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Is Payless Car Rental legit?

Cheapest headline rates in the Avis Budget family, but counter insurance pressure and add-on charges are the most-reported problem.

Most surprise-charge complaints at HNL, JFKLowest-rated branch at OGG
Rental car companySince 1971Owned by Avis Budget Group (also owns Avis, Budget and Zipcar)paylesscar.comChecked October 16, 2026 by Nurullah GökdoğanHow we check
1 · Is it a real company that delivers?
Legit, but be careful

Payless is a real, Avis Budget Group-owned brand and you will get a car. It paid a $19 million class-action settlement over add-on charges renters said they declined, and recent reviews still report pressure to buy cover.

2 · Will you pay what you were quoted?
Frequently not

Low base rates, then add-ons: a $19M settlement over fuel and roadside charges renters declined (2016–2023), and 2026 reviewers still report being told to buy daily cover at the counter.

How fair is Payless Car Rental?

Five checks, 1–5 each. 3 is average for rental cars.

Price honestyIs the final bill close to the quote?Low base rates, then add-ons: a $19M settlement over fuel and roadside charges renters declined (2016–2023), and 2026 reviewers still report being told to buy daily cover at the counter.Sources:legalclarity.orgnz.trustpilot.com
1/5
Claims and refundsDo damage and cleaning bills arrive after return?Recent reviews report unauthorised card charges (e.g. late-return fees) after the rental; BBB lists 431 closed complaints in 3 years.Sources:nz.trustpilot.comblog.autoslash.com
2/5
Pick-up and deliveryHow quick is pick-up, and can you skip the counter?No counter-skip or loyalty line, unlike Budget, so waits can be longer; Orlando airport location rated 2.2 on Google (681 reviews).Sources:blog.autoslash.com
2/5
Fine printDeposits, debit cards, age rules and fuel termsDebit cards accepted at most US locations with a credit check and a $200+ hold, but not in the NY tri-state area, Philadelphia, New Orleans or Canada (airport exceptions with a return ticket).Sources:aa.com
3/5
SupportHow do disputes end?Reviews cite poor customer service; the BBB-reported star rating is 1.03 despite complaints being closed.Sources:blog.autoslash.comislands.com
2/5

Fees to expect

Deposit holdDebit holds can take up to 2 weeks to release.Source:aa.com
Estimated rental charges plus at least $200 (plus $350 for debit at NY/NJ/PA/CT airports)
Fuel (short-distance charge)Waived if you refuel and show a receipt.Source:aa.com
$13.99 if driven under 75 miles
Under-25 surchargePayless's own terms say a daily surcharge may apply without giving an amount.Source:discounthawaiicarrental.com
$25 per day (ages 21–24, Hawaii broker terms)
Additional driverSpouse or domestic partner free.Source:discounthawaiicarrental.com
$13 per day, max $65 per rental per driver (Hawaii broker terms)
Loss damage waiverSource:discounthawaiicarrental.com
$29.99 per day (Hawaii broker terms); reviewers report $39 per day pushed at the counter

Rules that cost renters money

Debit cards
Accepted at most US locations with a credit check; not in the NY tri-state area, Hartford, Philadelphia, New Orleans or Canada, except at listed airports with a round-trip ticket
Drivers under 25
Daily surcharge applies; $25/day for 21–24 in Hawaii broker terms
Deposit hold
Estimated charges plus at least $200
Skip the counter
None; no loyalty line
Fuel
$13.99 charge if driven under 75 miles without a fuel receipt

Common problems, and how to avoid them

1
Pressure to buy insurance at the counterCommonAvoid it: Bring proof of your own coverage or card benefits and decline firmly; check the contract before signing.Source:nz.trustpilot.com
2
Add-ons charged after you declined themCommonAvoid it: Read every line of the contract before signing and check your statement after return.Source:legalclarity.org
3
Late-return or other charges after the rentalSometimesAvoid it: Get a closed-out receipt with the return time.Source:nz.trustpilot.com

What customers say

“They almost pressure the insurance on u which is 39 bucks per day.”
Steph "DsBlings" Duncan · Trustpilot · 2026
“Took an unauthorised payment from my credit card saying I returned the car late.”
Sarah · Trustpilot · 2026

Short excerpts from public reviews, chosen because they describe the patterns above. They are examples, not a sample.

Alternatives worth comparing

Budget Rent a Car

Avis's lower-priced sister brand; accepts debit cards and young renters, but expect the usual extras at the counter.

#2 of 13 · 58/100Simplest rulesAlamo Rent A Car

Enterprise group's leisure brand: usually cheaper, but reviewers report counter upsells and charges they say they declined.

#7 of 13 · 46/100Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Highest J.D. Power score of the big rental brands; fees are standard, but damage-claim disputes are the recurring complaint.

#4 of 13 · 55/100

Questions people ask about Payless Car Rental

Is Payless Car Rental legit?

Yes, it is a real brand owned by Avis Budget Group, but it settled a $19 million class action over add-on charges and reviews still report counter upselling.

Who owns Payless Car Rental?

Avis Budget Group, which also owns Avis and Budget. Payless often shares counters and cars with Budget.

Does Payless accept debit cards?

At most US locations, with a credit check and a hold of at least $200, but not in the New York area, Philadelphia, New Orleans or Canada except some airports for flying renters.

Can I skip the counter at Payless?

No. Payless has no counter-skip or loyalty line.

Sources

Last checked October 16, 2026. Fees and policies change, so confirm on paylesscar.com before you book. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it in the open. We are not affiliated with Payless Car Rental and earn nothing from it.