Avis - 12 Rentals in 6 Months for This??!!

I am new to Avis First and am appalled by the customer service at the Avis First Number.

1. First, Avis is charging $49 a day for economy - $2 more than is allowed by the federal govt's contract. So, I can't rent from them at all unless I can get it to $47. They won't budge.

2. Then I called one customer service agent who told me the economy daily rate was $243!!! But that I could use the coupon code for 40% of that - I said "it was $49 two days ago" and he said "it's based on availability." And I asked "are you freaking kidding me?! $243 per day for an economy car??!! I could get it from any other car company for less than $50." He rudely said "I don't need to know that information." I hung up.

3. I called again and said that I would like to know the real daily price of an economy - once again it's $49. I said I would like to use my 40% coupon code (so, I can get it for under $47) - well, I can't because it's a discount code and so is the federal government rate. Actually, I found this absurd, because the fed govt rate is usually higher than commercial and has fees piled on, which is why my local guy usually upgrades me for free - figures I'm paying a higher rate anyway.

I really can't believe I got myself into Avis first to deal with this - especially the $243 thing. Is it always this bad? Are they trying to go out of business?

I understand the complaint, but you forgot to post where/when you are running into this issue.

I am running into this issue on the Avis First Customer "Service" number, specifically trying to rent out of Sea-tac.

I am new to Avis First and am appalled by the customer service at the Avis First Number.

1. First, Avis is charging $49 a day for economy - $2 more than is allowed by the federal govt's contract. So, I can't rent from them at all unless I can get it to $47. They won't budge.


This means the location doesn't want to rent cars at $47/day. Maybe somebody thought about this and recognized it would preclude the government contract business - maybe not.

Rates change all the time. Ability to use most coupons changes all the time. Many rates and discounts are based on availability, a feature solely at the discretion of the seller.

I don't see how any of this is a customer service issue. You don't want to pay what Avis Sea-Tac wants to charge. A commercial transaction requires a willing seller and a willing buyer. Find another rental agency at Sea-Tac - it's unlikely the Feds have made it truly impossible to rent a car there.

The main issue is the customer service rep telling me it would be $243. I called right back and that wasn't the rate at all.

Yes, I can rent elsewhere, but with what I've invested into getting into Avis First, it would be nice to be able to use it.

Can you use a publicly available discount code to lower the rate? It sounds like there is no Federal Govt discount code available - is that true?

I work for a big company based in Seattle and rent at Sea-Tac 2x per month. I can tell you that PLENTY of cars on corp discount codes go out for well less than $49...

No, they count the federal govt rate as a "discount code" which is part of my frustration for two reasons: (1) It ain't no discount, it's usually more costly than the standard rate; and (2) the 40% of "coupon" they sent me is coded as a "discount code" even though its a one-time use with a short-term expiration date. Therefore, I can't use it, because I'm supposedly already using the federal govt "discount code" and I can't use two discount codes together. If they coded the 40% as a coupon, I could use it.

I mean, this isn't the end of the world, I can get another car. I just think its really poor customer service along with alot of other stuff they've been pulling lately, like charging mileage, etc.

Yes, I can rent elsewhere, but with what I've invested into getting into Avis First, it would be nice to be able to use it.

I'm sorry, I had to laugh at that statement. Everyone knows that there is zero benefits from AvisFirst... ok, sorry a one-car class upgrade. Why bother "investing" in AvisFirst, and just rent something that works with your govt contract. Seems like a lot of aggravation for nothing.

I'm sorry, I had to laugh at that statement. Everyone knows that there is zero benefits from AvisFirst... ok, sorry a one-car class upgrade. Why bother "investing" in AvisFirst, and just rent something that works with your govt contract. Seems like a lot of aggravation for nothing.

Well, I kinda thought the free weekend after every four qualifying would be nice (I generally get upgraded anyway) ...but with blackouts, etc., sounds like it's pretty pointless. Is the Hertz program any better?

Well, I kinda thought the free weekend after every four qualifying would be nice (I generally get upgraded anyway) ...but with blackouts, etc., sounds like it's pretty pointless. Is the Hertz program any better?

With Hertz you would be at Five Star by now, which means you get an upgrade subject to availability. In other words, that's their carte blanche to shut you out of an upgrade as often as they can. You don't get guaranteed upgrades until you hit President's Club, which takes 40 rentals a year. As far their awards program, it's a points system where you get a point for every dollar you spend. So if you're retricted to a $47/day rate, it could take a while to rack up a decent reward.

With National, you would be in Executive Status right now, which gives you upgrades in the sense that you pay the Midsize rate when booking Fullsize, and pay Fullsize when booking Premium. Instead of having the cxar assigned to a specific stall for you, you get the option of choosing your own car on the lot. You have to book a Midsize to use the Emerald Aisle or Executive Selection lot, which feature mid to fullsize cars and often some treats, but if you book Economy you'd have a different section of the lot where you could choose from an assortment of small cars. Their rewards program works on a credit system where you earn one credit per rental, and then one credit for every 4 days once you go over the 7 day mark. It take 7 credits to earn a free day as a basic member, but then it only takes 6 credits once you hit Executive. So at this point in time with National, you'd be one rental away from earning your 2nd free day. They can be used up to a Midsize car (Fullsize if Executive) and have no blackouts on them. If you happen to hit Executive Elite, which is 25 rentals per year, you earn free days on 5 credits and can redeem them on almost any car class in the system.

Avis First is without a doubt the most worthless insult a travel supplier has ever offered their best customers.

I am Avis First and derive no tangible benefits from it whatsoever.

Well, I kinda thought the free weekend after every four qualifying would be nice (I generally get upgraded anyway)

Yes, true.

Only if you don't credit ANY frequent flyer program though.

If you choose to get miles, that rental does NOT qualify.