Payless Car Rental Arvostelua 

Easy and fast, helpful personal. Good experience for our vacation:)

On January 8th,2025 , I had the worst customer experience of my life.

After waiting 3–4 hours for a 9 PM flight on January 7th, which was eventually canceled by Flair Airlines (which I will write a separate review for), I had to find a hotel for my 82-year-old father, my mother, and myself. My father has multiple health issues, including incontinence, Parkinson’s, and thyroid problems. All his clothes were dirty, and he had no access to his more medication, because we were supposed to fly home that night.

We later received an email from the airline informing us that the flight had been rescheduled four days later, on January 11th. With all this uncertainty, I thought the best course of action was to rent a car so that I could go to a nearby laundromat, buy diapers and food for my father, and ensure we had what we needed for the next few days.

The Rental Car Nightmare

I woke up early on January 8th, 2025, and left the hotel at 8:30 AM to pick up the rental car I had already paid for.

The staff and management were the most incompetent and disrespectful people I have ever encountered.

I waited over an hour for their machine to accept my Visa card after they refused to manually enter the information for the deposit—despite the fact that I had already prepaid the rental with the same credit card. (I found this extremely suspicious because, instead of trying again, they seemed to assume the card wouldn’t work and expected me to use another credit card. If I had done so, my rental car insurance would not have been valid.)

They eventually gave me a car, but when I went to the parking lot to find it, another customer was already getting into it because they had assigned it to him as well.

When I returned to the office, the female staff member refused to give me another vehicle. Instead, she wasted time on her phone, scrolled through the computer, and made calls on the radio.

When I finally lost my patience and asked if she was going to give me a car or not, she told me she was canceling my reservation. I told her she could not do that without my permission and that I needed to speak to a manager. She refused to call anyone.

Frustrated, I grabbed the wired mouse from the counter (which I acknowledge was wrong). She then started screaming and making a huge scene, falsely claiming that I had “touched” her. She exaggerated the situation, making others believe that I had physically done something to her.

When I asked another staff member to call a manager, she pretended to use the radio but never actually made the call.

The manager eventually arrived with two security guards and informed me that I was being removed from the building.

I peacefully left with my mother to take a shuttle and get a cab. However, the shuttle was stopped, and 2–6 police officers surrounded me. I was handcuffed and accused of throwing an object at her. But when they checked the security cameras and realized the entire accusation was false, they “apologized” and admitted it was a misunderstanding.

By the time I arrived back at the hotel, it was almost 2 PM. My 82-year-old father had been alone for hours, waiting for food, a clean diaper, and a shower.

This is the absolute worst company ever, and I recommend that no one ever deals with them. What an absolute shame.

The worst company that I have ever dealt with. I wonder how they allow them to work and scam people in that way. I rented car at Istanbul SAW airport. The have over charged me. Not returning my deposit. In addition they would like to charge me for things that I am not aware off. I returned the car as I received. No any damage at all. They also asked me to over pay for tolls that I never used. You communicate with them and you don’t get any response. They take credit card information and charge you from time to time. They are big scammers.

Nightmare From start to finish. When we arrived at the airport and walked out of arrivals a sign said car rental. We rang the company and I took four times of ringing the phone for someone to answer. They then told us they don’t pick up at arrivals. You have to walk all the way to departures to get picked up. We then walked across the airport and the driver hadn’t set off so after ringing and not being answered three times again we eventually got through and they sent the mini bus out. This in total was now an hour after we had Landed when they dropped us off at the garage. There was nobody there to help us. We sat around for 15 minutes unable to collect our car because there was nobody to help us. They then tried to give us the car we hadn’t ordered and we told them we had two big bags so near the estate and they told us to try and get the bags into a smaller car. Eventually I managed to tell them we couldn’t travel without our suitcases and they gave us the estate which we had ordered booked and paid . So from arriving into the airport to getting a higher car and driving off took almost 2 and a bit hours. The staff could not care less in the slightest that we were gonna be late and have a longer drive-through till midnight. When returning the car we followed the exact directions on the contract and they do not take you to where the place is. It’s 1 mile away so we had to drive around because nobody answered the phone in order to try and find the place. Eventually we WhatsApp the Mobile number we had called on arrival and got given a different address. When I showed them the address we had been given on the contract they couldn’t care less but it was incorrect and then blamed us for being late and the fact that we are driven around and used the tiniest amount of petrol. They wanted us to take the car back to a petrol station and fill it again with what would’ve been something like £2. The mileage meter said full but they were being adamant that it could go a tiny bit further. The The younger lady who dealt with us had absolutely no skills with customers and was rude and unhelpful. In the end I had to ring the company we booked through to get them to speak to them and we then threaten them that we would have to leave order a taxi ourselves and leave the car and everything behind because they would not take the keys for us. Eventually, somebody else with a common sense stepped in and told us to just leave and the mini bus dropped us at the airport. All in all I have never had such a terrible experience with the Hire car company of which I’ve probably used in Europe ever.

Zero stelle sarbbe stato meglio o Stelle negative
Auto noleggiata dal 1 gennaio 2025 al 6 gennaio 2025 aeroporto di Bucarest tramite Autoeurope
Già alla consegna della macchina mi sono state applicati costi aggiuntivi non previsti dal contratto iniziale tra questi il pieno dell'auto avendo scelto erroneamente la formula pieno-vuoto.
Da contratto era previsto un costo massimo di 1309 euro loro si sono presi 160 euro.
L'auto era un 9 posti Mercedes Vito Malandato dcon 180.000 km, varie ammaccature e molti rumori in marcia, freno a mano non funzionante e frizione che non staccava bene.
Per fortuna dopo un viuaggio di oltre 1000 km siamo riusciti a ritornare, ma al ritorno la sorpresa, è stato estorto il costo del lavaggio, nonostante non fosse compreso tra i costi di riconsegna e normalmente nessun noleggiatore li fa pagare.
Il noleggio mi è costato più di quanto avrei pagato con compagnie più serie.
Sono dei Ladri e sono da evitare.
Ho scritto ad europecar per un rimborso di 90 euro, ma non credo che mi risponderanno mai anche loro sono complici, perchè fanno da tramite con dei truffatori

Perfetti!! Sia a Lanzarote che Fuerteventura, economico, servizio velocissimo senza nessun "balzello" franchigie o richieste assurde...( vedi la mia recensione su Ok Mobility). Consigliatissimo.

I had a terrible experience with Payless Slovakia. Despite a confirmed booking to pick up a car at 19:30, their office closed at 19:00 without informing me, leaving my family stranded at Bratislava Airport. The shuttle service they advertised until 21:00 was unavailable, and I made 18 unanswered calls trying to reach them. We were forced to change our travel plans with zero support or compensation offered.
To make matters worse, they charged us for a stain in the car we did not cause. My family did not eat, drink, or carry a baby in the vehicle, yet they ignored our explanation and took no responsibility. Their dismissive attitude toward the entire situation—acting as though failing to deliver a car as scheduled is perfectly normal—is unacceptable. I would not recommend this company to anyone.

Absolutely the worst car rental experience. Rented through Expedia for Phoenix airport. Waited 2 hours at the counter because they were short staffed only to be told that they didn’t have the car I rented available and that even though I bought insurance through Expedia when I rented they car that “it’s not valid because we don’t use them.” Was given a different car and then told to go downstairs to pick up where there was another 2 hour wait. Down there, met numerous people who said they waited only to be told no car. So we went back to counter and cancelled the rental because there were many other rental companies at the airport without these absurd lines. Clerk at counter said ok, cancelled and refunded only to discover that I was still charged. Tried to get rerun through Expedia only to be told that Payless said no. So in the end, I wasted so much time and money on a car I never even rented. Run away, do not rent from them ever.

I rented a car for 28 days from Paphos airport Cyprus, Within the first 24 hours of the rental after only having driven from the airport to the hotel, (20km) the electrics failed which made the car unusable. I called the assist line and was told to wait in my hotel for a technician to call. They called and came to the hotel a few hours later. They said they'd need to exchange the car, so made all the checks and switched vehicles.
When I arrived home 29 days later I saw a new charge of 15.80 on my credit card, I enquired and was told it was for petrol consumed on my original car, (That I'd had only driven to the hotel - which malfunctioned and was un-drive-able.)
When the original car was collected from my hotel the petrol gauge was still on full.
I wrote and complained. The car was un-usable and still had a full tank - so obviously whoever collected it drove it somewhere to be fixed then back to the airport - which all used petrol, then the gauge was read.
So claiming that 15.80 of petroleum was used in one short trip is outrageous.

I can’t accept being penalised for a vehicle we couldn’t use within 24 hours of the rental. Especially as even if I'd wanted to I couldn't drive it to a petrol station.

I have always followed the contract details on every vehicle hire.

Payless should be apologising for my wasting a 1/2 day of my vacation waiting for their faulty car to be exchanged- Not making a money-grab for a few euros from a customer who over the past 14 months has spent more than 1300 euros on car hire from their company. It’s totally outrageous, and I'd highly recommend any future customers beware - as it seems they can simply go into your bank account and take whatever they want.

Ich habe über Check 24 in Cancun Airport einen Mietwagen mit allen Versicherungen gebucht.
Leider waren die Mitarbeiter dort der Ansicht, dass auch die Dokumente, dass alle Versicherungen inklusive sind, kein Grund sind das Auto herauszugeben.

Das Angebot war 25.000 USD in Cash als Sicherheit oder der Abschluss einer zusätzlichen Versicherung.
So erging es alleine in der Zeit, als ich dort war mehreren Kunden.

Für 250 USD konnte dann der Basisschutz nach gebucht werden, obwohl eine komplette Absicherung im Mietpreis inklusive war.

Bitte buchen Sie niemals bei Payless/Budget in Cancun

They are SCAMMER to the general people. 3 days rental was $101 Through Expedia. When got to the service desk, it came out to be $297 because the car we booked is not such a car online???? so they had to switch a smaller car and said it's a midsize SUV ???. Rented RAV4 but they gave me Nissan Kicks ( My A$$). Its a Bait and Switch Tactics Scammer car Rentals are playing. Report to your Attorney General and the BBB (Beter Business Bureau). However, Expedia refunded me $75 back credit and Expedia will take care of Payless at their end. NO MORE rental from PAYLESS & NU Car rental EVER. NU was even worst. They wanted 2 forms of ID with pictures, 2 Major credit cards, 2 current UTILITY bills???? and only 250 miles/day even I was a local renter in the area (San Diego-CA)!!!!. NO other car rental has ever asked me that. They even stated on the rental as UNLIMETTED miles. Liar!!!. No such car we booked online also and they were doing the Bait and Switch again so I demanded they cancel my reservation and walked out there with all of my personal IDs and credit cards. I have requested Expedia to remove them from online rental listings. HIGHLY NOT RECOMMEDED.

we rented a car for the day at Bratislava airport. we paid a deposit of 900 euros. Before giving the car, he filled out a protocol in which the damages were noted. We returned the car at night, at the hotel, so he could not inspect it. After a few days, we received a letter that the damage glass scratch was recorded and they charged almost 700 euros for it. we wrote a complaint, but the answer after 30 days was that it was as if another new damage had already been indicated in the protocol. We asked to send before and after photos, but we didn't get anything. avoid this company as far as possible and don't rent, because they are scammers, trying to make a profit. worst experience ever.

Pre booked a hire car at Tivat Airport for 3 to 7 Oct 2024. Long discussion on completing the paperwork ref insurance and it has cost me an extra £120 - on geeting initial car lots of scratches etc on the Hyundai I20 but this was rectified with a clean Dacia Sandero (*which is what I had pre booked !)

Poor customer service and whilst car rental is cheap, be wary and avoid the insurance bit - this is a scam and shocking to receive in otherwise a beautiful and friendly part of the world

Wir hatten ein Auto bei Payless in Podgorica für 19 Tage gemietet. Angeblich zahlten wir eine Kaution von 785,55 €. die wir zurückbekommen sollten. Diese Kaution war dann später eine zusätzliche Versicherung, die wir nie gebraucht hätten, weil wir bereits in Deutschland eine Vollkaskoversicherung abgeschlossen hatten. Payless betrügt vorsätzlich. Wir bekamen natürlich nichts von Payless zurück. Alle Versuche von Deutschland aus blieben erfolglos. Auch der Avismutterkonzern sieht sich hier nicht in der Verantwortung und Argus Car Hire, über die die Anmietung in Deutschland erfolgte, hält sich raus mit der Begründung bei der Anmietung ja nicht dabei gewesen zu sein.

We had all the documentation, we have payed assurance extra when we reserved the car .
When we want to do the security deposit the operation was strangely cancelled 2 times (it was the same issue with the other french).
We had 2 others visa card that he didn’t accept or try.
The answer was directly, if you take our assurance 30€/day,you don t need the deposit, so pay more and you can have the car.
To be honest it feels like a trap.

Bad customer services at JFK airport. Wait for 45 minutes to get car. Long line and only one employee to help customers.

Von 254€ auf 426€ für November hochgeschossen ihr habt doch ne Macke 🤮 ich habe bei autoreisen gebucht für 272€ 14 Tage obwohl ich weiß, das ihr irgendwie zusammen hängt 🤬🤬

as all other complaints...wont return $250 deposit.
recorded message says wait 10 days
Not redeposited. customer service has no records using DL#. CC #, ref #. she says deposit is only pending and never comes out of account.
WRONG!!!
3

Once deposit is paid, no chance that it s going to be paid back in full. Horrible experience, when you return the car a guy will carefully go through the vehicle and look for even small scratches done in previous rentals only to blame you. Obviously this is done over and over so if a person makes a small scratch, they leave it there to blame whoever rents the vehicle again. This guy blamed us for a scratch in the front bumper, the part below €290 and €250 for cleaning, total €540. Before taking the car a guy outside advised my children that these people are fraudists but I had already paid for the rental, so couldn t turn back. We looked carefully for scratches and pointed to attendant all of them, we didn t realise that there was a scratch in the bottom part of the bumber but. If you have already paid for the rental make sure to inspect every mm before taking the car, even the bottom. If you didn t pay just avoid, these people are fraudists. I also suggested to Ryanair and Rentalcars to remove these people from their platform. Both Ryanair and Rentalcars don t deserve to be associated with such an amateur company

I don’t have time to write down how bad my experience was-from the second I stood in line, til a month after I returned the car. I’m still paying for this garbage rental car company. Poor in every category or standard. They need to be shut down permanently. Every review is the same-gives horrible service. Don’t rent here and definitely don’t give them your credit card information!!!!!