1) Why can't you override the AWD #? I need to use the corp one for corp, and would use whatever personal one gave me the best rate for personal rentals.[/QUOTE]
Quite honestly, there are ways around this. The agent you dealt with is pretty behind on it. For one, I would have cancelled the original reservation, and rebooked it with the right information from the beginning and added the Wizard number as a modification AFTERWARDS. For one, The avis system pulls the available information at the time of the reservation booking and locks it into the profile. It locks that information in because those reservations by rule shouldnt be modified for price or name once booked.
This feature is in place because too many people were booking reservations for family using corporate AWDS. John books reservation, gets corp price, then changes name and address information in resrevation to someone elses name, sally. Sally goes to the airport, not only isnt allowed to use that reservation, but sally will not sign the master rental agreement.
So at some point in the past, the reservation "dump" in the "frequent traveler" should end all the modifications. In theory.
But in this day of internet self modifications, AWD shopping, PRiceline options, more and more people are shopping for prices. So in a sense a monster was created. To fix this, Avis currently working on the next edtion of Wizard, their trademark rental software circa 1964....
2) This explains why I've never used Avis for personal rentals - I *thought* I was putting in codes which weren't being used. As the rate was always higher than National, I've just used National. Why on earth does Avis do this?
Oh avis is probably higher than national more often than naught, but if you want to AWD shop, clear cookies, use the website without logging into your profile. Book the reservation without your profile, then call Avis and have them put the Wizard number to that reservation. Another option is to book the reservation you want, then go to the preferred desk and give them your DL, reservation number, and wizard number. They will pull up the reservation with your wizard number, and because the reservation was pulled up by name (using the wizard number) and not by CCARD or preprinted from available information, the new AWD will stick in the reservation.
I, personally, am of the " change my AWD number, book the reservation, then change the number back" school of thought.
3) I did see some old threads when I searched (from 2005) talking about overcharging vs. people's awd #s - could this be why?
The overcharging had to do with AWD's, yes. It wasn't "overcharging by malice" but more they were charging the correct price, but through various reasons the AWD number had changed.
This is why I always advocate having a printed copy of your reservation with you whenever you travel. Business travel 101.