Avis - Avis Preferred

So, I've been a Hertz guy for many years now. My company has now switched to Avis as its preferred provider and gave us all membership in the Avis Preferred program.

I was wondering if maybe someone can let me know of any benefits for this program besides skipping lines at the airport.

Also, do they ever pester Preferred customers with bogus damage claims? (I know Enterprise is famous for this)

Can I earn any type of rewards/points on Avis without being in their "First" program? Or if not, is there a way to earn the points into my airline's program?

Appreciate anyone's help in advance!

Thanks!
-Matt

Matt,

This stuff is easily found by googling or searching this site.

https://www.avis.com/car-rental/profile/route.ac?context=CarAndServicesMenu&APPLICATION_TYPE=PREFERRED

After 12 rentals within a year, you'll qualify for AVIS First:

http://www.avis.com/car-rental/content/display.ac?navId=T4M03S03

Enjoy,
Brett

Is there any difference between the Avis Preferred and Wizard? It looked the similar to me.

Also, do they ever pester Preferred customers with bogus damage claims? (I know Enterprise is famous for this)


Is there any difference between the Avis Preferred and Wizard? It looked the similar to me.

Matt, Most of your initial questions are answered by the link from bkafrick.

The damage claims: Avis isn't horrible with them, in my experience, but they can/will try it on anyone. I've been called out on door dings or cracked windshields days after returning when it was like that on my pickup. I've become very good at inspecting/documenting everything before leaving an Avis lot.

The Wizard # is what you get when you sign up for Preferred. It's just your "membership ID". The other lingo that Avis uses is "AWD", which is just your corporate code (Avis Worldwide Discount, if I remember correctly). You don't have to use this so long as your work doesn't make you, if you find a better rate.

Hope this helps. If not, keep the questions coming, that's why we are all here (well, most of us anyway).

The damage claims: Avis isn't horrible with them, in my experience, but they can/will try it on anyone. I've been called out on door dings or cracked windshields days after returning when it was like that on my pickup. I've become very good at inspecting/documenting everything before leaving an Avis lot.

This is definitely a YMMV situation. I am horrible about documenting damage, and I never - ever- get burned. (Knocking on wood now!)

Not that i've ever damaged a vehicle and not owned up to it, but there are always mars, marks, dings, on cars and I never document them, and then never get reported back to me with a false damage claim. Even two weeks ago, there was a huge scratch on the side of the door, and i didnt notice it until day #2. No one ever mentioned a word when I returned.

Who who knows, I think there are certainly a lot of horror stories out there, but for the most part, I've been very pleased.

Just a note on the pre-inspection when renting a car, Avis or otherwise. If you are in EU (Germany, anyway), they THOROUGHLY inspect your car upon return. They will get you for ever little flick or scratch, etc., on the car. You must therefore ensure that they are all documented before you leave the lot, and hold on to the paperwork.

Just a note on the pre-inspection when renting a car, Avis or otherwise. If you are in EU (Germany, anyway), they THOROUGHLY inspect your car upon return. They will get you for ever little flick or scratch, etc., on the car. You must therefore ensure that they are all documented before you leave the lot, and hold on to the paperwork.

On a recent trip to the UK and France, Avis at MAN went around the car with a magnifying glass upon return ;) but Avis at CDG barely gave it the quick once-over.

On a recent trip to the UK and France, Avis at MAN went around the car with a magnifying glass upon return ;) but Avis at CDG barely gave it the quick once-over.

We had similar experience with Avis France at Paris in-town location. We did not find the correct entrance to the underground garage so we parked the car on the side street of the church square (forgot the name but it is the easiest Avis in town location in Paris to drive to.) We then walked down to the Avis location underground - the Avis attendant took us thru the other side of the Avis lot and walked up - we were right at the parked rental car! He just casually walked around the car, nodded and recorded the meter, oil gauge etc then motioned us to sit at the back and he drove it back to the garage. We were not even given a receipt / invoice of the return, were told to get it online a couple days later. This did not sound assuring to me! I insisted the guy behind the counter to sign and stamp on the rental contract of the car being returned in good order. Invoice showed up online 2 days later and nothing extra ever charged.

However, when we took the Avis car out at Toulouse, the agent went out to look all over the car with us and marked every little detail. Yet his colleagues at Paris did not seem to bother.

We also had such casual / no invoice experience with Hertz location at Liverpool - were told to drop the car at the parking lot, and download invoice 2 days later. Nobody ever went out to look at the car... Scary.