Payless Car Rental Reviews

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About Payless Car Rental

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Payless Car Rental offers car rental services. Operating in the United States and select international markets, Payless provides a range of vehicles from economy to full-size models.

Pros
  • Good vehicle quality
Cons
  • Unexpected charges and fees

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Payless Car Rental Reviews

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    How do I know I can trust these reviews about Payless Car Rental?
    • 4,659,245 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
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    • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
    • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
    Verified purchase
    Customer ServiceContract & TermsPriceStaff

    Reviewed May 2, 2025

    Where do I start? Got a plane ticket to SJC via Southwest, and also reserved a rental car via Payless through the Southwest Portal (they have a business partnership between Southwest and Payless). Quoted price is $370 for a standard 'full size' car. 1. Got to desk and was offered a 2 person mini convertible. Ummm... No. 2. They "found" some other car, which they said was full size (did not mention model). 3. They then told me the price was $392. I said "No, you quoted $370" and that is what I am paying. After much back and forth with the rep, the manager came along and said very irritated to the rep "Just give her the quoted price--do a manual adjustment." So I got the $370 price printed on my rental agreement.

    4. Walked upstairs to the car floor and floor manager up there said, "Here is your car," pointing to a giant (to me) full size Ford Bronco. Like a Jeep Wrangler, but 50% bigger in all directions--The hood itself was level with my neck. 5. I complained, saying I had ordered a 'full size" car, as that is what I am comfortable driving, and also I was concerned about mpg, considering CA's $5/gal gas price. I asked again for something approaching a "full size" car. 6. Floor manager found me a Ford Trax, which was a good size, took my paperwork, printed out new rental agreement, on which was the price of $681. 7. Ummm... No, I said, I was quoted $370. Please provide a $370 car. 8. Manager printed it again, final rental agreement stated Ford Trax, $370. Thought ordeal was over. Not so. Dropped off car with full tank, flew home.

    9. Get the visa bill from Payless for, you guessed it, $392. (See #3 above). Price was printed on my agreement as $370, and also emailed to me after I did checkout for the reservation, also as $370. 11. Called Payless. Explained whole deal. They said "Well you got another car type". I said "That's not my problem, I have a receipt." They hung up. 12. Called again, explained whole deal again, guy SAYS they will fix my bill. We'll see.

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed April 24, 2025

    Horrible customer service! I left important keys on the rental car key ring I returned at Ontario Airport. I’ve been trying for two days to get ahold of someone to help me. Both telephone numbers for rental desk are disconnected. No one answers lost & found number. Customer service keeps transferring me to numbers that hang up after 10-20 minutes on hold. Supervisors won’t help! No way to file a complaint!

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      CoveragePriceStaff

      Reviewed April 24, 2025

      We rented a Mid-Size SUV through Southwest for April 3rd - 6th in San Diego. Upon arrival at the Payless Counter, the attendant offered us an upgrade for only an additional $10/day. Shame on me for not reading the details, but we were charged an additional $40/day, I guess I’m too trustful. When we went to receive the vehicle, it was not an upgrade. The attendant in the lot told us this was the vehicle he had cleaned for us earlier that morning. The counter attendant also continued to say, over 4 different times, "you wanted the insurance?", and "I have you down for the full coverage", I had to insist several times that we declined the insurance. The overall experience was very, very shady. To top it off, I had temporarily misplaced the rental keys at our resort, when I asked the concierge if anyone had turned them in, he asked which rental company.

      When I told him Payless, he went on a 10-minute rant about being an ex-employee and to make sure I read all the paperwork and fine print because they are encouraged as employees to be deceptive. Again, shame on me for not doing my due diligence but shame on Payless (AND AVIS) for being this type of company. We travel over 12 times per year for competitive softball and I will never use Payless or any of its affiliates (Avis or Budget) again, due to this experience. I've already cancelled 2 future reservations.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed April 22, 2025

      4/22/25: We recently traveled to Colorado and were in need of a SUV to accommodate 2 adults and 2 children with enough room for luggage and ski equipment. When issued the SUV, we noticed NO floor mats throughout the entire vehicle. Well in Colorado, in March, the conditions for clean floors are not ideal. We left the facility and headed to Keystone CO. Three notable safety concerns were "over-looked" from Payless. 1) The hood was NOT latched and after noticing the hood flapping around on the highway, we needed to pull over to re-latch it. Definitely could have caused an accident. 2) The tires were grossly over-inflated to 47 psi (the normal was supposed to be 36), another serious problem while driving through the mountains! 3) There was very low coolant in the vehicle, and we needed to add more from our condo's maintenance supervisor. None of these concerns were address from Payless.

      Once turning the car back in after 1 week of driving/skiing, we got an email stating we were being charged an addition $125 cleaning fee. We asked to send pictures and descriptions of what the additional charges were from. The "pictures" provided where 1) dust particles around the mileage indicator. 2) dirt/rock on the floor in the back seat from shoes- NO FLOOR MATS to assist in keeping the floors clean. Picture 3) and 4) were of the 3 row seats folded and roller marks from luggage being place in/out of the car. If these are the reasons for an additional $125 added for "cleaning" when Payless failed to provide adequate accessories to assist (floor mats!), then maybe the "RENTAL" business is not for them!! We rent vehicles frequently and have NEVER had this problem/issue before. Never this rip-off place again!

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      Reviewed April 10, 2025

      This company embodies a clown show and bad business practices. My wife had a confirmed reservation at CVG airport. She had to visit her brother who just passed away. After a 5-hour flight, arriving at night, this company tells her they don't have cars available. (And 10 other people in line with confirmed reservations.) Expedia should not work with these amateurs. The Sixth representative at the CVG airport told my wife he used to work for this company and it is a normal business practice at Payless. It should be PayNone - do not use.

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      PriceStaff

      Reviewed April 8, 2025

      I waited in line at the Payless desk in Phoenix for 3 1/2 hours with a toddler. I was told I was not able to cancel my reservation without forfeiting the entire cost. Since the wait was so ridiculous, the other customers and I took turns going to other car rental counters to compare prices and the costs were not that much lower. A few customers decided to rent with someone else anyway, and left the line which was the only fast movement we saw all day.

      This was my first experience with Payless and I think it 's safe to say that my take-away (and everyone else in Phoenix that day) was NEVER AGAIN. The only reason I didn't go with another company is my sister booked the car for me and my rational brain kept saying, "it can't be much longer or no one would ever book with them". When I finally reached the front of the line the employee, who was very kind, said it wasn't high season-this was pretty standard for them. Appreciated the honesty at least. Do not book with them, if your time is valuable at all.

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaff

      Reviewed April 6, 2025

      ZERO STARS. By far the worse customer service experience of my life! Flew into Phoenix approx. 8 pm with my 10 year old son. Only 1 employee working (slowly) and handed him printout of our reservation for a full size suv that we paid for. After 90 MINUTES of waiting, we got a small car. Called management after to get adjustment for the difference. He agreed to issue refund within 3 to 5 business days. 10 day later nothing. Reached back out and Payless offered half of what we agreed on. PAYLESS IS OWNED BY AVIS! WHAT A PATHETIC JOKE! Avis (with 4 employees working) is located right next to Payless!

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      Punctuality & SpeedStaff

      Reviewed April 5, 2025

      PLEASE don't waste your money and time on renting a car from the Payless @ Denver Airport. We rented a Full Size SUV and paid over $1,000 for the week. When we got there, it looked like a junk yard but I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. There was only 1 cust svc rep available, so it took quite awhile to get checked in. The first vehicle we were given had a flat tire, and looked like it had been sideswiped. The windshield was also cracked.

      My husband went in and asked for a different vehicle. The next one smelled like an ashtray. I am not the pickiest person, but I knew I had made a mistake choosing Payless. Again, my husband went back in and we received a half way decent SUV. Unfortunately our plans for the week changed due to our son being admitted to the hospital, so our brother took the vehicle back for us 5 days early. He also filled it with gas so we wouldn't be charged the higher price. Guess what, NO REFUND, NO DISCOUNT!!!! Again, please don't make the same mistake I did. Go somewhere else for your rental!!!!

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      PriceStaff

      Reviewed March 29, 2025

      Staff seems nice. Then they put the screws to your wallet. Every fee is higher than any other rental company. If you don’t buy their insurance they hold 2000$ on your card. If you don’t make your set time they charge 30$ day reset fee. Talk a lot of Spanish so don’t know what’s going on. In the end cancelled whole reservation and filing with Priceline about shady practices. Went to Hertz with no surprises and ended up near same price and no scare tactics. Oh yeah if you get toll charge they make up their own fines on your card. Or you can pay for their over inflated toll pass. Be smart and stay away or they will ruin your vacation!!

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      Customer ServicePrice

      Reviewed March 28, 2025

      The car was fine for the California only trips but they were very deceitful about refilling the gas tank. I clearly told the guy I wasn't using it much and would fill the tank before I returned it. He said they would charge me a lower price per gallon and would only charge me for what I used. When I got my credit card bill, it had a charge I didn't understand. When I called, She knew right away why I was calling, (probably happens all the time) and said they always charge for a complete fill. I then asked her why they charged me for over 18 gallons for a car with a gas tank that holds just under 11 gallons and she very quickly $23, still over charging me $8.00. Basically, they tried and did rip me off.

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      Payless Car Rental author review by Lauren Fix

      As an Avis subsidiary, Payless Car Rental operates more than 120 retail locations under a combined corporate and franchise model.

      • One-way rentals: Travelers can expand their reach and make work travel more convenient by picking up a vehicle at one location and dropping it off at another. Renter also have a choice of 15 different vehicles including economy cars, minivans, SUVs and 12 passenger vans.

      • Loyalty program: The Perks Club provides a streamlined reservation and check-in process.

      • Last-minute pricing: When booking ahead, renters usually get the lowest pricing, but Payless Car Rental also accommodates last-minute bookings with specials based on the pickup location.

      • Discounts: Partner organizations get discounts, like the five percent discount offered to all AARP members. Save 10 percent on monthly rentals or when you book more than 30 days in advance. Sign up for the newsletter for additional discounts.

      • Early-pay discounts: When renters book at least one day in advance and pay at the time of booking, they can save up to 20 percent. Cancellation fees apply to this type of booking.

      by Lauren Fix Auto & Finance Advisor

      Lauren Fix, The Car Coach®, is a nationally recognized automotive expert, sector analyst, journalist, author, keynote speaker and television host. A trusted car expert, Lauren provides an insider’s perspective on a wide range of automotive topics and aspects, energy, industry, consumer news and safety issues. Her analysis is honest and straightforward. Lauren is the CEO of Automotive Aspects and the Editor-in-Chief of Car Coach Reports, a global automotive news outlet. She is an automotive contributor to national and local television news shows including Fox News, Fox Business, CNN International, The Weather Channel, Inside Edition, Local Now News, NewsMax, The Daily Flash show and more.

      Payless Car Rental Company Information

      Company Name:
      Payless Car Rental
      Year Founded:
      1971
      Address:
      P.O. Box 699000
      City:
      Tulsa
      State/Province:
      OK
      Postal Code:
      74169-9000
      Website:
      www.paylesscar.com