Avis First Changes
 

Just got the following email from Avis:

This is absolutely ridiculous. Nice way of alienating your more valuable customer segment, Avis.... :mad:

Yep, that's it. No more Avis for me.

Why not just end the Avis First program? This stinks.

I didn't get half the miles I thought I was going to get because of the BA elimation of miles on corporate rates.

Just got the same email. You beat me to the bunch on posting it. TERRIBLE!!!! :td::td::td:

One of the best parts about earning the free rentals was the ability to earn points/miles as well.

I just got the same e-mail, and came here to post it. :)

I've already sent back a response stating that the Avis First program and the generous AA FF bonuses (750 miles on a 4+ day rental) were why they received a lot of business from me last year. Guess it's time to re-evaluate...

So what reason is there to be First? Upgrades are to vans or mega SUVs. I never used these, but still liked knowing I got something.

Yep, lets see, an almost useless program (I have trouble using the weekend certificates - I have at least 10 that have expired...but have used some.) getting even more useless. I have no reason to continue to use Avis. I can get my frequent flyer credit from most providers so may as well choose the cheapest. The only reason I used them for my local rentals was that I was still getting the weekend certificates.

What a joke on their program. Combine this with the fact that their cars are getting higher and higher mileage...not much use in keeping them! (I actually got a rental in CRP with 41000+ miles!)

I agree with everyone that this is ridiculous! What little incentive I had to try to re-qualify for the 1st Program is gone now.... And I can start putting my National Emerald Executive status to use. Looks like a win-win for me, but not Avis :td:

CLG

Anyone have Ms. Bergeron (the director of Avis First) work email address?

This is horrible...
 

I just came to post my email, like a lot of others obviously... What a joke. Those cars are sitting there on weekends anyway because non business travelers will not pay the rates Avis charges. I replied to my email because I had nothing to vent to, maybe it will get to Sarah.

Sarah is on Linkedin. I tried to "add her to my network" to get her email address.... I can get FF points anywhere, but I couldn't get both. So, my only choice now is to go with the cheapest provider.

Thanks for the kick in the crotch Avis!

I too just got the letter and had the same reaction. The first is understandable to a degree. Basically the economy is hurting them.

The second one is not understandable as they charge for the FF benefits. So dont understand this even if the 50 cents doesn't cover the miles.

Couple these changes with the fact that my usually week reservation in California is $100 more and I think I may now have reason to start looking.

At least they didn't insult our intelligence by calling it an "enhancement" ;) ... seriously though, this does suck big time :td:

Ridiculous. I will quit over this one.

Bye, Avis!
 

That sure ends it for me with Avis. And don't they charge you a frequent flyer fee for obtaining miles wth your rental? They have just made their entire program worthless.

I think everyone has learned from the mistakes err "enhancements" at USAirways!

I rent in Hawai'i frequently - and spend about 100 days a year in an Avis car, if not more - but that's because Avis doesn't overbook as much as other rentals (I've sat for *2 hours* waiting for my car @ Alamo), and the Preferred service has always been nice to me (I even returned a car to HNL with 3/4 tank of gas and didn't get dinged).

However, my first reaction to the AvisFirst change was "ah, AvisLAST..." . I'd rather have a few restrictions on my weekend rental than to have it taken away like that.... such as base it on the # of days you rent now, i dunno.

*** SIGH ***

Typical Avis.

Worthless company.
Worthless service.
Worthless cars.
Worthless frequent renter program.

Easily the bottom of the barrel as rental companies go.

Points an insult
 

The number of points I get from Avis is paltry. I just went to their site to see how I can stop getting them, but I can't find it.

I actually use my weekends to visit my daughter at school so it is helpful to have the rentals, but this is very short sighted of Avis.

This absolutely blows. This is my first year as an Avis First, and it will be my last.

Delta and Avis run huge promos for miles; I've probably amassed 50,000 miles this year alone. I think I am going to attack this through Delta as well as complaining to Avis, as it seems they want to attack their corporate partners, not just the renters, by insisting that no frequent flyer miles be accrued.

I was just starting to think that Avis cared about me after having gotten decent upgrades my last several rentals, but now I'm bummed. My corporate rate doesn't provide FF miles as part of the contract, so I wonder if that means Avis will double-ding me (no miles per contract, and no free weekend credit because I otherwise would have gotten miles). Also count me among those with many expired weekends. I might use one as a local run-around car if only they had a semi-close location. Hertz is only a mile away from my house!

Sooo glad I switched over to Hertz Platinum from Avis CHM. Eat it Avis.

Avis draws another blunder
 

I have been an avis renter for 15 years and they continually peeesss my off. This is another example of how they care less about the frequent renters. They think the coporate contracts ties us in, NO WAY. I moved 25+ rentals a year to National. I only rent from AVIS when they have a blow out deal, with my 20 rentals a year with them I still seem to always have a car that is at the end of the parking lot and has 30k miles on it. Looks like more exec elite from national for me.....

Boo Avis- Man, I didn't think they could suck any worse, but they have hit a new low. Unfortunately, the only other rental company through my company is Enterprise, so I have to pick the lesser of two evils.

Ha! And I was actually hoping we would go back to iTunes certificates instead of the worthless e-music. Anyone have the status match number for Hertz?

Can someone outline the basics of the Hertz program. 1 point per dollar, and 500 points per weekend day doesn't sound great. Plus, why does hertz.com show 2000 points for a free weekend rental when free weekend days are 500 points?

I realize I can learn more at that forum, but was hoping someone could give a quick primer for those of us seriously thinking of the switch.

Ladies/Gents: you know the rule---WRITE EM NOW
 

These "enhancements" never get rescinded unless the affected parties start to write in and complain. Writing here is not enough. My suggestion: here you go, from their website---

Ronald L. Nelson, Chairman and CEO
F. Robert Salerno, President and COO
David B. Wyshner, Chief Financial Officer
Larry De Shon, Executive VP, Operations
Scott Deaver, Executive VP, Strategy

Becky Alseth, Senior VP, Marketing
Avis Budget Group, Inc.
6 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, NJ 07054
(973) 496-3500

My letter's already in....
If they don't want my business, they couldn't have said so better than effectively yanking what benefits I got from them. AND there'll be no more gas-charge screwups to boot--- I'm sick of arguing with them over their <75 mile policy, when I always refuel the tank. No, goodbye to Avis won't be a full heartbreaker.

Agree this bites the big one. It was already very hard to use the weekend coupons, what with agents not understanding them, blackouts, no use on one way rentals etc.

I must use Avis for work rentals but will now go with the cheapest for personal rentals, no value in retaining Avis Last status.

just got my notice

I switched over from Budget sometime late winter/early spring this past year (08) and was happy with the program/promos

Unfortunately for me my choice for work which is the bulk of my rentals is either Avis or budget and Budget already burned their bridges with me and there is no going back

What I'll have to do is rethink a strategy

I can give up the miles which are pretty much useless anyway unless its one of those 5K promos DL was using then I'll take those over Avis wkd credit anyday.. every four I can see.. and its not biggie to me as I'll still earn more than I can use anyway.

I will say on personal rentals though, it will most likely be price based and I'll use almost any company rather than steering my stuff to Avis

:td::td::td::td::td::mad:

Did some executives from US Air migrated to Avis and took their hare-brain ideas with them? Let's just do some quick math:

Assuming 4 weekly rentals, which equates to 500 miles for most programs:

at 1.5c per mile (and they probably pay less): 500 x 1.5c x 4 = $30

is $30 really worth it to lose one of your most loyal customers in the long run?

Based on the reaction here, I think they would have done better to cancel AvisFirst than to dillute it. I can't imagine it being worse!

Gee, thanks Avis. While I can't promise I'll be switching my preferred car rental provider, I will be carefully weighing my options from here on in.

No more Avis for me in 2009. Have been considering using Hertz as my preferred. This so-called "enhancement" makes my decision even easier to make. Happy New Year Avis (without my business)!!!

I'm much more interested in AVIS surviving as a company and being able to rent at current rates thru 2009. Losing the weekend rentals mean close to nothing. CAR is the stock symbol.....check it out.

Not a stock symbol I keep track of usually....yikes!

I'm confused... What exactly does the Frequent Flyer Surcharge pay for, if its not the miles? What is AVIS losing? That charge must not cover the full cost of posting miles?

In 2007 I rented from Avis 68 times. In 2008 I rented from Avis 72 times.

With this change to Avis First I plan to switch my preferred rental car company to someone else.

Predicted 2009 rentals from Avis: 0.

I hope things work out for Avis and I wish them the best.

No more Avis! Hertz or National for me.

hedoman - I hear you. However, I suggest that the way for Avis to survive and offer competitive rates is partly through the retention of its most loyal, (and likely most profitable) renting population. If their survival predicates a change to their business model, then as a consumer I get to decide if I want to buy that model. The overwhelming response on this board is that if these changes are indicative of the survival business model, then their core purchasers don't want it.

Competition
 

Is there a website or a board that compares the programs? I've been loyal to Avis and love the free weekends for weekend trips on the midwest, but I am seriously considering a change for cheaper rates. I've been with Hertz's program in the past, but wasn't that happy with the benefits that came from that either.

Thanks for your help!

That's exactly what I'm probing for in my question above (and below). Anyone have the quick and dirty on Hertz?

Oooo... but now as an AvisLAST member, you can get a weekend *compact* rental for only ::: drumroll ::: $49!!! ****

Just read the fine print

****You must bend over and accept what we give u in your behind. Upgrades are not allowed, what do you think we are, a charity? Please note your car is not guaranteed, but your rate is. Your car may not be available until midnight saturday, at our discretion. AvisFirst members do not get free upgrades, frequent flyer miles, and you must purchase the CDW to get this FANTASTIC $49 weekend rate. In the event of a lot oversell, we may downgrade you to Uber-Compact-Smaller-than-Daewoo at our discretion. Whining about the size of your car doesn't matter.