Australia: Budget vs Avis
 

Hey,

Can anyone comment on the service offered by Budget vs Avis in Australia (specifically Cairns Airport)?

Budget are considerably cheaper than Avis (460 vs 750 AUD). Can I expect a large difference service?

Thanks :)

Doesn't really answer the question, but we used Hertz out of CNS last year -- booked via VroomVroomVroom -- and had no issues.

That's useful though as I have two bookings currently: one with Budget one with Hertz through AutoEurope (broker).

I booked Hertz a while ago and got a good deal ($345 AUD for 9 days), but it felt a little bit cheap, and I'm a bit concerned of getting a right banger of a vehicle or bad service when I turn up.

I don't think Hertz have banger vehicles anywhere in Australia most likely a small vehicle.

I've totally just gone off Avis having just hired a car from them. I expect tricks from companies, but they do it so consistently, and in a way that makes me think they're sent away for training to Con Camp.

1) They always, always add the "fuel up front" and then ask you for your card for a "deposit"
2) They hide the contract in a little booklet and never mention its existence
3) Common to all companies: "there's no damage", "oh, that's too small to count"
4) They refuse to look at your fuel receipt (a requirement to have the ridiculous fuel-up-front payment refunded) and do not give any paperwork confirming the return of the vehicle.
5) In Europe, they divert your attention away from the Dynamic Currency Conversion scam by pointing out all the non-important details on the paperwork in an overzealous manner

I had an Avis booking in Melbourne too, but I'll be cancelling that

Budget is usually more relaxed then Avis, not so officious as it were.
But it will literally make no difference as at Cairns airport Avis and Budget share the same fleet, management, etc as they are now owned by the same parent company and have merged operations were both are corporate at the same location.
All the T&C's are there for anyone who wants to read them and has an hour spare, so I have never witnessed an employee purposely hiding information. That's a bit harsh, I e bad experience all comes down to the employee at hand. No company is perfect I guess. They are all practically the same anyways at least sticking with the majors you have some comeback if there are issues.

Oh and I forgot to mention, there has never been a deposit through these companies, a pre authorisation for the rental amount is held on your card and will turn into a charge in return. So I'm not sure about overseas, the only time I understand a deposit is taken is if you pay cash and have no credit card.