xero9

Thanks for the tip!

Given that it's still priced at $550 (plus tax and what not) and my luxury rental keeps dropping in price (has dropped from $430 => $320 so far!), I'll keep the luxury rental and take my chances with what I get.. Come on K900!

IAHtraveler

Avis now has a slew of the new 2015 Ford Transit vans (replaced the Econoline vans). I didn't look at passenger capacity, but they've had these at all the stations I've visited in the past 2 weeks. DTW this week had 4 on the "exchange lot", LOL.

Just a head's up: most credit cards that offer coverage on vehicles do NOT cover full size vans (or vehicles that seat over 8-9 passengers) so if you rent one of these, be sure you have the necessary coverage.

Lastly: Not specific to Avis, but I'll post here anyway as a public service announcement: AmEx does NOT cover full size SUVs on their standard auto rental insurance! They specifically exclude Suburbans and other similar vehicles. I've been driving "uninsured" many times on these recently. Oops!

AussieCR

Very true, not only for AmEx but also MC (not sure Visa) - MC also don't cover any rental vehicle with a sticker price over $50,000. Whilst there are not many cars in the Avis fleet with a sticker price above this there are a few so if you do opt for a great deal on an upgrade ensure your insured one way or the other.

Ralph Lee Kuok En

Greetings from Singapore!

I am going on a roadtrip covering 20 states from May - Jun 2015 (1 month). Looking to rent a luxury car, i.e. 328i, Cadillac CTS etc. from JFK airport.

Looking to book a Premium and going there on site to haggle a little bit. Is it likely that I will be getting a better rate haggling then, or to book a guaranteed vehicle?

Appreciate if somebody could also share some discount codes for a month-long rental. I am a AAA member, and am currently using the generic code B9000000.

How is the season like in May 2015? Would i be expecting lots of cars to select from on site or would it be difficult, i.e. peak season? Are the vehicles able to travel out of state, as long as i return to the renting location?

Lastly, any recommended vehicles to hire for a roadtrip? Looking for a fair mix of power + comfort since we're averaging 7 hours drive a day, covering 6500 miles in a month.

Looking forward to fellow members' inputs. Thanks a lot.

bhomburg

If you want a full lot with lots of choices, avoid picking up vehicles on weekends at NY locations, specifically Friday and Saturday. Lots of New Yorkers do not own cars and use rentals for weekend getaways.

The quintessential American Way of driving would be taking this roadtrip not in a car but in a (premium) SUV. You sit high and all passengers enjoy a commanding view and generous space. I just did 1,100 miles in a day out of Miami in a well-appointed Jeep Grand Cherokee and the thing just ate up the miles... Also, if you plan to go out West, the all-wheel drive and higher ground clearance will let you explore unpaved but scenic routes like the loop drive around Monument Valley that are off-limits to ordinary cars.
Avis will let you drive its cars anywhere in the US (lower 48). You may even take them into Canada.

I'd recommend going through one of the European sites and getting a package that includes insurance. The AWD in this post in the 'discount coupon' thread give consistently good prices which include all the insurance.
Be sure to compare prices across avis.de, avis.fr and www.avisautonoleggio.it - they can differ markedly... I found avis.de to usually give the best rates for New York rentals.

zerem

The last time I visited the US I had booked a full-size and got upgraded to a Mustang. The discount code I had used included insurance, but later when read the fine-print on the rental slip I noted that the insurance had been removed! Was that because I was upgraded to a specialty car?

I didn't read all the fine-print when I signed for the car, but can they really just remove the insurance without telling?

Luckily nothing happened though...

Foxtbh

What class did you rent to get that?

duttzi

Do someone have recent sighting of what cars Avis (and Budget) at Newark (EWR) is offering in the Standard SUV/Class W?

wrightflyerB

Interesting. I'll have to remember that when I rent next time for work. Both the full-size vans and SUV situation with AmEx.

Erkan Bu

Hello from Germany,

who can tell me what convertibles are available at Orlando Airport?
If they have Mustangs, will it be the brand new model that came on the market end of 2014, or is it still the predecessor?

Thank you very much!
erbu

wierdo

Got a low-spec Maxima (sunroof, but no Tech Package) last week as a Premium at the Coral Springs, FL neighborhood location. The reservation was for full size and I used an upgrade coupon. Sadly, it needed an oil change so this week I'm stuck with a Kia Optima, despite the upgrade coupon (and Avis First).

Now to figure out what to say to get them to swap it for something that doesn't suck. The Optima's handling is poor and the brakes are soft, despite it having only 5,500 miles on the clock. I much preferred the 35,000 mile 2014 Maxima. Anyone know if it's possible to switch out the coupon on the reservation so I can use a $ off instead?

hafamaca

Heading to DTW next month for a long weekend. I'm wondering what Luxury cars they have these days... Avis still using the "new" Q70 (M37)? Right now I have a Luxury booking as it was 3.5x's cheaper than their listed Speciality cars. Plus their usual Specialties/Signatures are lacking these days, I don't know if Detroit was allotted a Ghibli or E350... DTW has a 740 they like to hide in the back corner . If recent renters have any insight..

mandres

Hey guys, I have to rent a car next week in MCO. Does anybody know what avis offers for standard suv and luxury car types? I know there is a list on the first page but maybe someone can help me out with an updated car list in MCO.

mandres

AMEX does cover rental vehicles with a sticker price over $50,000. It's called premium card rental protection. It's $24.95 per rental, it covers up to $100,000. Way cheaper than the insurance that car rental companies offer.

lskohn

Whoa! I guess I've just been getting automatic upgrades (or the old-body Impalas) all this time, but I was just given a Malibu as a "full size" car...and then discovered that the Impala is now "premium". Boo. Sic transit the "soccer mom car" of the rental fleet...