6.0 Good24 Feb 2022
The vehicle was a year-old, high end Ford Escape SUV. Nice! However, the vehicle had not been cleaned when I went to pick it up at the agreed time, so I had to wait 30 extra minutes in their offices while they cleaned it. Secondly, the vehicle did not have snow tires. It was a dangerous trip. Given the winds, ice, and blowing snow, I was literally worried for some sections of the trip that we would have an accident and possibly die. Thirdly, one or more of the tires was not balanced. We had an 1100 km drive, round trip, and it was AWFUL the whole time, as the whole vehicle shuddered above 80 km/h. Going through Toronto, where the traffic was moving at 120+, the seats and all our luggage were shaking, and our voices were affected as we spoke -- that helicopter pilot sound. It was a long and extremely uncomfortable trip. It gave me a very long time to consider the negative reviews I would leave when I got home. This is one of them.
10.0 Excellent28 Oct 2021
Easy booking, good value and no delays at counter during pickup or drop off.
1.9 Horrible16 Oct 2021
This company is simply not interested in renting cars to people who have money. From the se one I arrived until the second I left , the agent at the counter could not have been any more rude. Not sure if it’s the way I look ( 100% it is ) but for the life of of me I could not get him to give me the car I choose wanted and paid for! It’s was insane, I drive an Audi and wanted something comparable, so I choose premium class , I called ahead and everything was ready until I arrived. This man looked like I was bothering him and then greeted me by saying “ what” ! I politely gave him my name and said we spoke earlier I believe, he said nope not me ! Turns out that all the other 30 vehicles were unavailable and had reservations, the only car he had was a Corolla, and it might not be clean if that was ok, it was all mine! For 25 mins this man did everything he could think up of to make sure that I only got the Corolla. I understood who he was and what he was doing , and I have zero time for that kind of garbage , so I canceled politely and left. Or so he though, took less then 10 mins for someone to walk up and within 5 mins off they went in the bmw ! It’s 2021, last time I checked , my money is just the same as other peoples money. Never again AVIS YOW
3.9 Mediocre2 Sep 2021
The rules at Avis are far too rigid. As a foreign traveller it seemed their policies were set for local drivers only. When I didn’t have the kind of card they accept (German card) it wasn’t possible to use my companions Canadian card as payment as she didn’t have a drivers license. It also took an incredibly long time to process the booking (45 minutes in all) when we had already made the reservation and provided all of our information online. I would not go with Avis again.
1.9 Horrible18 Jul 2021
Truly a terrible experience in both the pick-up and drop-off of the vehicle. The vehicle had been booked weeks in advance and had been set to be picked up at a location that would be open after our flight had landed in Ottawa; the hours on the website and booking site both indicated they would be open upon our arrival. Upon landing we arrived at the Avis location and saw that there was a notice on the door saying that effective immediately their hours had changed. They were closed. The number on the door was for the inside so that was of no use to us. We called Avis (impossible to get through) and they said that our rental is cancelled and that we should have called. All Avis representatives could not comprehend that one cannot call on an airplane saying that we are on our way (flight delayed from 1500-1600 arrival). After numerous phone calls with Avis and call drops (ridiculous wait times leading to call dropping on their end), I spoke with someone the next morning who accused me of not being reliable, and a poor customer. That would be a nice conversation to hear on their recording. He also said that they canceled our reservation and should have shown up… After dealing with that I called the original Avis dealer as they should be open with their new hours (0730), no one would pick up until (0805). The rep said he can see what he can do but that we should have showed up the day previously or called from the air (??). He said he would call us back. He called back and said he could give us a rental. The rental price was not discounted and charged us the extra day. He was also quite accusatory as well. The drop off location no one was on site when we went to drop off the vehicle (1100), so we called the number and he arrived 15 minutes later. When we went to ask for some leniency with pricing because of the issues he said he can’t do anything so just figure it out later. Horrible customer service on all fronts. Would advise to use a different company. Would like to be contacted regarding this issue.
8.0 Excellent5 Dec 2020
Despite booking an intermediate on Kayak, the Avis received my booking as a compact. Thankfully, Avis found an intermediate car for me at a nearby location for no extra charge, which I appreciated. Seems like a miscommunication between the Kayak and Avis systems.
6.8 Good28 Aug 2020
We received quite a larger vehicle than booked as the type of vehicle we had booked was not available so I think the vehicle should have been the correct size. Also, the vehicle had Florida license plates and being in Canada and driving, because of the travel restrictions and people’s heightened stress, we didn’t feel comfortable driving in Canada with the Florida plates under Covid.
10.0 Excellent10 Apr 2019
After streetparking my mirror had been flopped back. Sure enough-two dents in the door - I had been side swiped. I reported to insurance and Avis Ottawa who were very calm and supportive. Returning the car, an employee immediately told me that it was old damage. Honest and clear service.
2.0 Mediocre25 Feb 2019
The rental place was supposed to open at 8 A.M. (as was indicated on their own front door), which was when my pickup was arranged for. I got there at 8:05 A.M. and waited until 8:25 A.M. until I had to find other arrangements to get to my appointment because no one showed up.