Considering Payless Car Rental in Fort Lauderdale, FL: What Locals Need to Know

Payless Car Rental Photos

Payless Car Rental Introduce

For Floridians, especially those in the bustling Fort Lauderdale area, reliable and affordable transportation is often a key consideration, whether for daily commutes, family travel, or navigating unexpected vehicle needs. When it comes to car rentals, the promise of budget-friendly options can be appealing. Payless Car Rental, situated conveniently near the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), aims to provide such services.

This article will offer a detailed look at the Payless Car Rental location at 600 Terminal Dr Box 403, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. We’ll cover its location and accessibility, the typical services and vehicle types offered, and some critical points to consider, especially given the range of customer experiences. Our goal is to equip local users in Florida with comprehensive, factual information to help them decide if Payless Car Rental is the right choice for their next journey.

Navigating the car rental landscape can sometimes be complex, and understanding a company’s practices and customer feedback is paramount. By presenting a balanced overview, we hope to empower you to make an informed decision for your transportation needs in the Sunshine State.

Location and Accessibility

Payless Car Rental is located at 600 Terminal Dr Box 403, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315, USA. This address places it directly within the vicinity of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). As an off-site rental agency, Payless typically provides shuttle services to and from the airport terminal, making it accessible for travelers flying into FLL.

For locals, this airport-adjacent location means it's generally accessible via major roadways that lead to and from FLL, such as US-1 and I-595. While not in a residential neighborhood, its proximity to a major transportation hub ensures that residents from Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Dania Beach, and other surrounding areas can reach it via a relatively straightforward drive or using ride-sharing services to the airport shuttle pick-up points. This convenience is a common feature of airport-based rental companies, designed to serve both incoming travelers and local residents with similar mobility needs.

Services Offered

Diverse Vehicle Selection: Payless typically offers a range of vehicle categories, including economy (e.g., Kia Rio), compact (e.g., Kia Soul), intermediate (e.g., Toyota Corolla), standard (e.g., Volkswagen Jetta), full-size (e.g., Toyota Camry), SUVs (various sizes), minivans (e.g., Chrysler Pacifica), and sometimes premium, luxury, and even specialty vehicles like convertibles or pickup trucks, depending on local availability.
Short-Term and Long-Term Rentals: Catering to various rental durations, from daily and weekly rentals for short trips to potentially longer-term options for extended needs.
Optional Protection Plans: Customers are typically offered various protection plans, such as Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) and liability protection, which are designed to reduce financial responsibility in case of damage or theft to the rental vehicle. It's crucial for renters to understand these options and how they may overlap with personal insurance.
Additional Equipment: Payless often provides optional add-ons like GPS navigation systems, child safety seats (infant, toddler, booster), and e-toll services for convenient travel on Florida's toll roads.
Online Booking and Management: The Payless website allows for online reservations, modifications, and cancellations, providing a degree of convenience for managing rentals.
Airport Shuttle Service: Being an off-airport location, Payless at FLL typically offers shuttle services to transport customers between the airport terminal and their rental facility.

Features / Highlights

Competitive Pricing Aim: Payless Car Rental generally aims to offer more budget-friendly rates compared to some of the larger, premium rental companies. For example, Kayak data suggests average daily prices and notes that "Compact rental cars from Payless at Fort Lauderdale Airport are around 51% cheaper than other car types, on average."
Variety of Vehicle Classes: The fleet includes a good range of vehicles, from economical compacts to larger SUVs and minivans, offering flexibility for different travel needs. Premium (e.g., Chevrolet Suburban) is noted as the most frequently booked rental car type from Payless at FLL, suggesting availability of larger vehicles.
Airport Accessibility: Located close to FLL, Payless offers a convenient option for those flying into or out of Fort Lauderdale, typically providing shuttle services for ease of access to the rental counter.
Customer Service Variability: It is important to acknowledge that customer experiences, as evidenced by the provided reviews, can be highly inconsistent. While some users might find efficient service, others have reported significant issues, including lengthy wait times, complications with payment and deposits, vehicle assignment errors, and cleanliness issues.
Transparency Concerns: Specific customer feedback highlights concerns regarding hidden charges, particularly with insurance add-ons, and issues with deposit returns. This suggests that customers should exercise extreme vigilance when reviewing their contracts and charges.
Importance of Documentation: The reviews underscore the necessity for renters to meticulously check their vehicle for cleanliness and existing damage, and to confirm all contract details, especially regarding insurance and deposits, before leaving the lot to avoid potential disputes.

Contact Information

Address: 600 Terminal Dr Box 403, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315, USA

Phone: (954) 359-0303

Mobile Phone: +1 954-359-0303

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Floridians, particularly those in the Fort Lauderdale area, Payless Car Rental at 600 Terminal Dr Box 403 offers a potential option for car rental, primarily appealing due to its location near FLL and its aim to provide budget-conscious rates. For locals needing a temporary vehicle, especially after a flight or for an airport pick-up/drop-off, the proximity and shuttle service can be convenient. The availability of various vehicle types, from economy cars for individual use to larger SUVs for family needs, also provides flexibility.

However, it is crucial for local users to approach their rental with Payless with a high degree of caution and diligence. The detailed customer reviews provided reveal significant potential pitfalls that can severely impact the rental experience. Issues such as unexpected charges for insurance, problems with credit card processing for deposits, vehicle cleanliness, and discrepancies in vehicle assignment are serious concerns that prospective renters must be fully aware of.

Therefore, while Payless might offer competitive pricing, especially if you find a good deal online, locals should be prepared to:

Thoroughly read and understand every line of their rental agreement, paying close attention to insurance waivers and additional fees.
Inspect the vehicle meticulously for cleanliness and any existing damage before driving off the lot, documenting everything with photos or videos.
Confirm all deposit amounts and understand the process and timeline for their return.
Be prepared for potentially lengthy wait times and advocate firmly but politely for their rights if discrepancies arise.

For savvy Floridians who prioritize cost savings and are willing to take these precautionary steps, Payless Car Rental at FLL could serve as a functional option. However, for those who value a seamless, stress-free experience above all else, the potential for significant challenges highlighted by recent customer feedback suggests that a thorough consideration of alternatives might be warranted. Ultimately, the suitability of Payless for locals hinges on their preparedness to navigate potential issues to secure a more affordable rental.

Payless Car Rental Details

Highlights
Active military discounts

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Payless Car Rental Location

Payless Car Rental

Florida Broward County Fort Lauderdale Terminal Drive

600 Terminal Dr Box 403, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315, USA

Payless Car Rental Reviews

An average rating of ★3.1 from 268 user reviews.

airportcredit cardinsurancecountermoneydeskfeebilldepositvacation

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

On January 8th,2025 , I had the worst customer experience of my life.After waiting 3–4 hours for a 9 PM flight on January 7th, which was eventually canceled by Flair Airlines (which I will write a separate review for), I had to find a hotel for my 82-year-old father, my mother, and myself. My father has multiple health issues, including incontinence, Parkinson’s, and thyroid problems. All his clothes were dirty, and he had no access to his more medication, because we were supposed to fly home that night.We later received an email from the airline informing us that the flight had been rescheduled four days later, on January 11th. With all this uncertainty, I thought the best course of action was to rent a car so that I could go to a nearby laundromat, buy diapers and food for my father, and ensure we had what we needed for the next few days.The Rental Car NightmareI woke up early on January 8th, 2025, and left the hotel at 8:30 AM to pick up the rental car I had already paid for.The staff and management were the most incompetent and disrespectful people I have ever encountered.I waited over an hour for their machine to accept my Visa card after they refused to manually enter the information for the deposit—despite the fact that I had already prepaid the rental with the same credit card. (I found this extremely suspicious because, instead of trying again, they seemed to assume the card wouldn’t work and expected me to use another credit card. If I had done so, my rental car insurance would not have been valid.)They eventually gave me a car, but when I went to the parking lot to find it, another customer was already getting into it because they had assigned it to him as well.When I returned to the office, the female staff member refused to give me another vehicle. Instead, she wasted time on her phone, scrolled through the computer, and made calls on the radio.When I finally lost my patience and asked if she was going to give me a car or not, she told me she was canceling my reservation. I told her she could not do that without my permission and that I needed to speak to a manager. She refused to call anyone.Frustrated, I grabbed the wired mouse from the counter (which I acknowledge was wrong). She then started screaming and making a huge scene, falsely claiming that I had “touched” her. She exaggerated the situation, making others believe that I had physically done something to her.When I asked another staff member to call a manager, she pretended to use the radio but never actually made the call.The manager eventually arrived with two security guards and informed me that I was being removed from the building.I peacefully left with my mother to take a shuttle and get a cab. However, the shuttle was stopped, and 2–6 police officers surrounded me. I was handcuffed and accused of throwing an object at her. But when they checked the security cameras and realized the entire accusation was false, they “apologized” and admitted it was a misunderstanding.By the time I arrived back at the hotel, it was almost 2 PM. My 82-year-old father had been alone for hours, waiting for food, a clean diaper, and a shower.This is the absolute worst company ever, and I recommend that no one ever deals with them. What an absolute shame.
Feb 14, 2025 · Solangie Corrales
First of all, this is an offsite scam company. They charged an additional rate above the paid in full amount prior to arrival. They did not have the full size truck they offered online. So they lied about inventory. They then charged $1,000 deposit for the car and have not returned it after a month. This is the worst scam company I have ever been apart of.
Jul 02, 2025 · Tyson Patterson
By far and large the worst customer service ever experienced and longest wait time, again ever experienced, to get a vehicle that's already been booked and paid for. Also, the car was clearly not cleaned well and reiked of weed. There were no workers at the rental with a sign directing us to wait in the Avis line. We waited in line for over an hour just to be told they cannot service Avis and to wait longer for someone to come who might know. A total of 2 workers total were checking g in people. They would then service 2 customers and walk away, grab their things and clock out leaving no one at the counter and a growing line nearing the door. Complete refusal to service the customers here. Will literally never rent here ever again. 1hr 20min later, still no service in line for a car already reserved and paid for with no refunds.Update: Walked in and got in line at 3:45pm, finally left with the vehicle at 5pm. Again, no prior issues, everything was booked and completely paid for beforehand. The car smelled so bad we had to air it out for several minutes before getting in. Not that I'm against anyone smoking pot, but it smelled so bad in there it was almost nauseating.
Jan 01, 2025 · Brianna Styck
Terrible experience. Paid for a midsize suv and received a compact suv. I let it slide and to make matters worse, the car didn’t have any CarPlay features. Came back just to talk to someone about my experience and Dan at the AVIS counter was very rude and had an attitude. First bad experience here after renting from this location multiples times. I don’t recommend Payless or AVIS at this location.
Feb 17, 2025 · Kfier Cohen
Worse company out there. PLEASE AVOID. As I’m sitting here in the lobby waiting for my car, after having to pay extra than I was told. There are at least 5 customers pissed at the service. Horrible customer service, old cars with issues, dirty and damaged… This place is a hot mess!!! Again AVOID AVOID AVOID. Don’t let the name fool you. You will “PAYMORE” plus all headache and crappy service!
Oct 04, 2024 · Gunnar Vingren