I was very surprised to get this e-mail. I thought earlier in the year, there was an e-mail about upcoming ehnancements

Even though this does not affect me much (our corporate rate does not earn miles, therefore qualifying for the free weekend - and I have more than I can use), I am still surprised at how they did this - all negative without giving the customer anything in exchange.

The strange thing is didn't they get this backwards? We are required to rent from Avis and we don't get miles on our corporate rate. So, we are locked to them but still get the free weekends under the new rule. Why would Avis give us the free weekends and screw those who are NOT locked into Avis (i.e. no corporate contract and/or still can get miles)?

What I conclude is:

1 - the company is in big trouble and looking for big cuts - doing this so late in the year during the holidays...strange
2 - the management does not care about its loyal customers

What I think they need to do in exhcnage would be:

1 - coupons should be good in conjunction with rentals that do not start/end during the weekend - combinable with a work trip, for example
2 - no need to pickup/return at the same location if it is the same city (i.e. pickup downtown, return at airport allowed)
3 - longer expiration
4 - no 8 per year maximum

If they care, that is

I personally don't use the coupons that much - travel enough to want to just stay home on weekends. Judging from the uproar here (and the fact they are doing it), I guess the coupons are used enough?

Also, I guess you still qualify for Avis First, you just don't get the free weekends under the new rules?

Avis is about to go bankrupt, too much debt not enough equity. It is reflected in their stock price and market cap. Hertz is in a much better position to survive this downturn, so if you want your benefits to remain intact, consider Hertz.

I wrote an email, wonder if they'll reply or call.

So you have to pay a mileage surcharge and then free rentals don't even count.....what a crock.

I stopped using Avis awhile ago. When they told me that my 4 day weekend rental wasnt a Qualified rental that counted towards Status since I used an Avis 1st free weekend 2 day coupon on it

Theres only 1 place I use Avis its Overseas cause they are the cheapest

Avis is a big Joke!

And the Avis FF program degrades to a position slightly closer to useless...

I agree. It became to difficult to figure out which rentals really counted toward Avis first, that I moved my business elsewhere.

Coupled with high prices, crappy unclean cars with high mileage, and declining customer service, it's no wonder they are in trouble.

At least with these kind of changes they appear to be in trouble.

I didn't even try to requalify for Avis First.

While I am disappointed that the Avis First program has degraded to the point of what is the program good for, I have had better luck renting from Avis than anyone else. I live very close to an off-airport site Avis and they are always very accomodating for my local rentals. Probably because I have developed a good relationship with the manager. The Avis preferred at Airport locations is always great because I almost always have the car I sign up for or an upgrade that I am happy with and I get dropped off at my car or it is waiting in a reserved spot for me. I generally find better prices with Avis than Hertz and I've had too many waits in long lines or bad experiences with other rental companies to consider anyone else.

Only one time (in Puerto Rico) did I have a problem with Avis and that was more to do with the branch location at SJU than anything else.

The Avis First program is what it is. Not much anymore. I thought it had a chance to provide some nice perks for those of us who rent frequently but are not in the Chairmans/Presidents club. While disappointing I will stick with Avis as long as they deliver on their promise and services for my rentals.

Looks like Ed French was fired from Marriott has been hired by Avis.

I find Avis First program was never that useful. Very sad program.

What angers me more than the changes to Avis First is the lack of response that I got from Avis. I had 37 rentals last year totaling 143 days. I spent approx $10K renting from Avis and never complained.

I wrote Avis First an email, and phoned customer service after the changes were announced and got ZERO response. That is what angers me. I may not be Avis' best customer, but sheesh - i would at least expect them to want me as a customer.

Happy Trails Avis

I wouldn't worry about not getting a response....here is my Q & A...

My Letter to CS

This is terrible. You just lost my future business. Take a look at flyertalk.com for more reaction to your enhancement to the program.

Please pass this along to Miss Bergeron.

Also, why is there no explanation to the changes? Economy, cost savings,
we need to upset our best customers,....what are the reasons?

If you are going to send back a canned response to these questions, do
not
bother.



RESPONSE FROM CS

"Thank you for contacting Avis' E-mail Customer Service Department Mr.
Goldarm,

My apologies for the delay in my response.

We are actively interested in and committed to providing the best all-around service for our customers. It is distressing to receive a report of this nature and to learn that you have found some aspect of our service to be less than satisfactory.

We do apologize that the new terms for Avis First Coupon accrual are not favorable. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause Mr.
goldarm.

If you have any further queries please let us know.

Kind Regards, "

The Avis reps I spoke with today seem as if they couldn't care less. Sure, Avis is Goliath, but I'll still do my best to avoid AvisBudget Group until they at least act like they care.

who needs the avis first weekend coupons anyway at least thru May

Alamo has the $10 a day Thur-Mon (must have Sat night) rentals anyway.. i'm booking these out thru labor day weekend

Avis will still get some of my business but I won't be requalifying for Avis 1st.. thats for sure, I surmise most people wont either once they get a whiff of the details

I got the same basic form letter reply:

Dear Mrs. McDaniel,

Thank you for contacting us through the Avis Website. We apologize for
the delay in responding to your inquiry.

Your feedback is kindly appreciated and will clearly be considered as we
develop future programs. Please accept our sincere apologies for not
meeting your expectations.

Please let us know if we may be of further service and thank you for
choosing Avis.


Regards,


Sonia Thompson
Avis E-Mail Customer Service Department
[email protected]
FAX: 918-621-4850
=========================================

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
Feedback/Question
Type:Frequent Flyer Program

Comments: This is ridiculous. I pay extra for the measly amount of miles
I get (Hertz gives 1 mile per dollar, I guess you don't know that), now
you take away my free weekends from the mileage earning rentals?

You can say goodbye to me, a First and Presidents member who rented 35
times (all luxury by the way) in 2008.

A phone call would be nice.