OT: Avis Preferred
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: East Berlin
Posts: 1,468
OT: Avis Preferred
Does anyone have any experience of claiming the £20 under the Avis Preferred 3 minute promise?
The Avis website states:
I rocked up at NCL the other week, having booked a car through avisba.com. I'd entered both my BAEC and Avis Preferred numbers on the booking. I also have my credit card and driving licence details stored on my Avis Preferred account.
At the counter they had trouble locating my booking. In addition, they wanted to see a credit card and another form of ID (other than my driving licence). Then there was some paperwork to sign etc. before I finally managed to get my hands on the keys.
I don't mind queuing or waiting while my booking is processed, and I understand that Avis are not perfect, but I was a bit miffed at having to root around and dig everything out given that I remembered this:
I asked the reason why I'd had to show everything when all my details were already on record and the CS agent said that 'sometimes the computers don't talk to one and another'. Next time, however, I aim to follow their own advice:
Except, I don't think they'd appreciate you standing there with a stopwatch...
Palmer
The Avis website states:
* Pre-prepared paperwork
* Priority Avis Preferred counters
* No signature required, just show your driving licence
* Cars parked in the most convenient spaces
* Our 3 Minute Promise - get your keys in under 3 minutes or we’ll give you £20
* Priority Avis Preferred counters
* No signature required, just show your driving licence
* Cars parked in the most convenient spaces
* Our 3 Minute Promise - get your keys in under 3 minutes or we’ll give you £20
At the counter they had trouble locating my booking. In addition, they wanted to see a credit card and another form of ID (other than my driving licence). Then there was some paperwork to sign etc. before I finally managed to get my hands on the keys.
I don't mind queuing or waiting while my booking is processed, and I understand that Avis are not perfect, but I was a bit miffed at having to root around and dig everything out given that I remembered this:
# No need to repeat your details at the rental station
How the Avis Preferred 3 minute promise works.
* Get ticket from machine or start stopwatch and go to counter
* Get keys and rental agreement in under 3 minutes
* Or get £20 if you don't
That’s all there is to it, it's that simple!
* Get ticket from machine or start stopwatch and go to counter
* Get keys and rental agreement in under 3 minutes
* Or get £20 if you don't
That’s all there is to it, it's that simple!
Palmer
#2
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: BA Gold, AZAL Gold, TK Elite, KC Nomad Club Blue
Posts: 353
Why not? At Heathrow they actually provide the stopwatches! There's a tray of them for you waiting as you arrive at the Preferred desk.
I've never had to claim myself, but was standing next to a chap a few weeks ago who said he had claimed about 15 vouchers and couldn't get round to using them (I think they are high street vouchers with a minimum spend requirement).
#4
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12
I've had the vouchers a couple of times, they were John Lewis vouchers and came by post a few days later.
I didn't use the stopwatch thing, as it was so obvious when the car was late. If the rental is done quickly, I wouldn't ask, whether it was 3 or 4 mins - but in these cases, they didn't have the car ready and so there was no discussion about the voucher.
I've been happy renting with them and continue to do so for all my personal car hire.
I didn't use the stopwatch thing, as it was so obvious when the car was late. If the rental is done quickly, I wouldn't ask, whether it was 3 or 4 mins - but in these cases, they didn't have the car ready and so there was no discussion about the voucher.
I've been happy renting with them and continue to do so for all my personal car hire.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: TLV/LHR
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,742
www.wetryharder.co.uk
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,887

#11
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Earth
Programs: Proud owner of 3 Mucci's (yes, 3!) the latest being Chevaliere des Bains Chauds, BA Silver (6 yrs)
Posts: 10,985
Well I waited well over 3 minutes for my car overseas recently.
BUT, as they gave me a special rate saving me over £100 then I think it'd be mean to claim £20 for the car not being ready!
BUT, as they gave me a special rate saving me over £100 then I think it'd be mean to claim £20 for the car not being ready!
#12
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 273
It's an advertised guarantee, and they've let you down - they want to make it up to you!
#13
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,022
Rules are rules and if you returned the car back 60 minutes late they would charge you so go ahead and claim.
Oddest comment I have seen in ages!!!