Avis Rent A Car

Worst rental car experience in my life. Booked online several days in advance for a 10am pick-​up, and was told car was not there but would arrive within an hour. After more than two hours, customer representative Carmen called a cab and sent us to the airport, confirming that our convertible car would be awaiting for us there — we had to pay out of pocket cab cost and were told we would have received a refund at the end of the rental. We get to the airport — very long line after which we discover that they have absolutely no cars available, except a 12ppl van or a pick-​up truck. We have to settle for the latter, and the representative tell us that this Miami Beach AVIS location is known to rent out the reserved vehicles to walk-​ins at higher rates. We finally set off around 2.30pm, more than 4h after we initially reserved. Upon return at Collins Ave, Carmen complains about the late return (according to her we should have returned by 10am — not by 2.30pm) and she initially refuses to refund the cab. After a long call with the AVIS customer support using the branch phone, they finally refund at least the cab, but we still ended up renting a vehicle that we did not want and had to go through hours of frustrations. Thanks AVIS — Never again!

Not the top Avis Team here… reservation a week in advance. I called the morning of the rental to confirm (answered the third time I called). Then when I show up, their surprised THAT I NEED THE CAR I RESERVED!

Avis at the airport told us we could return to Collins Ave that night but they were closed when we went there. We went into this Avis the next day when they were open to turn in the car. The first thing, the Avis lady lectures us about how we turned into Avis and it wasn’t the right way to make a turn. Who cares? Whatever happened to greeting the customer? Maybe a hi, how are you? How did you like your rental? Nope. Instead, she picks up a call and ignores us for a minute. We tell her we were trying to return last night but they were closed. She says that she will charge us an extra day. We got pissed because it had been less that 24 hours. Why did she just say she was charging us two days when we had the car for less than 24 hours? We both use Avis for business travel all the time so we know their rules. When we asked her this, she said we signed a contract so she could charge us extra. What was she talking about? We told her we didn’t sign anything and it was not legal because we were returning the car within 24 hours. Then she said fine, she would not charge us. She did not give us a receipt so we demanded a receipt. She grudgingly provided us with one and we left. I felt like we were not at Avis but some third world country negotiating, demanding and had to shout and scream before they followed their own rules. What the heck!

I should’ve listened to the other Unilocalers. When we dropped off 30 min late, we asked if we were charged for an extra day. I would’ve kept it for an extra day if that was the case. The lady said we were fine and were not charged. I checked my credit card the next day and they charged me an extra $ 122. Horrible customer service!

Although the attendant was working as fast as she could, there was definitely a bit of a language barrier as she spoke rather quickly and with an accent. She mumbled something along the lines of «score credit… debit card» and slid my card. I didn’t understand what she was saying. I thought she said «do you want the store to charge credit or debit». Then she said my card didn’t go through and to give her another one. I was confused as to what was going on. We then clarified that she said she is going to check my CREDIT SCORE with my debit card. Now either I haven’t been paying attention from all my years of renting cars or this is a new thing, but I have never had my credit score checked while renting a car. Anyway I was annoyed cuz if the unnecessary inquiries on my credit which I try hard to protect, as we all do with our good credit.
More to say, but I am at the movies now and it started. Good luck!

Biggest rip-​off ever! I needed a car for 24 hours, all the other places I called were sold out of cars but this one had cars and now I know why. Everything was pretty routine and I understood that the rate would be $ 102 — I was fine because I was a walk-​in on a Friday in Miami. When I came to return the car, they told me the total was $ 200.13!!! When I asked why, they said because I was one hour late and the fee was $ 77.25 — I hope they enjoy the $ 77.25 because it is the last penny Avis will see from me EVER. I recommend avoiding them. BTW, I called the 800 number — they did not care either! It must be a company-​wide culture.

When we arrived to pick up our car the store manager offered us a different car without telling us the rate would double! Only after asking him he told us about the massive update price. That’s not the way to do business!
The car we obtained was not fully fueled so make sure to check the fuel level when you pick up a car. Generally the store manager and the other Avis representatives where really rude. That’s not what Avis should be like. We are not used to such rude and unprofessional service from Avis in Europe.

This is a small garage/​rental space. The staff doesn’t really work with you they input info in the computer and goive you a key. This was the first time I had my credit checked to get a car; I usually just swipe my card and go because, I have the funds for a car. If your credit is not up to par you get no car! Oh and don’t be even a minute late or you get charged for another day!

I arrived to find no one at the counter. I used the bathroom which was dirty and the toilet did not flush well; an employee banged on the door when i was in there. I mention this because later I was blamed for the poor toilet flush and other customers were told they could not use the bathroom, that it was for employees only. When the surly woman came to the desk to help me she said my car, reserved and pre-​paid, would not be there for an hour. She played the game of being fluent in English when it served her, and less so when she did not want to give a direct answer. Her name is Carmen and she was rude to me and others or the duration of the hour I had to wait. The office was also ridiculously cold or someone having to sit in there. It was a very unpleasant experience and I would never rent a car from this office again.

Maybe it’s me, but I think this is a great place to rent a really nice car from. I have been renting from Avis off & on for about 3 years now. Especially when I fly to my home state needing a car to get around or while on a business trip. Plus I know how to work their coupons & promo codes like a pimp on hooker to get his $$$$. Perfect example was this pass Memorial Day Weekend. I first reserved a compact car for just 3 days (FRI night-​MON morning) at a cost of $ 236.00 w/​o taxes & fees. Then my Jedi capabilities kicked in telling me that I could get a better deal if I just worked it.
So I extended my dates from 3 to 7, moved up to the intermediate size car, then used both a coupon and promo code during my booking. Long story short, my final cost when I checked out was $ 138.00 including taxes and fees.
Now this South Beach location is the only one that I have been using when I’m in the city, any other time I use the airport locations. The staff is always polite & fast, having lived in NYC for a few years I have a certain affection for this type of service. I want to get in & out in record time without anyone trying to up sell me or ask me 3 million times if I want the extra insurance coverage. lol
All I know is that if they stay open and the coupons & promo codes keep working I will be back to this location a few more time before the year is out.
Great Job, keep up the great service.

Worst. rental experience. Ever. I made the reservation over the phone and when I asked for a mid-​size, the representative said that was fine and there were plenty of cars in different grades to choose from. We get to Avis and they can’t find our reservation. The woman who is «helping» us is rude, incoherent, and completely inept. It is finally found and we were told there was no rate put in and for some reason this was our fault and the woman couldn’t proceed without it. Finally, she figures it out and we tell her again we want a mid-​size car, something like an Impala. I am not kidding when I say that she holds up keys and says, «I got you the tiniest car, a Fiat.» She was not joking. We ask for a bigger car, she huffs and pouts and then quotes prices that are $ 10 or $ 15 more than the website and more than the ones when I spoke to a rep on the phone. She tells me that for $ 20 more I can have an SUV. We didn’t want an SUV and not for $ 20 more. Then all of of a sudden she says for $ 10 more we can have something else. She says she has a Kia Rio. I said, that’s a small car. She says, well there was no rate put in. And that’s supposed to be an answer? We’re still talking about the rate?! We agree to the small-​ass Kia and both my credit cards were «denied.» Turns out she didn’t run them right (??) and the other rep had to help her run the cards. I was already fuming and this didn’t help. After we drop it off, I check my bank statement and they overcharged me. So now, I’m on hold trying to talk to a manager.
I’d give this Avis 0 stars if I could. Wish we’d Unilocal’d it before going to, but it was a last minute rental and convenient to our hotel. Worst. Place. Ever.

They are very misleading. We asked the guy at the front desk how much it would cost to rent a car and he said $ 65 for 1 day. When we came back to drop the car off they gave us a receipt billing us over $ 81! They told us that the car had unlimited miles but when we dropped it off they charged extra because we drove 70 miles! It said on the receipt over 75 miles you would get charged and we didn’t even exceed it. They are complete hypocrites. Everything they told us came out different on the receipt. Trust me don’t rent a car there it would be a big mistake. They did not even explain the extra charges.

DONT GO THERE!!! It was the worst rental place ever, I rented a car for a total of 82 dollars and end up paying a bill of 250 (they charged an extra day just because of a 2 hours delay, and charged many abusive fees) plus my friend’s camera that he forgot inside the car was STOLEN, and the employees made no effort to help look for it, and could care less!
Avoid at all costs!

The location of this Avis is why I rent here quite frequently. Like the other reviewer said, you really have to watch out for fees and add ins here. Like at other rental places, they ask you if you want a (for example) Camry or a Taurus? It’s great they give you choices, however they usually give you the choice of two different car classes without you even realizing it, knowing you will obviously choose the nicer of the two, then they charge you for the next car class up. They are also really bad about cleaning their cars in between customers. I’ve definitely gotten a pretty dirty car before and felt the need to wipe it down myself.

Can be better about informing customers about additional charges. Be vigilant about your bill. They are good about correcting erroneous charges once brought to their attention.