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Payless Car Rental Reviews

Rated 1.7 based on 1944 Reviews

3355 Admiral Boland Way Ste R179, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Car Rental San Diego

Published on
July 10, 2025
Last updated
July 10, 2025

Reviews Summary

Based on the latest customer reviews, Payless Car Rental’s overall sentiment is notably negative. Reviewers frequently report problems such as misleading pricing, unexpected charges, poor vehicle condition, and unsatisfactory customer service interactions. There are recurrent mentions of unprofessional staff behavior, unresolved issues, and communication breakdowns, with very little positive feedback to balance these negatives.

The most consistent themes relate to billing disputes, lack of transparency in policies, and poor vehicle maintenance. Several customers indicate being charged for damages or upgrades they did not authorize or expect, while others highlight policy restrictions that were not disclosed until pickup. Operational flaws such as dirty or damaged vehicles, unhelpful or evasive support staff, and delayed refunds are frequently discussed. Locations such as San Diego and Southern California appear repeatedly, suggesting regional consistency in these patterns.

Overall, Payless Car Rental is regarded as an unreliable and poorly managed car rental provider in Southern California. The reviews point to ongoing dissatisfaction, with recurring concerns about hidden costs, lack of effective resolution, and questionable business practices. This has contributed to a reputation marked by distrust, especially for travelers seeking dependability and clear communication from their rental experience.
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What Customers Are Saying About Payless Car Rental?

Trustguide extracts key phrases from reviews about Payless Car Rental and sort them by sentiment. This gives you a quick view of what customers consistently praise or raise concerns about—without needing to read every review.

Satisfaction Score

Based on the set of reviews used to generate this report, it appears that 0% of Payless Car Rental's customers had a positive experience.

Positive
0%
Neutral
0%
Negative
100%

Payless Car Rental Ratings

1

As of Based on 1944 revies as of Jul 10, 2025

Payless Car Rental Score

0%

As of Based on 1944 revies as of Jul 10, 2025

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Customer Reviews

As of Jul 10, 2025, 1944 customers have reviewed this business and rated it 1.7 Star out of 5. Trustguide conducted an in-depth analysis of Payless Car Rental's publicly available reviews View source

Megan D rated Payless Car Rental 1 stars
2 months ago
Do not rent from here. They asked me if I wanted to pre pay for gas saying 1) it was $1 cheaper than outside and 2) I only paid for the fuel I use. I specifically asked this question and he said no. This was very clear. They either didn't know the policy or willingly misled me. First they charged me for a full tank at 16 gallons, $72. The car I rented only had a 9.2 gallon tank. I let them know and it was updated to pay for a full tank. You have to hold them accountable for everything. When I called the manager she was condescending and mocking, "we'll get him". I am a professional and don't appreciate this immature behavior from a supposed supervisor. I don't need you to get your employee I need you to train them and refund my money when they have mislead me. She said they record those conversations which would be great. And she said she would send it to me, this would have the proof of what I am told and helpful. In addition the car was terrible, old, no auto lock, my uncle said it sounded like it was in its last leg. A 2020 car at a rental company? Stay away!!
Meka Gross rated Payless Car Rental 1 stars
a month ago
Worst experience renting a car EVER. Because my flight was delayed 2 hrs, I was told my reservation had expired and my car rented out but not to worry because at the new "low" rate, I would actually qualify for a courtesy "upgrade to a luxury class car". I wasn't 😡. It went from a mid-size SUV to a Hyundai Kona - a mini coupe. I ended up paying a higher rate but downgraded car that hadn't been cleaned and the inspection was a joke. Customer service seems nice enough but I feel they are trained to swindle customers with short, fast talking.
Vanessa Michelle Glover rated Payless Car Rental 1 stars
a month ago
The Worst experience in my life renting a Car with Payless. Reviews are always true. I was trying to rent a car for 4 days to get some rewards through my credit card, but unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. My flight was late, and I arrived in San Diego around 2:00 PM, I got into the rental place around 2:30pm just to find out that my reservation was canceled because i was late 30 min (which wasn’t my fault )I was exhausted and frustrated by the time i got there. I spoke with the receptionist, who offered me a premium price and i told him no, i just want the same price and to respect my reservation- he told me the that wouldn’t be possible, so i asked him if i book again my car through the website for the price that shows in there with my credit card to get my miles once again would you respect that and he said no because we give you whats available- However, I noticed several charges, and now It doesn’t seem as affordable as I initially booked, i was already annoyed so —I paid because i didn’t have more time i needed to be on time to some family emergency. I was really disappointed. The car they gave me wasn’t even that nice and they charge me for a premium car?, It was a black Nissan Sentra with a bunch of scratches the car was making noises after like a mile of driving. I am still disappointed because i even try to call and see if they could help but not luck. all they said is that they will return my call and until today nothing. Sorry Payless I really try to give it a shot to rent a car with you but was really disappointed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Payless Car Rental

Are there any regional driving restrictions with Payless Car Rental?

Yes, reviews indicate that Payless Car Rental restricts rental car usage to Southern California and Las Vegas. If you drive outside this area, you may be charged an additional per-mile fee for the entire trip. Customers should inquire about these policies before booking.

What is Payless Car Rental's practice regarding vehicle cleanliness and condition?

Customer reviews frequently mention receiving cars that are outdated, with visible damage or maintenance issues. It is advisable to inspect the vehicle carefully upon pickup, document any existing issues, and confirm these are recorded by staff to avoid future disputes.

How are additional charges and upgrades handled at Payless Car Rental?

Reviews suggest that upgrade offers and additional charges may not always be transparent or clearly explained. It's important to closely review the contract, clarify all fees, and retain documentation to ensure there are no unexpected charges at the end of the rental.

About Payless Car Rental

Car Rental
Payless Car Rental provides rental vehicles to customers through physical rental locations, primarily focused on travelers at airports and city destinations. The company offers a range of car classes, from economy to premium, and conducts transactions through in-person service counters where customers select, rent, and return vehicles for specified periods.

Operations include accepting reservations via their website and at the counter, offering upgrades, insurance, and additional options at pickup. Vehicles are assigned according to availability, and staff manage customer inquiries, payments, and contract completion. The company implements specific policies regarding area restrictions, deposits, and insurance, which are handled at point of service.
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How is this report generated

Trustguide generates concise, neutral summaries of business reviews. By analyzing publicly available feedback from reputable platforms, it highlights common experiences, praises, and concerns. This allows users to quickly understand a business’s reputation without reading every individual review.4o
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Mike, Adam and another 21,516 have joined the waitlist.