"Free" Weekends
 

Here we go again.
I attempted to reserve one of my "free" weekends again at the Savannah airport. Last time I was told it was a "spring golf weekend" and the free weekend certificate was not valid for that weekend.
This time I tried to reserve a weekend to visit my son in Savannah in mid October. Again the certificate was refused. When I called Avis, I was told that Oct. 1-31 was "golf month" at this location and they were not accepting the certificates.

I wrote a letter today to the president of Avis, asking him if he knew how valueless these "Avis incentive" programs to their loyal (100+ rental days/year) customers if they can't use them when they want.
Before I was forced to switch to Avis by our corporate travel policy, I used the "other" major rental car company and recieved free rental day coupons all the time, along with points that let me reserve a week or more at no cost as a loyal customer. I never had a problem with blackout days or locations that refused to accept their corporations programs. Wonder if I'll get a response?

I agree with the problem of the capricious blackout periods. Ski season. Golf season. Summer (six weeks nationally). I could understand a special event during a week or weekend, but these long blackouts are not customer freindly.

For perspective and dramatic comparison, I was able to use my Hertz #1 points on a three day rental (off-peak points, no less) in Indianapolis the weekend of the Indy 500. And the #1 points aren't limited to weekends, certain car classes and don't expire in six months.

While I appreciate that Avis has attempted to deliver a "loyalty" program, it still needs a lot of work to be competitive and meaningful.

While I agree that the program is not as good as Hertz, I have had no problems redeeming my Avis free weekends on at least 6 occasions. I have never been denied using it. I usually use them on weekends to get away from Denver, but I have also used one in Vegas on Labor Day weekend and I have one booked in DSM for next week. If I keep it under 48 hours it has always been totally free (no taxes). Are you reserving through the Avis First number?

I could choose to use Hertz but frequently the rates are $5-10 a day higher, and I try to be responsible with the company's money. Budget usually has rates $2-4 a day lower but I always have bad luck returning their cars (long lines, limited hours, no receipts).