Is Payless Car Rental Any Good? (Top 5 Issues +Comparisons)

Renting from a lesser-known car rental with super-low advertised rates carries more risks – an apt description for Payless Car Rental.

Is Payless Car Rental Legit?

As one of the smallest car rentals in North America, Payless operates only a handful of locations.

Although it is a legitimate business, the appalling customer satisfaction among Payless car renters means doing business with the company carries a higher-than-usual risk of fraudulent charges.

Is Payless Car Rental Part of Avis or Enterprise?

Payless Car Rental is part of the Avis Budget Group, which also owns and operates Budget Car Rental.

Is Payless Car Rental Reliable?

A car rental’s reliability is typically location-dependent as the mixed customer reviews lean toward positive.

Still, Payless car rental’s abysmal record across customer review sites indicates that it’s less reliable than most other services.

You will need to try harder than average to have a pleasant rental experience.

Payless Car Rental Problems & Complaints:

#1 Fraudulent Checking of Add-Ons Boxes

Numerous Payless customers reported that the counter representative checked the boxes on the paperwork for add-ons despite the customers declining those options when asked.

Topping the list for the fraudulent addition of options include:

• Auto insurance.
• Roadside assistance.

In some cases, the sales rep got upset when the customers insisted on declining the add-ons – the car they eventually received wasn’t in the best condition.

#2 Dishonest Damage Claims

Despite the customers’ best efforts to record the vehicle’s condition upon receiving and returning the car and not cause any damage during the rental, the company still charged them for damages.

The damages, like dents and scratches, may be minor, but they run up to hundreds of dollars.

They endured a long process to reverse the charges with the banks and Payless agents, experiencing plenty of hassle and agony along the way.

#3 Deceptively Low Rental Rates

Customers claimed that the advertised rates on the website and over the phone changed when they reached the counter for the scheduled pickup.

In some cases, the total charges went up by almost 50%, especially at airport locations.

Although Payless has the lowest advertised rates among major car rentals in North America and Europe, the alleged increase in total amounts payable makes their prices on par with the industry average.

#4 Exorbitant Change of Drop-Off Fee

Major car rentals with various locations within a city or State can accommodate drop-offs at a different location for free, as long as the customers made prior arrangements with the counter.

Problems arose when the change in drop-off location was a last-minute decision.

Typically, when the customers ask if they can drop off at a different office, the answer is a straightforward yes. The missing question is, “how much?”

Assuming a service costs $0 carries huge risks.

Plus, asking the counter representative at pickup and noting the fee on the rental contract is the safest way to ensure you don’t incur any extra that you didn’t agree to.

Changing the return location during rental usually comes with a higher risk of expensive fees, especially with a less-reputable car rental, as some Payless renters experienced.

#5 Unsubstantiated Cleaning Fee

All car rentals stipulate a cleaning fee that can go as high as $400, and it can be for cleaning a dirty car, de-smoking the interior, or vacuuming the cabin of pet hair.

Some customers cleaned the vehicle before drop-off, while others did not travel with a pet but still received cleaning charges.

It is crucial that customers, whether with Payless or another car rental, take photographs and videos of the vehicle when returning it, in case they need to fight a claim.

Payless vs. Other Car Rental Companies:

Payless vs. Alamo Car Rental

When deciding between Alamo and Payless car rental, opt for Alamo as it has a record of providing better services and a significantly greater number of locations to allow one-way drop-offs.

Payless may have cheaper advertised rates, but the high number of complaints point to final bills with add-ons and hidden fees that add up to significantly higher.

Payless vs. Avis Car Rental

Payless is part of Avis, but the former’s pay-less advertisement typically adds up to a considerably higher final bill, making Avis the better choice for renting a car.

Avis also has more locations, making finding one for your desired destination easier.

Payless vs. Budget Car Rental

Both brand names seem to represent go-to options for affordable rentals.

However, if you prioritize transparent charges – or as transparent as car rental charges can be – opt for Budget over Payless; the latter has a reputation for deceptive practices that lead to higher bills.

Still, you must exercise care when signing a rental contract with any service provider.

Payless vs. Dollar Car Rental

Although Payless offers some of the lowest rental rates, its more underhanded practices with unauthorized add-ons and damage claims mean opting for Dollar car rental is a safer bet for a smoother experience.

However, watch the checked and unchecked add-on boxes when you sign any rental contract.

Payless vs. Enterprise Car Rental

In this contest, Enterprise outperforms Payless as the better car rental overall, with more locations and better service, albeit at a premium.

Going by the heaps of consumer reviews, you don’t pay much lesser with Payless.

Payless vs. Fox Car Rental

Both companies have minimal presence in the US car rental market with ultra-low rates, but when faced with these options, choose Fox over Payless as the former enjoys marginally better consumer reviews.

Payless vs. Hertz Car Rental

Hertz is a better car rental than Payless, as it has considerably more locations for higher accessibility and one-way rentals. Plus, Hertz registered higher customer satisfaction across major review sites.

Payless’ rates may appear lower when you reserve online, but its customers have reported higher rental bills with hidden charges.

Payless vs. National Car Rental

In one of the clearest differences in overall quality, National trumps Payless car rental with service excellence, a greater number of locations, and transparent pricing.

Only in situations where the renter is familiar with a Payless location, its agent, and service quality would Payless’ cheaper rates make sense as a safe choice.

Payless vs. Sixt Car Rental

While both have received below-average customer reviews, Sixt emerges as the marginally better car rental than Payless, with more locations and a broader selection of vehicles at competitive prices.

Payless vs. Thrifty Car Rental

Thrifty makes the better car rental choice than Payless, as it enjoys higher satisfaction among renters, and while its rental rates are higher than Payless, they remain relatively affordable.

Payless vs. Turo Car Rental

Although Payless has some of the most attractive rates among traditional car rentals, Turo beats Payless with even lower prices, an infinite selection of vehicles, and greater pricing transparency.

Payless Car Rental FAQs:

Does Payless Car Rental Have Unlimited Miles?

The vast majority of Payless rental cars have unlimited mileage, regardless of the vehicle class.

Does Payless Car Rental Charge for Mileage?

In the rare case that your Payless rental car is mileage-limited, the additional mile rate will appear on your reservation confirmation.

Does Payless Car Rental Allow Pets?

Like most car rental companies, Payless Car allows pets to ride along in their vehicles.

However, renters need to return the car in clean condition and free of animal hair to avoid cleaning fees of up to $250.

Does Payless Car Rental Allow Towing?

Payless Car does not allow towing with their rental vehicles.

Does Payless Car Rental Allow Out-Of-State Travel?

Payless Car allows driving out of the originating state if the renter notifies the rental counter in advance.

Plus, rentals originating in the US cannot cross borders into Canada or Mexico without first obtaining written authorization from the rental location.

Does Payless Charge for Additional Drivers (incl. Spouse)?

This rental company allows additional drivers aged 25 or older, charging $13 per day, although the fee could vary by location; those under 25 may incur a $25/day surcharge.

Still, these additional drivers are free additions for Payless rentals:

• Renter’s spouse or domestic partner.
• Renter’s employer or co-worker renting through a corporate account.
• Companion to a renter with driving disability.

Payless limits a maximum of two additional drivers per rental.

What Is Payless’s Cancellation Policy?

Payless Car’s cancellation fee is lower-than-average but stricter than most rental companies.

If you prepaid:

• Cancel at least 48 hours (2 days) before pickup: refund prepaid amount, minus a $50 cancellation fee.
• Cancel less than 48 hours before pickup: entire prepaid amount forfeited.

References:

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/payless_car_rental.html

https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.paylesscar.com

https://www.bbb.org/