TL;DR: Our verdict
The winner: Budget is our clear winner with a cheaper rental price, up-front fees and more options available for drivers under 25.
Budget vs Avis
Discover which car rental company, Budget or Avis, will take you further for less.
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Stuck between Budget and Avis? No sweat. We've collected all the need-to-know details about Budget and Avis for you in one place, including their differences and yeah, their similarities as well.
Now all you have to do is compare for yourself and book with the one that benefits you the best.
Compare today's car prices
Budget vs Avis
| Feature | Budget | Avis | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where can I hire a car? | Budget is available in 120+ countries in:
| Avis is available in 160+ countries in:
| Avis |
| What types of cars does it have? |
|
| Both |
| Does it require a deposit? | No deposit is required but discounts are available if you pay when you book. | No deposit is required but discounts are available if you pay in advance, a minimum of four days before your rental. | Both |
| Is insurance included? | Yes. Loss damage waiver, personal and property insurance, and third party insurance are all included in most Budget rentals. Additional insurance packages can be purchased. | Yes, all standard rentals come with a loss damage waiver. Third party insurance is included at select locations. Additional insurance is available for purchase. | Both |
| How much is excess? | $300-$500, depending on the type of vehicle. | Avis’s excess rates are specified in the rental agreement. | Budget |
| Do I need to wash the car? | No, but if required, you may have to pay for professional cleaning or odour extraction. | No, but you will be required to pay additional fees for professional cleaning or odour extraction if Avis deems it necessary. | Both |
| Rental requirements | All drivers must be 21 or older with a valid driver’s licence and a credit or debit card in their name. Drivers with overseas licences must show proof with a passport. Licences written in non-Latin characters need an International Driving Permit or official translation. | Drivers must be at least 25 years old (some locations have an exception for 21 years old but may incur a fee) with a valid driver’s licence that has been held for a consecutive 12 months. Licences not written in English require an International Driving Permit. | Budget |
| Does it charge per mile/kilometre? | No. Some rentals may have distance limits in which excess fees may be charged if you exceed the limit. | No. Some exceptions are made for rentals which may have limited mileage with charges for exceeding the limit. | Both |
| Is there unlimited mileage? | Yes, but not all rentals come with unlimited mileage. Fees may apply if you exceed your limit. | Yes. The majority of Avis rentals include unlimited mileage. However, some rentals have a mileage limit with charges for exceeding the limit. | Both |
| Does it rent to under 25s? | Yes, but not at all locations. In some cases there are extra fees or restrictions for drivers under 25. The minimum rental age is 21. | Yes, but not at all locations. Some locations charge a fee for drivers under 25. The minimum rental age is 21. | Both |
| Does it accept cash? | Yes. | Yes. | Both |
| Does it price match? | Yes. If you find a lower price on another site for the same rental you can receive a free-day rental certificate. | Yes. Avis will beat the price of the same rental found elsewhere by 10%. | Both |
| Does it pick you up? | No. | No. | Both |
| What are my payment options? |
|
| Avis |
| Does it accept debit cards? | Yes. | Yes. | Both |
| Does it allow for cancellations/changes? | There are no cancellation fees in Australia and cancellations can be made at any time online. Rental changes may affect the price. | Yes, changes and cancellations can be made online up to 24 hours before the rental period without a fee. Changes after or during the rental period require a fee. | Both |
| How long does it hold reservations? | Budget desks at airports stay open until after the last flight arrives. | Avis desks at airports stay open until your flight arrives. | Both |
| Can I add an extra driver? | Yes, additional drivers which include family members and work colleagues can be added free of charge. All other additional drivers will be charged a fee of $5 per day, capped at $25. All additional drivers must be a minimum of 25 years old with a valid driver's licence. A underage surcharge is also applied for drivers 21-24. | Yes, partners, family members and work colleagues can drive the vehicle without a fee. Other additional drivers are charged a $5 fee daily which is capped at $25 and must be 25 years of age with a valid driver’s licence or an additional underage surcharge will be added. | Both |
| Do they have manual cars? | Yes. | Yes. | Both |
| Is GPS included? | Yes, a GPS can be added as an additional feature for a fee. | Yes, a GPS can be rented for an additional fee. | Both |
| Can I return the car early? | Yes, you can return your car early without prior notice without being charged any fees. You pay only for the days you used the vehicle; however, this may affect your rental rate if you booked with a minimal rental day period. Prepaid vehicles will not incur a refund. | Yes, rentals can be returned early without prior notice or fees. | Both |
| How can I get further discounts? |
|
| Both |
| Book | Rent a car with Budget | Rent a car with Avis |
Which is cheaper?
To answer this question, we compared the prices of Budget and Avis when renting a compact car from Sydney Airport, booking one month in advance for a driver 25 years of age or older. We used their official sites to retrieve these prices on 1 December 2018.
The verdict?
The results are in and Budget beats Avis by just $2.05.
Latest Budget and Avis deals
Budget's deals are often multi-day to the tune of four days' hire, get the fifth free or hire for three days and get a free upgrade. Avis's deals are quite similar with deals such as book for seven days, only pay for five. Here are some of their latest:
Code
Third day free on rentals
Available on rentals until 12 December 2021 across Australia, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Code
Get 2 days free on 7+ days rentals
Available on rentals from 3 January – 31 March 2022 across Australia. T&Cs apply.
Code
6th day free + free upgrade on Australia car rentals
Available from 3 October – 12 December 2021 when you book a minimum of 6 days. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
Code
Up to $50 off Australia weekend car hires
Available on rentals until 28 February 2022 when you book a minimum of 3 days including Saturday night. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Earn Qantas Points on rentals
Earn 4 Qantas Points per $1 spent on car rentals across Australia. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Free upgrade on next car rental
Sign up your email address and receive an exclusive upgrade in your next car rental. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Free upgrade on car hires
Sign up your email and receive the best car rental offers across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Budget vs Avis: Who won?
Though both companies offer very similar policies, fees and options, the winner is still clear: it’s Budget.
Pulling in with a slightly lower price on a rental when compared directly to Avis for the same dates, Budget more consistently rents to drivers 21+ and offers better insurance coverage making it the top choice.
Here's a list of both of their winning points:
Budget:
- More insurance coverage included in the rental price
- Provides rentals to drivers 21+ years at most locations
- Provides excess rates before making a booking
- Offers a cheaper rental when compared to Avis
Avis:
- Available in more countries
- Has more payment options
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