Payless Car Rental

- 5251 W 98th St, Los Angeles, CA 90045

For California residents and travelers visiting the Golden State through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), securing a rental vehicle that balances quality with cost-effectiveness is often the top priority. Payless Car Rental is positioned in the market as a value-focused agency, operating as a subsidiary of the global vehicle rental giant, Avis Budget Group, Inc. This affiliation means that while aiming to deliver discount prices, Payless often shares its fleet and operates within the same high-standard facility as its sister brands, Avis and Budget. They offer a diverse selection of vehicles, ranging from fuel-efficient economy cars perfect for city cruising to large passenger vans necessary for group trips across California’s stunning landscapes.

This agency is especially appealing to the price-conscious traveler, whether visiting Los Angeles for a beach vacation or a business engagement. However, as with any value-oriented service, understanding the specific procedures at the busy LAX location is crucial for managing expectations and ensuring a smooth start to your journey.

Payless Car Rental's location at LAX is now situated within the new, state-of-the-art Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility, a major infrastructural component of the LAX Landside Access Modernization Program. This move centralizes many rental operations and improves the overall airport flow, though it requires all customers to utilize the dedicated airport shuttle service.

The operational location details are as follows:

Address: 5251 W 98th St, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA

This address is the multi-level ConRAC facility itself, which houses the rental counters and the vehicle ready/return area. The facility is designed to enhance accessibility and convenience, with the intent to eventually connect directly to the airport terminals via the new Automated People Mover (APM) system, which is currently in development. For the time being, the process for arriving customers is as follows:

• Upon arrival at LAX, customers must collect their baggage and proceed outside the terminal from the baggage claim area.
• Wait at the designated purple Rental Car Shuttles sign (on the second island).
• A courtesy bus from the Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility will transport customers to the new building at 5251 W 98th St. The Payless shuttle is reported to arrive within approximately 8 minutes during regular hours.
• Upon entering the facility, customers proceed to the counter area on the fifth level to complete their paperwork.

The facility itself is designed to be fully accessible, featuring a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance and Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot, catering to all travelers. For returns, customers simply follow the signs for Rental Car Return to the 5251 W 98th St facility, and a shuttle will take them back directly to their airline terminal.

Payless provides a comprehensive suite of car and van rental services designed to meet a wide variety of travel needs within California, from short-term rentals to extended road trips.

• Diverse Vehicle Fleet: They offer extensive car types including Economy, Compact, Intermediate, Full-Size Sedans (e.g., Kia Rio, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry), Intermediate and Full-Size SUVs (e.g., Toyota Rav4, Chevrolet Suburban), and specialty vehicles like Convertibles and Pickup Trucks.
• Van Rental Agency: A core service offering is the availability of passenger vans, including Minivans and large-capacity 12- and 15-Passenger Vans (e.g., Ford Transit), ideal for large families, sports teams, or group travel.
• Payment Options: Flexibility in payment is provided by accepting major Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and modern contactless methods like NFC Mobile Payments.
• Special Equipment Rentals: Customers can reserve necessary add-ons such as Child Seats (Infant, Toddler, or Booster) for a daily fee, and GPS navigation systems.
• Roadside Assistance Program (RSP): An optional service that can be purchased daily to provide essential emergency coverage, including towing, jump starts, flat tire changes, and lockout service.
• Fuel Policies: Multiple fuel options are typically offered: a Prepay Fuel option (buy a tank upfront), a Full-to-Full option (refuel the vehicle yourself), or a Fuel Service Option where the company refuels the vehicle upon return for a fee.
• Disabled Driver Services: Hand controls are available at no additional cost for disabled drivers, though reservations must be placed by phone to ensure availability and confirmation.
• One-Way Rentals: The agency offers the flexibility of dropping off the vehicle at a different location, a valuable feature for extended California adventures.

While the company focuses on delivering a low-cost service, it operates with certain key structural features that define the customer experience at the LAX location.

• Strategic Location in New ConRAC: Operating out of the new, multi-billion-dollar Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility ensures a modern, clean, and technologically advanced structure for the entire rental process.
• Competitive & Value Pricing: The primary highlight is the focus on offering competitive, discount rates, appealing directly to travelers seeking the lowest possible price for a reliable vehicle.
• Avis Budget Group Fleet Access: As part of the Avis Budget Group, Payless often shares a high-quality fleet with its sister companies, meaning customers frequently receive vehicles that are modern, clean, and in good condition.
• 24/7 Operation at LAX: The Los Angeles International Airport location is generally open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing flexibility for customers with late-night or early-morning flights.

It is important to note, however, that the cost-saving model is implemented through operational choices that customers should be aware of. Feedback from customers indicates that the Payless counter shares a common waiting line with other sister brands (like Budget) in the ConRAC facility. The expectation is that there is no "skip the counter" or "go directly to your car" service at this location. Customers must be prepared for a potentially significant wait time—sometimes reported to be one to two hours—in a single line to see a rental agent, even with a confirmed reservation.

To make a reservation or for direct communication with the Payless Car Rental LAX location, please use the following contact details:

• Address: 5251 W 98th St, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA (LAX Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility)
• Phone: (213) 782-8950
• Mobile Phone: +1 213-782-8950

For California-based users, Payless Car Rental is definitively worth choosing if your highest priority is securing a low-cost rental car or van and you have a flexible schedule that can absorb potential waiting times. The value proposition is strong: you receive a vehicle that is often new and clean, backed by the fleet resources of a major international company, but at a more budget-friendly price point. The selection of vans—including 15-passenger models—makes Payless an excellent choice for large group movements, a service highly valued in California for weekend outings or corporate events.

However, travelers should go into the process with eyes open. The LAX location is characterized by a high volume of traffic and a mandatory, often slow, in-person check-in line. If you are an experienced traveler accustomed to loyalty programs that allow you to bypass the rental counter, or if you have a tight schedule immediately following your arrival, you may find the process frustrating. For everyone else who can afford to set aside up to two hours for vehicle pickup and is looking for the cheapest option for a quality vehicle, Payless Car Rental at the new, modern ConRAC facility offers an excellent opportunity to save money on your transportation needs throughout Southern California.

Payless Car Rental

5251 W 98th St, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA