Payless Car Rental Reviews

Horrible car condition and customer service. Picked up the rental in Seattle and it was filthy. I called, wrote letters and sent pictures. No response from anyone. I even sent a letter to the CEO, Thierry Zephirin, and no response or even acknowledgement of the letter/pictures. It obviously is the culture that they do not give a crap about their products or service. Disgusting. DO not rent from this terrible company.

I usually use Enterprise but my Rapid Rewards card suggest better deal with Payless. WORSE MISTAKE. The $347 for 6 day unlimited mileage turned in $750 when I went to pick it up. Held $200 deposit even though I used charge to pay cost. Then a stranger and myself met in the lot ACROSS THE STREET renting the same vehicle. No staff appeared to help so I had to go back to building across the street to straighten out the mixup. At least that guy helped carry my luggage BACK to the double rented car. Which a staff magically appeared and had helped the stranger with the rental. The guy from the counter both asked him where was he before I walked back. Never again.

FYI beware if you Bundle Through Priceline a Rental Car Pre-paid From Payless Car Rentals ,They will Bill Youagain! And it is an act Of God to Reach Anyone At Payless Car Rental San Diego Airport. Please do Not Use Payless Car Rentals San Diego Airport. They're not Honest Company.

Please do not rent from these people!!! We paid for our rental online then were told they needed to authorize 250 on the credit card but will release when we bring back the car but instead charged an additional fee if 287 claiming insurance waiver and roadside which we never used or was disclosed about !!! You will be way out of pocket for more than you expect!!!

Avis/Priceline at New York JFK airport: March 15: 4 people behind the counter, 1 customer was being helped when I arrived to pick up my fully paid for non-refundable Payless reservation. When asked whether someone from Payless is available was advised by the representative helping the only customer that he would be helping me once he is finished. 10 min later once he finished he just walked out. 2 more people arrived in the meantime and we’re now being helped, while I was still waiting. When I asks again whether someone would be helping me they stated that if I waited on line I would’ve helped. When I objected stating that I have been waiting in line for the past 15 min, when there were no other customers they told me I was standing 3 feet off the proper spot.

We were quoted a price on a rental for a car at San Diego Airport via Orbitz. Upon arrival at the rental counter, we were told that "unlimited mileage" had restrictions to "local" travel only. So therefore were charged an additional $150 because we would be driving beyond the San Diego area! The car itself was a mess - it was dirty inside and out, with cigarette burns on the upholstery. It had multiple dings and scratches on the outside.

Please stay far away from this rental company I have requested a receipt for reimbursement ELEVEN times and I am still waiting despite them saying no problem we will send it. Horrible customer service, 3 different ways to get a receipt but none of them work. Just a horrible, all around inept company. I never write reviews but if I can save someone the aggravating experience of dealing with these people, I will.

I rented a car from them. After I returned the car they charged my credit card 2 times. I tried to resolve it with the manager, sent him email and left him messages but no respond. Finally I had to put a dispute on those charges.

This franchise location is a complete scam. After talking with Payless corporate, their insurance is optional. We have our normal Allstate coverage and purchased more travel insurance to be safe. After arriving, we were intentionally deceived by the sales rep stating they wouldn't accept either insurance coverage and then threatened us to be stuck there with no vehicle unless I purchased their insurance. I reluctantly agreed so my wife and I wouldn't be stranded. The sales rep again lied stating the lowest insurance costs us $151.99, which was 3x the original price we originally paid. I only learned of this scam after I got back stateside and had the ability to further investigate their claims.

Never use them. Cabo San Lucas Mexico airport. First they said they didn't have my reservation. I called US customer service, who confirmed the reservation, then refused to call the local office, and when I insisted hung up on me. Payless then tried to send me to Budget (owned by the same parent company) to rent MY RESERVED CAR for 4 times as much.

Absolutely awful. Charged $445.54 with them saying I returned the car 2 days late, when in fact I returned it a day early. Had to just through hoops, sending my hotel, airline and check bag fees. They kept hanging up me and saying they were getting disconnected? Then they when into a litany of off the wall questions that had nothing to do with the actual return of the car? I answered all of them and the they said they couldn't open the PDF files of the receipts I sent. The gas door wouldn't open on the car and I had to have a mechanic open if with an emergency release string located inside the car. Tried to tell the attendant when I checked in the car and they could have careless. So, some poor slob is going to through the same issues I had.

I recently had the worst experience I have ever had with a car rental company. We reserved a car for pickup at the Guadalajara Airport and paid for insurance through the app where the reservation was made. Upon arrival, we waited an hour and a half before an agent assisted us. When we explained that we had already purchased insurance, the agent insisted that Payless Rent a Car only accepts their own insurance and refused to honor the coverage we had paid for. This made no sense, as the reservation platform clearly offered that insurance option. Her response was “that is your problem not ours.”

Horrible. I just got charged $219.80 for going on multiple toll roads for a state that I didn't even go to. On the reports it states that I was driving different "class" vehicles every time. I am trying to fight it right now but they keep saying there is nothing they can do.

Oh my gosh. This is the absolutely worst car rental. 1 yes 1 person working and a line out the door at the Phoenix airport counter. Slow slow and I waited in like for 2 HOURS and no lines anywhere else, BUT they won't refund if you cancel. What a SCAM!!!! Don't go here, really.

I reserved a minivan 3 months ago for my family and I to travel to Hoosier National Forest. We were scheduled to pick the van up and the Indianapolis International Airport on 9.18 and 7 pm. Upon arriving, I was told by a gentleman at the desk that all of the cars had been recalled and they did not have a vehicle for me. He asked if I received a text, phone call, or email. I had not.

I scheduled a rental in Puerto Rico and paid insurance ahead through Expedia which they did not honor. Then I could not use my credit card, Apple Card, and tried my bank card, also declined, to pay for rental so had to cash app money to my daughter so she could rent it. Then they made it difficult to use own car insurance so you are forced to buy theirs! Also have not gotten back deposit they force upon you!!! Simply put, this company is a scam start to finish. Avoid at all costs!

Would never use this car rental company again. Picked up a rental at the Knoxville TN airport. The initial paperwork took a long time... problem with the computers. Agent said she was upgrading the rental because we were so patient. Handed the key to a new 2025 Volvo.. No instruction on the car features was offered. Car seemed fine until we were about 10 minutes from our destination... We drove from Knoxville to Pigeon Forge TN. Then the steering wheel started to make a grinding and moaning noise every time I turned the steering wheel.

I rented from Payless from August 11-18 of 2025. I had asked for a mid-sized car. What I got was barely a compact car with a stained interior and an engine notice that made one wonder. They said the Mitsubishi Mirage I received was a mid-sized car. Maybe for really tiny people! Driving down the highways and streets of San Diego we felt every bump and hole due to poor shocks and suspension. And the price was no savings. Don't be fooled by the quoted price. The end price will be at least 50% higher. How are they still in business?

I really hope this reaches someone who can implement this for training throughout your company. I came in to Houston for a family reunion. Not wanting to inconvenience my family due to them possibly being busy, I decided it would be best to rent a car. I was able to make a reservation for a car while exiting the airport, which I found to be very convenient. When I came out the terminal, the shuttle for the car rental place was already outside and ready to take me to the location.

Rented car. Came to get car. It is a Budget/Payless combined counter. There was someone helping fastbreak customers but no one else. Line pretty long as we wait for fastbreak customers to be helped first. After 10 min a second representative came to help.