Avis Questions

[PrincessMe]

Our rental car is through Avis this trip and I have a few questions. Sorry this is so long.

First, any experiences with tolls/transponders? I think we would prefer to just pay cash unless using the transponder would save us significant time. Recommendations? Suggestions on how to make sure we don't get charged by Avis if we do pay tolls directly?

Second, we paid for the car with BA Avios miles so I can't use my preferred membership number. Are the lines in the terminal likely to be long (10 am on Saturday)? Has anyone had any problems with extra charges/upselling when paying with miles?

Any problems adding a free extra driver (opposite sex domestic partner - same address on drivers licenses)?

Finally, a CDW question. My Avios voucher says CDW is included but the Avis website says I waived it. Customer service for both British Airways and Avis said to take this up with the desk agent. It's not that big of a deal since my US auto insurance covers rental cars but I would like the benefit since it was supposedly paid for with the miles. Any suggestions?

Thanks for any thoughts on all of this - the rental car is somehow freaking me out.

 

[OKW Lover]

We use Avis very frequently at MCO.

For the tolls - you can easily just pay the tolls yourself or you can use the Avis toll service. When we do it ourselves we make sure to request a receipt at each toll booth. There usually isn't too bad a backup at the manned toll booths so you don't lose a lot of time. Keep in mind that if you use Avis' transponder even once during the rental period you'll be charged the transponder fee (above the actual tolls) as though you used it the entire rental period. I don't know what the current fee for that is, but its something like $15/week.

Don't know why you couldn't add your Avis number to the rental even if its done with frequent flier miles. Do you have a reservation number? If so just have them add your Avis number to it. We have Avis Preferred so we go directly to the garage at MCO and our name is on a board showing what space number our car is in. Paperwork is in the car and you just drive to the exit gate where they verify its you and the right car. No upsell attempt at all.

Sorry, but I don't have any experience with the rest of your questions.

 

[PrincessMe]

Our rental car is through Avis this trip and I have a few questions. Sorry this is so long.

First, any experiences with tolls/transponders? I think we would prefer to just pay cash unless using the transponder would save us significant time. Recommendations? Suggestions on how to make sure we don't get charged by Avis if we do pay tolls directly?

Second, we paid for the car with BA Avios miles so I can't use my preferred membership number. Are the lines in the terminal likely to be long (10 am on Saturday)? Has anyone had any problems with extra charges/upselling when paying with miles?

Any problems adding a free extra driver (opposite sex domestic partner - same address on drivers licenses)?

Finally, a CDW question. My Avios voucher says CDW is included but the Avis website says I waived it. Customer service for both British Airways and Avis said to take this up with the desk agent. It's not that big of a deal since my US auto insurance covers rental cars but I would like the benefit since it was supposedly paid for with the miles. Any suggestions?

Thanks for any thoughts on all of this - the rental car is somehow freaking me out.

Thanks for this info! Sadly both Avis and British Airways say they can't add my Preferred number and to call the other. And I called a bunch of times. It's actually what started to make me nervous about the whole rental. I think I'm just going to swear not to worry about it anymore. :smile: