Avis

Pros: Fast, efficient check out/check inGreat cars - new & very cleanVery accessible to airports
Cons: None

I spent a lot of time reading various reviews on epinion about car rental company pros/cons. Finally, I decided to go with Avis. First time was in Hartford in Fall 2007 and second time was Portland, Oregon in June 2008. After reading many of the reviews, I was certainly expecting something to go wrong - especially that I would be billed at a later date for damage to the car I did not incur. In fact, I was a bit paranoid about any scratches or dents that I was sure I didn't cause but was worried I would get charged for.
To summarize, both rental experiences were great and totally without incident. The cars were excellent, the service at both check-in & check-out was great and we didn't have to wait long, the personnel was very friendly and when I said I didn't need any insurance, they did not hassle me as I was expecting.
I will probably always use Avis for my car rental needs.

Pros: Convenience
Cons: Nada

Hey, you can get an excellent price with Avis using Orbitz or Travelocity. I have nothing but good things to say here. They were very efficient, fast, and friendly. The counter was right in the Holiday Inn hotel in College Park, MD. They let me pick up there and return to Reagan airport without a whimper. Nice Impala got good mileage for its size.

Pros: Convenient location, but all the other rental companies have the same thing
Cons: Didn't get the type of car I reserved

So, I compared prices for a one-day rental between Hertz and Avis. Avis charged about $20 less, so I went with them. Big mistake. I rented from a downtown location in San Francisco. The place was total chaos, with garage guys coming in and out and saying they couldn't find cars. I reserved a compact car, but when I got there, they didn't have anything smaller than an enormous SUV. Well, you say, it's a much bigger car for the same rate, correct? True, but the SUV got something like five miles to the gallon.

Whenever I've rented with Hertz, they've given me either exactly the car I reserved, or something a little better but within the same fuel economy class. At Avis, I ordered a compact and they gave me a monster SUV that guzzled a small fortune in gas, costing me much more than if I had just gone to Hertz in the first place and paid the marginally higher rental rate.

Pros: pretty ads
Cons: useless reservation service, bad cars, clueless customer service staff

We had a confirmed reservation at Avis in Sun Palace, Cancun. When I came to pick up the car, there were no car available. I refused to leave, so after 2.5 hours someone brought an old, smelly, tiny clunker from the airport with missing body parts, dirty and with 50K on it. Having no choice, I took it but couldn't go anywhere since it was shaking like crazy when over 60 KPH. I returned it the next morning and went over to Hertz, getting a nice, clean and new car.
You may think that AVIS provides service for the extra they charge over others. Not so. When I called their Customer Service when returning, I was told they have nothing to do with Avis Mexico and cannot check into it. I asked why then they reserve, confirm and guarantee on their behalf, no straight answer was given. They promised a $50 voucher for rentals in the US only.
AVIS may be a reputable agency for North America, but I wouldn't rent from them overseas or Mexico. Their premium prices that we pay expecting good service is not justifiable.

Pros: prices were correct as advertised, nice car seat provided for my child
Cons: Needed more employees, or something. Maybe increased staff at lunchtime

Last April I flew to Atlanta on business. As I have family in the area, I flew in a few days early with my three year old daughter. I had to wait in line for, no exaggeration, 45 minutes, to finally get the car. Fate was smiling on the other renters and myself that day, as my child did not have any kind of meltdown. Her mother was ready to lose it though. Upon return of the car, the driver of the shuttle did not offer to help us, a very obviously pregnant woman and her toddler, with any of our bags/stroller.

Pros: Car was as advertised.
Cons: Spurious charges for an accident we didn't have.

Returned a car to the Frankfurt Airport lot in pristine condition in early November; a week later noticed the bill was about $1K higher than the receipt. Called Avis and was told that we'd been charged for accident damage.

Disputed the charge with both Avis and credit card. Nearly two months later, Avis contacts us saying they've received photo documentation of the damage from their German operation, and as a result "our hands are tied." How this proves we were responsible is a mystery to me, but my only recourse now is through the credit card. Meanwhile, I've cancelled my Wizard card and am spreading the word. These guys make up charges. Don't patronize them.

Pros: none
Cons: rude staff, hidden costs.

I had a horrible experience with Avis. I rented a vehicle and got some surprises at check out time. I told them they should disclose all costs at the time of sale and asked them to remove the fees that were not disclosed. They refused. Angered, I asked for a manager. He told me "I shouldn't talk to his employees like that," and basically ignored my request. I told him again they should disclose all costs prior to the rental. He ignored this again and told me he didn't like my town of voice. After going ballistic, he suggested that I not use Avis again. Thanks for the advice, pal. You can bet I won't.

Pros: Car clean and good condition
Cons: Cheat to get the business. Cheat you on fuel too so fill up.

Take great care when booking and check every detail.
I phoned AVIS UK to book car for Prague Airport, and explained we needed large estate car (example Renault Laguna Grandtour) agreed price, pre-paid but failed to re-check after booking for the car group when the confirmation came through.

Turns out when we get to Prague that a smaller car has been booked and there's nothing we can do about it except try to squeeze all our party and luggage into it.

Now home having had to pay a further 164 Euro on drop off on fuel (half a tank 102 euro). I am absolutely certain that to get the business they overstated the car then input a smaller one. Never again AVIS!

Pros: The car was clean.
Cons: They're thieves and their Customer Care is a joke.

I hired an AVIS car for two weeks for a trip in Spain and I took out damage waiver insurance. I paid nearly three times more than a friend who hired from Hertz for the same period. I was hit from behind waiting at a roundabout whilst there by a woman who admitted complete liability in writing on the forms we completed. Imagine my surprise when I got home to find I had been charged nearly £500 for damage! My multiple emails to AVIS customer care were COMPLETELY IGNORED. My phone calls elicited the response: "We charge you until the 3rd party pays us. It usually takes 30 days but it takes as long as it takes." The woman on the customer care phone actually used the words "It's not our problem." to me, telling me I had signed up to the small print.

Pros: Ease of renting
Cons: Don't mess up!! Or there will be $$$$!

Avis is completely indifferent to the customer's business, as I have recently found! After I scraped a Toyota Prius ("weird" steering), I was honest and forthcoming about paying for the damage. They REALLY stuck it to me, charging me for vague things like "administrative" fees ($100.00), and, I had to pay for the 5 days it was in THE SHOP, as if I was renting it at the same time!! An extra 5 days rental charged, in addition to all kinds of other "extras," for a total of $1,365.00! When I asked for a little mercy, as a good customer, they did nothing, NO courtesy exemption whatsoever, not even a coupon for next time! I am furious for being taken advantage of, and I WILL NOT USE AVIS AGAIN!! Mar 31 '08
1:25 pm PDT

Pros: Easy to find Good world wide online reservation system
Cons: As many scams as a good used car salesperson

We had reserved a car with Avis for a trip to Cape Town (south Africa). We had booked a car air conditioning and automatic. The web site said Toyota corolla or similar.
When we arrived they had our paperwork ready and after taking an imprint of my credit card the rental agent escorted us to a VW Golf which had neither AC or automatic. The agent explained that no other cars were available. Unfortanetly we were in a hurry and decided to take it - first mistake.
So ended up renting a car of lesser value than what we had booked. The price was the same however.
No problems with the car itself or the return. However, when we returned to the US I discovered my credit card had been charged approx. $US150.00 more than the what was on my receipt. I did manage to fix this problem with them.

Other travellers to South Africa have reported similar scams. Most were given cars of less value than what they reserved but at the same price. Those who argued often got the better car. So be prepared to argue and double check all rental agreements and credit card statements.

Pros: There is nothing positive I can think of to say about this company.
Cons: I would not recommend this company to anyone because of their DECEPTIVE business practices. 

I sent an employee on a business trip, with the rental car prepaid online.  When he arrived, Avis SNEAKILY upgraded his car without telling him and without company authorization.  He didn't even KNOW he had been upgraded until the charge on the company credit card!  They tried to upcharge him on everything but he said no, not realizing they had already upcharged him on the car.

Be careful when renting from this company.  Know what car you are supposed to get and watch for upcharging!

Pros: Familiar name
Cons: Everything else

I will simply quote the reply I received from AVIS customer service to my inquiry as to why they charged me $200 for a 1-day rental of a mid-size car in Germany (mind you, that mid-size would be sub-compact in the US). I admit I made a big mistake by not filling the gas tank upon return, but I figured that not even in Germany 7 gallons of gas can be that expensive.
Here it is:

Re: 265614532

Dear Mr. Ifrim:

Thank you for contacting us through the Avis website.

I apologize for the delay.

Your guaranteed rate of 87.01 EUR was applied. The additional charge is for
the refueling (78.37 EUR), which is subject to the local tax and surcharge.

We apologize for the misunderstanding.

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to clarify this matter.


I suggest AVIS to try a new promotion, it may work wonders for their bottom line: free car rental as long as you bring it back with the tank dry.

M. Ifrim, New York

Pros: Staff was very helpful and friendly.
Cons: Car had stains, carpet and sun visor. Back window had children's finger prints on it!

We rented a car from Avis for a 3 day weekend. Check in and return was fast and staff was friendly and helpful. Two thumbs up on the staff.

Pros: Extremely nice customer reps.
Cons: none

I just used Avis for the first time in 5 years and their customer service has improved quite a bit. The two customer representatives I encountered were some of the nicest people I've met in the service industry. The lady at the return location even came from behind the counter to hand me the receipt. Now that's certainly above and beyond !