I was caught at the IAH shutdown Friday Dec 15. After having numerous re-booked flights cancel, I decided to rent a car and drive for seven hours to avoid sitting in IAH for a day or two. I took the shuttle to the rental center, noticed the "Cars Available" at the Avis service counter, and got to an agent after waiting in line a short time. I was sailing along with a booking for a full-size car when she asked me how long I needed the car for. I told her about twelve hours and I would need it one-way. That stopped everything, as she said she didn't have a one-way rental. I started to question the policy, as there were obviously plenty of cars for rent-and-return, but another agent appeared about that time and stated flatly "we have no cars." I tried to invoke my PS status and the fact that my company (1600 employees) has a business arrangement with Avis that requires we use their services when booking for company business, but neither fact was going to get me a car.

I walked across the floor to the National counter and within 5 minutes my rental was completed and I was directed to the full-size car spaces.

Avis may have a policy that limits a location's one-way rentals, but from a customer service standpoint, it sure leaves a bad taste in light of the circumstances.