Avis vs Budget car rental

Question

We plan to hire a small SUV with Costco. Our options are Avis and Budget based on the rental prices. Which company would you recommend? We are picking up the car around downtown area. Any specific rental office to recommend? I read many bad reviews on both companies.

Answer

Good question. When renting a small SUV in Las Vegas and comparing Avis vs. Budget, there’s no “perfect” choice — both have pros and cons, especially downtown or near the Strip. Which is better depends a lot on your priorities (price, speed, reliability, flexibility). I’d say Budget is often the more “safe bet” for budget-minded travelers, but Avis can win if you value rewards or occasional upgrades. Here’s how they stack up as of recently.

Why Budget might be the better pick in Las Vegas (especially downtown):

Lower base price: Budget generally offers cheaper base rates than Avis — which matters if you’re booking via Costco or another discount channel.
Simple rentals and fewer extras: Because Budget tends to have fewer upsell pressures (insurance, add-ons, etc.), you often end up with a more predictable final cost.
Decent fleet and availability: Many renters report that Budget’s downtown/Strip-area offices (e.g. inside a hotel) are convenient and often easier to deal with than airport-lot locations.
Good “value for the money” experiences: Multiple users on Las Vegas forums say Budget “did the job” with no major issues, and sometimes even got equipment upgrades for the price.

Why Avis might be preferable if certain perks matter to you:

Larger fleet and more vehicle options: Avis generally has more cars (including SUV, premium, luxury, and full-size options) available at more locations.
Loyalty program benefits: Their “Avis Preferred” program tends to offer more meaningful perks (upgrades, skip-the-counter, sometimes waived add-on fees) than Budget’s program — which can pay off if you rent often.
Flexibility in add-ons and insurance choices: Avis tends to offer more granular insurance and coverage options, which may matter if you want extra protection.

But — there are common complaints about both (and especially Avis) you should be aware of, especially in Las Vegas context:

Long wait times at pick-up (especially airport or busy downtown offices): Avis is frequently criticized for slow lines, which can be a hassle in hot weather or after a long flight.
Extra fees or surprise “cleaning/damage” charges: Some renters report being hit with large cleaning or “interior damage” fees after returning a car — even for minor issues like sand or normal wear.
Mixed vehicle quality or maintenance issues: Reports of older or problematic cars (flat tires, mechanical issues) — often more from Budget, though both brands have had complaints depending on location.

My recommendation — given you plan to pick up a small SUV around downtown Las Vegas:

Go with Budget if your priority is lowest cost + getting a decent SUV without unnecessary frills, and you’re okay with possibly more modest car quality. It’s likely your best “price-to-reliability ratio” downtown.
Consider Avis if you value potential upgrades, have a loyalty status (or plan to rent more often), or want more flexibility in vehicle choice and insurance. Avis can be worth the extra cost — but maybe avoid airport-lot pickups at busy times because of line delays.

Suggested Downtown Hotel-Area Rental Offices (if you pick up in central Vegas):

A Budget office inside a central-Strip hotel or hotel-affiliated branch — these tend to be more relaxed than airport rental centers, easier to reach if you’re staying downtown.
A smaller Avis hotel-based location off-airport rather than at McCarran/Harry Reid — may help avoid the long pickup lines common at the airport lots.

Bottom line: Budget is probably the safer bet if you want a low-stress, budget-conscious rental of a small SUV downtown. Avis can make sense if you want more flexibility and are willing to navigate the typical hassles (long waits or possible fees). Whichever you choose — inspect the car carefully (take photos/videos), decline unwanted add-ons if you can, and double-check pricing before accepting the car. This is especially important in Las Vegas where frequent rentals mean rental-company stories vary a lot by location and even by staff.