I haven't rented Avis in years...is their system similar to Hertz's in setup? Do you just look for your name on the board, go to your car, show your ID and contract to a security guard, and drive off? Or is it more similar to Emerald Aisle, where you get to select your car but they have to process your paperwork at the exit booth?

I find that a well-executed Gold setup is about 60-90 seconds faster than a well-executed EA setup, simply due to the exit process. So if I don't care about my car at all, I choose Hertz. If I have any reason to be picky about my car, I choose National. (My weeklies have been going to National recently...I have had decent luck snagging XM cars on the Aisle. )

Curious to know how Avis stacks up with both of Hertz and National at most big airports. In my mind, I always think of Avis as the #2 rental car brand - behind Hertz, ahead of National. I don't really know why I have that perception: I know all three of them consider themselves to be competitors in the "top tier" space.