Book Payless car rentals in Tampa

Reviews for Payless in Tampa

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4.0

Pros:Once we actually got to a staff member (after waiting in line for over an hour because the Payless, Avis, and Budget counters were all combined), he was very polite and helpful. The car was new and it was very nice. Drop off was an ease.Cons:A warning at least would have been nice about the lack of staffing or the possible extended wait times. The fact that I set a pick up time and expected to go to the counter to get my car, but waited in line for over an hour instead was frustrating to say the least. I have appreciated an offered substantial upgrade or refund for the inconvenience.Reviewed 19 Jan. 2021

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3.6

Dishonest companyCons:When I got to the rental place, I had to wait a while before it was my turn to pick up my car. The agent told me the only car in the price range I reserved was a Dodge Caravan, when I requested a compact car. I ended up paying an extra $20 to get a car that I wouldn't die in. When I was given the choice of paying $30 to cover gas and the company would fill the car as a convenience fee or to fill the car myself, I told the agent I would fill it myself because I knew filling the tank would not cost me $30. When I returned the car and looked at the bill, I noticed they charged me the $30 convenience fee anyway! I requested a refund and explained to them that I returned the car with a full tank of gas, the only way they would refund the $30 is if I could produce a receipt, not a bank statement, that shows that I filled the tank within 5 miles of the drop off site! I, of course, didn't save the receipt because I didn't think I would actually have to show that the tank was filled. This is a dishonest company full of scumbags and will never rent a car from them in the future!Reviewed 10 Mar. 2016

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5.6

OKay experience - will book with terminal based reCons:Off airport pickup. Had to wait about 15 mins for the shuttle to take us to the car rental. Car smelled of toxic cleaning chemicals.Reviewed 21 Oct. 2015

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5.2

BAIT AND SWITCH - FORCED TO PAY FOR OPTIONSPros:The vehicle was clean and in good condition.Cons:I had a rental agreement for a Kia Sorento or similar for $232.44. I requested a 7am pickup to avoid rush hour traffic (I am local). The clerk, Lyon, told me that I had to provide a utility bill to prove that I actually reside at the address on my driver's license. He would not accept my newly updated insurance card as a 2nd form of ID for my address. I have often rented locally and NEVER had to provide a utility bill to prove my residency. I had to drive back home and then return in rush hour traffic. Before returning home, I confirmed the Kia was available. When I returned, he was working with another couple. They kept telling him they didn't want any of the options, but he told them it was mandatory and their bill would be $100 more than their agreement. When they objected, he said he was going to cancel their reservation and send them back to the airport. They finally conceded and accepted the charges. When it was my turn, I gave him my utility bill and he approved my rental. But now the Kia I had reserved, which was still sitting in front of the building, was suddenly inoperative and he was taking it off the line. He said the only vehicle available was a Toyota 4Runner, which gets only 22 mpg (the Kia gets 35 mpg). I told him I couldn't afford to drive it, but he said I had no choice. Then he told me that I also had to take the options. I told him I didn't want the options, but he said they were mandatory. How can an OPTION be MANDATORY? My guess is that he makes a commission on all the "options" he can sell to the customers (or FORCE them to accept by threatening to cancel their reservation). Since I was now an hour behind schedule and had a long drive to make, I had no choice but to accept the "options." My estimated invoice was now $333.25. I returned the vehicle with a full tank of gas, so avoided the Gas Service option. However, the same clerk as before, Lyon, still charged me for the RSP option ($41.93+tax), stating it was mandatory. I AM VERY DISPLEASED!Reviewed 1 Apr. 2016

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2.0

I was not expecting thatPros:At least he helped me to get another car at other companyCons:Everything, i showed up on time and i wait more than 20 mins and the place was empty. Then after my online reservation and all the employee told me they can not let me rent a car because i am using a debit card and for that reason they need to run a credit check on me. No problem with that but where is stated that a person paying with a debit card it can be rejected because of the credit score? The employee was good and was not his fault but they will need to have a paper explaining that to the customers.Reviewed 21 Nov. 2016

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2.0

Never againPros:At least the car ran okayCons:Customer service is abysmal. The service is like nothing else compared to other car rental companies. It was a long wait to get the car initially. They check you out at the counter and then for some unknown reason you wait and wait to receive your car. When returning the car normally you pull in and there's somebody right there too quickly check you out. Not here. I waited and waited and had to walk over to some window and waited again. The staff at this location is remarkably indifferent to customers. Make no mistake, you will not be treated like you normally would be at other car rental companies. I guess their name says it all. You Payless and that's just about what you get. I would not rent again from Payless.Reviewed 9 Apr. 2017

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2.0

Be wary of a local rental.Cons:We were unable to rent this car. Upon arrival they said we needed to have a local bill as proof of residency, nothing else was acceptable. I don't know about you, but we don't generally travel with copies of bills on our person. There was nothing in this Kayak reservation that indicated we needed to bring one. We have traveled numerous times by renting the car the day before and returning it in time for our flight the next day. We ended up having to take the airport shuttle made for an even longer airport wait as bad weather made the driver show up early then our plane was hit by lightning before we arrived delaying the flight by several hours until they could get a replacement.Reviewed 6 May 2016

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5.6

Pros:Car was clean, with low mileage.Cons:I had a number of problems with a recent rental car which was secured through Kayak. The salesman did several unwelcome things. He insisted on giving me the gas pre-purchase option, which I refused after informing him that I was not going to be using even a single tank of gas. Then, he assigned me a different car without informing me of the difference in price. It was only made apparent when I inquired about the price difference (over $50). Then when I requested that he give me the original car, he refused. As I had been waiting already 20 minutes, I gave in. The car was fine, and I was certain to fill the gas tank just before brining the car in. When I dropped of the car, I had over a 15 minute wait for a shuttle (which actually never showed). Another driver came out and took a shuttle sitting on the lot after there were about 6 parties waiting for a ride. Finally, when I asked for a receipt (especially in light of the difficulties with hidden charges for the rental), I was told that the "printer is down" and that I would receive an email receipt, which never happened. I still don't know how much my card was charged, which I have attempted to contact Payless about.Reviewed 14 Nov. 2016

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2.0

This place is a scamPros:NothingCons:This place tried to pull a bait and switch. First, it took 45 minutes and two phone calls before a shuttle finally showed up at the airport. Then, the price that I was quoted went up twice in three minutes when I was trying to pick up the car. There was a fee for roadside assistance, which I didn't need because I have AAA. There was a fee for them picking me up at the airport, which they could barely manage to do. They then told me that even that was an estimated price and it could end up being more in the end. They literally wouldn't give me a set price. In the end, I ripped up the contract and demanded they take me back to the airport and rented a car from Enterprise for less money. This company is not reputable. Don't ever rent from them.Reviewed 8 Dec. 2015

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2.0

Payless did not respond to callPros:I was able to reserve it easily on KayakCons:The location was closing at 1 AM, my flight landed at 12.30, so I called them up as soon as I came outside to realize that there are no shuttles. No one picked the call even at 12.45, I would have been able to take a Taxi or something. This is the most horrible service any Car Rental Agency could provide at any point. As a word of advise, if your store closes very to client's arrival, make sure that the customer is notified about the store close time. If you have accepted the reservation, please have someone in the tore to pick the call at atleast. This incident almost ruined my vacation. I had pay for another Car Rental Service for booking another car.Reviewed 3 Nov. 2015

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3.6

Hidden Charges - Horrible Experience & ServicePros:Not much. When we finally got the vehicle, it functioned well.Cons:Hidden Charges. We were quoted $209 on Kayak. When we arrived the clerk was very pushy about other add on charges, to the point he was rude and upset I would not accept extra insurance, loss of use insurance, road side assistance. I explined to him thst i had rented msny vehicles in tbe past and did not want the extra coversges. But he insisted. He even tried to say we needed. to "upgrade" for $70 more to get the exact mini van I had reserved. There was only one van on the lot. We ended up with that mini van anyways. ALL A SCAM! He then told me I had no choice and I had to get the road side assistance. I refused and told him I had AAA and didn't need it. He told me it was company "policiy" and I couldn't get the vehicle without it. Again being VERY RUDE AND PUSHY. I finally had to get upset and raise by voice after 5-6 times of declining the add ons. I was finally given the vehicle 30 mins later. Their customer service is poor. My final Bill was $295. Not $209 as quoted. I will never use Payless again and I'm debating not using Kayak in the future. This was a horrible experience. W. DEAN willdean39@yahoo.comReviewed 12 Aug. 2016

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4.4

Pros:Car was OK.Cons:1) Flight delayed 5 hours. Came in late. Payless was closed from 1:00am to 5:00am. 2) Decided to wait 40 minutes for Payless to be open and send shuttle. Shuttle never came. We had a 5 year old with us! Is there no humanity? 3) Multiple calls to payless where they told us shuttle was on the way, they lied to us, it was not on the way. 4) at: 6:00 am, out of frustration, we took another rental car shuttle. They did not have a car for us, but got us eventually to Payless (Thanks!!). 5) Payless decided our contract was null and void since we were "not there on time" due to our 5 hour flight delay. Payless charged us more than the contract. In Summary, if you are thinking of using Payless, pay more and save yourselves!!!!!! They are short staffed, and have no incentive to treat people well. They really don't care, in my experience, customers to them are an inconvenience.Reviewed 5 Apr. 2017

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• Has the Payless rental car policy in Tampa changed because of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

  As the situation changes with coronavirus (COVID-19) Payless will continually update its policies accordingly. Please contact Payless directly for the latest information. You can find up-to-date information on the coronavirus response of Payless here: Coronavirus (COVID-19) update from Payless

• How much does it cost to rent a car from Payless in Tampa?

  On average a rental car from Payless in Tampa costs C$ 60 per day.

• What is the most popular rental car from Payless in Tampa?

  Intermediate (Hyundai Elantra or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type from Payless in Tampa.

• How many car rental locations does Payless have in Tampa?

  Payless has 1 rental location in Tampa. Take a look at our Payless rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

• Does Payless have a car rental location at the airport: Tampa airport (TPA)?

  Yes

• Does Payless offer shuttle or airport pick-up services from Tampa airport (TPA)?

  Yes