I will NEVER rent from Budget or Avis again.

(They are owned by the same company.) I was billed $550 for damage to my rental car without being notified, and the corporate "customer service" office's stance is that I signed a rental agreement, so they don't have to provide me with any proof that the car was damaged. I have no idea what "damage" they claim was done to the car, and to the best of my knowledge it wasn't damaged. We drove the car from Nelson to Queenstown without incident, and returned the car at the Queenstown Airport location. No one was there to check the car in, and I was directed to simply drop off the keys at the desk in the terminal building, which I did. I didn't think that a reputable corporation like Budget would bother to cheat me out of $550. Apparently, I was incorrect in that assumption. A year later they are still sending me bills for the additional charges.

I have seen similar reviews on this and other sites. I suggest renting from any other company. The conduct of the local franchise is clearly fraudulent, and the response at the corporate level is inexcusable.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2020

2 months after dropping the car back I noticed a charge for $900.

When I queried with them, it took two weeks to respond and all they sent me was an avis invoice. I received no call, no email, no evidence of damage, no real evidence that they repaired this vehicle.

They also said I should provide photos to show there was no damage. I "discovered the Avis Difference". They are unscrupleless criminals. They should remember NZ is a small country and I intend to tell everyone about their scam.

Reviewed almost 5 years ago

Car was in good condition.

Cost is a little high. I won't know if I have been treated well until my credit card charges show up on statement correctly.

Reviewed over 13 years ago

Car is top condition.

Many stations (if you have a problem). Not possible to take the car on the ferry.

Reviewed over 13 years ago and experienced in March 2011

I will NEVER rent from Budget or Avis again.

(They are owned by the same company.) I was billed $550 for damage to my rental car without being notified, and the corporate "customer service" office's stance is that I signed a rental agreement, so they don't have to provide me with any proof that the car was damaged. I have no idea what "damage" they claim was done to the car, and to the best of my knowledge it wasn't damaged. We drove the car from Nelson to Queenstown without incident, and returned the car at the Queenstown Airport location. No one was there to check the car in, and I was directed to simply drop off the keys at the desk in the terminal building, which I did. I didn't think that a reputable corporation like Budget would bother to cheat me out of $550. Apparently, I was incorrect in that assumption. A year later they are still sending me bills for the additional charges.

I have seen similar reviews on this and other sites. I suggest renting from any other company. The conduct of the local franchise is clearly fraudulent, and the response at the corporate level is inexcusable.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2020

2 months after dropping the car back I noticed a charge for $900.

When I queried with them, it took two weeks to respond and all they sent me was an avis invoice. I received no call, no email, no evidence of damage, no real evidence that they repaired this vehicle.

They also said I should provide photos to show there was no damage. I "discovered the Avis Difference". They are unscrupleless criminals. They should remember NZ is a small country and I intend to tell everyone about their scam.

Reviewed almost 5 years ago

Luckily I check the car before I left because the paperwork indicated the car was damage free but the car had a large scratch on the rear right.

I'm sure they would have charged me if I didn't notice. Beware of this company.

Reviewed over 5 years ago

Hired car 1 day using Air NZ points.

Was charged on my credit card also - i figured there would be some issue as the person on counter was new.

I called up and the guy said no problem i will credit back your card and email to confirm. Heard nothing after a week. Called, left message, emailed three times, contacted on facebook - nothing. Finally got through 3 weeks later - Advised it is air nz problem... Called Air Nz they said they will out a form but really it is Avis problem...... Trying to close my credit card as moved overseas... Avis blatantly stole from me - The ratings here say it all. Avoid at all costs.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

Terrible service @ Avis Queenstown today.

Bank account showing I’ve paid full amount. Charging me more despite this. Terrible customer service and very dismissive attitude from manager Luke and Jamie who in as many words said that it wasn’t their problem. Really not happy. Other customers beware!!

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

Avis (Christchurch airport and head office customer support).

At time of booking, we told them we have a Flybuys voucher to use and they booked, said it was fine & were given a reference of the voucher. On returning the car, I double checked with the desk to check the voucher had been put through. It had not - I was told they didn’t have any record of it, but that it should be fine. I left. It was not fine - I got a call from them hours later Saying the car they supplied was the wrong class for the voucher and I couldn’t use it - nor could I pay the difference. On their advice I called flybuys to try and change the voucher. Flybuys refunded my voucher and would re-issue after I confirmed with Avis they would accept a new voucher. I have since tried to contact Avis office 3 times to which they have ignored. I contacted the NZ head office customer service team next - got a reply first, then no reply to my next email explaining the whole thing. Avis made a mistake - they issued me the wrong car - I did not choose the wrong class - they did. They then claimed their mistake was my mistake and made me try and deal with it. Then they ignored me. And of course they have charged me the full amount for the hire (which is $500 more than they quoted me because it does not include the voucher - which they included in the quote they gave me - further evidence for them knowing about the voucher the entire time). DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR BUSINESS

Reviewed over 6 years ago

Total collection shambles!

The slowest pick up ever, confusing information, I was asked the same question four times, sullen staff, fearmongering on excess waivers (at $32 a DAY!) no management of the Avis Preferred system... Took about 45 minutes from arriving to getting the keys (and I was only second in the queue).

It's not a 1 because the car was decent and the guy looking after the returns was lovely.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

I had an amazing holiday in Queenstown with a friend.

We rented a car from Avis and had the foresight to check the rental car and take photos of some damage we saw as there was no attendant present even though we got told there would be someone there.

Five days later we drop off a dirty but not damaged. Two weeks later I see a charge on my credit card. I ring and find out it is for a major crack in the windscreen. Now there was no crack, but how do you prove this when there is no attendant there when you drop the car off and you don't ever think to take photos.

The interesting point is the evidence put forward is a photo taken by Avis 5 hours after we dropped the car off. Another fact is the car is clean but they say it hadn't moved.

I am fighting this as I do not plan to let them take over $700 from my bank account. Can't believe that they can do this without even telling you and giving you the chance to respond.

Reviewed about 7 years ago