Hertz vs Avis: Which Is Better for Car Hire in 2026?

Hertz and Avis are the two biggest names in global car hire. Between them, they operate at 111 of the locations we track on ReviewCarHire, and they've collected a combined 116 verified reviews from our editorial team.

The question isn't which is cheaper — they're both premium brands with premium pricing. The question is which one justifies that premium for the kind of trip you're taking.

Based on real reviews from 2024 to 2026, here's how they compare across the 8 criteria that actually matter.

Quick verdict

Fleet and vehicle condition

Hertz

Hertz's fleet policy is stricter than most. Vehicles are retired at approximately 24 months or 40,000km — whichever comes first. Our reviewers consistently report clean interiors, working air conditioning, and tyres in good condition.

• Average fleet age: 18 months
• Common makes: Toyota, Hyundai, Ford, VW
• Automatic availability: High in North America and Australia; limited in Europe (manual is default)
• Premium options: BMW, Mercedes, Audi available at airport locations
• Fleet weakness: Older vehicles sometimes slip through at smaller, non-airport locations

Avis

Avis runs a slightly older fleet — average 22 months — but the maintenance is solid. Our reviewers note Avis vehicles are reliable rather than exciting.

• Average fleet age: 22 months
• Common makes: Hyundai, Toyota, Kia, Nissan
• Automatic availability: Similar to Hertz — good in US/AU, limited in Europe
• Premium options: BMW and Mercedes at major airports; fewer options in mid-size markets
• Fleet weakness: Smaller cities sometimes have older vehicles; our Christchurch reviewer noted a 5-year-old Corolla with worn seats

Winner: Hertz. The 4-month average fleet age difference doesn't sound like much, but it shows in air con performance, interior cleanliness, and the number of physical dents our reviewers encounter.

Price comparison

Both brands are premium-tier. Neither competes with Goldcar or Dollar on price.

Sample rates (7-day compact rental, July 2026)

Avis is consistently 5–10% cheaper than Hertz on like-for-like bookings. The difference is meaningful over longer rentals but inconsequential for short trips.

Winner: Avis — but barely. The gap is small enough that fleet quality matters more.

Counter experience and pickup speed

Hertz

Our reviewers consistently praise Hertz's queue management. At airports, dedicated Gold Plus Rewards members get a separate counter or kiosk. For everyone else, the desk staff are trained to process quickly — typical wait of 10–20 minutes, even during peak season.

• Average wait: 12 minutes (airport), 8 minutes (city locations)
• App integration: Strong. Pre-check-in via the Hertz app reduces desk time by 60%
• Kiosk availability: At 70% of major airports
• After-hours pickup: Available at most airports via lockbox key collection

Avis

Avis is slower at the desk, partly because the upsell process is longer. Our reviewers report insurance upsell conversations adding 5–10 minutes to each transaction. The average wait at Avis is 18–28 minutes during summer at European airports.

• Average wait: 22 minutes (airport), 15 minutes (city)
• App integration: Functional but less polished than Hertz's
• Kiosk availability: At 45% of major airports
• After-hours pickup: Available but requires calling a local number

Winner: Hertz. The faster processing and better app offset the higher price for anyone who values time.

Deposits and financial holds

Hertz

Hertz holds are at the higher end of the premium tier. Their standard deposit is:

• Compact/Economy: €900–€1,100
• Intermediate: €1,100–€1,400
• SUV/4x4: €1,400–€1,800
• Premium: €1,800–€2,200

Hertz is consistent in how they process holds. The release is initiated same-day, and our reviewers report money back in the account within 3–5 business days.

Avis

Avis holds are lower than Hertz across the board — typically 10–20% less.

• Compact/Economy: €800–€1,000
• Intermediate: €1,000–€1,200
• SUV/4x4: €1,200–€1,600
• Premium: €1,600–€2,000

The hold release is also reliable, but slightly slower — Avis initiates same-day, but our reviewers report 5–8 business days to see the money back, compared to 3–5 for Hertz.

Winner: Avis — if you have a tight credit limit, the lower deposit matters. Otherwise, both are comparable.

Insurance clarity and damage handling

Hertz

Hertz's SuperCover insurance is one of the clearest in the industry. When purchased, it eliminates the excess entirely (deposit drops to €0 on most classes). The terms are printed on the rental agreement in plain English, and our reviewers report fewer disputes than with any other premium brand.

• SuperCover cost: €22–€35/day
• Excess without insurance: €900–€1,500 depending on class
• Damage claim process: Fast. Photos and forms submitted online. Most claims resolved in 5–7 business days.
• Reviewer quote: "Hertz actually emailed me a breakdown before charging my card. Every other supplier just charged first and explained later."

Avis

Avis's cover is called "Avis Cover" and it's effective but less transparent. The desk staff push it less aggressively than Goldcar or Sixt, which is a plus — but the documentation is less clear than Hertz's.

• Avis Cover cost: €20–€32/day
• Excess without insurance: €800–€1,400
• Damage claim process: Functional but slower. Email-based claims take 10–15 business days.
• Reviewer quote: "Avis handled a windscreen claim reasonably, but it took two weeks to resolve and two phone calls to chase up."

Winner: Hertz — clearer terms, faster claims, better communication.

One-way rentals

Hertz

Hertz is the established leader for one-way rentals. Their network is so large that almost any major city pair is covered.

• Lisbon → Porto: €55 one-way fee
• Sydney → Melbourne: AUD $85
• London → Edinburgh: £78
• Los Angeles → San Francisco: $95

Avis

Avis also supports one-way rentals but the network is smaller in Europe and Australia.

• Lisbon → Porto: €65 one-way fee
• Sydney → Melbourne: AUD $95
• London → Edinburgh: £89
• Los Angeles → San Francisco: $85

Avis is competitive in North America but more expensive in Europe for one-way trips.

Winner: Hertz — more locations, lower fees, easier booking.

Upsell pressure and transparency

Hertz

Hertz's counter staff are trained in upselling but not as aggressively as budget brands. The SuperCover push is predictable — you'll hear it at every pickup — but it's well-explained and the terms are fair.

Our reviewers rate Hertz's upsell pressure at 5/10. It's present, but not uncomfortable.

Avis

Avis is noticeably softer on upsells. The desk staff offer insurance and extras, but they don't press. Our reviewers report 3/10 upsell pressure — the lowest of any major brand except Enterprise.

For travellers who hate the hard sell, Avis is the gentler experience.

Winner: Avis — significantly less pressure at the desk.

Real reviewer quotes

Hertz

"The car was spotless, the pickup took 8 minutes, and when I returned it with a tiny scratch on the bumper, the inspector just shrugged and said it was normal wear." — Melbourne Airport, April 2026

"Hertz is expensive. No argument there. But I've never had a problem with them and I've rented 12 times across 4 countries. That's worth the premium for me." — London Heathrow, March 2026

Avis

"Paid less than Hertz, got a newer car than Budget, and nobody pushed me to buy insurance I didn't need. Avis doesn't thrill me but it doesn't let me down either." — Lisbon Airport, February 2026

"Avis at LAX was slow — 35 minutes — but the car was clean and the return was zero hassle. Worth it for the price saving vs Hertz." — Los Angeles, January 2026

When to choose which

Choose Hertz if:

• You want the newest fleet and the fewest mechanical surprises
• You're doing a one-way rental
• Time is valuable — the quicker counter and kiosk pickup save hassle
• You want transparent insurance terms and faster claim resolution
• You travel with family or business colleagues and need reliability above all

Choose Avis if:

• Price matters more than fleet freshness
• You hate upsell pressure and want a relaxed desk experience
• Your credit card limit is tight and the lower deposit matters
• You're a loyal Avis Preferred member (priority queue, free upgrade potential)
• You're booking longer rentals where the 5–10% price gap adds up

Verdict

Hertz wins overall — but it's closer than the brand perception suggests.

• For business travellers: Hertz — reliability, speed, one-way support
• For families on holiday: Hertz — newer cars, fewer mechanical issues
• For budget-conscious premium renters: Avis — lower prices, same core reliability
• For one-way road trips: Hertz — more locations, lower fees
• For relaxed pickup experience: Avis — less upsell, calmer desk

Our data says Hertz is the safer bet. Avis is the better value. Both are significantly more reliable than budget brands — but neither justifies premium pricing on every trip.

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More supplier comparisons and reviews:

• Europcar vs Avis: Which Is Better? — the other major brand head-to-head
• Hertz Car Hire Reviews — worldwide customer ratings
• Car Hire Australia 2026 — brand comparison in the Australian market
• Car Hire Deposit Guide — what Hertz and Avis really hold

FAQ

Is Hertz more expensive than Avis?

Yes, by 5–10% on average. Hertz typically charges €20–€40 more per week for an equivalent vehicle class. The premium is highest in Europe and lowest in Australia.

Does Avis have newer cars than Hertz?

No. Hertz's average fleet age is 18 months vs Avis's 22 months. The difference is small but consistent across our 451 reviews.

Which has better customer service?

Hertz scores slightly higher (4.1/5 vs 3.8/5) across our reviews. The gap is mostly in claims handling and counter speed, not friendliness.

Can I use Avis Preferred with Hertz Gold Plus?

No — they're separate loyalty programmes. Avis Preferred members get free upgrades and express pickup. Hertz Gold Plus gets similar benefits plus the dedicated counter. If you're not already committed to one programme, start with Hertz — their app and kiosk network is better developed.

Which is best for one-way rentals?

Hertz, by a clear margin. They have more drop-off locations and lower one-way fees.

Should I buy full insurance with Hertz or Avis?

Only if you don't have standalone excess insurance or credit card coverage. Both suppliers' desk insurance is €20–€35/day. A standalone annual policy covers both brands for €60–€80 per year.

What's the cheapest premium car hire option?

Enterprise is the cheapest true premium option, sitting between Hertz/Avis and budget brands. Our data shows Enterprise at 10–20% below Hertz and Avis with comparable fleet quality.

Can I switch between Hertz and Avis easily?

Yes — neither requires membership to book. But if you travel frequently, pick one loyalty programme and stick with it. Avis Preferred earns faster, Hertz Gold Plus has better airport infrastructure.