I am having a very frustrating time with Avis CS (UK and US), and would appreciate advice on any escalation routes, beyond a small claims court claim, which I intend to pursue next week if I dont get a positive outcome.

In summary:
- Rental agreement with Avis UK for a US rental
- Flat tyre within 24 hours of rental starting due to nail in tyre
- Avis refused to send a replacement car, telling me to either 'get to LAX' (not convenient) or 'fix it myself and reclaim'.
- Spent half a day of valuable holiday fixing the tyre - so in the hole for $350
- Tyre warning issues remained through rest of trip, causing significant anxiety
- on returning the car at DEN, told to 'call customer services'

Have been trying to reclaim cost from Avis for several weeks. Numerous calls and emails to UK CS and emails to US CS - all promising a response but none forthcoming. Have probably wasted two days on this now, so expecting recompense for both the tyre repair and time spent/wasted.

Am Avis Presidents Club for what it is worth (clearly bugger all these days).

Thanks in advance.