Avis First, President's Club & Chairman's Club
#61
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I can't answer as a Chairman, but I've been a regular at LAX for over a decade as Presidents Club. I get any available car I want on the lot, even SUV's and minivans.
And I sometimes get a personal ride back to the airport if I ask.
Also I have rented from the Westwood location a few times if that matters. Just your average city location.
And I sometimes get a personal ride back to the airport if I ask.
Also I have rented from the Westwood location a few times if that matters. Just your average city location.
Last edited by stimpy; Mar 13, 2011 at 9:14 am
#62
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Avis Chairman
Posts: 1,286
I posted yesterday, but I wanted to clarify and ask for further guidance:
I need a large SUV/minivan renting in Dallas from April 16-26. I want to book an intermediate and count on the upgrade which I think I could reasonably do at DFW. The airport taxes are killing me, however. There is a downtown location that would save me $150.
Anyone ever have issues getting their desired upgrade at neighborhood locations? I know they usually have far fewer cars, so they may not even have a large SUV/minivan on site. I'm wondering if I could call them ahead of time and let them know of my preference? Do you think they would accommodate?
I need a large SUV/minivan renting in Dallas from April 16-26. I want to book an intermediate and count on the upgrade which I think I could reasonably do at DFW. The airport taxes are killing me, however. There is a downtown location that would save me $150.
Anyone ever have issues getting their desired upgrade at neighborhood locations? I know they usually have far fewer cars, so they may not even have a large SUV/minivan on site. I'm wondering if I could call them ahead of time and let them know of my preference? Do you think they would accommodate?
#63
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
I recall back before 9/11 Pres Club member pretty much always got driven back to the airport. When the airports then clamped down on security, that all stopped. But it still happens from time to time. I rent mostly from LAX and if I ask, and someone is free, they will drive me back. Or they will drive me to a nearby hotel if I ask. I always give the driver a few bucks.
I posted yesterday, but I wanted to clarify and ask for further guidance:
I need a large SUV/minivan renting in Dallas from April 16-26. I want to book an intermediate and count on the upgrade which I think I could reasonably do at DFW. The airport taxes are killing me, however. There is a downtown location that would save me $150.
Anyone ever have issues getting their desired upgrade at neighborhood locations? I know they usually have far fewer cars, so they may not even have a large SUV/minivan on site. I'm wondering if I could call them ahead of time and let them know of my preference? Do you think they would accommodate?
I need a large SUV/minivan renting in Dallas from April 16-26. I want to book an intermediate and count on the upgrade which I think I could reasonably do at DFW. The airport taxes are killing me, however. There is a downtown location that would save me $150.
Anyone ever have issues getting their desired upgrade at neighborhood locations? I know they usually have far fewer cars, so they may not even have a large SUV/minivan on site. I'm wondering if I could call them ahead of time and let them know of my preference? Do you think they would accommodate?
(kidding about the politics, of course!)
#64
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Frankly, it has nothing to do with security, since airport locations always drive Chairman's Club to the terminal, no questions asked (I have NEVER been turned down for this since I have been CC). Most likely, what it does have to do with is Avis phasing out that benefit for PC members as an economy move, and blaming it on security issues (even though that makes no sense since they do it for CC members).
#65
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
No, it's security related. In fact, even CC member couldn't get driven to LAX for about a year after 9/11. Then Avis, Hertz, etc. were allowed only a certain number of trips into LAX. So they only realistically had space for CC members, not PC. Now it is much more relaxed and they don't have a problem driving me back as long as the guy who does that isn't on break.
#66
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
No offense intended, but how could it possibly be security related? How does the airport or police know who is driving who to the terminals for drop off? How is an Avis employee any more or less of a security risk as a driver than a taxi driver or someone's spouse? Who was it that supposedly kept track of the number of trips (and how could they do it) which Avis, Hertz, etc. was taking from the rental lots to the terminals?
As for security risks, I'm not going to try to justify the policy! It's all a bad idea to me.
#67
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Avis Chairman
Posts: 1,286
Yes, of course you can call them ahead of time! Local locations are no different when it comes to rules and benefits, the only limitation they have is inventory. If you give them enough notice, they might even pull what you want from another nearby location. However, they would not do this for a Romney supporter in Texas. Romney supporters only get what they want in Utah. In Texas, you have to be a Palin or Paul supporter to get what you want, and in California or Hawaii, they will only do it for Obama supporters.
(kidding about the politics, of course!)
(kidding about the politics, of course!)
That's what I figured re calling ahead of time. I hope they're able to swing my request. Thanks for the info.
#68
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: CO Platinum, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 351
Presidents Club vs. First
Just received an email from Avis stating that I've earned Avis First from my 2011 rentals. Q is - do I want Avis First status or am I better off sticking with Presidents Club (which I have via the Presidential Plus credit card)?
Also am wondering if Avis will ever pick up/drop off a Presidents Club member or if this is reserved strictly for CC.
Also am wondering if Avis will ever pick up/drop off a Presidents Club member or if this is reserved strictly for CC.
#69
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
arrived at the Reno Tahoe airport location and did not get an upgrade at all.
Is this the norm?
Upon calling, of course the answer was 'upgrades are upon availability'.
Just got upgraded to Presidents Club and always at least had a 1 class upgrade before this, but did not even get that.
Not complaining, just curious if this is how it is suppose to work.
Did not think we had to request for an upgrade, so did not. But, the account is marked as Presidents Club.
Is this the norm?
Upon calling, of course the answer was 'upgrades are upon availability'.
Just got upgraded to Presidents Club and always at least had a 1 class upgrade before this, but did not even get that.
Not complaining, just curious if this is how it is suppose to work.
Did not think we had to request for an upgrade, so did not. But, the account is marked as Presidents Club.
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Also am wondering if Avis will ever pick up/drop off a Presidents Club member or if this is reserved strictly for CC.
#72
#73
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYR
Programs: US/AA-Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Gold, AVIS-Presidents Club, National-Executive Elite
Posts: 2,755
#75
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
(Yes, the last sentence is sarcasm, in case anyone was not clear on that!)