Avis reminder emails now contain awd code check warning
#121
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
I think for me anyways, the risk come in the form of “what could happen” in the worst case and decide if that risk is acceptable.
In the Avis rental agreement is says :
g) To the extent you utilize any rate/benefit discount code in association with a rental, you represent you meet the requisite criteria for utilizing such discount code. Any other use will be viewed as an unlawful use and theft of services for which Avis can pursue legal remedies, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, and may void any associated discounts or rental benefits.
The rental agreement also says :
A VIOLATION OF THIS PARAGRAPH 9, WHICH INCLUDES USE OF THE CAR BY AN NAUTHORIZED DRIVER, WILL AUTOMATICALLY TERMINATE YOUR RENTAL, VOID ALL LIABILITY PROTECTION AND ANY OPTIONAL SERVICES THAT YOU HAVE ACCEPTED, INCLUDING ADDITIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE, PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE, PERSONAL EFFECTS PROTECTION AND LOSS DAMAGE WAIVER.
section (3) of paragraph 9
3) obtained the car through fraud or misrepresentation;
So, this is enough for me to not take the chance. To me it seems clear that insurance could be denied for using a discount code that I’m not eligible for.
This is all up to the risk tolerance of the driver.
Having said that, I’m not happy about how much I’m paying for a full size car in Hawaii for 7 days.
Safe travels.
In the Avis rental agreement is says :
g) To the extent you utilize any rate/benefit discount code in association with a rental, you represent you meet the requisite criteria for utilizing such discount code. Any other use will be viewed as an unlawful use and theft of services for which Avis can pursue legal remedies, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, and may void any associated discounts or rental benefits.
The rental agreement also says :
A VIOLATION OF THIS PARAGRAPH 9, WHICH INCLUDES USE OF THE CAR BY AN NAUTHORIZED DRIVER, WILL AUTOMATICALLY TERMINATE YOUR RENTAL, VOID ALL LIABILITY PROTECTION AND ANY OPTIONAL SERVICES THAT YOU HAVE ACCEPTED, INCLUDING ADDITIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE, PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE, PERSONAL EFFECTS PROTECTION AND LOSS DAMAGE WAIVER.
section (3) of paragraph 9
3) obtained the car through fraud or misrepresentation;
So, this is enough for me to not take the chance. To me it seems clear that insurance could be denied for using a discount code that I’m not eligible for.
This is all up to the risk tolerance of the driver.
Having said that, I’m not happy about how much I’m paying for a full size car in Hawaii for 7 days.
Safe travels.
this is reasonable. I’m still comfortable with the risk given the exorbitant prices right now.
#123
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,210
But you're still paying it, so it will continue. If the cost of the fullsize car in Hawaii was enough to push you to alternatives, the prices would drop closer to the value renters perceive in having the car. Alternatives usually exist, but it takes effort to find them. Car rental in general is inching closer to becoming a niche, borderline irrelevant product for many people.
#124
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
#125
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 8
But you're still paying it, so it will continue. If the cost of the fullsize car in Hawaii was enough to push you to alternatives, the prices would drop closer to the value renters perceive in having the car. Alternatives usually exist, but it takes effort to find them. Car rental in general is inching closer to becoming a niche, borderline irrelevant product for many people.
#126
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,210
Until the cost exceeds the perceived value. Even for vacations, alternatives usually exist, but can take initial extra search effort. Once found, the savings can be substantial. Not just Turo, either. There are maybe less than 10% of possible use cases for vacations where renting a car has no viable alternatives.
#127
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,210
The Hawaiian tourist board said a few months ago that hopefully the high prices will show that most people don't need a car every single day of their stay. Many people were probably booking by default, and didn't seriously look for alternatives. The rates will stay high as long as people complain but accept them anyway.
#128
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
#129
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,210
A few weeks ago, the NY Times ran an article about the rental car shortage, and how rental companies are trying to find ways to enforce higher prices through artificial scarcity in the future. The risk of course is that eventually 500 cars could have been purchased, a decision was made to only buy 100 again, but this time, just 50 people are still interested. The rates and availability could hypothetically go down, but at that point, customers won't know or care, having moved on. Uber is already in a similar situation, where people who once reflexively booked now stop and think if it's really necessary for many trips. Uber admitted recently that many rate requests no longer result in a booking, and cancellations often no longer result in another request. Adjustment takes time, as you said, but it can culminate with people still traveling and no longer searching for their old favorite methods.
The rental companies and consultants interviewed seemed to consider this a real possibility. The comments section had several hundred people saying they rented for what will hopefully be the last time when they took a vacation last summer. The high rates and bad customer experience all around pushed them to seriously consider alternatives, and many claim they already found something acceptable.
Last edited by Auto Enthusiast; Nov 21, 2021 at 11:36 pm
#130
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 16
Does anyone have any experience with Avis charging cancellation fees in regards to AWD usage?
I have a reservation booked with an AWD which was about a third of a the price of all other rentals. I have a backup rental booked in case it doesn't work, but I was worried about this wording in the agreement:
Does this mean they would attempt to collect the entire amount in the event that they reject the use of the AWD?
I have a reservation booked with an AWD which was about a third of a the price of all other rentals. I have a backup rental booked in case it doesn't work, but I was worried about this wording in the agreement:
If you cancel your booking on the same day the reservation is made, no cancellation fee will be applied.
If you cancel your booking up to 3 days prior to collection a cancellation fee of 40 EUR/ 50 EUR will apply by way of compensation to AFC.
If you fail to cancel your reservation within 3 days prior to the rental date and time shown in your booking, the full amount of the prepayment will be charged by way of compensation to AFC.
If you cancel your booking up to 3 days prior to collection a cancellation fee of 40 EUR/ 50 EUR will apply by way of compensation to AFC.
If you fail to cancel your reservation within 3 days prior to the rental date and time shown in your booking, the full amount of the prepayment will be charged by way of compensation to AFC.
#131
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Eurozone
Programs: LH SEN, HH Gold
Posts: 3,002
I find it odd that Avis corporate security aren't taking a bigger grip on this fraud given the current climate. Easy to require a "confirmation" email from the associated business domain if using a business AWD.
I'm also disappointed that FT mods appear to condone this fraud by continuing to allow it to be discussed.
I'm also disappointed that FT mods appear to condone this fraud by continuing to allow it to be discussed.
Since we're listing odd things, I also find it odd that a corporation provides different vehicle rates to different customers for what's arguably the same product. When our car was in the shop and our insurance policy covered the car rental, the rented vehicle rate sent to my insurance was TRIPLE the walk-up leisure rate in spite of having identical conditions, all because my insurer and the rental company had their own "legal scam" going to rake in the highest amounts possible from other insurance companies.
I also find it odd how some Avis rentals of late can sometimes cost upwards of $800 a day.
Or how I could be deemed 'liable' by Avis for damages that have been on a vehicle for months and quite possibly already been attributed and charged to previous renters, but aren't openly admitted to by the agent before my taking possession of the car.
Or how Avis customers are often taunted with coercive insurance upsells.
Or how Avis customers in snowy regions are often given cars with summer tires mounted because the customer didn't pay for an extra "winterized" package.
But, yes, some people have been known to actually pay a fair price for a car rental (rather than be "legally gouged") while acting in less than 100% truthful ways. The sky is falling.
Last edited by Grog; Nov 23, 2021 at 11:01 pm
#132
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 168
The issue is that by allowing discussion of fraud, FT could be deemed complicit and suffer repercussions.
I find huge value in FT and all the contributions by the many folk who partake and have helped me find great value in my travel spending and would miss it were something to happen.
Everyone loves a hidden discount or mistake fare, but outright fraud points the wrong way on my personal compass, ymmv.
I find huge value in FT and all the contributions by the many folk who partake and have helped me find great value in my travel spending and would miss it were something to happen.
Everyone loves a hidden discount or mistake fare, but outright fraud points the wrong way on my personal compass, ymmv.
#133
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Someone who's touring an island to sightsee all over the place (on their own pace, and thus not with a tour group) is likely to need a car every day.
Someone who has a beachside hotel and is just lounging on the beach every day is likely to just need transportation to/from restaurants, nightclubs, whatever. But they may not be aware of what alternatives there are, because they may have, for example, heard of rideshare shortages too.
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,585
Whether one is going to Hawaii or elsewhere, I encourage those FTers who are college or university graduates to investigate whether their alma mater(s) have rental car contracts with the majors, and if so, whether alumni are entitled to utilize those rates for leisure travel. (Some college/university contracts are limited to employees only; others are more liberal.) I can legitimately book a midsize with Hertz on Kona in mid-January for a base rate of $190/week with my undergraduate school's code, and $195/week with my law school's code. (And no, I'm not going to identify the schools on FT. )
Just do a Google search for "[name of your school] car rental discount" or "[name of your school] Hertz discount", etc., and see if anything comes up. You might have to contact your school's purchasing office and/or the rental company's corporate office to determine whether alumni are entitled to use the school's contract "leisure" code, but given the potential savings these days, it might be worth that investment of your time. In the case of Hertz, it has landing pages for my alma maters' contracts which expressly welcome alumni to use the discount. With Avis/Budget, I verified alumni eligibility with my college's purchasing office, and more recently with Avis' contract manager after I got a reservation reminder email with the AWD warning language. So now, it's just a question of what proof of one's status as an alumnus would be required at time of car pickup. (I plan on bringing a certified copy of my college transcript along on future rentals that I make using my alma mater's code.)
One caveat: your school's alumni association might list discount codes that are different -- and much less favorable -- than the school's own contract codes.
Just do a Google search for "[name of your school] car rental discount" or "[name of your school] Hertz discount", etc., and see if anything comes up. You might have to contact your school's purchasing office and/or the rental company's corporate office to determine whether alumni are entitled to use the school's contract "leisure" code, but given the potential savings these days, it might be worth that investment of your time. In the case of Hertz, it has landing pages for my alma maters' contracts which expressly welcome alumni to use the discount. With Avis/Budget, I verified alumni eligibility with my college's purchasing office, and more recently with Avis' contract manager after I got a reservation reminder email with the AWD warning language. So now, it's just a question of what proof of one's status as an alumnus would be required at time of car pickup. (I plan on bringing a certified copy of my college transcript along on future rentals that I make using my alma mater's code.)
One caveat: your school's alumni association might list discount codes that are different -- and much less favorable -- than the school's own contract codes.
#135
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: None
Posts: 20
Possibly the most concerning point is that if you do use a corporate code, it defaults your liability (and other) insurance coverage policies to a company agreement. You then get in an accident, are legitimately investigated for proof of employment, and could be on the hook for.. a lot. At least that is my theory. I got a non owner car insurance policy for this reason alone (though i rent a ton)