Book Avis car hires in Punta Arenas

Excellent Pick up/Very Poor return

Pros: The counter agent thoroughly explained everything about the car, rates, services...everything. He (Felipe) was very friendly and efficient.

Cons: Although the process for returning the car was explained upon pick up, once we parked the car, the rental counter was unmanned when we arrived at 8:00 am. We waited for about 15 minutes before another customer (a Chileno) came up. We chatted and he learned the counter was unmanned. He called the "24 hour" phone numbers displayed: none of them worked. He tried again after another 5 minutes and finally contacted someone at Avis or EMSA: they said they would contact someone to help us. By then after waiting 35 minutes another group of customers showed up. Finally about an hour after we arrived counter agents arrived: I thought I understood one of the agents say they were supposed to work at 9:00, though there were no hours posted anywhere about counter service. I wonder how Avis/EMSA is supposed to service customers with flights BEFORE 9:00 AM?

Pros: AVIS was the only company offering cars for rent at Punta Arenas airport via the internet. Easy booking. Price on a high side, but still relatively acceptable.

Cons: Despite the reservation and confirmation email no one was present at the AVIS desk at the airport at the time of our arrival. We landed at 12:15, the car was reserved since 12:00). We called the company and the agent arrived over an hour later. We used the opportunity to rent a car from a competitor which saved us a long wait time and changing plans.

Rip off

Pros: Nothing.

Cons: The car was already in bad condition when we got it. The inspection sheet (where you mark all the defects on the car) was completely covered. We got a flat tire (we drove on uncomplicated roads) and replaced it with a spare in Puetro Natales at the Avis agency there. The agent told us it would cost 6000 CLP when we would return the car back in Puetro Arenas. When we got to Avis in Puetro Arenas, they wanted to charge us the equivalent of 300 CAD...!! We negotiated it down to 90 CAD....which is still a rip off considering we should not be liable to pay for a flat tire, especially when the tires were in such bad shape prior to even picking up the car!! We are so disappointed and have never experienced such bad service and we rent cars all the time on our trips. If the defect to a car is caused by me, I’ll pay for it. But this was flat out stealing.

Car was not available

Cons: The SUV that I ordered was unavailable and I had to settle for a mid size sedan. Not adequate for my needs. Poor form.