That's an understatement. IME routine things go pretty smoothly with Avis, but if you have a problem or want to address a screw-up of theirs, you're suddenly deep in hell. A few years ago I got a bill for a wreck I didn't cause and the weeks-long effort to straighten things out almost gave me a stroke. They have some customer-facing manager types who are as close to mentally defective as anyone I've encountered in a service business.

Therefore, I think you will expend many more calories trying to pry loose that hard-earned weekend cert than the cert is actually worth (given the likely restrictions). So if I were you I would give up, but write the most colorful letter possible to Avis explaining why you're taking your business to Hertz.

It's inertia that's kept me at Avis, mainly, for several years... but their decision to bar me from the Avis First thing is sending me over to Hertz at last.

I really wish I could direct my business to Hertz, Rent-A-Wreck or ANYONE, but our business contract is only with Avis.

My only other option is Enterprise, which I am supposed to use for local rentals (Avis is for airport rentals only). I don't think I'm any better off than you are.

Assuming your corp doesn't prevent them from sending you commercial email. Then you get nada.

You can't set it up to go to your home email?

So... from the Preferred Program period of 10/1/05 til 3/31/07 (when the Preferred Program ended), I qualified for the free weekend certificate and free aireline companion ticket (31 rentals or 110 rental days). I didn't receive either of the coupons. When I used the online feedback at Avis.com, I didn't get a response from them. I also sent them a letter to their address in Tulsa, OK which didn't get a resonse within a month. I contacted the Tulsa Better Business Bureau, as a last resort before filing a false advertising claim with the attorney general. I recently received a response from Avis... finally, after 3 months and 3 attempts to get a response from them. They sent me the companion voucher and a couple free day certificates instead of the weekend coupon. In the letter they stated, "I have enclosed your companion airline ticket even though the program has ended..." Well, I qualified well before the program ended, so I wouldn't see why they make it sound like they did me a favor.

In any case, I'd recommend everyone else who didn't get their vouchers to contact the BBB (http://www.tulsabbb.org/) or write Avis a letter.

Has anyone else found that the coupons are mailed ou in 4-6 weeks? I thought they were supposed to be electronic. The avisfirst website says:
"All free weekend coupons earned will be sent by email to the address you supply," but maybe the emphasis is on EARNED. since the initial free weekend isn't earned, then it isn't emailed out?

Glad to hear you finally got it!

I'm only still with Avis because I've got Chairman's for a few more years and that's too nice to walk away from. Once that runs its course, I'll be over at Hertz for the points and free days in a heartbeat.

peace,
~Ben~

I got my first one via email and thought most others on the board did as well. You might want to make sure your spam filter didn't snag it.

I think there's something off about the Avis First email system. I get all other emails from Avis (iTunes, tell us about your recent rental, etc.), but I don't get anything from Avis First. I didn't get my first coupon, I haven't gotten any of the email specials, etc. I check my spam filter, but it's not there either. I think something's just wrong with their email system...

You don't need the email!

Just call Customer Service (not reservation) and have them add one of your not used free coupons to your reservation, or let Customer Service make a reservation for you with your free coupon. They have all of your free coupons in the system, ready to use, without you waiting for that email.