AVIS' Dirty Tricks [adding Wizard # causes rate change]
Apr 5, 2014, 4:38 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 23
AVIS' Dirty Tricks [adding Wizard # causes rate change]
Made a reservation with Avis for $700 2 months ago.
Yesterday after signing up for a Wizard Number, we call to link
this reservation to the MyAvis account .
No problem says the agent and I'll send you a confirmation email.
Email shows our reservation is now $1400
We made no changes to the car, dates, times, GPS ... nothing was
changed. Only adding the Wizard #.
I call back and the same guy transfers me to some rude customer
service agent who says 'well that's the way it works if you modify your
reservation. You get today's rate'.
Shouldn't your 'expert reservation agent' have told me this before
adding the wizard # ? She says 'well you should have known that was
a modification'
She says she will start a case number for me but I'll have to pay the $1400 and then they will refund me $700. Are you &*@(**_ kidding ? Trust them after that ?
I'll pay Hertz 2 grand before I give Avis 1 dollar
Avis is really shady !
Yesterday after signing up for a Wizard Number, we call to link
this reservation to the MyAvis account .
No problem says the agent and I'll send you a confirmation email.
Email shows our reservation is now $1400
We made no changes to the car, dates, times, GPS ... nothing was
changed. Only adding the Wizard #.
I call back and the same guy transfers me to some rude customer
service agent who says 'well that's the way it works if you modify your
reservation. You get today's rate'.
Shouldn't your 'expert reservation agent' have told me this before
adding the wizard # ? She says 'well you should have known that was
a modification'
She says she will start a case number for me but I'll have to pay the $1400 and then they will refund me $700. Are you &*@(**_ kidding ? Trust them after that ?
I'll pay Hertz 2 grand before I give Avis 1 dollar
Avis is really shady !
Last edited by jamgirl; Apr 5, 2014 at 5:03 am
Apr 5, 2014, 2:43 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: 90210
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 121
They are offering to credit you back the $700, i fail to see what the issue is. If you book a rate that differs from your preferred AWD(discount code) i wouldn't suggest adding it over the phone. When they modify it, your AWD linked with your preferred profile will override any other AWD associated with the reservation.
Most likely you can rebook the same reservation online with the original discount code.
Most likely you can rebook the same reservation online with the original discount code.
Apr 5, 2014, 2:51 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Solution looking for a problem. Hertz won't do it any differently. OP changed the reservation codes and got the new rate. Avis is crediting her for the old rate. Move in.
Last edited by Often1; Apr 5, 2014 at 4:14 pm
Apr 5, 2014, 4:00 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 23
How does adding a wizard # change the reservation code anymore than updating my phone # would or adding frequent flyer # to flight res ?
And shouldn't someone be informed of the new rate before the change is made ?
I'm just thankful it happened months before travel and not at the counter like apparently is happening to so many others (google search).
Poor customer service. Honor the rate now not have customer beg for refund later.
And shouldn't someone be informed of the new rate before the change is made ?
I'm just thankful it happened months before travel and not at the counter like apparently is happening to so many others (google search).
Poor customer service. Honor the rate now not have customer beg for refund later.
Last edited by jamgirl; Apr 5, 2014 at 4:12 pm
Apr 6, 2014, 8:33 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Have you verified you cannot book anything close to the $700 rate any more yourself ("pretending" to book from scratch the same way you did originally)? As was mentioned above, it could be rate changes over time, but it could also be a change of AWD. Does the reservation still show the same AWD that it did originally?
Anyway, rates can changes constantly, so be on the lookout. For all you know, it could go down to $600 sometime between now and when you travel. In many locations, I often find the rates go down a couple weeks before the travel date, though then go up even higher a few days before the travel date. So it can pay to check often.
You have your offer of $700 refund to fall back on if you keep the reservation as is, but be on the lookout of whether you could make a new reservation (with your Wizard number already plugged in) of similar value sometimes in the months you say you have left. (Then if you do, and only if you do, cancel the old reservation.)
Anyway, rates can changes constantly, so be on the lookout. For all you know, it could go down to $600 sometime between now and when you travel. In many locations, I often find the rates go down a couple weeks before the travel date, though then go up even higher a few days before the travel date. So it can pay to check often.
You have your offer of $700 refund to fall back on if you keep the reservation as is, but be on the lookout of whether you could make a new reservation (with your Wizard number already plugged in) of similar value sometimes in the months you say you have left. (Then if you do, and only if you do, cancel the old reservation.)
Apr 6, 2014, 4:22 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: 90210
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 121
How does adding a wizard # change the reservation code anymore than updating my phone # would or adding frequent flyer # to flight res ?
And shouldn't someone be informed of the new rate before the change is made ?
I'm just thankful it happened months before travel and not at the counter like apparently is happening to so many others (google search).
Poor customer service. Honor the rate now not have customer beg for refund later.
And shouldn't someone be informed of the new rate before the change is made ?
I'm just thankful it happened months before travel and not at the counter like apparently is happening to so many others (google search).
Poor customer service. Honor the rate now not have customer beg for refund later.
Your wizard number has a different discount code (AWD). That's is why the rate changed. You aren't begging for a refund, they have already promised you.
Apr 7, 2014, 6:39 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,546
I've stopped giving my business to Avis because of this. I often see a Great rate on the website, but as soon as I add my wizard number to the booking form the price goes up. It happens every time. I don't see how that is defensible.
Why would a non wizard customer be offered a better rate than is available to (previously) loyal customers?
Why would a non wizard customer be offered a better rate than is available to (previously) loyal customers?
Apr 7, 2014, 1:36 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: 90210
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 121
I've stopped giving my business to Avis because of this. I often see a Great rate on the website, but as soon as I add my wizard number to the booking form the price goes up. It happens every time. I don't see how that is defensible.
Why would a non wizard customer be offered a better rate than is available to (previously) loyal customers?
Why would a non wizard customer be offered a better rate than is available to (previously) loyal customers?
Rates are sometimes better based on affiliation (i.e Costco & AAA). Like many preferred customers you have your companies discount code, which are pre negotiated rates.
If you find a cheaper rate online, don't apply your wizard number until you get to the counter, they you won't run into your preferred AWD overriding your current AWD.
Apr 7, 2014, 3:00 pm
#11
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,033
Apr 7, 2014, 4:00 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, DL Plat, UA Silver
Posts: 4,043
I've been with every car company in the past 20 years, I've never had better service than Avis. Probably though is cause I got free status from Avis.
All the airport counter agents are really helpful. The worst car I would be to get today on a double upgrade from full size is a CTS. Sometimes I get BMW's though I only paid $29 per day.
Avis phone support is really helpful, calling them always gives you the better rate. What they have in there system is different from the online. They also help you play with discounts such as costco, etc.
I never had a charge issue with Avis. I messed up on a travel date, called in drop one date of the travel and no extra charges, same rates.
Obviously the OP is complaining because the rate went up. Rates always go up and down based on the time. Best examples are the holidays.
All the airport counter agents are really helpful. The worst car I would be to get today on a double upgrade from full size is a CTS. Sometimes I get BMW's though I only paid $29 per day.
Avis phone support is really helpful, calling them always gives you the better rate. What they have in there system is different from the online. They also help you play with discounts such as costco, etc.
I never had a charge issue with Avis. I messed up on a travel date, called in drop one date of the travel and no extra charges, same rates.
Obviously the OP is complaining because the rate went up. Rates always go up and down based on the time. Best examples are the holidays.
Apr 8, 2014, 12:15 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,546
"If you find a cheaper rate online, don't apply your wizard number until you get to the counter, they you won't run into your preferred AWD overriding your current AWD."
I've tried that, and that resulted in a higher rate on the car documents than on my reservation. I argued the case, and got the original rate, but it just leaves a bad taste in the mouth. It also adds a lot of time and hassle to the collection process, which is exactly what having a wizard number us supposed to remove.
I don't gave a corporate rate or code, I'm an individual who needs to rent a lot and pay my own bills.
I've tried that, and that resulted in a higher rate on the car documents than on my reservation. I argued the case, and got the original rate, but it just leaves a bad taste in the mouth. It also adds a lot of time and hassle to the collection process, which is exactly what having a wizard number us supposed to remove.
I don't gave a corporate rate or code, I'm an individual who needs to rent a lot and pay my own bills.
Apr 8, 2014, 4:19 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: 90210
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 121
I've tried that, and that resulted in a higher rate on the car documents than on my reservation. I argued the case, and got the original rate, but it just leaves a bad taste in the mouth. It also adds a lot of time and hassle to the collection process, which is exactly what having a wizard number us supposed to remove.
I don't gave a corporate rate or code, I'm an individual who needs to rent a lot and pay my own bills.
I don't gave a corporate rate or code, I'm an individual who needs to rent a lot and pay my own bills.
When you apply your wizard number at the time of pick up, just ensure the discount code matches your reservation.
In your case however i would remove the AWD in your profile, and not have a standard one linked. You won't run into anymore of your issues, as it looks like you book based on rate, which would mean different AWD numbers most of the time.
Last edited by sz2628; Apr 8, 2014 at 4:20 am Reason: too early to spell