Avis

Never again… the wait was 45min to get a car with employees just standing around while you wait… i book a car for 3 days was 117.00 the man convince me to get an upgrade… lol i keep the car one exta day they charged me 77.00+35.00+19.00= 131 for one day… total 388 for 4 days when my booking was 117 for 3 days

I reserved a Buick and when they tried to charge me more then my reservation I pulled out my confirmation and then all of a sudden they couldn’t give me the Buick for the same price and gave me the smallest car on the lot and still charged me more then my reservation. Will never do business with them again. They will try to over charge you be sure to take our confirmation with you. Per them it was the fee and I called their BS on it lucky my receipt from the internet had all fees included and I call and confirmed a head of time due to all the other reviews. I was ready for their BS.

Bottom Line: The recently relocated Avis has some upsides and downsides to it.
I rent at Avis Car Rental at San Diego International Airport every month but somehow I missed the memo that Avis was moving to a new consolidated Car Rental Center along with 10+ other car rental agencies. Now that Avis has a new location, its time for a new review.
As you can see from my previous reviews of this airport Avis, in the past, renting cars here has been smooth and easy for me. The ride to Avis on the Avis bus was short, the bus was rarely crowded, I was able to get off at a special stop for Preferred members and I was in my rental car driving away with a few minutes. Also, because I rent with Avis every month and they had so few cars (due to a small lot) I almost always got upgraded to a car several notches above what I reserved. Well, gone are the days of the short bus ride, intimate service and upgrades.
As you can read in greater detail at my review for the Rental Car Center at San Diego International Airport, the bus ride to Avis is now further from the airport but it is also closer to I-​5. The biggest drawback to the new location is that it requires an escalator ride to the third story of a massive parking lot and then a hike to your car. I really don’t mind the walk but if you have a family in tow, I can see where the parking lot hike could be a bit much, especially if you are lugging lots of luggage. My car was parked in spot H40 and from where I got on the escalator, I couldn’t see any signs for rows A through H at all. During our hike we did encounter some employees who pointed us in the right direction so I appreciated that, but a golf car ride would have been better! On Friday I will tackle the rental car return process so an updated review might be warranted thereafter.

Anyone going to pickup your car from here BE CAREFULL and take your time to revise the agreement before you sign it at the counter.
Good To Know:
— They will force you and scare you to sell their insurance to you. So don’t get confused.
— They will force you to get a higher priced car instead of the car you reserved by saying «we do not have the your reserved right now… they all are out. But I can get you a «XYZ». But the truth is-​yes, they have the car you reserved. They are just trying to rip you.
I think Avis needs to be more honest with their customers and respect their time and money.
Part-​1
I booked a 7 passenger minivan/​similar car and paid in advance online. Once I went to pick up the car I was told there is no similar car available!
So what is the point of reservation?! If you can not provide the service you got paid for why are you committing for it?
PART-​2
After some argument the rep told me only similar car available is Ford Transit. So I got the key and went to get the car. OMG-​it is not a mini-van…its literally a MINI-​BUS with 15 passenger capacity! I went back to the representative and informed I can not have this car. Unfortunately instead of working out the problem he kept trying to convince me that Ford Transit falls under the similar category of Dodge Caravan/​7 passenger mini-​van! ARE YOU GUYS SERIOUS?!
PART-​3
After more argument, wasting additional time of mine and digesting the representative’s rude attitude he looked into his system and found me a 7 passenger Kia Sorrento (so he already had plenty of 7 passenger car available in his system!!!) and gave me the key.
PART-​4
So I took the key and again walked back to the parking lot to find the car. Once I got to the car and found out there is another family already loading their luggage in to the same car… because they were given the same car for their reservation!!! Wow… Is this the standard of your professionalism?
PART-​5
So I went back to the representative again and explained the situation. Instead of apologizing or anything he threw me another key for the same model car. So went back to the parking lot again looking for the car. It appears the representative intentionally assigned me the last car that was parked all the way to the back corner of the parking lot. There were so many other Kia Sorrento parked in the parking lot, at least 3 of them next to the office! And guess what I found when went to pickup the car! A 7 passenger mini van nicely parked next to the Kia! SO WHY WAS THE LIE AT THE FIRST PLACE???
If they didn’t lie to me at the beginning I could have saved my 40 minutes picking up a car and frustration!
Only reason they deserve a single start after all these is that the car I received was a nice-​clean car, and the return process was very smooth.

The agent Armine is a liar. I explicitly told her I decline all the insurances, but she didn’t listen, and keep trying to sell them. She even told me I will not be covered by my own insurance unless I buy AVIS insurances. What a lie!
After reprinting the agreement, I signed it with $ 370.05 while the costco travel quote is $ 328.11. I was wondering the difference, and she told me this is due to brand new car’s taxes. Another lie! But, I was stupid and believed it. When returning the car in Las Vegas, the agent there told me it’s due to RSN (road side assist charge) insurance. I usually AMEX insurance protection, and I never ever needed any insurance. What a scam…
Please be careful. They will try to charge insurances without explanation. And, it’s hard to notice from rental agreement.

I rented a car on Priceline and ended up with this Avis location in San Diego. When I picked up the car I declined all that was offered at the counter by the service rep (Armina), when I got the price from the customer rep it was 90.00 more than my Priceline quote. I asked the agent about this and she said that it was city taxes not on Priceline quote. I later called Avis customer service to find out what this charge was and was told that the 90.00 was actually for roadside assistance (which I had declined). Avis was only willing to split this cost ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ with me after I complained about it. I rent cars fairly often and will avoid any and all Avis rentals in the future.
Like others commenting on this location, I wish that I could post zero stars.

Here’s what I liked: I didn’t know where to go, but there was a shuttle and the driver was very nice.
Here’s what I hated: everything else.
The only reason I’m giving them 2 stars is one for the driver of the shuttle bus. The location itself was empty. When I walked up to the counter, the lady tried so many ways to upsell me as if I’m stupid or something. She looked at me like I was stupid for wanting to drive a sub-​compact car for 3 hours to Yuma. I drive a Mitsubishi Mirage… my car is smaller than the one I ended up renting. She tried to get me into an SUV for «comfort» uhh… I love small cars… I think I can handle a 3 hour drive in a sub compact car. Next, she tried to upsell me on basic or premium protection… and I said basic initially, then I questioned, «Hey… are you charging me for „basic“ protection?» and she was almost hesitant to say yes… I’m a pretty good driver so I knew I didn’t need it. She also looked at me during this like I was crazy to decline protection. Sorry I don’t want to pay $ 11 more — it’s not a big deal haha. Yeah, I’ll never fall for your crap car rental places…

I wish I could give this crap-​hole of a rental agency negative stars… my experience was TERRIBLE. My husband and I needed an AWD car for a trip into the mountains over Christmas. I called 2 months before the trip and spoke with Aureliano to reserve the car. He promised me the AWD car I needed and told me I was all set and didn’t need to follow up to get my car for the trip. Well, my husband shows up to get the SUV and they give him the paperwork for a Kia, he gets to the stall and there is no car (Planes, Train and Automobiles-​style) so he goes back and waits in line again and he is upgraded to a Jeep Grand Cherokee. He mentions to the Avis rep (Greg) MULTIPLE TIMES that we need an AWD car. Greg assures him that its AWD and my husband gets the car and goes. Fast forward 2 hours and he picks me up at work, we look for the AWD drive button and there is none. ITS NOT AN AWD DRIVE CAR. So now we head BACK to Avis and wait in line AGAIN (now we are an hour late leaving for our trip) and we speak with the same rep (Greg) that helped my husband in the first place. He «apologizes» and then takes us out to a KIA that he says is AWD… we get in the SUV and its not AWD. At this point things are getting ridiculous. We have been fed bullcrap 3 times by Greg the Avis man and we are now 2 hours late for our trip. Eventually I go up and down the rows of SUVs and find one that says AWD on the back and we take that one. We have to unpack the Jeep and our dog and transfer everything in an unsafe and busy rental lot.
Seriously, the whole experience was the pinnacle of ineptitude. Train your reps, Avis, and teach them not to feed clients bull crap. I am NEVER using Avis again and I have nothing but negative things to say.

Awful! Do not trust these people especially Jorge and African American lady and side-​kick at the counter. Booked and reserved car to drive up to LAX. Jorge called and said there were no cars available and transferred to San Diego airport but rate would be same. We get to airport Avis and our rate was not honored and they had no cars! We had to get shuttled back to another location. Not a great start to our vacation. These people have no business accountability and kept dodging issues. We are SOL. Please do not trust or give Avis your business! The worst experience. Poor training and again no accountability.

The shuttle came quickly and was clean. The driver was welcoming. The line was alittle long and checking in I felt should have been faster as people came up after me but left before me. My car was very clean and drove well.

I live in SD and rent from these guys when I go on a road trip. These guys have great prices and a good selection of vehicles to choose from. The preferred exchange lot always has something to upgrade to as well. Still my first choice when going out of town.

The staff here are very nice and helpful. They are nicer than most rental car places I’ve been to! The shuttle to the airport was running at a consistent rate, which is good so you don’t end up waiting for too long. I probably saw 3 – 4 in the 15 minutes I was there.
When returning my car, I had questions because I got into an accident. Everyone that I interacted with was pleasant and genuinely wanted to help.

NEVER NEVER AGAIN! First time using Avis and the LAST time! I drove less than 12 miles from the San Diego Airport and got a flat tire. Probably because the tires are terrible and just ready to flatten at the mere sight of a nail or sharp rock. It’s a tad scary to think I could’ve been in freeway traffic in a blowout situation. HERE’S THE KICKER! They WILL send someone out to put the spare tire on but WON’T send a replacement car. Nope! I have to schlep this crappy car back with its garbage spare tire to the airport and deal with that whole mess again. Never mind that this is my first experience with Avis. Never mind the customer service aspect of keeping your customers happy. «No, you have to bring the car back to us and wait in that God awful line again to get another car with equally crappy tires.»
Welcome to San Diego. We hope you enjoy your stay and enjoy driving unlimited miles in your rental car. Oops, we mean AFTER you have to wait an hour for the guy to come out and change the tire and Lord knows how much longer to actually complete the task.
*** Edit *** On the bright side, Quality Road Service was incredible once they got there even though it took 20 minutes longer than advertised. They changed the tire and put on the spare in less than five minutes while having a very pleasant conversation. *** End Edit ***.
No problem. We just checked out at Von’s and have plenty of ice cream that we now must eat before it melts. «Hey tow truck guy, do you want an ice cream sandwich?» That ice cold beer I bought? Yeah, that will be a balmy 82 degrees when I get it home. «Oh and honey, do you remember that romantic sunset drive you wanted to do up the coast this evening? Well, we can’t because Avis doesn’t want their weekend disturbed. I know that this was the ONE thing you were looking forward to and the ONLY night we could do it, but maybe next time. What’s that? We haven’t been back to San Diego in 8 years since our 10^th wedding anniversary? I’m sorry baby, there’s nothing I can do since I can’t drive safely on a spare tire up the coast.»
Thanks Avis. You really restored my faith in rental car companies. Time to check another box of the companies I will NEVER rent from again. This was rented through Costco Travel so I would be remiss if I didn’t report my truly amazing experience directly to them. I do hope that I don’t get them dropped from the Costco Travel section. That would be a shame.
Seriously though, would it have been that much trouble to send a new car to Pacific Beach since I have had it less than two hours and put less than 12 miles on it? I know it’s past 6PM and I don’t want to put anyone out seeing how I may cut in to their weekend. Please Avis, have a great weekend and we will do whatever WE can to make YOUR stay in San Diego better. Stay classy San Diego.
*** UPDATE ***
Returned the car and Maria was the nicest person ever and said they will definitely take care of us. Great news, BUT NOT SO FAST! So we go inside and meet KEMI (ultra-​rude and the Avis experience to a tee). I told her that Maria said that you would take care of us and upgrade us to the Corvette. She gave us the most snide smile ever as if to say, «Right. So you actually think we care if you have a good customer experience? Do you actually think we WANT you to come back as a repeat customer? No. You can choose from another full size car that you paid for or you can have this small SUV Subaru Forester.» Obviously we chose the Subaru since there was more room for the other people we were staying with who made the decision to just Über everywhere. Looking back I should have made the Über choice as well. Avis employees treat you like crap and seem to hate their jobs (except Maria who met us when we turned the car in. She was the nicest person ever but Avis would never promote a person like that since she doesn’t fit in well with the corporate crap attitude.
**** END UPDATE ****
*** FINAL UPDATE UPON RETURN ***
IT GETS BETTER PEOPLE! On the way to the airport we filled the car up with gas and I even topped it off after it stopped pumping. When we returned the car everything went quickly and smoothly, perhaps too quickly. Luckily I checked by receipt. They tried to sneak by a $ 20 charge for 2 (TWO) gallons of gas ($ 9.89/gal.). I ran him down because he scurried away like a 5 year old who knew he was in trouble. I told him I JUST filled it 3 miles away. He said it was only registering a ⁷⁄₈ fill level and asked if I had my receipt, trying to catch me without it (per his scam training I presume). I showed him my receipt and he reluctantly told me to go inside and they would correct it. GREAT, ANOTHER LINE! Once inside, the agents continued to be rude but FINALLY refunded the difference.
CONCLUSION: Avis is, BY FAR, the worst and most dishonest rental car company on the planet. They systematically seem to have trained their agents to scam and squeeze every last penny out of their customers.

Avis San Diego is a HUGE operation. Their shuttle is prompt and they deliver you to this big rental center.
The line can be huge but you there are so many counters so it is okay.
The lady who helped me was nice and professional. She quickly got me through the rental process and even recommended me the better car to choose for the standard level. She was knowledgeable about cars and not just someone who didn’t care at all which one you got.
I don’t know if it is just because I rented from Costco, but my car was nearly new and perfectly clean.
I’m not going to try to spend a lot of time at a rental car facility but my experience overall was just fine.

Watched employee Yvonne work with a very very difficult customer. She had the patients of a saint. We watched and she tried over and over to do her best to make this person happy. After having to re do the transaction three times because the person kept on changing her mind Yvonne looked at us in line and apologized saying that she would get to us soon.
Finally the trouble customer left and Yvonne apologized again and again– when she had nothing to say sorry for. She did amazing with this person then promptly solved our problem with a smile on her face and a wonderful attitude.
Thank you Yvonne! Great service at Avis!

Waited 1.5 hrs for a car the first time I came here. Now I’m back (12 hours later) waiting again because the car wouldn’t start.
Staff is not only rude but incompetent. I was lucky (sarcasm) to be assisted by Sebasian both times.

Where are the minus stars when you need them??? Reserved my weekend car through Priceline and specifically DECLINED insurance coverage. When I picked up my rental car, the clerk (Rene) asked if I wanted coverage. I said «NO.» The next statement was «You’re going to fill it up yourself, right?» to which I replied «yes.» RENE printed the contract and said «initial here, here, here, and here then sign at the bottom and you’re all set.» Pleased with how quick the process happened I initialed, signed and was off to pick up my vehicle.
36 hours later when I returned the car I was shocked to see a charge for the insurance coverage I specifically declined added to my bill. I brought it to the attention of the clerk and he refused to adjust the bill. I asked to see the manager and was told he/​she was too busy to talk with me (the place was empty! The clerk said my charge could have been corrected if I had alerted them during the first two days of the rental. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 36 HOURS, BUT APPARENTLY 36 HOURS IS MORE THAN TWO DAYS NOW. He would not reverse the charge but handed me a $ 25 coupon toward my next rental. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
Left the coupon on the counter since I will NEVER use Avis again.
What a scam. I’d be interested to know if there are bonuses paid based on upselling customers on insurance coverage.

These days it is hard to get a rental car that is spotless inside. I am use to getting rental cars with grease stains on the glass, dust inside over the steering wheel and dried up juice in the cup holders.
I have rented cars from this place several times and every time my car has been spotless. Customer service is always great. And I somehow manage to get myself a free upgrade. ;)
Definetly try out Avis when renting a car in San Diego!

The insurance upsell kills me, especially when they phrase it as a question as if it’s a given that you’re going to pay extra for the insurance, «And so would you like the standard or „supreme“ insurance?». It’s sneaky. And most consumers don’t need to pay for the insurance as a lot of major credit cards provide car rental insurance coverage as a card perk– check with your credit card company to verify the terms and conditions.
The car was fine. The process to get the car and return it were acceptable though certainly far from stellar. Personally, I usually prefer Hertz for my rental needs but used Avis this time because I was able to pay for it with credit card rewards points.
Upon returning the car because we had only driven 60 miles or so, apparently we should have kept our receipt to show that we did in fact fill up the gas tank. So, word to the wise, if you only put on a few miles, keep the receipt as proof. Thankfully they decided not to be jerks about it and took our word for it that we had topped it off with a couple gallons before returning.

Oh Priceline, you got me. You got me good.
Ive been waiting In line for 25 minutes already, and each rep has been spending a good 15 monitors trying to up sell insurance, gas, gps etc. Verifying and confirming drop off time, when it is specified on each reservation already, handing out brochures, asking how many people riding in the car, how much luggage.
Just give me my car, and here is my license and credit card and reservation number. I decline all additional coverage and options!
Next time I will just spend more money instead of bidding and get stuck with Avis again.
Sf to la to sd, the service is all slower than a slug on cement on a hot summer day.
People, pay the extra $ 5 and save yourself an hour from your vacation or business trips. Your time is more valuable than this!
Btw I’ve been working on this review, and the line still has about another hour to go with 2 people in front of me.