Hertz vs Avis Car Rental
Updated onCompare Hertz and Avis Car Rental side-by-side. See how they stack up on features, pricing, and target market.
Hertz
Hertz is a global car rental and mobility services company founded in 1918, whose parent Hertz Global Holdings is publicly traded on Nasdaq under the ticker HTZ, operating the Hertz brand and related offerings through thousands of locations in more than 160 countries.
vs
Avis Car Rental
Avis Car Rental is a global car rental brand offering vehicle rentals and mobility services through approximately 5,500 locations in more than 165 countries.
Which should you choose?
Hertz
Choose Hertz if you want a slightly larger physical network of locations backed by a well‑developed Gold Plus Rewards program and mobile app, somewhat stronger (though still mixed) review scores, and the option to tap sister value brands like Dollar and Thrifty under the same corporate umbrella.
Avis Car Rental
Choose Avis if you prioritize a straightforward Avis Preferred loyalty scheme, frequent flyer and hotel partner earning options, strong coverage at major airports and neighborhood locations worldwide, and potentially deeper headline discounts through the Avis For Business program for small and mid‑sized companies.
Key differences
| Category | Hertz | Avis Car Rental | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loyalty programs & app experience | Both Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and Avis Preferred are free to join, allow members to skip the counter via well‑rated iOS/Android apps, and earn points redeemable for free rental days, with Hertz touting Newsweek‑recognized loyalty performance and Avis highlighted for a simple, flexible structure and partner earning.([hertz.com](https://www.hertz.com/us/en/gold-plus-rewards)) | ||
| Business & corporate programs | Hertz Business Rewards and related business account programs typically promote savings of up to about 20% off base rates plus free rental days, whereas Avis For Business markets discounts up to 30% off base rates along with reward days and dedicated SME support, so Avis has a modest edge on headline benefits for small and mid‑sized companies.([www5.hertz.com](https://www5.hertz.com/rentacar/b2b/bapOverView-bap-b2b)) | ||
| Customer reviews & satisfaction | Consumer review sites show low satisfaction for both brands—ConsumerAffairs scores around 1.3/5 for Hertz and 1.2/5 for Avis, and complaint boards note recurring billing and service issues—but Hertz tends to rate slightly higher than Avis on platforms like Trustpilot and some aggregators, even though experiences vary sharply by location.([consumeraffairs.com](https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/hertz.html)) | ||
| EV & sustainability options | Both fleets offer electric and hybrid rentals in select markets, but Hertz has invested more heavily—operating tens of thousands of EVs (around 10% of its fleet at one point) and still promoting Tesla and other EV models despite scaling back the program—while Avis provides a smaller, growing EV lineup concentrated in certain regions.([hertz.com](https://www.hertz.com/us/en/vehicles/electric-vehicles)) | ||
| Global network & locations | Hertz’s corporate family (Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, Firefly) operates more than 11,000 rental locations in roughly 160 countries, while Avis runs 5,000+ locations in over 165 countries, so both are highly global but Hertz typically has more physical branches in a given market.([ir.hertz.com](https://ir.hertz.com/overview/default.aspx)) |
Feature comparison
| Feature | Hertz | Avis Car Rental | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car sharing / hourly rental via group brands | Hertz’s parent company operates the Hertz 24/7 car‑sharing service in Europe, while Avis Budget Group owns Zipcar, a major global car‑sharing network, giving both ecosystems access to short‑term, hourly rentals.([ir.hertz.com](https://ir.hertz.com/overview/default.aspx)) | ||
| Electric / hybrid vehicle rentals | Hertz actively markets EV rentals (including Tesla and other models) and once targeted a very large EV fleet share, while Avis offers electric and hybrid rentals at a subset of U.S. and international locations.([hertz.com](https://www.hertz.com/us/en/vehicles/electric-vehicles)) | ||
| Global coverage (airport + city locations worldwide) | Hertz’s brands span more than 11,000 locations in about 160 countries, while Avis operates 5,000+ locations in over 165 countries, so both can serve most major destinations.([ir.hertz.com](https://ir.hertz.com/overview/default.aspx)) | ||
| Loyalty program with points and elite tiers | Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and Avis Preferred are free to join, award points toward free days, and include elite tiers with perks like upgrades and priority service for frequent renters.([hertz.com](https://www.hertz.com/us/en/gold-plus-rewards)) | ||
| Mobile app with skip‑the‑counter check‑in | Both brands’ iOS and Android apps support booking, managing rentals and, for loyalty members, features that let you bypass the counter or use expedited pickup lanes at many locations.([hertz.com](https://www.hertz.com/us/en/blog/resources/check-in-before-arrival-via-app)) | ||
| Monthly / long‑term rentals | Hertz’s multi‑month and monthly rental programs and Avis’s long‑term rental offers both provide discounted, flexible alternatives to traditional leases for rentals of several weeks or months.([hertz.com](https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/misc/index.jsp?targetPage=multimonth.jsp)) | ||
| One‑way rentals (domestic and cross‑country) | Hertz and Avis both allow one‑way rentals within the U.S. (and in some international markets) with drop fees that vary by route, vehicle and demand, and each promotes specific one‑way deals.([hertz.com](https://www.hertz.com/us/en/one-way-car-rental)) | ||
| Publicly traded parent company (stock listing) | Hertz is owned by Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., listed on Nasdaq under HTZ, while Avis Car Rental’s parent is Avis Budget Group, Inc., listed on Nasdaq under CAR.([finance.yahoo.com](https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/HTZ/)) | ||
| Small‑business program with discounts | Hertz Business Rewards and Business Account programs, and Avis For Business, all target SMEs with contracted discounts, reward days and centralized account management, with Avis explicitly advertising up to 30% off base rates vs roughly 20% at Hertz.([www5.hertz.com](https://www5.hertz.com/rentacar/b2b/bapOverView-bap-b2b)) | ||
| Truck, van and commercial rentals | Both fleets include cargo vans, box trucks and larger vehicles for moves or commercial use, marketed alongside standard passenger cars on their consumer and business channels.([hertz.com](https://www.hertz.com/us/en)) | ||
| Used car sales channel (buying ex‑rental vehicles) | Hertz Car Sales and Avis Car Sales sell retired rental vehicles with no‑haggle pricing, warranties and nationwide inventory accessible online and through dedicated dealership networks.([hertzcarsales.com](https://www.hertzcarsales.com/used-cars-for-sale.htm?geoRadius=0&geoZip=23917)) |
Review Consensus
Hertz
"Across review platforms Hertz earns slightly better—but still below‑average—scores than many rivals, with convenience and network reach praised but recurring complaints about billing surprises and uneven service quality.([consumeraffairs.com](https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/hertz.html))"
Based on 3,403 reviews
- ● Reviewers like Hertz’s large international network and availability of vehicles in many cities and airports.
- ● Some customers report smooth rentals with clean cars and straightforward pickup/return at specific branches.
- ● Information on insurance options and add‑ons is generally easy to find before booking.
- ● A high share of reviews mention surprise fees, disputed damage charges and unexpected toll or fuel bills.
- ● Many customers describe difficulty reaching helpful support and slow or unsatisfactory resolution of complaints.
- ● Frequent reports cite long lines, overbooked locations and not receiving the car class originally reserved.
Data as of 3/2/2026
Based on 16,937 reviews
- ● Some reviewers praise fast pickup for Gold Plus members and the convenience of skipping the main counter.
- ● Travelers often highlight good vehicle selection and the ability to upgrade on arrival when cars are available.
- ● Positive reviews frequently come from repeat customers who know and trust a particular Hertz location.
- ● Many reviewers complain about unexpected extra charges after return, especially for insurance and damage.
- ● Service quality appears highly inconsistent across locations, with some citing rude or unhelpful staff.
- ● A number of reviews describe confirmed reservations not being honored or significant waits for cars to be ready.
Data as of 3/2/2026
Based on 67 reviews
- ● Aggregated reviewers tend to rate Hertz above several direct competitors on overall value and experience.
- ● Frequent renters appreciate the breadth of fleet choices, including premium and EV options, in many markets.
- ● Loyalty integration and occasional promo codes are cited as ways to bring down total rental cost.
- ● Some reviewers still warn about fees and recommend carefully reviewing the rental agreement and final bill.
- ● The positive aggregate score masks a wide spread of individual experiences depending on location and season.
- ● Several users note that base rates can be higher than budget‑focused brands without discounts or corporate rates.
Data as of 3/2/2026
Avis Car Rental
"Avis consistently receives very low scores on major review sites, with location‑dependent bright spots but widespread reports of surprise charges, long waits and unsatisfactory problem resolution.([consumeraffairs.com](https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/avis.html))"
Based on 2,202 reviews
- ● Customers value Avis’s presence at major airports and neighborhood locations in many countries.
- ● Some reviewers report good experiences with clean, modern cars and quick returns.
- ● A few highlight earning or using loyalty and partner points as a useful perk of renting with Avis.
- ● A very large portion of reviews cite unexpected charges, especially for fuel, insurance and alleged damage.
- ● Many renters complain of poor response when disputing bills or trying to resolve issues with customer service.
- ● Reports of long wait times at counters and cars not matching the class reserved are common themes.
Data as of 3/2/2026
Based on 88 reviews
- ● Some reviewers mention friendly staff and efficient service at particular airport or neighborhood branches.
- ● A minority note that prices were competitive when using coupons or corporate discounts.
- ● Mobile‑app users sometimes highlight easier booking and account management compared with calling in.
- ● Most reviews are negative, focusing on extra fees, disputed damage bills and difficulty obtaining refunds.
- ● Several customers describe reservations being cancelled or downgraded with little explanation.
- ● There are repeated complaints about slow counters, long queues and inconsistent vehicle cleanliness.
Data as of 3/2/2026
Based on 463 reviews
- ● A small share of customers report straightforward rentals and appreciate Avis’s broad location network.
- ● Some reviewers cite competitive promo offers when booked at the right time or through certain channels.
- ● Business renters occasionally praise negotiated rates obtained through corporate programs.
- ● The overwhelming majority of reviews are one‑star, pointing to severe dissatisfaction with service.
- ● Reviewers frequently cite billing disputes, deposit issues and perceived lack of transparency in charges.
- ● Many comments describe poor communication and slow or unhelpful responses to complaints or breakdowns.
Data as of 3/2/2026
Based on 16 reviews
- ● A handful of users report acceptable rental experiences without major problems.
- ● Some appreciate that Avis resolved specific issues after escalation, even if slowly.
- ● When everything works, customers like the standardization of procedures across locations.
- ● ComplaintsBoard data shows a low average rating with hundreds of associated complaints about Avis.
- ● Common issues include alleged overcharging, poor damage‑claim handling and difficulties getting support.
- ● Several cases describe frustration over being charged after pre‑paid or cancelled bookings.
Data as of 3/2/2026
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