Advantage Rent a Car was founded in 1963 in San Antonio, Texas, by husband and wife team Kenneth and Helen Walker. The original name of the company was $3.99 Car Rentals and the couple had only 5 cars. The main source of business at that time was the large military base stationed near San Antonio.
The company has been sold several times over the years and now is owned by private investment firm Catalyst Capital Group. Today, the company has more than 40 airport service locations, 5 more at hotels in Hawaii and Las Vegas, Nevada, and more than 23,000 cars. The majority of customers are tourists visiting California, Florida, and Hawaii.
Advantage Rent a Car filed for bankruptcy in 2013 and was acquired at that time by the Catalyst Capital Group. Company headquarters are now located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The company announced that it had acquired E-Z Rent a Car in early 2017.
Advantage Rent a CarAdvantage Rent a Car was founded in 1963 in San Antonio, Texas, by husband and wife team Kenneth and Helen Walker. The original name of the company was $3.99 Car Rentals and the couple had only 5 cars. The main source of business at that time was the large military base stationed near San Antonio.
The company has been sold several times over the years and now is owned by private investment firm Catalyst Capital Group. Today, the company has more than 40 airport service locations, 5 more at hotels in Hawaii and Las Vegas, Nevada, and more than 23,000 cars. The majority of customers are tourists visiting California, Florida, and Hawaii.
Advantage Rent a Car filed for bankruptcy in 2013 and was acquired at that time by the Catalyst Capital Group. Company headquarters are now located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
History
The company announced that it had acquired E-Z Rent a Car in early 2017.
I have done business with a great deal of people and never once have I had an experience like this one. Advantage, should really look into things at the 2200 Car Rental PKWY location, at Hartsfeild Jackson International Airport. Times are hard for us all, and bad days do occur. However, when you clock in you leave your problems off the clock and never let it affect the business, or the brand. I will never return to Advantage, I will never recommend it, I simply can’t condone bad business. I hope that Ms. Kay fixes the attitude and treats people better and with much more respect. Customer Service agents are the bridge between relations.
I will not recommend advantage car rental in san Antonio texas or anywhere else to anyone.
I rented a mid size suv car for $119.00, received confirmation two weeks prior to arriving in san Antonio.
when we arrived they informed us they did not have a mid size suv available but if we would take a compact vehicle they would discount our rental total. the compact was terrible, but we kept it for 4 days and when we returned the compact vehicle, I had to ask again about the discount and the attendant told us we received $12.00 total, and yet our bill was $210.00……I received a survey from scott davido president and ceo asking about the service,and I rated advantage very poor, but still did not get a response from advantage. this is unacceptable to me.
I have had similar issues with the San Antonio International Airport Advantage Rent-A-Car, San Antonio, Texas. The rental period was 21 Oct 19 to 25 Oct 19. Hector C. was the rental agent at the front desk on the evening of 21 October, with a growing number of customers in-line. This agent pushed several extra options to me, including pre-paid fuel, GPS, etc., none of which I was interested in, and some which are against government policies. During this time, I never asked about an upgrade, nor was told I was being given an “upgrade,” let alone the charges. Due to the number of people in-line (and the fact I was not interested in his sales pitch), Hector quickly had me sign and initial the electronic screen (small print was unreadable). During this time, at no point did rental agent (Hector) inform me of an upgrade or any additional charges. The car I was given was a Passat SE, nothing special, would not even consider it to be a full-size vehicle. The following week after returning home and being mailed a copy of my paid rental agreement (enclosed), I was working on my travel voucher. This is when I noticed an upgrade charge of $200.00, a $50.00 per day fee, far more than the actual government rate of my rental that was reserved through the Defense Travel System, even if I had requested an upgrade, typical fees are $10-20 per day. I immediately tried contacting Advantage, calling 1-800-777-5500, which puts one in contact with an overseas call center. After several days, and numerous attempts to resolve, even trying to contact the San Antonio Airport (that once again put me back at the call center). I had no success to resolve this fraudulent charge. The only response from Advantage they show I had initialed for an upgrade. I have filed a complaint with the BBB, which I hope others also do.
My Experience with this company is absolutely absurd. They tell you one thing and have you sign for something Else. I was told it would be roughly 190 for my services and all they charged me over 800 for things they slipped in without my knowledge. Very unethical and I wouldn’t recommend a soul to this company all they care about is the money once they have it they could care less about their customers.
WORST car rental I EVER had!!!! Stay away, when I returned the car back, the agent forgot to refund me my $200.00 deposit a week later I had to call to ask why. The manager told me to give him 24 hrs and it would be done. I did get it but they turned around and charges me again. I call them 4 times and customer service always had the excuse that there was no supervisor or manager there to take my call. I went to my bank to get a print out of their transactions proving what they did and still give me the run around. I am escalating this to their corporate office for a fast refund or I will take them to court!!
I am about to do the same they get their money and say F**k their Customers. So I will be filling a Fruad suit on this company and I actually plan on taking a camera in with me to a rental place. Do what I did last time have them on tape exactly what there saying and how they Con their Customers. Then I will be sending this video to the News to show our Nation how unethical this business really is and Hopefully get them to be a Fiduciary for their clients. They have to change or they will all be out of jobs sooner rather then later. Hope Management steps ups and take initiative to do whats best. What I have seen and spoke to so far they just what that money that makes them happy
I rented a vehicle through Travelocity because I wanted to save money. I was told I should upgrade at the counter and I communicated that I did not want to spend more money. I recall the cost being conveyed to me was very inexpensive so agreed. When I got the bill, i saw I was charged an extra $127.92! I never would have agreed to almost an additional 50% upgrade fee which was over $127! When I originally called to complain, the agent told me that she would give me 50% off the upgrade fee. I felt that was unfair. She told me that if I requested to escalate this, that I would essentially be walking away from this offer and I might get more off or, nothing off. To basically take the sea or risk what she’s offering. Totally my risk just to make matters worse. I felt this was a ridiculous business practice – like “ Deal or No Deal” but I agreed to escalate because I felt this was so dishonest. I communicated to the Atlanta, Georgia location manager that I felt this was entirely dishonest and my frustration. He replied by sending me a copy of the contract I signed. I found that totally insulting. He’s saying I agreed to this but I know I did not. I can’t recall how this all went down at the counter but I assure you, I would NEVER agree to paying almost an additional 50% ($127) over my rental rate of $272!!!! Something really deceitful went on here! I did also let this manager know I waited almost an 1-1/2 for my vehicle that had been booked weeks in advance and the engine and tire light went on during our rental period. He absolved the company from al of these issues because I did not call while I had the vehicle. Simply said “ sorry” but when I asked about any accountability for the poor experience start to finish, he had absolutely nothing to offer but his “sorry”.. he did say he would discuss further and call me back but he never did that either. I truly think this is one the “slimiest”, dissatisfying customer experiences I have had in travel and hope you will at least compensate this VERY deceitful UPGRADE fee. My record locator # is: ATL-281700. I am not asking for any breaks for the horrible service before and after this complaint, the 1-1/2 hour wait time for the vehicle, the vehicle with a compromised engine/tires or anything other than the UPGRADE fee which I feel was a total “swindle”.
REFERENCE # 212693
On 4/2/2019, I rented a car at DIA—I handed Lorenzo my Expedia confirmation that showed I had reserved a car for $29.98—he said that it would be just a few minutes to get all the paperwork prepared. Upon reviewing my rental receipt, I noticed that Lorenzo had managed to add over $60 of additional charges—none of which was requested nor was there ever any explanation that there were “additional” charges added to my contract–he informed me to initial the items under “Optional Products” to WAIVE them—-NOT to purchase them. Lorenzo was dishonest, deceptive, and arguably committed an act of consumer fraud pursuant to Colorado State Law and Federal Law. Should you folks determine NOT to eliminate the extra charges added without my informed consent, and indeed deceptively, I will pursue these options as well as small claims court. Note that I had a travel companion who can verify everything that I am describing—ADDITIONALLY–whose signature is it on the Advantage rent a car document???? It certainly is not mine. You are entitled to $29.98—that is what I will pay—nothing more!
I RENTED A CAR AND I WAS TOLD THE TOTAL COST WAS 437.59 I ALSO PUT 200.00 NAS A REFUNDABLE DEPOSITE WHEN I GOT HOME AND WENT TO USE MY DEBT CARD IT WAS DECLINED DUE TO YOUR COMPANY CHARGING MY CARD 700.00 I HAVE MY SIGNED CONTRACT AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR FOR ME TO BE BILLED ALTHOUGH I DID HAVE THE CAR TWO DAYS LONGER BUT I CAME TO THE RENTAL PLACE THE DAY THE CAR WAS DUE BACK AND THEYH SASID NO PROBLEM I WOULD BE CHARGED 32.00 EACH DAY TOTALING 64.00 THAT WOULD COME OUT OF THE 200.00 DEP. THIS IWAS FINE BUT AS I SAID WHEN I GOT HOME YOUR COMPANY EMAILED ME SAYING YOU BILLED ME 700.00 WHICH HAS CAUSED ME GREAT TROUBLE YOUR C OMPANY OWES ME FIRST OF ALL THE 100.00 AND THE REMAINDER OF MY DEPOSIT 200.00 – 64.00 =136.00 PLUS OVER DRAFT CHARGES OF 75.00 AND I THINK THAT I SHOULD BE COMP..FOR ALL THE TROUBLE THIS HAS PUT ME THROUGH I AM DISABLED AND THIS ALONG WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO REACH COUSTOMER SERVICE ALL THIS TIME . MY RENTAL RECORD NUMBER IS RDU 96483 I WOULD LIKE CONTASCT WITH IN 24 HOURS MY PHONE IS 509-480-XXXX MY NAME IS TINA BASTIN
This company are very corrupt the same thing happened to us should not allowed businesses in US we all should getting together to take it down this corrupt businesses
Please contact me at e mail address
I am a loyal repeat customer and was treated like dirt. I will no longer patronize Advantage. I had a 6 day rental for 218 but the clerk could not find my reservation and I was forced to pay 278. Additionally Advantage emailed me a one day free member awards which the clerk would not honor as well. Very disappointed with this company but it will be their loss cause I rent a vehicle about 6 times a year and Advantage will lose my business because of one idiot clerk and no response from upper management after I complained. They showed me they could care less about their customers.
Thinking about class action lawsuit as Advantage refuses to honor their own discount member awards codes. Anyone else have these problems?
Advantage will never get my business again. There employees are rude and have no idea how to handle customer service! After receiving my rental I then began my hour drive to my destination. The following day as I began my trip my family and I realized the rental was crawling with bugs! $220 spent on a rental I couldn’t even use after the first day because myself and my children along with the rest of my family in the vehicle could no longer stand be bit up! We killed multiple bugs and have been bit several times and had no other choice but to just park the rents and carpool with someone else. So again all the rental money was for nothing. Seeing as driving back to the airport wasn’t an option because of time and distance we had no other choice. Upon dropping off the rental I asked the girl checking in the vehicle for a cooperate contact because the rental was infested with bugs and her response was she only has the number on the paper. I’ve spoken to at least 5 representatives who haven’t helped me at all. I left my purse in the vehicle and called the service number to see if someone could double check for it and I would come right back seeing as how I was in the airport still. The representative by the name of Iman refused to transfer me demanding I tell him exactly what was in my purse. Only when I threatened to call a higher up did he agree to transfer me. After speaking to 3 different supervisors they were unable to reach anyone at the front desk of the DFW Airport location. Time ran out and I had to catch my flight. I was never called back after the “24” hour Check in only when I contacted advantage was I told they didn’t find my belongings. This is the worst customer service I’ve ever experienced. Not only did I not get to actually use the rental and the low mileage usage should confirm how little it was used I have not had ANY RESULTS from any employee of Advantage. I had to find the complaint hq myself after a supervisor by the name of Eugene hung up on my after refusing to transfer me to another supervisor after getting no results from him as to getting some type of refund and how to contact corporate. I would like to be contacted by someone to have these issues resolved.
My rental number is DFW-174854
Thank You
Good luck. They don’t respond. I’m still waiting.
I had a car for lil over 2weeks and it was reported stolen even after I spoke to a rep assuring him that I was bringing it back
July 27 @ approx. 9:15am, i rented a car from Advantage Car Rental located at Hartsfield Atlanta Airport. I was charged an aditional 15 dallars a day for an additional driver. We told the receptionist that we would return the car on Sunday ( July 29th )@ 6:pm. After getting to where you pick up the car, i noticed that the receptionist had my mame spelled wrong; my address wrong; my email wrong, and to discover later that she also had the name of the additional driver wrong and the time to return the vehicle wrong. While at the counter, we told the receptionist that we would be returning the car @ 6: pm Sunday. However, on Sunday morning , we got a call from Advantage saying that the car was due back @ 8:46am.We explained that it must be some sort of mistake , ( as we were still at our location and not schedualed to check out til 11: am) because we stated that we would be returning the car @ 6: pm. Still, they seized my 200.00 deposit. It is obvious that the receptionist was inebriated or disposed to something that caused her to become distracted from what she was doing. Now, i am being given the run around trying to get this matter straighten out and my money back. I was informed that i needed to submit the complaint, which i did; and that i would be issued a ticket ( # 404370 ), which they did. I was informed that someone would contact me within 24 hours.That was Monday ( July 30th). By Wensday no one had called, so i called them again, complaining, and requesting to talk with a Manager. I was assured, at that time ,that my complaint was being reviewed and that someone would be contacting me. To date ( August 2nd ), no one has contacted me.What it all boils down to now is how much bull will i have to go through to have my money returned to me?!!
We rented a car at Advantage located at Newark Airport. Inform there that we will be driving to Canada. When we enter at Canadian border around 12 mn we was directed to see an immigration officer at the bldg and bring the doc of the vehicle. The car that we are driving from Advantage has expired tag . We beg to the officer just allow us to go back to the USA and they allow us to go back to USA condition that we will not drive the car very far so we can rent another car.
***ATTENTION***
Priceline and Advantage Rental Car WILL NOT EVER get my business again!!
Advantage oversold me on insurance that I already had, but couldn’t prove because I came from overseas and had no internet to pull up that I in fact had insurance. Then lied and said the insurance that I had thru Priceline would not cover me.
After I finally got service and investigated, Priceline… without my consent… CANCELLED the insurance that I purchased with them without verifying first that the insurance that I purchased with Advantage was what I needed. Yet, she ASSURED ME that it was!
I called Advantage only to be told that the insurance only covered if I hit someone. NOT if someone hit me. Mind you, the Priceline insurance covered EVERYTHING before the lady cancelled without my ok!
Advantage said that I’d have to drive 1 1/2 hours bank to their office to upgrade the insurance! THEN said that the notes on the account stated that I hit a sheet of ice IN VENTURA, CALIFORNIA, and wrecked the car!!! WTFFFF!!!!
I AM LIVID and under-insured in metro LA!!
Take your chances of you want with these companies, but I WOULD NOT recommend that you do business with incompetent agents and crooks.
I just had the unfortunate experience of also getting a “HotDeal” from Hotwire. In defense of Hotwire, I have booked many, many times and it has been perfect. This time though I encountered Advantage Rent a car. The difference between Advantage Rent a car and most car rental places is enormous. After I purchased the Hot Deal (the last Hot Deal was with Hertz 🙂 I saw it was with Advantage and thought I remembered something about them and started looking at ALL the many reviews. They were endless- about the many ways that Advantage was scamming it’s customers –from contracts that were misleading, to making a person pay an additional driver fee for the other adults traveling with them, to deceptive contracts about how you decline their insurance (you end up getting billed for that when you tell them no and you think you have initialed no) -but that did not come up for me, because they got me as soon as I walked in and they told me that my already paid for rental would not have unlimited miles on it. I showed them my receipt from Hotwire that said Unllmited miles. She said (very arrogantly I might add) well it is our policy for Local renters that miles are not unlimited and I would have to pay an extra $20 per day if I wanted that option. I was however limited to 140 miles a day. I did the math, I had to go to Port St Lucie -about 240 to 250 miles away -and I had the car for 3 days. It was not enough miles, so I asked to talk to the manager and I think she said the person next to her was the manager -his name was Francky- and he said there is nothing we can do. I asked if there was anyone above him I could speak to and he said no. I asked if I could call Advantage’s number and he let me use the desk phone and call Advantage. I did that and that person said they couldn’t help me either – it was between me and Hotwire (supposedly Hotwire is to blame for not having the terms on their website). I asked for the supervisor and was on hold over 20 minutes waiting for the supervisor. In the meantime my daughter called Hotwire for me on her phone and I spoke with them while waiting for the supervisor and Hotwire said I was supposed to get unlimited miles but to go ahead and pay for them and Hotwire would refund the charges. I decided to do that and hung up with Hotwire but started speaking with Advantages Supervisor who had just come on the phone. I was loud, but it was hard to hear on the phone as the room was small and other people were talking and I am hard of hearing. The supervisor was asking me what Hotwire said (at this point Advantages phone showed we had been on that line for 27 minutes) when Francky hung the phone up and cut me off and said he would now NOT do business with me at all -even though at this point it had been resolved. I told him I had already paid for the vehicle and then he called the police to have me removed (2 or 3 other people had come in in the meantime with the SAME unlimited miles issue and were listening to our conversation). I was angry because I wanted to leave today, but I kept my reservations for the next day (Sunday) with another (reputable) car rental company -I didn’t have to pay for that reservation until I got there. I was exhausted mentally and emotionally after that situation and I felt sorry for all of the people there that could not change their plans and had to leave then so they were hostage to Advantage. I can’t even imagine how many people are defrauded and scammed just from the Jacksonville location, much less add in all the other places that Advantage does business with. I am hoping the Attorney General of Florida will take some action against them. This situation happened yesterday, February 17 starting around 4:40 in the afternoon at the Jacksonville Advantage Rent a Car on Airport Road.
Rented vehicle in Florida in December/2017 and was forced to add me as an extra driver even though I was not going to drive the car. After arguing with the employee I finally gave in under duress and signed the agreement. I have written to the company and they said because I signed the paper I am not entitled to my refund of the charges for an extra driver. Very bad customer service all the way around.
Rented a car at the La Guardia Airport location on 09/24/17 to be returned on 09/30/17. Confirmation # LADP0B1337AD. To my surprise and inconvenience, I was forced to return the car on 09/27/17 after listening to that unbearable noise from the engine and trouble accelerating. I was immediately concerned and alarmed, so I contact customer service and was advise to drive to the site location where I would be given a new car. Customer service issued me a ticket # 217158 to track my complaint. 5 minutes away from the rental site, the car powered off and was unable to restart. So, I walked over to the rental site and informed Crystal (the counter rep) on 09/27/17 of what happened and she advised the car will be towed into their garage at some point. I was looking to have my bill adjusted as I had payed tolls, missed my shift at work that night, and felt the car put me at risk with all it’s mechanical problems. crystal advise I contact the manager the next morning and I did. The manager named Arun Singh was unprofessional, confrontational and did not offer any solutions. The worst part was that he was not empathetic at all towards all the distress and financial loses I endured that day. After begging, the manager agreed to call me back in no more than a day and it’s 09/30/17 and I have yet to hear from him. I’ve contacted customer service multiple times and apparaently the manager is the only one with authority to offer me any adjustment. Through the week, customer service reps have to tried to reach the manager and sent multiple ticket notices to the site, but have not been successful in getting a response from the manager. Please advise on this matter. The manner in which I was treated as a consumer was unprofessional and disrespectful. All I ask for is an adjustment on my bill, which is fair I believe. This site’s google rating is 1.8 after 242 reviews which is shameful and provides evidence of the poor management of this location and the poor customer satisfaction experienced at this location. ant adjustments to my bill are welcomed.
Good morning,
I am writing to share with you an experience I had yesterday with your compnay. I needed to rent a car for business travel in the aftermath of hurricane Irma do to some of the transportation issues my family is having. I booked a hot buy reservation with your company through hotwire. Reservation # posted below. I went to your Ft. Lauderdale location to pick up the car. I have to admit I did not get the asscoiates name but if you look up my reservation you should be able to see the associate that I was in contact with. It was Sunday 9/24/17 at about 4:15 pm. First, I was the only customer there. There was no line no wait however the clerk still had an attitude and never greeted me upon reaching the desk so I greeted her. Her overall tone was derogatory. She seemed like she did not want to wait on me at all. I am sad to say I think she was of Afro-carribean descent based on her accent though I cannot be sure. Please note it pains me to say this because I am a black woman as well and I truly do not want anyone to loose a job and not be able to support themselves based on my comments. It is my hope that you speak with this employee and remind her that your customers return based on the way they are treated.
I could not follow through with my reservation because she informed me that my DL was suspended. I had no idea my DL was suspended on 9/18 for an insurance correspondence issue that was compounded by the lack of timely mail, power and internet communication during Irma. You can understand that I was very worried and confused at this time and your clerk continued to treat me poorly and reiterate that I was not going to get a refund from hotwire on top of just learning my DL was cancelled. While I was calling my husband to make arrangements to get me transportation from the airport I asked this clerk if she could get me the number for hotwire and she stated she did not have anyway of getting the number for me as she is sitting in front of a computer. I looked at her and stated that I am in a bind and could she please look up the number for me so I could try to explain and get a refund. Remember, I am the only person in line. There are actually three agents at the counter at this time and she still did not want to help me. I guess she began to feel that there was something she could do as a customer service agent and she finally gave me the number. You will see below, due to my calmness, courtesy and good communication skills I was able to get a refund from Hotwire on a reservation that their policy states is not supposed to happen. The clerk did not even say have a nice day or I hope you can get it straightened out. I even had to be the bigger person and tell her, ” thank you for your time”.
This whole experience was diplorable. I think your clerks should know that many people particularly at this location are still struggling with bueracratic after effects of Irma and even if things are beyond their control to assist they can still be professional and polite. I was able to have my DL status updated to valid online later Sunday evening and now I am ready to make another researvation for a car and I honestly cannot use your company. I am a Broward County school teacher and your company is one of the companies that BTU suggested for teacher travel. I will be sending the BTU benefits coordinator an email and making her aware of the situation because I do not think BTU wants to promote a company with subpar service.
I hope you will address these issues at this location. I know you are a new company and thus your customer service is what will build your business. I refrain from being nasty with this communication because I truly felt disrespected and she made a bad situation worse. I do not want this to happen to someone in a similar situation. We all need some common kindness right about now. Below you will find the Hotwire correspondance. The confirmation code for Advantage is: SPAQ147DC8AD
Thank you for your time,
Carlisa Russell
Hotwire:
We’ve processed your refund and it will be posted to your original payment method in about five business days.
Refund summary
Booking confirmation #
4796151276
Refund total (USD)
$164.66
I rented a car a mco, i returned the car
13 days as of today i am still waiting for my 350.00 deposit.
called several time customer service and every body give me the turn around, it seems like nobody wants to get involved, i’m still waiting for my money.. you demanded a full payment for the rental, i demand a full payment of my refund