BA Holidays now offering Budget as well as Avis(?)
Feb 3, 2019, 4:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BAEC Gold, LH M&M Member
Posts: 2,705
BA Holidays now offering Budget as well as Avis(?)
I’m not sure if this is new (and I know that underneath they’re the same company, anyway) but I was just looking at a booking and noticed some cars being offered are branded as “Budget” and some are “Avis”.
Something to look out for if you’re trying to get or maintain status on Avis Preferred programme (Budget rentals don’t qualify, iirc).
There doesn’t seem to be much difference in prices, either - I assume there is a difference in booking conditions/extras included or charged.
Something to look out for if you’re trying to get or maintain status on Avis Preferred programme (Budget rentals don’t qualify, iirc).
There doesn’t seem to be much difference in prices, either - I assume there is a difference in booking conditions/extras included or charged.
Feb 3, 2019, 8:30 am
#4
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,094
Feb 3, 2019, 8:39 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: MME (midway between NCL and LBA)
Programs: BA Gold, AF/KL Gold, Hilton Gold, Nordic Choice Gold
Posts: 743
Something is changing, yesterday I noticed that Avis and British Airways now redirects to www.carhire-ba.com
Unfortunately prices are still higher than buying directly from avis.com
Unfortunately prices are still higher than buying directly from avis.com
Feb 3, 2019, 8:49 am
#6
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,094
Something is changing, yesterday I noticed that Avis and British Airways now redirects to www.carhire-ba.com
Unfortunately prices are still higher than buying directly from avis.com
Unfortunately prices are still higher than buying directly from avis.com
Feb 3, 2019, 9:06 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
Damn - I've fallen into this trap! I thought it was always Avis and now have a Budget car reserved for two weeks time.
Edit: Cost me £50 to fix too (but worth it - I'm PC with Avis - so much more likely to get good upgrades)
Edit: Cost me £50 to fix too (but worth it - I'm PC with Avis - so much more likely to get good upgrades)
Last edited by MPH1980; Feb 3, 2019 at 9:14 am
Feb 7, 2019, 2:13 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 1,266
This caught me out last week in Dublin. I didn't even realise until I got to the (wrong) counter. No second driver, loads of paperwork as the Budget IT system is not compatible with Avis so my Preferred account was useless. The agent charged (not held, actually charged) 107 Euro to my CC for fuel, which was refunded on my return with a full tank. This was not part payment, not returning the car full would cost 107 Euro. Fortunately, exhange rate movements meant I made 71p on the refund. I was then sent to stand in the snow waiting for a bus transfer to the car park 10 minutes drive away.
Worse of all was the car. A 3 year old Astra with 70,000 km and more damage than the Titanic. The damage check sheet looked like someone had taken a hammer to the car. I commented on this to the agent and suggested that it was impossible to list all the damage on a small diagram and he just shrugged and said "what do you expect from a rental car".
Once bitten, twice shy but if that is the Budget standard, all I can say is they got the name of the company spot on.
Worse of all was the car. A 3 year old Astra with 70,000 km and more damage than the Titanic. The damage check sheet looked like someone had taken a hammer to the car. I commented on this to the agent and suggested that it was impossible to list all the damage on a small diagram and he just shrugged and said "what do you expect from a rental car".
Once bitten, twice shy but if that is the Budget standard, all I can say is they got the name of the company spot on.
Feb 7, 2019, 5:27 am
#12
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Blue, EI Silver, Honours Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,209
Avis Preferred at Dublin is particularly handy. You avoid the tour of Swords on the shuttle bus. My last rental was ready in the Multi-Story. I was out and on the road within 15 minutes of doors opening. I was impressed. Cars in Ireland are rarely better than nice. They tend to be low or mid-spec models by UK standards.
Feb 7, 2019, 5:37 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold, LH SEN , A3*G & others less exciting that don't fit in my wallet
Posts: 1,657
Just looking now and for Dublin it's offering both Avis and Budget options ( relatively clearly labelled ) .. seems to default to Avis and there seems to be no price difference that I can see ( Avis charging the same for a compact as Budget though slightly different alleged model offered ) .. there's a checkbox on the left hand side which allows you to filter only Avis or Budget if you wish ... Definitely agree going with Avis is better in DUB than Budget ( though I wish they'd allow officially for you to drop the car back in the multi storey car park too .. in theory you're not supposed to when the depot off airport is open )
Feb 7, 2019, 7:20 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
Just checked my voucher for next week in the USA, and relieved to confirm it’s Avis.
I shall watch out for Budget appearing in future Flight+Car!
I shall watch out for Budget appearing in future Flight+Car!
Feb 7, 2019, 8:06 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
The other telltale sign is during check out - it won't ask for the Avis Preferred number.