I rent from this God awful company about 300 days/ year. Has anyone else had a hard time using anything they give away for free? Last year I had about 5 free weekends that went unused because they were "blacked out." This year, I am trying to get a car for a weekend and it says it too has been "blacked out." I am beginning to think they give away a lot of free weekends and then black out all weekends rendering the coupons worthless. I have had other troubles with Avis (especially in Harrisburg, PA) but I won't go into all of that. This is just one more reason for me to move my business to Hertz. If anyone knows what the calender looks like for blackout dates could they please share it? I called Avis First(misnomer) and they could not give me dates. All I want to do is use these certificates I earned!

In my experience using the free weekend-er coupons last year, different locations were blacked out on different dates. I think it depends on capacity controls at the locations. I have one coupon scheduled for this labor day (been booked for ~3 months) and the system took it. I tried another free weekend coupon for that weekend recently (duplicate booking, just to see if they blacked it out) and it was blacked out. So the trick might be booking early.

Twice last year, however, I wanted to use the coupon on blacked out dates, according to Avis.com. I called to make the reservation & was told it was blacked out. But the agent gave me the usual, "but I have a coupon here for $15 off your rental." I booked it and took the "free weekend coupon" to the counter when I picked up my car. The first time the agent said, "oh, that's not the coupon that's in the system. I wonder how that happened. Let me fix that and you'll be all set." I didn't say a word & let her "correct" the system. The second time, they never even said anything when I gave them the coupon. They typed on the computer for a minute and printed me a new contract. I thought I'd definitely have problems when I returned the car but both times they didn't charge me for the 2 free days. I can't guarantee that will work, but it's an option.

You think US has high number of black out dates. Try Canada, almost entire summer is blacked out, this applies to all kind of free day or free weekend coupons.

Just tried to book a weekend rental in Rochester (using one of many Free Weekend certs), and the agent replied:

"This coupon is blacked out from July 9th through August 20th."

Me: "Is this for just this location?"

Agent: "No, for all locations."

Is this seriously the gameplan here? Give out tons of free weekend certificates, and then black them all out???

The free weekends are already restricted (no NYC metro and no one way rentals) but I'd managed to use the ones I'd gotten in the past. However today I had the same experience as the OP and was given the same line as the poster above about the summer being blacked out...

I was given an 800# for Customer Relations to call and complain to in the am -- will report on the outcome

Agreed - trying to use any type of these coupons at Canadian locations is ridiculous.

I was also told by an agent that these coupons are blacked out all summer nationwide ending the week after Labor Day, with some locations (including PDX, where I am a frequent renter) extending that through the end of September.

That's not 100% true b/c we're using our coupon over labor day (fri pm through sun pm) at ANC. I did book it over 2 months ago so maybe they hadn't blacked it out back then.

I called last night to get my new free weekend code (for some reason I'm not getting them via email), and was told that the nationwide blackout is from July 9 - August 20. Some locations have further blackouts (PDX is blacked out until Aug. 25).

I encountered the same 7/9 - 8/20 period black out at a local non-airport location that I frequent when trying to use an AF two free weekend award. First I had heard that this is nationwide thing.

First, an AF CSR said that she could do the following: I would have to pay the full amount at the local Avis location. She would see that my credit card was reimbursed for the two free days, a couple days later. I declined for two reasons. First, what proof or assurance did I have that the credit would come through? Second, she was only crediting the day rate and not the tax portion of the rental. They believe that's how it's supposed to work, but I never pay the percentage based taxes/fees on a free day rental -- only if there is a daily fee and they are usually modest -- $2-4.

So I talked to a very accommodating, on-the-ball person at the location (that has been most helpful in the past) and I was assured that a car was being held for me and that the Free Weekend code would be entered when I made the rental (she works that day). Once the coupon code was in the contract, I was assured it would not be a problem.

Moral of the story is that if you are renting at a known location and you know one of the agents well, give them a call. Won't help everybody, but some...

Now, I have to figure out some nice little gift/gratuity for her assistance.

This post by our insider may be of interest to you. Though I would make the info more general, lest she was doing something she wasn't supposed to do.

Thanks for the info in two respects.

First, I have enough info/support to praise this person's performance without mentioning specific incidences that may get them in trouble. Now that I know there is some reward, I will definitely do so.

On the flip side, I have enough negative things to say about the operation of this location. I've been contemplating a letter ever since I spoke to the Unit Manager (wasn't convince changes would come about). With the exception of this gem of an agent, I would've walked me business to the Hertz HLE next door weeks ago.

Looks like I have a couple of letters to draft.

I have tried to make reservations in geographically dispersed locations using both an AF two free weekend day and an AARP free weekend day coupons numbers and they were all not available that day. So it would indeed seem to be broad, if not national, in scope.

I find this outrageous and plan on writing both Diane Karl, VP Customer Loyalty and Sarah Bergeron, Director, Avis First and share my extreme displeasure. I would encourage those that are equally upset to do the same.

Two more letters to write!!!

I Rent From Avis Almost 5 Days A Week.i Have Never Not Been Able To Use My Af Free Day Coupons.usually I Don`t Book Them Into My Reservation,i Just Give Them To The Rental Agent @ Time Of Rental And They Take Them Fine.remember, Being Nice At The Counter Goes Aloooong Way!as Far As Hertz Goes, I Won`t Go There.******

I tried to use one of my 6 remaining "free weekends" next week at the Savannah, GA airport.
I was told that that weekend is blcked out as it is "golf weekend".
When isn't it "golf weekend" in Savannah/Hilton Head? Christmas week? or is that another special weekend?