But the qualification is valid through December 2008. (see the rules). So you don't need to qualify during 2007. They will boot you at the end of 2008 if you don't have 12 for calendar 2008.

The program is useless for me. I typically rent for 24 hours on US business trips, which are relatively expensive mid-week, and foreign rentals are not eligible, so I have 2 (!) eligible rentals since the program started.

When I say "eligible" I mean for credits toward free rentals. My understanding that any rental counts toward Avis First qualification.