Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Airport Car Rental's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  Airport Car Rental

  3006 Barnett Ave C San Diego, CA 92110

• 

  Airport Car Rental

  2008 India St San Diego, CA 92101-1722

• 

  Airport Car Rental

  2517 S Santa Fe Ave Vista, CA 92083

• 

  Airport Car Rental

  PO Box 230932 Encinitas, CA 92023-0932

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/23/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  About 6 weeks ago I rented a car from Airport Car Rental. I was attracted to their low prices & long term availability. I commuted from my home in ***** to their lot in Point Loma & was quickly rushed through signing paperwork. I gave a $300 deposit & paid $745 (give or take$25) for a month of use with one of their cars. When I asked which car I would be driving I was told that I could choose between a **** Fiesta (compact) or a ****** Corolla (economy). I was told the ****** was nicer & had tinted *************** everything etc. so I chose (what is across all normal boards), the nicer of the two, the Corolla. I was given the keys and pointed down a dirt road. When I approached then vehicle I could see obvious body damage. Zip ties, duct ************ holding the frame together, dents the size of ***************************** dinner plates speckled throughout & rope(?). I opened the door, climbed in & it smelled of ******************* I started it up and it sounded like a lawn mower. I'm not snooty or shallow but this was an eyesore & sounded like it was going to short out or dissemble itself if I dared accelerate. I took a chance and drove it to the top where the office hut was & said I would like to change my choice of cars to the **** because this car was a joke. There was no way the Fiesta was worse than this thing. I was told by the man that because he had already sent the paperwork to be processed he wouldn't be able to switch out car until later that week. I was assured that ******** friends had just driven it to ***** & back & it ran fine & not to worry. I huffed but said, "ok, I'll be in touch in the next few days to coordinate a time when I can come back down & make the swap.". He said ok & then I was off in the car that would almost ruin my entire life. Want to hear more? Call me. Too much to type. It involves 10 cops, my very first arrest, a near kidnapping and 2 ER visits. Oh and many more surprises! All due to this lovely car and the rental company from h***

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/12/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am an International freshman from ********* doing my undergraduate studies in Biomedical Engineering at *************************. My roommate, 2 other friends, and I were visiting ********* for our spring break and we rented a car from this particular car rental place (**** *********************) on the 8th of March 2023. The manager explained to us that a 500 dollar hold will be put on my credit card which we used to rent the car for a week and he'd remove it afterward. The rental amount for the car for the 2 days was ****** USD. He told us it is completely safe and that he would refund the 500-dollar hold that they put on my credit card a week after I returned the car. I read and signed the documents and took pictures of him, the car rental, and the car itself. I will attach the documents to the complaint. I returned the car on the 10th of March. He never lifted the hold from my credit card and now it is been charged. I have been in contact with this person from a week after I returned the car to this day and he blocked my number. He asked me for my ID and I sent that to him as well. I called him from my roommate's number and he said to call him again in a day to arrange the refund. He then blocked my roommate's number as well. As an international student who's working a job to barely earn money for daily expenditures, this has been really affecting me mentally. I contacted the San *********************** and they advised me to make a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I have 3 friends as witnesses to the whole event and I hope to get my money back as soon as possible. Thank you so much!

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/21/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 1/25/23, my son was rear ended by another vehicle, resulting in damage to our vehicle. Our insurance company, State Farm, set us up with a rental through Hertz. Eventually, the responsible party's insurance agreed to pay for the rental and damages incurred by this accident and a time to pick up a new rental from Enterprise was agreed upon. When the rental was dropped off with *****, nothing was said about a balance due, nor was any rental receipt given as it was handled through the insurance company. On 2/21/23, ***** charged our checking account twice, for a total of almost $100, with no call or explantation of any kind. When my son tried to call *****, it was a major ordeal just getting through their automated system, only to be told they need the contract # from our insurance. At this point, my son had to be at work and won't be off until after they close so I called the insurance and got the number. When calling back with the number, I was told they would only talk to my son, even though both names are on the claim. They won't even tell me if they will be charging our checking account again, or for how much.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/27/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I rented this vehicle on 12/25/22 at 8:16 p.m. and returned it on 12/26/22 at 10:22 a.m. It was probably actually turned in earlier than this but there was no one there to process the return. I had the car ***** hours. My receipt shows the miles when I took the vehicle was ***** and ***** having driven a total of 861 miles. ***** was no one there when the vehicle was returned to scan it in. Today 1/27/23 I received an email from Budget saying I damaged their car and I need to contact ******* ***************** Services to provide my insurance details. They provided two pictures of the speedometer and the a dent on the front of the car and claimed I drove the vehicle **** miles showing my miles out are ***** and miles in would be *****. First, I did not damage their vehicle. Second I did not drive it **** in less than 14 hours. The fact that they are trying to now skew information to try to pin damage on me is absolutely unacceptable. When I tried to contact them they were rude and demanded that I give them my insurance information stating they have all the proof they need against me. I have no idea when or where those pictures were taken or if it even is the vehicle I drove. I tried to contact the phone number for ******** they provided in their email which is a scam phone number. They gave me a new phone number to contact ******** who advised they can't even help me and I have to wait for Budget to fix the vehicle and come after me. I am livid that they are trying to accuse me of something I did not do and go after my credit card or insurance.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/26/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On November 19th, 2022 I rented a white ****** Yaris for 2 days for $490.00 that was paid on that day as well as a deposit that was put on my card for $500.00. I was told once I returned the rental that the hold would be released that day. Upon returning I was then told that the hold would not be released until the 1st of December which was not what I was originally told. Due to this striking me as odd, I disputed the hold with my Bank which led to my bank giving me my $500.00 deposit back. Upon the investigation they could not find evidence to support that the $500.00 was just a deposit and they reversed it, taking $500.00 from me. When I tried to reach out to the business they gave me the run around saying the managers will be in the following week and I needed to ask them. Once I waited a week and called back the managers were of no use saying that they couldnt help me and proceeded to hang up on me in the middle of the conversation. I am out $500.00 due to this company and the shady business they conduct! I want my $500.00 deposit refunded to me. As you can see in the bank statement Im sending I am charged twice on same day for both purchases. Keep in mind I only rented the car for 2 days. The manager I spoke with was rude and aggressive while attempting to tell me he cant help me with anything. Being told that you have no paper trail to track your transactions past 30 days does not sit well with me especially when I wouldve have waited over a week just to see if the $500.00 deposit was released.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/08/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The company need to refund my deposit (500$) and they dont answer the phone, when they answe they hang on me, and in the first place they tell me that they cant found my paper information with mt details (not my problem ) and they dont give me any solution or answers.Im running out of patience and if no one help me im gonna have problems

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/01/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  ON THE EVENING OF 11/27/22, I WENT TO AIRPORT CAR RENTAL TO RENT A ***. WHEN I LEFT IN THE RENTED ****** AVALON, I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THERE WERE MULTIPLE BIG RIPS IN THE UPHOLSTRY AND A METAL PLATE COVERING THE SUNROOF OPENING. I DIDNT MAKE IT A BIG DEAL BUT AS I STARTED TO DRIVE THE *** A LITTLE LONGER IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THAT EVEING I WENT STRAIGHT ************ DRIVE THE *** UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING. ON 11/28 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, THE KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE *** WAS CONSTANT. SO AFTER WORK I WENT BACK TO THE *** RENTAL PLACE & TOLD THEM I DIDNT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE AVALON BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BREAK DOWN. THEY OFFERED TO CHANGE ***S. THE FIRST *** HE OFFERED TO SWITCH IT TO WAS A ****** CAMRY & AS SOON AS I OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE ***** BETWEEN THE ************* SEAT FELL OFF. I TOLD THE GUY THAT I DIDNT WANT TO RENT THAT *** BACAUSE I DIDNT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT *** BREAK & THE ***S ALREADY FALLING APART. THE SECOND *** HE OFFERED ME WAS A ****** COROLLA, THE *** CAP LID WAS MISSING & THERE WERE NO BUTTONS ON THE ***** DIALS. I DIDNT MAKE IT A BIG DEAL AND AGREED TO TAKE THE COROLLA. AS SOON AS I LEFT THE *** WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE *** AROUND & TOOK IT BACK TO AIRPORT CAR RENTAL. I LET HIM KNOW THAT I WASNT GOING TO BE USING THEIR SERVICES AFTERALL BECAUSE I DIDNT FEEL COMFORTABLE IN ANY OF THE ***S THAT WERE OFFERED TO ME. HE SAID OK AND TOOK THE ***** WHEN I ASKED HOW WE WERE GOING TO SETTLE THE *** RENTAL FEE SINCE I PAID $175 FOR A 7 DAY RENTAL HE SAID THAT MANAGEMENT WOULD CALL ME TOMORROW TO SETTLE THAT. I ASKED IF HE COULD RELEASE MY $500 DEPOSIT, AGAIN HE SAID HE DOESNT DO ANYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH $. I CALLED HIM OUT & ASKED "DIDNT U CHARGE MY ***D ON SUNDAY WHEN I PICKED UP THE RENTAL? & MANAGEMENT WASNT THERE THEN". HE COMPLETELY IGNORED MY COMMENT & SAID SOMEONE FROM MANAGEMENT WOULD REACH OUT THE NEXT DAY. 12/01 & I HAVE STILL YET TO HEAR FROM THEM!!

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/11/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  April 3rd I went to Airport Car Rental to rent a car. I paid $350 for the week and $300 for the deposit. I rented the car for 4 weeks and returned the car on May 1st. I asked them for my deposit of $300 back and I was told that it would be put back in my account in 14 business days. After 14 business days the money was not in my account and I called Airport Car Rental and was told that the money was sent to my account and to stop calling them. I called back and was hung up on. As of this day, August 11th, I have not received my deposit back from this company. Please help!***************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/05/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  July 25th went to ********* with my friend, walked for an hour till we saw this car rental, walked in, took a car, but this place asks you for a $500 deposit, i said ok, no problem. Went to a store nearby, and forgot to save the Address on Gmaps, found the Address but guess what, the reviews of this car rental were hella bad, everyone complaining about that this place doesn't return your $500 deposit, so we went back ASAP but found a paper that said "back at 1pm (it was 10:30). We came back at 1:30 to car rental just to make sure he was there, we walked in to his little office and he was like "hey guys, why so early? What happened?" I didn't wanted to be directly saying that he was a f*cking scammer, so i said "oh, i found out that it's way cheaper to travel in public transportation, here's the keys of the car" he said "ok, your all set" and i was like "wdym with I'm all set? I want my $500 deposit back" he said "oh, my boss is the guy that does the return of the deposit and he comes tomorrow to see the paperwork". Came next day and i asked for his boss and he was "oh, he didn't came" and i asked "so what can we do? I need my money back, i don't care if i don't have the $270 of the rent of the car, but i need my deposit money back!" He insisted that he couldn't do nothing, that his boss has to be there present or calling him by phone, i told him to call him but he kept putting pretexts saying that he might be In mexico and can't answer. Asked for a copy of the contract and didn't wanted to gave me a copy, not even take a look at it. We kept putting pressure on him and he said that we were being rude, with him, that we were treating him like a scammer (that he actually is lol), he was getting hella nervous, saying that we might hit someone or we had an accident, to which I said "let's talk to the police and check if we had an incident, i don't have problem with that!" which he refused to do. Came next day (last day at SD), and totally ignored us!