Avis Reviews 

Dear Avis Customer Relations,

I am writing to formally complain about a series of failures involving two Avis reservations that resulted in significant stress, wasted time, and improper charges during our recent trip to Italy.

The reservations at issue are xx̌x̌xxx (Naples Airport) and xxxx567cxxx (Rome Fiumicino Airport).

Naples Reservation –

Due to a significant delay on United Airlines, our December 24 flight from Washington to Naples was canceled and we were rebooked to arrive in Rome on December 25, making it physically impossible for us to pick up our rental car in Naples.

We made repeated attempts to modify or cancel the Naples reservation:

1. We were unable to reach anyone at the Avis Naples Airport desk, despite repeated calls.
2. The U.S. Avis reservations office told us they could not assist and that only the Naples Airport office could modify the reservation.
3. The Avis office in Rome also told us they could not help and that we had to contact Naples Airport again, which, as noted above, was unreachable.

In short, we were trapped in a loop with no functional customer support.

Rome Airport Experience – December 25

Upon arriving at Rome Fiumicino Airport, we approached the Avis/Budget/Maggiore desk and were initially told:

- They could do nothing to assist with the Naples reservation, and
- There were no cars available to rent.

We were explicitly told to take a train instead.

However, while still in the terminal waiting area, we checked online and found that both Avis and Budget were actively showing cars available at Rome Airport. To protect ourselves, we made online reservations with both companies.

When we returned to the counter with confirmation numbers in hand, suddenly cars were available.

At that point:

- Staff could not initially locate the Avis Rome reservation I had just made.
- They did locate the Budget reservation, and we were finally provided a car — nearly three hours after our arrival.

Only afterward did staff locate the Avis reservation, at which point I was told it could not be canceled and that I would be charged for it, despite the fact that:

- The reservation had been made only minutes earlier,
- It was never used, and
- The confusion was entirely the result of contradictory information provided by Avis staff.

Requested Resolution

I am requesting:

1. Immediate cancellation and full refund of reservation 01956687US5 with all charges reversed.
2. Waiver of any penalties or charges associated with the Naples reservation xxxxx675xxx, which we were unable to cancel due solely to Avis’s failure to provide reachable customer support.
3. A written explanation of why online inventory showed cars available while desk staff repeatedly stated none were available.

This experience reflects a breakdown in communication, accountability, and basic customer service across multiple Avis offices. I expect these issues to be reviewed and resolved promptly.

My car hire experience was extremely negative at Avis Verona Airport.
​The initial process was completely ineffective, despite completing an online check-in a few days in advance, and providing all necessary details, I was met with a hostile member of staff who refused the rental, citing a mistaken email address as my name. This caused significant distress, time loss, and money loss, as they initially claimed there was nothing that could be done causing me a delay of an hour long. The situation was further aggravated by a colleague who shouted and threatened to cancel, forcing me to 'beg' for a resolution, which was only provided despite the initial refusal. Furthermore, on the return to Verona Airport, despite the rental agreement requiring a full tank and not receiving it that way, I returned it full. The staff member became displeased when I pointed out a 40 euro fuel charge on the receipt, contributing to a negative customer experience. If I could rate my experience, I would certainly rate it below zero."

DO NOT HIRE ANY CAR FROM AVIS UNLESS YOU LIKE TO BE PARTED FROM A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY!!!!
I had the bad idea to hire an Avis car at Venice airport via the Holidays Auto website. The amount quote to me was just over €700. At collection I had to sign a document where the estimate rental was over €2000. My choice then was: 1) tell them to get lost and loose the voucher of €700, plus any cancellation charges they would have dreamed to debit me or 2)sign and proceed with my holidays.
One is put in a situation where if you flip a coin the result is: head you loose and tails they win!!
I am sure that Holidays Auto are also aware of this scam, but they still choose to advertise Avis in their website

car ok
price ok
return check not aggressive

Following a rental with Avis Italy (Florence Airport), in August, I paid upfront for damage after a third-party accident, as instructed, and was reassured reimbursement would follow.

Avis has since been paid by the third-party insurer. Despite this, two payments remain retained.
Multiple follow-up emails were ignored, even after I explained my cancer diagnosis and the urgency of resolving the matter to focus on my health. The total lack of communication, of empathy and professionalism is striking.

Retaining funds after liability has been settled raises serious concerns from a UK consumer-rights perspective, particularly around fairness, transparency, and timely refunds.

I am still waiting for resolution. Avis UK is washing their hands of this. AVIS ITALY has is completely silent. AVIS GROUP should address this promptly and explain why customers are left chasing money that appears to have already been recovered. AVOID this company at all costs! APPALLING!

AVOID AVIS TRIESTE AIRPORT. SCAMMERS!

I strongly advise against renting with Avis, especially at Trieste Airport. Our rental car broke down in rural Slovenia and Avis left us stranded on the roadside for 24 hours, with no support from roadside assistance or from the Trieste office staff, who were unprofessional, unhelpful, and showed no willingness to assist.

After two months, Avis finally reimbursed the taxi expenses (€312) under claim A9576909, but my second claim A944BC17 remains unanswered. This claim concerns an unexplained €202 charge applied to my card days after returning the car with full comprehensive insurance, a full fuel tank, and after being told by staff that everything was in order.

This level of service and customer care is unacceptable. I strongly recommend choosing another rental company to avoid experiences like this.

I rented a car for a week. The employee added an extra insurance of €249 without asking, which I only noticed after returning – the amount was deducted from the deposit. The contract had to be signed on a small tablet positioned in direct sunlight, making it impossible to read.
After contacting Booking.com, I learned they couldn’t do anything because the contract was signed with Avis. They only refunded the insurance purchased through them.
Advice:

Always request a paper contract if you can’t read the screen.
Do not agree to additional insurance without explicit consent.
Better choose another reliable company – you’ll avoid being scammed.

Mafia practices at Bologna
Returning the car, no employee available.
no proof of damage but still charged

NEVER AGAIN AVIS!
When I picked up the car at Naples Airport (I received a car with a lower category than what was confirmed a Skoda Kamiq instead of a Ford Kuga), the bodywork was damaged and dented. I asked for a replacement vehicle in good condition, but they didn't give another one. Because of this, I did not take additional photos of the car.
When we returned and handed over the car at the airport drop-off location, the staff member inspecting the vehicle found a barely visible scuff on the rear plastic bumper (which I had already photographed); there was no break or crack on the car.
Therefore 369 EUR was deducted from my credit card. I did not accept responsibility for the scratch, but since our flight was departing soon, we had to leave and were unable to finish the discussion.

BEWARE. Avis at Bari Airport adds on additional products at the counter without properly disclosing them. They are shown on the back of the contract using acronyms. When you challenge them later they say 'so sorry, you signed and you are liable'. Deceptive sales practices at their worst. Avoid.

My wife and I recently returned from Sardinian where we hired a car from Avis at Cagliari airport.
When we were being signed up the lady advised us of slight damage to the car and using a hi-lighter pen circled several dents/scratches on the car (this is where the SCAM comes in)
We found the car and even took additional photos of even more nicks and scratches.
When we returned the car some 5 days later there was no one from Avis to receive the car just a sign to say drop your keys in the box provided.
A week or so later we were checking our credit card and noticed a charge of 180.00 Euros. We rang Avis and was advised that this was due to damage we had caused, they even sent a copy of the documentation we signed.
Now the SCAM part. The hi-lighted pen did NOT go thru to the copy underneath. This meant Avis could say we did all this damage.
I ASSURE you we didn’t cause any damage!!
My advice is stay away from Avis Cagliari but if have to use them like we did as we were on a British Airways holiday, Video the car SLOWLY!! Then wait for the charge, at least you will have a chance of getting your money back; not like us!!

I was charged $590 for damage to the car and there was no damage. I dropped the car off when Avis was closed. I took photos when I returned the car and there was no damage. I asked Avis to send me a better photo of the claimed damage because I could not detect where, on the car, Avis claimed there was damag.. They did not send me a better photo

I told Avis the lights in the drop off area reflect on the car and show up as white spots on my photos just like the damage they claim their photo shows. I asked Avis to send me a photo of the damage in daylight outside of the drop off area. They did not do that.

I offered to send Avis my photos that show white spots all over the car that look like the damage they claim. No response from Avis,

If Avis claims damage to the car they should provide a clear photo of the damage. I still don’t know where Avis claims there was damage on the car because the photo they sent was terrible.

If Avis claims damage to a car, they should respond to the questions and requested clarification by the customer. If there is damage caused by me, I have no problem paying for it. But when AVIS sends a photo of damage that looks like the reflections of light that are in my photos, I feel Avis is trying to cheat me.

I disputed the credit card charge and submitted a dispute to Avis.

UPDATE: November 4. The $590.00 charge was removed from my credit card.

BEWARE OF FAKE DAMAGE CHARGES. TAKE PHOTOS OF YOUR CAR FOR AFTER HOURS DROP OFF.

I have had good experience with Avis around the world but sadly this ended abruptly with Avis in Venice Airport. The car I was given, plate no. GV691KB, an MG HS, was a) dented, scuffed and scratched in many places b) had chips on windscreen c) rear right tyre lost 0.4 bar pressure every day d) the portable pump that came with the car was broken, so I had to scour around every day for a petrol station with air pump, a rarity in Dolomites f) front right tyre was almost bald g) tyre pressure sensors on dashboard showed wrong tyre h) the auto gearbox was unresponsive, leading to hairy moments entering a roundabout or joining motorway. In short GV691KB should be taken off the fleet by Avis; it is positively dangerous. Not to mention a 2 hour wait at check in. Never again Avis Venice.

Where do I start....

Arriving in Pisa airport to collect my car on the 13rd of October 2025 - and returning 6 days later!

This is for sure the worst experience ever with a car rental agency, what a pity I did not read the reviews before.....!

I am an Avis Preferred Plus customer, whatever that means. Nonetheless I was scammed at the counter by the clerk - who apparently charged me for an insurance (which I already had from my Mastercard Platinum) and additional charges, which amounted to more than what I actually paid for the car for the 6 days I had it..... What the f'''''k

DO NOT USE AVIS - there are so many others to choose from - who actually care about their customers. Who does not cheat them - and who is authentic and serviceminded....!

I will never use Avis again for sure.

DO NOT RENT AVIS HERE, or anywhere based on this experience. I contracted to pick up a car at Bari airport at 7pm. I arrived at 7pm. The desk had a crowd gathered around. I stood, waited. Some kind person said you have to take a ticket for your place in line. There were no instructions whatsoever! I took a number, #44. They were working on #2. There had to be 60 or more of us waiting once people de-planed and gathered around. 60 customers, TWO agents. After more than three hours got my car. Are you in high demand at this airport, Avis? Great, then send no less than 8 agents to process your customers. Will Avis refund me the three hours I was shorted? My contract was for 7pm. If I were late three hours I’d be charged. Will NEVER rent from Avis again. By the way, make use of virtually any other rental company at this airport including Hertz. No lines.

Used the rental office in Florence airport.

Heinous tactics used to put add ons on after playing upfront.

The customer service is shocking and trying to reach a person who will properly look at your claim is nearly impossible.

Avoid at all costs. You will end up paying for it otherwise.

Avoid Avis car hire at Brindisi Airport at all costs. The customer service is appalling with agents consistently using tactics to sell add ons. I have been charged twice and adhered to all T's & C's. Almost all customers ahead of me had numerous issues when dealing with Avis agents, ranging from incorrect drivers on bookings, no booking at all despite arranging and booking ahead, changes of vehicle that was not booked and down grading of cars. It is the worst car hire customer experience I have ever encountered. Complete rogues!

Avis is scamming me. I am from NY and rented a car in Italy picking up at Ciampino airport and returning to Fiumicino airport. When I picked up my rental, it was hit in multiple places. I sent pictures complaining the next day that it’s ridiculous they obviously charged someone for the damage and never fixed it. Why should I have to drive in a ghetto car when I’m paying money to rent it? Fast forward to drop off, this agent who helps me has the audacity to say there’s tire damage that wasn’t notated by Avis before and he was trying to pin it on me. He asked if I had any photos but I was in a rush to get to my plane and said he believed me anyway and I was good to go so we ran to security. I found photos my husband took when we picked up the car while we were on the plane and proactively sent them to the case I already had opened when I originally complained. I also mentioned that I didn’t want to see unexpected damage charges on my account. Now I am seeing a charge for over $1700 when I should have been charged closer to $800. Avis is scamming me for damage caused by someone else. Here are all the photos to prove it wasn’t me. These photos are all taken in the parking lot at pick up before I even drove the car. I will never rent from Avis again since they are thieves.

Never again — WORST EXPERIENCE EVER.
Avis Rome Fiumicino operates with zero values, and here’s why:
1. My rental was quoted at ~250€ online. In the end, I was charged double.
2. There was no signage to the Avis office (they had apparently moved buildings), making the process even more frustrating.
3. Check-in was a nightmare — nearly one hour of waiting with only five people ahead of me.
4. At registration, the staff was blatantly unprofessional: the agent was rude, took a personal call while “assisting” me, and tried to downgrade me to a car far below the tier I had paid for. When I objected, she openly complained to her colleague about me, and instead of addressing her behavior, he backed her up — all in front of me.
5. The clerk falsely told me I had no protection at all and tried to pressure me into buying unnecessary insurance. In reality, my rental already included coverage with an excess in case of accident. This was not a misunderstanding — the entire conversation was in Italian, so there was no chance of “lost in translation.” It was a blatant upsell attempt.
6. The car had a broken windscreen that was not even mentioned in the contract.
7. The final insult: Avis later called asking for a 10-star review in exchange for a 10% discount. Do they really think anyone would sell their integrity for €50?

This company shows nothing but disregard for its customers. It should not even be in business. Close your doors — WORST EXPERIENCE EVER.

Dubious business practices.
I rented a car from AVIS in Italy and paid the entire rental fee of €452.32 in advance. When using the car, I adhered fully to the agreed terms and conditions. After my return, I received a bill for €1,076.69, which is completely unjustified. The amount has already been charged to my credit card.
What's almost worse is that AVIS's customer support is non-existent. Not a single email was answered, not a single request for a callback was fulfilled, and the phone was never answered or simply hung up on.
After many years and countless rentals with AVIS (my status is therefore “Presidents Club”), that's it for me. I will never rent from AVIS again.