Payless Car Rental Introduce
For travelers arriving in East Tennessee via McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) or for local residents in Alcoa, Knoxville, and the wider Blount County area needing temporary transportation, the Payless Car Rental facility provides an affordable and convenient solution. Situated right on Alcoa Highway, this branch functions as a key car rental agency and van rental agency, serving the needs of both business commuters and vacationers exploring the scenic landscapes of the Volunteer State. Whether you're planning a drive into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or simply need a temporary vehicle while yours is in the shop, a reliable rental can be the foundation of a stress-free experience.
Payless Car Rental is known for offering competitive rates on a variety of vehicles. The facility on Alcoa Highway strives to make the rental process as straightforward as possible, a feature highly valued by busy local customers. The company's commitment to providing special benefits, such as active military discounts, appeals to the significant population of military personnel and veterans in Tennessee.
Customer experiences at this location, as with many service providers, tend to show a mix of highs and lows. While the staff at both pickup and drop-off have been consistently praised for being "very friendly" and receiving high ratings for their demeanor, some renters have reported significant issues. These concerns frequently revolve around a mismatch between the reserved vehicle class and the car provided, with attempts to charge more for the correct vehicle. Furthermore, cleanliness has been a point of contention, with reports of dirty cars, caked food crumbs, and strong odors—factors that can severely impact the start of any Tennessee journey. It is always wise for customers to inspect their rental thoroughly upon collection.
The Payless Car Rental branch is situated at a highly advantageous location, especially for air travelers, as the address directly corresponds to the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) rental car facilities.
The official address is:
2055 Alcoa Hwy, Alcoa, TN 37701, USA
This location places it on the main thoroughfare, Alcoa Highway (US-129), which connects Alcoa and the airport directly to Knoxville. For customers flying into TYS, the rental counters and vehicle lot are typically found immediately across from the baggage claim area, streamlining the transition from flight to road. The ease of access extends beyond travelers, as locals in the surrounding towns of Maryville, Lenoir City, and Knoxville can quickly reach the facility without extensive highway travel.
To ensure service is available to everyone in the Tennessee community, the facility features important accessibility accommodations. These include a Wheelchair accessible entrance, providing smooth entry into the rental office, and a designated Wheelchair accessible parking lot, offering convenient space for those with mobility requirements. Furthermore, customers will find On-site parking available for their personal vehicles while they use a rental, a significant convenience for local renters.
Operating as both a car rental agency and a dedicated van rental agency, the Alcoa branch offers a substantial fleet designed to meet a broad spectrum of transportation demands across Tennessee.
- Diverse Vehicle Fleet: Payless typically offers a full range of passenger vehicles. This includes budget-friendly economy cars for simple city driving, comfortable compact and intermediate sedans for longer trips through the mountains, full-size cars, and popular SUVs for family excursions or navigating varied terrain. They also frequently feature minivans for larger groups.
- Van Rental Services: A key specialization of this branch is its capacity for Van rental agency services. This is invaluable for groups, large families, sports teams, or event organizers, with options often including 7-passenger minivans and larger 12- or 15-passenger vans. This service is essential for group travel across Tennessee.
- Convenient Payment Methods: To simplify transactions, the agency accepts a wide variety of modern payment options. Customers can secure their rentals using major Credit cards and Debit cards. Additionally, the location is set up to handle quick and secure payments through NFC mobile payments, catering to the efficiency preferred by most travelers.
- Extra Equipment Rental: Customers can enhance their journey with optional rentals, which often include GPS navigation systems to assist in exploring unfamiliar areas of Tennessee, as well as child and booster seats for family safety.
- Extended Roadside Assistance: For peace of mind on the road, Payless offers optional Extended Roadside Assistance packages that typically cover essential services such as emergency towing, jump starts, flat tire changes, and lockout assistance.
Several distinct highlights make this Payless location a preferred choice for many travelers and residents in the Knoxville metropolitan area.
- Commitment to Military Support: The location promotes Active military discounts. For the significant number of service members, veterans, and their families in East Tennessee, this benefit provides welcome savings on personal travel, reflecting appreciation for their service. Customers should inquire directly for the most current discount details and eligibility requirements, as policies can be subject to change.
- Airport Convenience: Being housed directly at the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) makes it one of the most accessible options for inbound air travelers, eliminating the need for complex off-airport shuttles.
- Assured Accessibility: The facility’s features, including a Wheelchair accessible entrance and Wheelchair accessible parking lot, confirm its dedication to providing service that is easily utilized by all members of the community, regardless of mobility.
- On-site Parking for Personal Cars: The availability of On-site parking is a crucial highlight for local customers needing a rental for a short-term purpose, offering a secure place to leave their own vehicle.
For reservations, inquiries about the fleet, or current rental policies, customers can contact the Alcoa Payless Car Rental branch using the information below:
Address: 2055 Alcoa Hwy, Alcoa, TN 37701, USA
Phone: (865) 983-3446
Mobile Phone: +1 865-983-3446
This location typically operates with extended airport hours, making it highly accessible for both early morning and late-night arrivals.
The Payless Car Rental on Alcoa Highway is worth choosing for its unbeatable combination of location and specialized services. The unparalleled convenience of renting a car directly at the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) saves valuable time for travelers. Furthermore, its dual role as a Car rental agency and a dedicated Van rental agency ensures that it can cater to nearly every vehicle requirement, from a compact sedan for a solo business trip to a 15-passenger van for a large group exploring the Tennessee countryside. The offering of Active military discounts also stands out as a direct benefit to a significant portion of the local demographic.
While the convenience and special pricing are strong incentives, the personal touch of the staff is a major draw. Customer feedback specifically mentions that the staff at the counter are "very friendly" and worthy of a perfect rating, which indicates a positive human element that is crucial in the travel industry. However, potential customers should be mindful of the occasional, though notable, reported issues concerning vehicle cleanliness and the accuracy of the reserved vehicle class. It is strongly recommended to confirm the car's size and inspect the interior thoroughly before leaving the lot. By combining the facility's excellent accessibility and the staff’s friendly demeanor with careful pre-departure checks, customers can leverage the benefits of this convenient Alcoa rental agency to ensure a smooth and pleasant journey throughout Tennessee.
Payless Car Rental Details
Highlights
- Active military discounts
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Parking
- On-site parking
Payless Car Rental Photos









Payless Car Rental Location
Payless Car Rental Reviews
priceairportfraudcleancredit cardSUVmid-sizegaragecheck indesk
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1The worst rental car experience I have ever had. The people were rude, they were understaffed but in no hurry. I reserved a mid-size SUV and they gave me a subcompact SUV. When I told them I need a larger one, the guy argued with me and tried to charge me more to put me in the vehicle I paid for. We finally wound up in a compact SUV after running out of time to deal with them. Also, the first vehicle was dirty and smelled a bit like weed.
September 06 · S BurkThe car I picked up was dirty, with old food crumbs caked into the seams of the gear shifter. There were muddy footprints in both the front and backseat, with dirt on the seats. For perspective, I was the only person in the car. Whoever drove the car before me taught the lane assist to hug the inner portion of the lane so that when I drove in the center of the lane, the car would correct to hug that inside line. I felt like I was fighting the car to stay IN the lane for every curve. I will not use this company again. I will say the staff at pick up and drop off were very friendly and I would give them 5/5 stars.
March 04 · Jackie RiegerWaited over an hour in the first line at the desk. Then had to wait longer at the second line at the booth inside the garage. 85 degrees BTW. The people working the booth were having a spat and I had to push them to give me the keys to the car. Now when I returned the car later that night they had so many people in line that they could not process the return. One guy working in the garge took the keys and told me they would email me my return reciept. That did not happen. So now I have to call them next day...guess what the rental is still open. It is Sunday they cannot close the rental so Oh just call back tomorrow. Unbelievable. I rented thru booking.company. Terrible. Update, I called and spoke with them (customer circus) the following Monday, 3 to 5 days to close the contract? This place just gets worse by the minute.
June 16 · Iron Art GlassI rented a vehicle that was missing a rear bumper molding. Before leaving the airport, I brought it to the attention of the agent and was told, “yeah, we know about that, you’re fine”.Two months later, they billed me $300 for the repairs. Fortunately I took photos that are time and location stamped for the dispute.
July 22 · Michael GrubbI can't speak for others experiences but from cradle to grave for myself, I had an absolutely wonderful experience and would gladly choose Payless to rent another vehicle from. I requested a compact and with none available from the airport, I was upgraded free of charge to an economy, being provided a nice and fuel efficient Malibu (nice for excursions without worrying about fuel costs as much as other vehicles would).I never had any issues with the Malibu while having it for a 5 day span, and drove 224 miles during that time. Was able to drop it off in a clearly marked queue as well as the keys in the appropriate drop box, and the company sent me my final receipt an hour after they opened for the day.Both associates I spoke to during this time seemed to go out of their way to provide me with an excellent customer service experience and in 2024, I would say that seems to be an outlier, but a welcome one in this case.
September 30 · Benjamin Lemon
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