure enough it did. First he offered me a Chrysler 300 he already had pulled up a silver one when I said hey what about a Cadillac CTS he completely dismissed everything and said he can’t anymore bc it’s rented with a “debit card” the same debit card I had on every contract that I swapped. It wasn’t rented at the airport and these other branches have all taken my debit card no problem. On a swap he was not even supposed to touch my contract other than the vehicle information so why is he looking at my payment info? it’s paid for that’s all he needed to know which was clear or I wouldn’t have got the car to begin with! He gave me the same “luxury vehicle” back that has body damage and a tire clearly going flat and told me he can’t do anything else unless I DOWNGRADE to another vehicle class. Are you serious? I don’t know why these two people are so mad and ugly with me I guess these employees are upset that I’m affording to rent cars like this and want to be hateful for that reason. I hate to pull the race card but if the shoe fits and it fits them to the T because there is NO other reason for it. I have no enemies like that and you would think with the amount of money I spent this company would consider that and regard me with respect each and every time no matter what. I’ve been in a rental of y’all’s everyday for almost a year straight if not more I should be able to rent and drive any car I reserve off that lot with NO problems. I expect to get what I’m paying for otherwise I just don’t pay for it. Preferred plus and all that I don’t believe that exists at Avis because these employees have lost their minds seriously. You see these kinds of things on the news and u social media and u wonder didn’t they know this was going to get out somehow? Now I’m wondering the same thing after today. I refuse to pay for this rental at all and I will definitely dispute these charges when it’s over with because this today made me sick and I have proof of everything I’m telling you I’m not going to put something in writing and lie or even stretch the truth. This happened exactly as I explained it and definitely was unprovoked but expected. I will find a way to get this car swapped I have kids that ride with me and that’s something that’s a major liability for Avis by them even allowing me to leave in this vehicle knowing it’s unsafe. This is definitely something that will reach upper management in the corporate office and hopefully beyond that because this cannot continue to happen if it’s happened to me I’m sure it’s happened to many others and that’s unfortunate for them and I will not accept this level of discrimination and disrespect from anyone on any level this will escalate until addressed accordingly.

I picked up my rental car in Odessa, TX. I was able to drive out of the rental location to Midland, about 20 miles away.

The steering wheel locked up on me and I had to call a wrecker. To add insult to injury, I got several letters from Viking collections asking for payment.

I've had no one get back to me, though I said each time my car was disabled and I had to have it towed.

This was an inconvenience unmatched in my travels. I would appreciate a response. Avis must have been able to trace the car and knew or should have known that the car broke down.

I should have received a free rental instead of a stream of letters from Viking.

Once again, I'd appreciate a response

Rental # U784009546

Details of Dispute

1. Car was given to me with a three quarter tank of petrol – your Tzaneen agent, noticed that the tank was not full and said that maybe after driving awhile the petrol should calibrate to read full. What nonsense. I topped up the tank at Kranse Kop and the gauge went to full.

2. The agreement was to be emailed to me – it was not received.

3. The vehicle was taken from the Tzaneen branch on 23.04.2020 at approximately 12h00 and was driven to my home 10km away. The vehicle was then driven to Johannesburg at 11h00 on 24.04.2022 where we had a booking at the Peermont hotel (Emperors near OR Thambo), this distance would have been about 520 km .

4. On 25.04.2022 the vehicle was driven to OR Thambo maybe 5km where the vehicle was dropped off at 11h00, because we were flying to Cape Town @13h30. I have been billed for 1491km, which is basically the distance I would have travelled to Cape Town by car. I had 600km free. Therefore I wish to have the full R2705.68 (which would also have been the cost of an air ticket) refunded to me as a matter of urgency.

I have spoken to Customer Services – Thebogo and Tzaneen Avis – Molly and apparently the Avis OR Thabo need to investigate – Why as a customer do I have to make the calls and why do I have to wait for a refund when there is clearly an error.

As a long time AVIS preferred member, I was very frustrated with my current experience renting car from AVIS for my corporate travel. I was renting a car from ATL airport location. It started with having to wait for more than 2 hours to wait in the line before I got a car that should have been reserved. Not only the car was dirty and smelly, I was also told that it was the last car that was available at that point. Since it was already past midnight, I took the car anyway. In the morning, not only that I noticed there was additional fee (for some roadside assistances) added that was not in my original reservation (which AVIS had agreed to refund it later on after the rental had finished), I also noticed that the car's brake was making squeaking noise and rattling which could potentially indicate safety issue. I called AVIS national customer service and was told to go to a local location that had a car available for a swap. Once I arrived at the location, they told me that they did not have any available car. Then I called 6-8 local offices and none of them had availability. I tried to call the ATL airport location and every-time I called I was transferred to the national customer service which I learned that they did not have real time visibility on the car inventory. It's pretty shocking for a corporate with the size of AVIS not to have real time visibility on the fleet availability in 2022. At that point I was 45 minutes away from the ATL airport location and did not want to just go there only to wait hours in the line and told that they did not have any available car. It's it even more unacceptable that when I tried to simulate a new reservation at the ATL airport for the same time of the day and found out that it let me go all the way thru the payment step which made me think that either AVIS online booking system is archaic and have the same visibility issue or if AVIS just focuses on new reservation and does not care about existing customer reservation satisfaction/issue. This experience makes me consider if I should avoid AVIS as much as possible for future travel.

Continuing from my previous complain, fast forward on Monday morning July 18, 2022. I called the local AVIS office and most of them told me that they don’t have car that morning with the exception of 1 location in Duluth, GA which told me that they had car available. However, when I told them that I needed a replacement for a broken car, he told me that he won’t do that since he had enough of broken cars and he needed the car for new reservation. This confirm my suspicious that AVIS only cares about making profit and ignoring customer safety and satisfaction.

OnJuly 18, 2022, I returned my car to Tampa International and proceeded to the Southwest counter and realized I did not have my purse. I went upstairs to the Avis counter and as when I arrived only ONE person was working and they sent me downstairsafter where I let them know the situation. I looked where I left the car and I was told Avis personnel was looking and I sat in the Avis area for about 45 minute to no avail. I did leave the area long enough to get another flight which took long because of no Id and returned but still no purse found. On July 19 I completed the lost and found form online and on July 20 saw it had been turned in and laimed it to returned and paid the $54.64 Fed Ex fee. I received from Avis the tracking number and that the belongings would sent out the next day per Avis agreement:

"Note: In most cases, the item will be shipped out on the following business day. Shipping service delivery time is dependent on when the item has been picked up by the carrier. It does not start from the time of payment."

It is now Saturday, 7/23 and it still hasn't left Tampa and I never received a call back from the case manager or the one and only person I was able to get at was once at [protected] and was told the label was created and no put on package and given to Fed Ex. As of Jly 23, I have never received an email or phone call or text from anyone and told "lost and found closed til Monday"

I told to try again on Monday,

I called the Avis Case Manager number given on the document [protected]

over 6 times and never received a call back.

Will i get my purse back?