Kay_nyc

As a carless New Yorker, I've been really enjoying Avis 9.99 airport deal. I've driven more than 150 miles on most trips, which is still an excellent deals with rentals coming in at under $25 most of the time. It's not clear to me if the free tank of gas is included if you exceed the 150 miles, so I've been refueling. Does anyone know if I need to refuel if I exceed the mileage?

AutoSlash

I don't know the answer to your question, but I'm curious about how you are using it. I'm guessing you're using it as a cheap local rental and then either taking public transportation or Lyft/Uber to/from the airport/home?

If you drive more than the 150 miles alotted, do they charge you anything extra?

Kay_nyc

I pick it up in my neighborhood, go on a day trip, drop it off at the airport, and take the train home. They do charge $0.10 extra per mile if you go over the 150. I used the deal to go hiking last weekend. It was much more convenient than public transportation. The car rental was ~$20 (I went over the 150 miles) and my train ticket was ~15. For me ~$35 total to get out of the city is a great deal, considering I'd probably be paying more than double without the deal. Our traffic is awful, so the airport dropoff actually let's me bypass some of the traffic mess.

guv1976

I would not refuel. The offer's terms and conditions -- as found on the Avis website -- say that the first tank of gas is free, and that additional miles are charged at 10¢ each:

https://www.avis.com/en/offers/us-of...rt-car-rentals

Hope that the OP has been paying the extra $1.00 + tax to earn anywhere from 500 to 1,250 AA miles per rental, the actual amount depending on AA elite status, or being a Citi or Barclays AA credit-card holder.

Edited to add: As IAHtraveler correctly notes below, AA mileage earning on Avis/Budget rentals is only possible on rentals originating at an airport.

AutoSlash

Very good strategy. Kudos!

IAHtraveler

I don't think off-airport pickups qualify for mileage earning. At least they didn't used to.

guv1976

Yes, you're absolutely right. I'm so used to renting at the airport (there are no off-airport Avis/Budget locations where I live) that I often forget about that wrinkle.

But if the OP -- or anybody else -- takes the deal in the other direction (airport ==> city on a Thursday or Friday), then mileage earning is possible. Of course, picking up at the airport is a little more expensive than picking up in town because of higher fees associated with airport pick-ups.

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Kathyfm1

I am considering using this deal in the Washington DC area. If you don't go over the 150 miles, do you just return the car with the fuel "AS IS" ? It is less expensive than the metro!

SinglePapa2

how is it? (pls submit out-of-pocket comparison)

Kathyfm1

• Metro $9.15 SmarTrip Fare and 1 hour of time from IAD to Union Station on a Friday Plus metro costs of other destinations in DC.
• Avis Deal 9.99 , mileage points, less time, and flexibility to stop shop, sight see, etc and visit with daughter who lives in DC. Arrive after 6:30 for free parking.

IAHtraveler

What's the final cost with the taxes/fees, though? Not saying it's a bad deal or not worth it, but I'd bet the rental is rarely less expensive than a 1-way train to the burbs in most cities.

Kathyfm1

Still a great option even with AVIS taxes and fees vs $9.15 for the Metro to get you to one stop. And the convenience.

Base Rate$8.99
Mileage: 150 Miles included, 0.10 USD per additional mile
Rental Options
$0.00
Discount Codes
Fees & Taxes$3.26
Estimated Total$12.25

guv1976

See Post #4 , above.

Based on the terms and conditions of the $9.99 one-way special, you do not need to buy gas even if you exceed the 150-mile allowance. The penalty for exceeding 150 miles is an additional charge of 10¢/mile for the overage, not forfeiture of the free first tank of gas.

The only time I would ever buy gas on such a rental would be if I were in danger of running out of fuel after putting on a lot of additional miles. And even then, I would only put in as much fuel as I thought would be needed to get the car to the return location.

If you plan to take advantage of this offer – from either Avis or Budget – I recommend that you carry with you a hard copy of the offer's terms and conditions when you return the vehicle, to avoid any possible unpleasantness re: fuel level.