Avis car rental - Collections

Good morning everyone.

So I just wanted to share just how problematic AVIS car rental can be. I’m guessing a lot of this is automation but who really knows.

I rented a car from AVIS on 2/9/2026. Rental period was to 2/13/2026.

Returned the car like normal. Didn’t think anything of it.

I got a letter and email on 3/19/2026. (Letter arrived a few days later).

It stated there was a problem with a tire. They charged 106.58 for the tire (I guess it was patched, no idea they didn’t say the issue and they didn’t provide a picture. They then added a 29.00 fee. The letter went on to say in ten days we will charge the credit card on file. If you have an issue please let us know, otherwise no action required. They provided a phone number and a email address for questions. Well I was very busy with work so I emailed them. First to the wrong email on the 19th, then the correct email address on 3/26/2026. I even got an automated response on 3/26/2026 that they got the email and would review it shortly.

At some point this week I got a letter from a collections agency about owning 135.98. I just got home from a business trip as I’m on the road >90% travel for work. I call immediately of course customer service says they tried to charge the card and it failed. (I went through looking to see if I had a decline from American Express and of course I didn’t see anything.)

I’m beyond frustrated. I did not get any additional emails from the company. I did not see a decline. They didn’t bother reviewing my email. Just straight to collections. They didn’t even bother sending an email that it declined.

They had no problem using the same card for tolls though.

Now I have to deal with collections which freaks me out because it can cost me my job. All over a 135.98 charge.

To make matters worse the car was complaining about the tire (TPS) and didn’t bother checking for a nail when I got it. I just figured. It’s cold out. The usual sensor issues you see in February. It was unusually cold for even Miami at the time.

The collections letter backdated everything to me owing the 135.98 on 2/9/2026. Not that this matters much but the way it reads is very disingenuous. They didn’t reach out until 3/19. Three weeks later collections. Did you know that anyone can send something to collections even if it’s 1 day late? I’m betting that is why the 29.00 fee is so high.

I hope AVIS reads this at some point because this is awful customer service. I’m sure you do this to a lot of people and if this even stops one person from renting your cars then it was worth writing.