Avis Reviews 

I booked through booking .com and the booking was supposed to start at 12:30 pm on Friday 20th June. Regrettably on the way to picking up the car my 20 months old grandson was ill and got sick all over the car I was in. Therefore, I advised Avis of Salerno about the problem and they were very unsympathetic. Didn’t even comment just mentioned that they close at 1 o’clock for their lunch break. No sympathy shown at all.

When we got to Salerno at 3:05pm there was already a lot of people in front of us. We then waited for half an hour and then Antonio, the branch manager, who greeted us and served us stated that at 3:35pm I still need to bring the car back by 12:30 pm on Monday. I question this and I said this is the first time in all the years I’ve used Booking. com that they’ve asked me to return the car by the stated voucher time (12:30pm) considering what I’d already experienced and explained to them by phone. I would’ve expected them to say you can bring the car back at 3:30 pm, the time I was given the car.

Antonio,the branch manager, at that point got angry with me and mentioned “Are you causing problems?” I responded “not at all” I mentioned because I did call I expected more sympathy and understanding. He mentioned no one called and his assistant intervened and corrected him said no the gentleman did call. “ Oh are you gonna threaten me with a bad review?” I responded to him I will act according to the way you are treating me. People shouldn’t put up with this level of service. He persisted with his attitude. He mentioned there was no way of modifying the booking because I had used a broker (Booking. Com). Unprofessionally he mentioned I was ignorant of the subject.

I responded to him you’re now even offending me and amazingly he responded that was his opinion. Unacceptable! I responded back saying, keep your opinions to yourself. That’s not professional at all. We then finally retrieved the car and his colleague was courteous and professional in showing me the car. Although it was not the car I originally booked.

Most companies,regrettably, do this these days. He mentioned correctly that the car he gave us, a Ford Puma ST, was in the same category which is true and actually even better than a WV “T Cross”. This for me personally is not acceptable. If looking for a specific car, sometimes, for hours then you should get it or companies should modify then inventory including “ Booking. com”.

Antonio, wrongly accused me of causing trouble with the lady before when I’d already said sorry to the lady and I mentioned that genuinely I hadn’t seen her. I did mention to Antonio, in a calm and kind manner without meaning to cause trouble, that maybe you need more staff when it’s busy. I was only trying to suggest improvements for busy times in a respectful way.

Most regrettably he responded in an unpleasant and disrespectful way. All things said and done I really did not expect this level of service from a reputable company like Avis. I have been in customer services and customer facing for many years and even under pressure you have to provide the best customer service possible.

If someone is rude and disrespect, you do have the right to not serve them at all, but this was definitely not my case. It’s a shame because from previous reviews it’s seems that the service has been good. When I returned the car today (Monday 23 June) I saw Antonio again and we did have an amicable chat about what had happened previously.

He was pleasant and friendly which I appreciated. I did explain to him that I just wanted sympathy and help especially after a distressing day. He did listen, we shook hands and left on a good note. Hopefully next time it will go better.

Avis Italy has fraudulently charged my credit card and ignored email requests to engage in a constructive dialogue.

I will not tolerate such appalling customer service - so I have started an investigation through my credit card issuer and commenced LITIGATION against Avis for FRAUD to recover my losses.

AVOID, AVOID, AVOID

Avoid this car rental company at all costs.
I could go on for ages about the problems we had. They recorded our excess incorrectly and charged us more than they should have. The customer service afterward was appalling – it felt like they were just trying to squeeze more money out of us. Their priority is clearly profit, not customers.

BEWARE!!!! WE GOT SCAMMED 750 EURO BY AVIS!!!! We got to Naples via train on Sunday. The rental place was pretty easy to find, the agents were actually very helpful and showed us where to go to get the car. We noticed there was quite a bit of damage(dent on door, front bumper was scuffed up on both sides, all minor but still there) and took a video to show we didn’t do this damage. We then drove from Naples to the Amafi coast where we parked the car and it didn’t move for three days. When we drove back on Wednesday and dropped the car in the parking garage we had to go inside to drop the keys. In hindsight we should have demanded an agent do a walkthrough because three hours later we got a call that said we were going to have to pay 750 euro in damages to the car! Some of the damage they claimed we did was on the original agreement prior to us driving the vehicle! We went back and fourth we them for hours and they refused to take off the charges. The car literally sat for three days and was only driven twice. No one hit our vehicle and I definitely didn’t hit anyone or anything! I will never rent from a company that allows foreigners to be scammed. Our flight was at 530 the next morning so we couldn’t even go back and tell them to show us this damage. We did have third party insurance so it wasn’t even about the money. I would highly recommend any other company and force them to do a walkthrough through after you drop off. Other companies had agents by their vehicles precisely for this reason. DO NOT USE AVIS overseas!

Worst car rental experience I've ever had.
I rented a car from Avis Bologna Airport and returned it in perfect condition, with only a 30-minute delay, because the return area was confusing and poorly marked.

Despite this:

I was charged for an extra full day, even though I returned the car on the same evening.

I received a €196 damage charge for a scratch I absolutely didn’t cause. Nobody said anything when I returned the vehicle.

Luckily, I had taken photos and videos of the car before driving it, proving it was already scratched.
I sent formal emails with proof – and got no clear response.

⚠️ My advice: Record every inch of the car, don’t trust their “final invoice,” and don’t expect fair treatment after drop-off.

Never again.

I had many Avis car rentals in Europe and Italy.
The Roma Fiumicino branch is operated by a deceitful team. Shame of Avis worldwide letting them operate under the Avis brand!

We've ordered a Mercedes C class or similar.
Once we got to FCO airport, we were told the car is not available and we can get an Alfa Romeo Tonale instead. Not sure in which measure these cars can be in the same class. We were offered to add 60 Euros more per day and upgarde to Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
The car was in worst condition. The breaks were working poor, the sealing was sub par, the washers were dry, teh transmision didn't have service for long time and a result wasn't functioning properly. The car was full with things you could tell it was in a long rental and kept horribly. At last one of the staff told us they don't even have the Mercedes on their fleet.... This is nothing short than a fraud.

Forced to purchase full insurance. This is an illegal practice but because there was no other car available, the agency in Cagliari airport added the very expensive daily insurance to the cost and if I didn't pay, I could not take the car. I have complained to Avis and awaiting a response!

On return, a very minor scratch observed, accepted, but charged by +300 euro. For being a Preferred, AWD +15 years and loyal AVIS client, the strict policy application by the operator looks inappropriate. I will delete the Preferred account.
I will stay away from AVIS forever.

If you’re looking for a relaxing start to your Italian holiday, don’t worry – Avis Florence Airport is here to ruin it. Thoroughly. Spectacularly. From the moment you step off the plane, Avis pulls out all the stops to ensure your experience is as frustrating and humiliating as possible. It’s like performance art, if the theme were bureaucratic ineptitude and weaponized rudeness.

Let’s start with logistics. Apparently, when Avis says “Florence Airport,” what they really mean is “some dystopian outpost halfway to Pisa.” To reach this mythical rental desk, you must first board a stuffy, over-packed shuttle bus operated by a man who might be on day two of his driving career. No air-con, naturally – wouldn’t want you arriving anything less than drenched in sweat and existential regret.

Once at the “rental centre” – which bears all the charm and efficiency of a post-Soviet DMV – the real circus begins. You take a ticket. You wait. You’re shuffled from one disinterested Avis employee to another like a package no one wants to sign for. Eventually, you’re blessed to stand in front of a desk where a customer service rep ignores you for five minutes straight before finally snapping, not with a greeting, but with “don’t put your stuff on the desk.” Ah, Florence – the city of Renaissance charm and first-class customer contempt.

Then comes the card fiasco. Despite paying in full, including for their overpriced, fine-print-only “full damage waiver,” Avis still needs your credit card. Why? Because apparently “full coverage” here is just code for we’ll still find a way to hold you hostage. When the payment doesn’t go through – due to their own laziness in not entering required security details – the staff’s solution isn’t to help or troubleshoot, but to announce to the entire waiting room that your card is “declined” like you’re trying to scam them out of a Ferrari.

And the pièce de résistance? The upselling scam. After already fleecing you with every possible fee, they try to tack on €15 a day for windscreen cover. Because in Avis’s twisted little universe, “full damage waiver” apparently doesn’t cover… you know… damage. When you dare to question this absurdity? Prepare to be snapped at, shouted at, and stared down with the warmth of a prison warden on a bad day.

Needless to say, I cancelled the rental. Walked over to Europcar, where – shocker – I got a better car, for a third of the price, served by someone who understood the radical concept of basic human decency. Avis didn’t apologise, didn’t care, and clearly never will.

Verdict:
Avis Florence Airport isn’t just bad. It’s an embarrassment. It’s a case study in customer service malpractice. They’re rude, lazy, aggressive, and they clearly think “President Level” is just a punchline. If you value your time, your dignity, and your sanity: Avoid Avis like the plague.

Beware of this scammer company!
I rented a car through Avis in Milan, and everything seemed fine until I was charged €610.39 without any prior notice for something I didn’t agree to. After countless emails and calls, they refunded the amount, but that was just the beginning of my nightmare.

Upon returning the car, they falsely accused me of damaging it and sent an invoice for €1,291.05, only to charge €1,549.27 to my credit card without my authorization. I’ve never damaged the vehicle. I have clear evidence (photos, videos, and emails) proving the car was in perfect condition when I returned it. Despite providing all the proof, Avis continues to ignore me and refuses to take responsibility.

Stay away from Avis if you don’t want to be scammed. They will charge you for things you didn’t do and make it impossible to get your money back. Very unprofessional, and I will never use them again.

My review is the same as all the rest. Hired a car at verona airport and was charge extra £642 for damages. I have sent them video proofs showing that damage was already there when I picked up the car. I made videos of thr car at pick up and drop off. Emailed them but never heard back. Now raised a dispute with my credit card company. WOULD NEVER USE AVIS AGAIN

Subject: After more than 30 rentals with AVIS, I was the victim of a bait-and-switch at FCO, overcharged €1342, AVIS admitted their mistake—then refused to refund. How can I rent from them again?
Details: In September, AVIS overcharged me €1342 on a 50-day rental from FCO to MXP—a clear bait and switch at the FCO Preferred counter. I booked online from the U.S. for an estimated total of €2317, but at pickup, the agent split it into two contracts. When I asked why, I got no answer. When I asked if the total cost remained the same, she said, “Yes.” Jet-lagged, I signed without scrutinizing the details.
Later, I discovered unauthorized charges. On the phone, a live Customer Service representative admitted the mistake, promised a refund in 14 days—yet nothing came. Despite escalating twice in writing, including to AVIS Corporate directly, they refused to correct it, simply stating, “You signed the contracts.”
My mistakes? Trusting the agent’s word and waiting for the refund instead of disputing the charge immediately. After more than 30 rentals from FCO since 1993, always with AVIS, pleased with the past service, this is how a loyal customer is treated? How can I ever rent from AVIS again? Michael Iademarco Original confirmation number: 04626411US6

Scam artists.
Do not go near this company.
Booked and pre-paid for a car online via an airline.
Declined all extras at the airport when collecting the car due to having a policy that covers hire car excess.
Upon returning the car they were happy with the condition but tried to get an extra payment for windscreen cover (not taken).
After this they changed it to cover the fuel, the tank was full as i'd just filled it less than 1 kilometre away.
They then said it was for a airport surcharge, again already covered.
Eventually they agreed that there was nothing to pay and asked my to sign the hand held touch screen to print off my return receipt.
Receipt printed off only to say "Amount due €180"
When questioned they said don't worry there's nothing to pay.
Quelle surprise when 3 days later the money is taken from my account.
Do not use this company in Napoli/Italy.
Complete scam artists and they are all in on it.
AVIS corporate should look into what's happening at it's franchises especially at Naples airport.

Extreme waiting time to get a car that is prebooked to a specific date and time. Mayb I kindly suggest you reco sider using avis and instead use somebody else for your rental car requirements. They are expensice and extremely slow

The worst not only car rental company I have dealt with but worst company and worst customer service I have ever experienced in my life.

We rented a car from Avis at Malpensa airport in Milan to go ski in Livigno. Half way through the ski trip I broke my ribs, rendering me in a lot of pain and not able to drive. I called Avis to ask them if they could please add my wife as a driver to the car - I also mentioned I was happy to pay the extra fee (whatever it may be). They were extremely unhelpful and said I needed to go to an office to do this 2 hours away (when I was unable to drive). I explained that I could not drive 2 hours and that I needed some help to get it done online and they proceeded to cut me off mid sentence. I called back multiple times to check what my options were but the customer service people started answering the phone and just leaving the line open whilst I could hear them talking in the background. I have never been treated in such a rude manner with so little empathy.

Eventually, I drove the car back 4 hours with broken ribs and in pain as Avis refused to help me look into other options. When I arrived back they charged me an extra 50 euros for some optional service item that I never agreed to at all and was clear with them that I did not want any additional options.

I would recommend renting a car from literally any other car rental company available. Do not go with Avis. My friend on the same ski trip also got charged an extra 400 euro for things he was unaware of so this is not an isolated incident.

Just appalling. Car broke down and their only interest was in securing the car. Couldn’t provide a replacement unless I travelled 100 miles to collect it. These things happen. However getting a refund for the days without a car took eights months of war. No response to any correspondence. I had to use the services of European Car Rental Conciliation Service who were very good. I’ll never use Avis again. I thought they were a premium brand - they certainly charge premium prices.

I rented a car with AVIS, booking a PREMIUM category vehicle. Upon arrival, the car was unavailable, and I was offered a more expensive contract for a LUXURY category vehicle, which turned out to be a disaster: visible damage, serious mechanical issues (malfunctioning steering, worn-out brakes, excessive vibrations, among others) that severely compromised the car's reliability, and no assistance despite their promises.

After days of attempts, I was forced to drive 540 km (round trip) to Palermo for a replacement car, with extra expenses that were not reimbursed. Customer service was nonexistent, refusing any refund and responding with total indifference.

An unacceptable experience for a brand like AVIS. Not recommended.

3 days after returning the car. No refund of amounts charged. A seperate amount of 900 euros issued on the day after return. No explanation why, no email, no phone call. Car was returned in perfect condition with no issues. After 7 emails to customer service I finally have received an invoice stating 900 euros charge for accident/repairs. I have had no email or phone call informing me of this. Again the car was returned with no issues so why am I being charged this? Absolutely terrible service, for a company I have used several times now and will not be using again.

No reason given for the 900 euro charge. Absolute scam

We were scammed out of 550 Euros for being 10 minutes late to the drop off. The reason we were 10 Minutes late is the key drop off had no staff so we went to the other staffed office and lined up only to be told to go to the other office which resulted in us being 10 minutes late. They charged us 550 euros for this. Absolute scam of a company