Upgrading Avis car booked through BA Holidays?
Aug 13, 2018, 3:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 690
Upgrading Avis car booked through BA Holidays?
We booked a BA Holiday and the best Avis car they offered was not at the category we would have liked; assume it is possible to upgrade at the desk (subject to availability) but just wanted to check in case there is any weird BA Holidays restrictions on this?
Can I upgrade beforehand by calling Avis directly?
Any tips for making the process as smooth as possible; we usually use Sixt so I have no experience with Avis - e.g. should I join "preferred" etc. - might that help?
Thanks!
Can I upgrade beforehand by calling Avis directly?
Any tips for making the process as smooth as possible; we usually use Sixt so I have no experience with Avis - e.g. should I join "preferred" etc. - might that help?
Thanks!
Aug 13, 2018, 3:36 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Onyx Platinum
Posts: 154
Upgrading at destination often works out cheaper and you are paying in local currency too. Each depot seems to be a profit centre or a franchise in my experience and will negotiate. Join Avis Preferred at no cost as it often has a desk with a shorter queue.
Aug 13, 2018, 4:11 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,640
I think YMMV on this. As one data point I have been at the INV office when they have been struggling for sufficient vehicles and any changes were being done by calculating the walk-up rate for what was being asked for and then subtracting the value of the voucher, with customer paying the differrence. This obviously didn’t lead to a particularly attractive rate for the customer.
From my own (limited) personal experience I would be more confident in relying on your approach for a USA destination than a UK one.
It sounds like you have already booked this, but if not I would have suggested giving BA holidays a call and seeing if they could help you that way, if you haven’t already. I’ve always found the agents to be helpful and there are things they can do that the website can’t.
From my own (limited) personal experience I would be more confident in relying on your approach for a USA destination than a UK one.
It sounds like you have already booked this, but if not I would have suggested giving BA holidays a call and seeing if they could help you that way, if you haven’t already. I’ve always found the agents to be helpful and there are things they can do that the website can’t.
Aug 13, 2018, 4:25 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BAEC (Silver), IHG (Plat Elite)
Posts: 541
Avis Preferred ? no queue what so ever, walk straight to the parking garage, my name and parking space displayed on the board, keys in igintion and drive off immediately.
Preferred is a complete no brainer !
Aug 13, 2018, 4:44 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,599
Aug 13, 2018, 4:51 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Here, there and everywhere
Programs: BA Silver, SAS EB Silver, Hilton Honors Diamond, Starwood Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 132
I joined Preferred recently before a BA booked car rental.
The guys at the Avis desk couldn’t have been nicer. When I asked about upgrading to a specific model that my wife had been considering buying, they were happy to oblige - even though it was 10 groups up! The cost - £0... they waived it as it was my first Preferred rental. I hope you have the same good fortune :-)
The guys at the Avis desk couldn’t have been nicer. When I asked about upgrading to a specific model that my wife had been considering buying, they were happy to oblige - even though it was 10 groups up! The cost - £0... they waived it as it was my first Preferred rental. I hope you have the same good fortune :-)
Aug 13, 2018, 5:00 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
Preferred is definitely an essential! As it's free, I'm surprised every Avis renter doesn't use it! 
My sole experience with Avis is in the USA (YMMV elsewhere) but i have occasionally ended up with a better vehicle than I booked [always SUV]. A recent PHX was a case of "Pick anything you like from Row J"
My sole experience with Avis is in the USA (YMMV elsewhere) but i have occasionally ended up with a better vehicle than I booked [always SUV]. A recent PHX was a case of "Pick anything you like from Row J"
Aug 13, 2018, 5:09 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Lemonia. Best Greek ever.
Posts: 2,274
1. Agree with above. Join Preferred. Makes pick up so much easier.
2. Try to get the change before you go. Some busy Avis hire places allocate the cars before you arrive. Trying to negotiate a change might require you to join a long queue/line.
2. Try to get the change before you go. Some busy Avis hire places allocate the cars before you arrive. Trying to negotiate a change might require you to join a long queue/line.
Aug 13, 2018, 5:49 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 176
In my experience, non-preferred customer led to a 90 minute queue, to be initially told my booked car was not available, try to sell upgrades and un-necessary additional insurance, only to magically "find" my original car. Awful experience.
Avis Preferred ? no queue what so ever, walk straight to the parking garage, my name and parking space displayed on the board, keys in igintion and drive off immediately.
Preferred is a complete no brainer !
Avis Preferred ? no queue what so ever, walk straight to the parking garage, my name and parking space displayed on the board, keys in igintion and drive off immediately.
Preferred is a complete no brainer !
Aug 13, 2018, 6:10 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,387
With Avis Preferred, even if you have to go to the desk, there is usually a 'fast lane' which jumps the queue or is at least a shorter one. It's free so there's no reason not to have it.
If the car upgrade is essential, then I would talk to BA Holidays to try to book in advance.
However, my experience is that I have often been offered a choice of cars including higher groups for no extra payment on arrival. Not sure if the Preferred card helps with that.
If the car upgrade is essential, then I would talk to BA Holidays to try to book in advance.
However, my experience is that I have often been offered a choice of cars including higher groups for no extra payment on arrival. Not sure if the Preferred card helps with that.
Aug 13, 2018, 8:14 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,683
I booked a car through BA-Avis and wanted a better one. Whilst I could see the reservation in the Avis app I decided to return to BA, who offered me exactly the same price as the Avis app. In my limited experience upgrading before you go is always better than asking at the desk, but that's just me, and entirely based around USA rentals. Another vote for preferred, you get to skip all the upsell rubbish and queues, and the 'mistake' where something you didn't want was added. One last point, what you rent and what you get, don't get too focused on it, it's very unlikely you get the mentioned car, the or similar is much more likely.
In the Avis thread here on FT there's a great Wiki and what's in each group, so at least you can have a shot at arguing if you think the 'or similar' lacks similar......
In the Avis thread here on FT there's a great Wiki and what's in each group, so at least you can have a shot at arguing if you think the 'or similar' lacks similar......
Aug 13, 2018, 8:37 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Onyx Platinum
Posts: 154
And don't forget you will usually get the 'or similar'. This means it will have 4 wheels and a windscreen. Every September we go to Italy. I always order an Alfa Romeo for the experience either through Avis direct or BA whichever has the best deal. One day this may come good but we just laugh about it now!
Aug 13, 2018, 8:51 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,599