What's the value in car rental elite status?

[mswindells]

Very interesting reading, thanks to all. I've always used economycarrentals (or similar) for overseas bookings, but realised I have AVIS Preferred through Amex Platinum. The prices seem to be the same for what I am looking at (USA in June this year). The only thing putting me off is what seems to be a large number of negative reviews of Avis online - is it a case of the noise around negative experiences being very loud vs however many number of positive experiences that people don't talk about?

If I was to use Avis, any little tricks I need to watch out for? Will be collecting in Seattle and dropping off at LAX. Is there any extra charges? (Note I have selected "include fees and taxes" on the app when comparing prices).

Interested in thoughts. Thanks.

 

[RooFlyer]

The only thing putting me off is what seems to be a large number of negative reviews of Avis online - is it a case of the noise around negative experiences being very loud vs however many number of positive experiences that people don't talk about?

I think you'll have to filter all the reviews for the location. As its a franchise, there can be a big difference in customer satisfaction depending on the particular location used. Airports I find tend to be more brusque and unhelpful than other locations.

If you find a couple of bad complaints in the past couple of months for one location, that'll be a red flag for me (given that many 'minor' hassles/problems won't make it to a review).

Just to add, notwithstanding you are an experienced renter , I usually take a written list (else I forget) of questions to ask at the counter (even if I'm 'Preferred' and can in theory walk straight to the car') about various issues I might encounter. Oh, another thing that's come in ?recently? is they send a link to photographs of the car for you to sign off on RATHER than encouraging you to inspect yourself.

 

[RooFlyer]

Is there any extra charges? (Note I have selected "include fees and taxes" on the app when comparing prices).

Missed this. Once, many years ago, I was hit with a substantial one-way fee when collecting an AVIS car in Frankfurt for delivery in Italy. I later learned that this was pretty normal, but there was absolutely no mention of it beforehand. If you are unsure, I'd call AVIS beforehand and ask.

 

[justinbrett]

Very interesting reading, thanks to all. I've always used economycarrentals (or similar) for overseas bookings, but realised I have AVIS Preferred through Amex Platinum. The prices seem to be the same for what I am looking at (USA in June this year). The only thing putting me off is what seems to be a large number of negative reviews of Avis online - is it a case of the noise around negative experiences being very loud vs however many number of positive experiences that people don't talk about?

If I was to use Avis, any little tricks I need to watch out for? Will be collecting in Seattle and dropping off at LAX. Is there any extra charges? (Note I have selected "include fees and taxes" on the app when comparing prices).

Interested in thoughts. Thanks.

I did a few one way Avis rentals in the US last year.

When you are looking at prices online, the price you get just prior to the payment prompt is the total price inclusive of all fees including one way fees. This assumes you don’t take our extra insurance.

As far as reviews go I can’t split the difference between Avis and Hertz, maybe Avis nudges slightly ahead because I find their website and app much more reliable than Hertz.

Below that is Budget and Thrifty which is the low cost arms of the former two, I don’t really notice much difference and would rent from any of the four if the price was right. I don’t tend to use any of the others.

 

[SYD]

I’ve did a few one way Avis rentals in the US last year.

I just completed 1 or 3 AVIS oneways in the US this trip and a couple more later in the year.

For oneways, they now build the fee into the daily rate, rather than a flat fee. So it pays to do the math on renting one car or multiple cars - especially if you’re stopping over and don’t need the car for a couple of days - which we’re doing at the moment.

One advantage of AVIS (and larger rentals) is availability of Downtown offices if you’re not collecting / returning to the airport.

My main bug with AVIS is the hassle of managing multiple AWDs. I have a Corp Business travel code and seperate Corp Leisure code. But you can only have one in your profile and it will overwrite anything you manually enter. Hertz let’s you have several and you can pick and choose the best for the type of rental.

 

[justinbrett]

My main bug with AVIS is the hassle of managing multiple AWDs. I have a Corp Business travel code and seperate Corp Leisure code. But you can only have one in your profile and it will overwrite anything you manually enter. Hertz let’s you have several and you can pick and choose the best for the type of rental.

On the flipside with Hertz, if you forget to add your rewards number in the initial booking, or make the booking through a third party site that doesn’t allow you to add your rewards number, it can’t be added later. You have to cancel and rebook.

Avis lets you add this to an existing booking.

 

[SYD]

On the flipside with Hertz, if you forget to add your rewards number in the initial booking, or make the booking through a third party site that doesn’t allow you to add your rewards number, it can’t be added later. You have to cancel and rebook.

Avis lets you add this to an existing booking.

With AVIS, I just plug in the FF acc that earns best for the country / region. Easy to do during/after booking or even at pickup.

I never really got my head around the Hertz rewards. It started after my company switched from Hertz to AVIS.

 

[mswindells]

I think you'll have to filter all the reviews for the location. As its a franchise, there can be a big difference in customer satisfaction depending on the particular location used. Airports I find tend to be more brusque and unhelpful than other locations.

Good point. I actually don't need to pick up from the Seattle Airport as I'll be there a week before I need the car, so will check other locations (although I've noticed the price seemed to be higher if I didn't select the Airport pickup).

Just to add, notwithstanding you are an experienced renter , I usually take a written list (else I forget) of questions to ask at the counter (even if I'm 'Preferred' and can in theory walk straight to the car') about various issues I might encounter. Oh, another thing that's come in ?recently? is they send a link to photographs of the car for you to sign off on RATHER than encouraging you to inspect yourself.

Definitely a reminder to still take my own photos.

I did a few one way Avis rentals in the US last year.

When you are looking at prices online, the price you get just prior to the payment prompt is the total price inclusive of all fees including one way fees. This assumes you don’t take our extra insurance.

Ok sounds good, thank you!

I just completed 1 or 3 AVIS oneways in the US this trip and a couple more later in the year.

For oneways, they now build the fee into the daily rate, rather than a flat fee. So it pays to do the math on renting one car or multiple cars - especially if you’re stopping over and don’t need the car for a couple of days - which we’re doing at the moment.

One advantage of AVIS (and larger rentals) is availability of Downtown offices if you’re not collecting / returning to the airport.

Thanks for this - I don't really have any days inbetween where I don't need the car, but will keep that in mind. Good to know it's built in! And as mentioned, I don't necessarily need to collect from the Airport so will explore other locations.

 

[RooFlyer]

(although I've noticed the price seemed to be higher if I didn't select the Airport pickup).

That's a bit surprising (as Airports are usually classified as a 'Premium location' (plus the airport concession fees)) but many variations on a theme I guess.

 

[justinbrett]

That's a bit surprising (as Airports are usually classified as a 'Premium location' (plus the airport concession fees)) but many variations on a theme I guess.

I've found that is not necessarily true in the US

Often the rates are cheaper at the airport vs downtown. This is especially true for LAS - last time I checked it was double the cost to rent from the strip. Makes sense to have a cheaper price from the location with the bulk of the cars and business - the cost of moving cars between the smaller locations where parking is an issue must add up.

I guess also in the US often the rental car facility is not within the terminal and requires a shuttle bus.

Also rates between downtown locations can vary, it's not a set price. Even in a place like Manhattan, an outlet 10 streets away could be a difference of $500 for a 2 week rental.

 

[SYD]

I've found that is not necessarily true in the US

Often the rates are cheaper at the airport vs downtown. This is especially true for LAS - last time I checked it was double the cost to rent from the strip. Makes sense to have a cheaper price from the location with the bulk of the cars and business - the cost of moving cars between the smaller locations where parking is an issue must add up.

I guess also in the US often the rental car facility is not within the terminal and requires a shuttle bus.

Also rates between downtown locations can vary, it's not a set price. Even in a place like Manhattan, an outlet 10 streets away could be a difference of $500 for a 2 week rental.

Airports are more likely to have a greater selection of cars and you’re less likely to get the “upgrade” you didn’t really want. Plus they have better operating hours.

2 of 3 rentals on this current trip - PDX to SEA (same day pickup/return). Booked a mid-size car. First car was a 2 door convertible Camero - which could have been fun but the trunk had room for two laptop bags…(we had two large suitcases also….). 2nd car was a Honda Passport (I had no idea what that was but in Oz you might need a truck licence). Ironically, an SUV would have good on the first rental - there were random snow forecasts and requirements to carry chains or traction tyres!).

Anyway, so we drive off in the “truck” commenting that you’d never do that in Europe. All was fine until I tried to return it to a downtown AVIS office in SEA. THE narrowest driveways, ramps and parking bays I’ve ever seen in the US. I arrived 5 mins before office closing time, but took 10 mins to get the thing up four levels and into a bay…. Fortunately the office was still open…

 

[Flashback]

Short and simple answer here - don't bother really. If you can match it from another status you have then take that route etc. Be aware of the difference too between corporate vs franchise locations. Most of the franchise ones end up scamming you to some degree (like my experience picking up from Hertz in Jerusalem yesterday...).

Autoslash is a great way to book cars too; will keep checking for lower prices etc. but several times they've saved me 100's of $$$ on car rentals.

 

[mswindells]

Thanks to all that responded to me, I've now booked through AVIS preferred for pickup Seattle, drop off LAX so will see how it goes!