Avis
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Avis is a major international car rental brand that receives highly polarized feedback from travelers. While some users value its QuickPass system and flexible payment options like debit card acceptance, a significant number of reports highlight deceptive billing practices, specifically regarding hidden mileage fees and aggressive cleaning surcharges. Sentiment is notably negative, driven by frustrations over 'bait-and-switch' upgrades and difficult customer service interactions when disputing unexpected charges.
Pros
- QuickPass system allows for faster vehicle pickup and card verification
- Accepts debit cards (Visa/Mastercard) with specific identification and hold requirements
- International presence with standardized mandatory insurance packages for foreign travelers
- Status benefits are available for frequent renters, though experiences vary
Cons
- Hidden mileage charges often reported as being obscured in light gray font on invoices
- Frequent complaints regarding $125 cleaning fees for 'light dirt' or questionable reasons
- Reports of unauthorized or uncommunicated 'upgrades' that significantly increase the final cost
- Maintenance issues including smoke smells and detached undercarriages in some rental units
- Risk of last-minute cancellations for specific vehicle classes like passenger vans
Caveats
- Users strongly advise getting all verbal promises in writing and ensuring notes are made on the recorded line during disputes
- Cleaning standards may be lower in winter climates where freezing weather prevents thorough washing
- Customer service may refuse to budge on disputed charges by strictly citing the written contract regardless of circumstances
Best for
- Travelers who need to rent using a debit card
- Users with existing Avis status looking for expedited pickup via QuickPass
- Renters booking through airline packages (e.g., British Airways)
Avoid if
- You are highly sensitive to hidden fees or 'gotcha' billing practices
- You are unable to document the car's condition thoroughly at both pickup and drop-off
- You require a guaranteed specific vehicle type for a large group
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 18-month half-life. The evidence is drawn from a window between January and March 2026 with a median age of approximately 189 days.
Sentiment
8 positive (24%) · 4 mixed (12%) · 21 negative (64%)
Trust + time weighted score: -48% · raw score -39%
What redditors said (10 of 33)
I rented a car with Avis that had a faint smoke smell. I called them and had them make a note on the recorded line. Later on, the plastic undercarriage detached and dragged on the ground. There were screws missing and also remnants of duct tape. I called again, had them note it on the line, and asked permission in writing to tape the bottom. They didn’t want to but I insisted. They assured me I wouldn’t be responsible. A month later, a charge appeared for the smoke smell. I called and told the to refer to the notes a the charge was removed. Six months after that, the same thing happened with the undercarriage “repair”.
Avis has a light gray line on the final invoice and does not annotate or put an effort to call attention to this line. Monetarily, this is a VERY important line that blends into the background.
Avis was the only one that "called it out" in this manner. When I asked customer service about it they said there's no way to know how many miles I would have driven. Really? You can't say it's x number of miles from …
I fully realize and understand it is my fault that I got duped by the $33 "TOTAL" price. I see it on the invoice but that being the only mention of mileage costs feels deceptive.
Avis does not do that. They do not tell you anywhere in the process about mileage charges except a light gray one line on the final invoice - with a large bolded "Total" at the bottom for the prices sans mileage.
The rental screen specifically states no hidden fees and all taxes and fees included. The invoice shows the car price and a big bold TOTAL at the bottom. I understand that technically this is my fault. I see it, but every other rental place spells it out and doesn't put it in light gray font in the middle of the invoice. Is this not intentionally deceptive?
Budget, Avis, Alamo. most recently from Buffalo, NY. and it's in the winter when they don't super clean the cars due to the freezing weather.
I’ve rented a lot of cars in my day and have never left the experienced feeling scammed. By all means, rent from Avis if you’d like. But don’t say I didn’t try warning you…
AVOID AVIS! THEY ARE A SCAM AND WILL BACK THEIR SCAM EVEN WHEN GIVEN WRITTEN PROOF.
I've shown these to AVIS but the only response I've gotten is that "this is the contract".
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