Avis Southern Africa Reviews 147

They made the mistake to allow me to pay my deposit with a debit card instead of my cc. Returned the car perfectly and now they will not give my deposit back.

Everything they say they need something else to make it possible to pay it back; I send them Al the banking info possible and now they need formal banking statements. They made a mistake, not me. They can see in their own banking environment that I made the payment with the right banking number, my name and everything. Delivers them everything I can to confirm that once (and twice) again. Still no money back. So agree with the review below; they also stole my money!

Terrible deception, no communication, and appear to have stolen my money: I collected a car at Oliver Tambo airport under an agreement to drop it off at Pretoria North. The collection-parking at the airport is dimly lit so it is difficult to see any small defects on the car. I did, however, spot some very minor scratches and a tiny dent in the door frame, and pointed these out to the attendant. I was told to not worry about these as the scratches would easily polish out. However, when I returned the car, the receiving attendant took over 45 minutes on his knees, on a stand, etc. in the afternoon sunshine looking at the vehicle from every possible angle. He made me write on a paper that all the tiny scratches and things he saw were there when I collected the car (which they were). HOWEVER, when I left, I received an email with a multitude of photos blaming me for all the defects. I attempted to respond, but there is NO RESPONSE to any of my emails. Additionally, since I had returned the car early, I had been told I was due a refund of over R5k (irrelevant of any purported damage). This has not been forthcoming and I cannot raise anyone to find out how to get my money. Effectively, Avis have stolen thousands of Rands from me, falsely accused me of damage, do not respond to my enquiries, and I cannot raise anyone.
Do not rent from these sharks as all the smiles and promises are not an indication of their quality of service which is poor.
I am hoping the CEO of Avis (Ramasela Ganda) reads this and responds so I can appraise her of the whole situation

Didn’t get the car I booked even though Avis showed it as the only model in the group for rental at OR Tambo airport. Instead I was offered another make with a significantly smaller engine size which – I was told –was in the same group. Also, the inspection was in a dimly lit car park but, fortunately, I had a torch and was able to pick out many more minor scratches and scrapes which Avis had not recorded. The return process was also opaque with Avis taking photos which were not shared. Basically, I think this company don’t give a damn about the customer once they have your booking and pre-payment: it’s then fait accompli. I will not use this company again and will try another next time.

If I could give a minus one I would. Overcharged for extras and they are refusing to return my money. They are fraudulent. Stay well away. I will use an alternative company next year

Rented a car in JHB airport and put my bags - two cabin carry-ons - inside the boot. Drove to Pretoria and checked in the Hotel.
The next day upon returning the car, the guy went straight to the boot cover - did not check anything else on the car - and said was broken.
I explained it could not have been me.
Avis has the card so charged R2000 for an existing damage that was not done by me. Would love to see how many times they have charged this to clients.
Please keep yourself far from them unless you want to pay for damages that you did not caused.

I wish I'd checked the reviews here first. Where do we start? When we picked up the car in Durban Airport, they told us we had to call Avis Durban to renew the rental before 30 days were up. (The rental was 48 days long.) As 30 days approached, we ended up ringing the Durban airport office multiple times for several days. Each time, the phone either rang out for 30 minutes or was answered and hung up. We rang Avis Johannesburg who connected us to the same line that was never answered. In the end, we had to drive a round trip of 120km to Avis to sort the matter out at huge inconvenience. Checking reviews, we see that is standard for Avis Durban Airport. They never answer calls. They also have no email address apart from a 'no-reply' one.
Then, when we dropped back the car, they alerted us to a tiny chip on the bumper which we could only see wearing our glasses. (The chip was probably there when we picked up the car, but we wouldn't have spotted a crater in the bodywork such was the torrential rain that day.) We asked to see the chip repair when it’s completed, but it was made clear that won't be forthcoming. I suspect many more customers will be paying for that chip long after us. They charged R1800 for the chip. When the bill was emailed to us, we also saw they charged us R237 for a two-hour late return. We were there 45 minutes late and have the petrol receipt from 3 minutes away to prove it. Regardless, in most reputable places you are given an hour's grace.
Also, as we worked our way through the bill, we saw they also charged another R400+ more than the original quote for no reason at all.
You have been warned. The only thing Avis excels in is shady overcharging practices and inconveniencing customers. Lesson learned. Despicable company.

Avis Cape Town is fraudulent in its charging. How about R560 for sand on passenger side carpet?!!! How about a security alarm system which you can't register for?!
Vote with your feet, go anywhere else, Avis is bad

They charged me for damage which was on the car when we collected. It was even noted down by their colleague and a picture taken. On the day of returning the car there was no issues, until a few days after we returned home when they took $300.
Customer service is non-existent when you explain the damage was there and noted on the form. Corrupt, is all I can say.

We live 400km North of Cape Town and last week due to our car breaking down in Cape Town, we had to rent a car. I shopped around and Avis was 40% cheaper than the next equivalent and available vehicle. I went into Strand Street and drove out 10 minutes later. I was due to return to Strand street today and called 2 days ago to change this to Cape Town International. No problem! A R78 charge which is half the uber fare from town to the airport. Car returned, through airport security and my husband called to say he'd left his wallet in the car... no problem! He called them, they had it and he has it back. Incredible service from start to finish. Thank you Avis Strand Street and Cape Town International Airport teams.

I hired a car for £175. They have taken £750 out of my account on blatant lies about vehicle damage. STAY AWAY! They will simply rob you. 84% reviews with 1 star, says it all!

I wouldn't be surprised if an INVESTIGATION of this company in a few years time shows extortionate amounts of money STOLEN from the public without the correct protocol and systems in place.

I am a South African living in the United Kingdom. Decided to go home with my partner for a holiday and rented a car with Avis.

We hit a pot hole and had to exchange car as there was a flat tire which I paid to repair myself - received email saying damage WAS COVERED by insurance.

2 weeks later £427 taken from my account without any invoicing.

I have a business where patient card details are on our programs and systems. We never take money out of patient accounts without WRITTEN or VERBAL CONSENT (WITH) appropriate invoicing details. IT IS ILLEGAL to sway from this protocol.

FRAUDULANT and CRIMINAL! Unbelievable service. How an investigation into this company hasn't taken place is disgusting! How can a company take money out of people's account without systems in place and invoicing explaining costs? IT. IS. CRIMINAL AND THIEVES! In 2023 huge companies getting away with being corporate bullies.

I will be taking this further.

This company is getting away with robbing people and making money off people - its CORRUPT. STAY AWAY

Very poor I returned the car on the 23rd of November 23 and still my money not released. When you call its either do not picking up the phone. Very 😞

NEVER EVER RENT A CAR THERE, i rented they gave me GPS. Turns out NOT WORKING. i had to come back to airport again after 30 minutes WITHOUT GPS. I delivered car with a WITHOUT DAMAGE paper signed by me and their agent. Then they charge me with EXTRA DAMAGE.

Absolutely horrible.
They charged me an arm and a leg for a supposed dent and chip. I am pretty sure those were there already on the vehicle. Absolutely atrocious service. Whilst the sign on was quick, and handover of vehicle quick, this backslap was horrible. When I took the vehicle, it was at night, and a cleaner handed over the vehicle. It was very fast. I did not have the time or the training to look for every little dent and scratch. When I gave back the vehicle, it was day, and an inspector inspected the vehicle. He looked at very, very closely, inspecting every inch of the car with a fine-toothed comb. I couldn't even see the dent they said was there. I had taken a top-line insurance package they had, and they still charged me. Absolutely atrocious.

They will make you beg for your deposit.
Inspection on return of the car went smooth. They confirmed that all was in order. I had also put full tank petrol. It’s been a month of constant follow ups on twitter and their call centre about my deposit. I keep being told it will be released in 48hrs. I am still waiting. An entire month later. Ref E712033593

Scammers, trying to say I’ve caused an invisible dent by the mirrors, I had the car for just over one day, Avis/Budget I have pictures and proof and will contest this. Be sure to take video and lots of photos. Wish I had read more reviews!

All good, car, service price etc etc, until ......... return. Confirmed at return all good and fuel full, but no documents given to confirm. Filled with fuel. And then charged for filling. How ??
Not a lot of money, but makes an absolute joke of a full to full policy. Never happened before anywhere in the world.

I rented a car from Avis in Cape Town for 6 days filled the car up (as the agent informed me of a charge that I would incur if I didn’t fill it up before dropping the car off) and returned the car last evening only to be told I would be charged R600 due to there being some beach sand on the floor of the car. Myself and my family have hired car rentals for many years and not ONCE has there been any mention of additional charges for sand on the floor of the car. As a rental car service a basic clean of the car after use should be covered in the rental cost of the car (especially since I didn’t receive a particularly spotless car to begin with). Are we now expected to valet the cars after renting before returning??? It’s absolutely ridiculous. Not only that but a charge of R600 to remove a little bit of sand from the floor of the car is exorbitant!! I could have my entire car professionally cleaned for half that price!! I contacted AVIS to complain and they said I would have to pay because anything that can't be cleaned with their 'standard 20 minute vacuum routine' would require a charge for a full valet. There is NO WAY that the sand on the floor of the car could not have been removed with a quick vacuum. What is to be done about this because I honestly believe Avis is taking complete advantage of their customers and I will ensure myself and my family never do business with Avis again.

I rented a car from Avis on the 7th of July 2023 and returned the on the 3rd of August 2023. To date I am still waiting for Avis to release my deposit. When I contacted Avis they insisted it was my bank who must release the funds. I have gone to my bank and they have assured me that it’s an Avis issue and Avis needs to release the Deposit. I have called Avis numerous times and still NO ONE has bother to sort this issue out. Avis are very quick to take the money but when it comes to returning it they take their time or they either pocket it who knows. I want the funds released back into my account. Absolutely disgusting how you treat your customers.

I returned the car at 12pm on the 6 September. I even filled up the fuel. The car was inspected by an Avis gentleman and signed off in my presence that everything was 100 percent in order. There was no chip on the windscreen when I returned it.

The next day at 12:30, I received a phone call from Avis saying they discovered a chip on the windscreen whilst washing the car and that I will be billed for it. I told the gentleman there was no chip when I returned it and it over 24 hours and that he must check his records and with the gentleman who inspected the car on my return. He said the gentleman was absent.

Today I discovered an amount of R1178, 49 debited to my credit card. Then I get another sms saying I am liable for R2584, 78.

Please advise how I am liable when there was no chip when I returned it and the staff who inspected confirmed there was no damage to my vehicle?How can I be held liable for this 25 hours later, when the cars are parked in an open area, near the road when any other passing car could have caused it. Perhaps it was even driven by their team members when they wash it.

This is daylight robbery.