Background: I have both an Avis Preferred account and a Southwest Rapid Rewards account. I understand that I cannot earn BOTH Avis points and Southwest points on the same car booking.

Several months ago, I learned that I could book a weekly car through the Southwest website and earn 2,400 RR points. I also learned that it was often the case that a 4 or 5 day rental would be just as cheap as a one-week rental.

The first couple of times I did this, it worked. I'd book on the Southwest site, not input my Avis Wizard #, and once the car was returned, I'd get 2,400 RR points in my Southwest account.

A couple of weeks ago, I did this again (two back-to-back weeklong rentals).

However, Avis added my Wizard # to the booking, gave me Avis points, and is insisting that there is no way to get the RR points instead, unless I "opt out" of the Avis program. I assume they mean permanently opt out... since I assumed that I was opting out by leaving my wizard number off from the booking.

Does anyone understand exactly how the rules work? Can you only get the bonus Southwest points if you don't have an Avis Wizard account? Again, I understand that I can't earn points in both programs for the same rental. Was it a loophole that allowed this to work previously? Did the rules change? or should I continue to pursue this with Avis and/or Southwest?