Car Rental Supplier Reviews
What customers actually experience - fees, counter practices, and how disputes get handled.
The rate on the booking page is only part of the picture. What happens at the counter — which fees come up, how much pressure there is to accept them, whether complaints get resolved — varies more between suppliers than most travellers expect. Each review covers the full picture: what the price actually includes, where complaints concentrate, and what to do before you arrive.
Browse by tier:
Budget
Low rates at US airports, but counter upsells and deposit holds generate most of the complaints. European locations score significantly better.
Fox Rent A Car Review: Low Prices, Counter RealityOff-airport locations, a leaner operation, and a counter that makes up the margin through add-ons. Fort Lauderdale is the standout — Chicago and Atlanta are worth checking before you commit.
Budget Car Rental Review: Worth Booking in 2026?The low price usually holds. The counter is where preparation matters — especially at US leisure airports. Ireland, Portugal, and Morocco are the strongest international markets.
Thrifty Car Rental Review: What to Know Before You BookThe rate looks low until the checkout screen — three protection tiers, a toll add-on, and a fuel option that decide what you actually pay. Seattle, Boston, and Las Vegas are the strongest US airports.
Mid-range
Counter fees, location scores across US and European airports, and why the overall reputation looks worse than the location data suggests. California airports are the standout.
Avis Car Rental Review: Good Cars, Messy Billing?The cars are fine and most locations pick up fast. What catches people is the tablet sign-off at the counter and charges that can appear weeks after you return. Las Vegas and Newark are the strongest US airports.
Hertz Car Rental Review: Still a Reliable Choice?At its own airports, Hertz is among the best-reviewed major suppliers in the world. The complication is that not every location displaying the Hertz logo is a Hertz operation. Miami and Orlando are the standout US airports.
National Car Rental Review: Is Executive Status Worth It?National runs on the same fleet as Enterprise at most airports. The premium buys Emerald Club — skip the counter, pick your own car — and it only pays off once you've joined.
Alamo Car Rental Review: Is It Worth Booking in 2026?Alamo's self-service pickup is genuinely fast where it's offered, but it's not at every airport. The fees and add-ons decide the booking. Athens and most major US airports are the strongest locations.