Booking as Avis preferred member substantially more expensive !

[ronlon]

On two recent Avis bookings, Broome and Launceston , if I logged into my Avis preferred account to search for a car the price was more than double compared to not logging in ! The same higher rate also applied via booking through the Qantas website. Is this always the case ? I also recently booked a car out of Frankfurt airport and there was no difference in the price.

 

[drron]

I have noticed it for some years but in certain places. Sydney airport and Launceston in particular. I have now ditched Avis.

 

[cjd600]

Happens to me with Hertz, for years too, primarily USA bookings - heaps cheaper not signed in (as top tier member)

 

[SYD]

On two recent Avis bookings, Broome and Launceston , if I logged into my Avis preferred account to search for a car the price was more than double compared to not logging in ! The same higher rate also applied via booking through the Qantas website. Is this always the case ? I also recently booked a car out of Frankfurt airport and there was no difference in the price.

Do you have a “Pxx_xx” discount code linked to your profile and is it still valid?

I get significantly cheaper rates logged in but still with a default discount that’s valid.

 

[ronlon]

Do you have a “Pxx_xx” discount code linked to your profile and is it still valid?

I get significantly cheaper rates logged in but still with a default discount that’s valid.

yes I have a default discount code with my profile but I enter the same code manually without logging in to get an even cheaper rate depending on location compared to logging in. I have also found that if I add my profile to an existing booking in which I did not log in in the first place it converts the booking to the higher rate.

 

[SYD]

yes I have a default discount code with my profile but I enter the same code manually without logging in to get an even cheaper rate depending on location compared to logging in. I have also found that if I add my profile to an existing booking in which I did not log in in the first place it converts the booking to the higher rate.

That’s very weird and I’d be calling Avis to sort it or spare some time next time at a pickup / return office.

The latter might be less helpful, so calling would be my advice.

Alternatively, set up a new AVIS Preferred Profile?

 

[SYD]

I have noticed it for some years but in certain places. Sydney airport and Launceston in particular. I have now ditched Avis.

Curiously, I just did a random search for a 24 hr hire from SYD and it was $68. If I had back to back work trips, it would actually be cheaper than a Taxi and even Uber I picked up an Avis rental drove home and dropped it off the next morning! I never, ever thought of that before….

 

[JohnK]

Stopped using Avis Preferred long time ago as it was giving higher rates.

Contacted Avis and they could not explain why but have obviously done nothing to fix it.

 

[SYD]

yes I have a default discount code with my profile but I enter the same code manually without logging in to get an even cheaper rate depending on location compared to logging in. I have also found that if I add my profile to an existing booking in which I did not log in in the first place it converts the booking to the higher rate.

Ah, just had a thought. It’s possible you have default rental options in your profile like “Accepted” insurances, excess reduction etc. That would make a big difference. I went looking for those defaults in my AVIS Preferred profile and can’t find them via the website but they are in the app.

Also, discount codes come with some default settings (that simetimes can’t be overridden). I also can’t find in my profile on the website but the function is in the app to add or remove discount codes…

 

[oz_mark]

I have this problem with Hertz!

 

[chowda85]

Wondering if there is any further insight into this scenario. I've enrolled into Avis Preferred via Amex Platinum benefits and looking for a rental in CHC.

Looking through Avis app the prices are higher than the website (incognito). The only explanation I can think of is the website has a 'pay now' option - which is cheaper - but the app doesn't.

 

[oz_mark]

I have noticed lately that being logged into my preferred account yields prices much lower than the public rates.

 

[SYD]

Wondering if there is any further insight into this scenario. I've enrolled into Avis Preferred via Amex Platinum benefits and looking for a rental in CHC.

Looking through Avis app the prices are higher than the website (incognito). The only explanation I can think of is the website has a 'pay now' option - which is cheaper - but the app doesn't.

Which website? Avis.com.au or USA?

I usually see the same on .au website and app. If I’m looking at hiring in the US of A, I’ll try and force it to quote me there in USD.

 

[Sprucegoose]

The best way is to get the right CDP code. I am associated with a construction company that typically rents over 1000 cars, many on long-term hire.

 

[chowda85]

Which website? Avis.com.au or USA?

I usually see the same on .au website and app. If I’m looking at hiring in the US of A, I’ll try and force it to quote me there in USD.

Australia website.

Screenshot below for the same dates and time. Website has pay now option and cheaper than app. CHC 30/1/23 to 7/2/23 11am.

I do have a Pxx_xx_ code which I assume is tied to the Amex, but doesn't make a difference on the app when I remove that code.

 

[SYD]

Australia website.

Screenshot below for the same dates and time. Website has pay now option and cheaper than app. CHC 30/1/23 to 7/2/23 11am.

I do have a Pxx_xx_ code which I assume is tied to the Amex, but doesn't make a difference on the app when I remove that code.

I see identical quotes on website and the app. Although I couldn’t see a “Compact SUV” but there was an “Intermediate SUV”.

Try checking your full preferences on a laptop/PC via the website. I can rarely get to those in the app or iPad browsers.

​

 

[randompunter]

Australia website.

Screenshot below for the same dates and time. Website has pay now option and cheaper than app. CHC 30/1/23 to 7/2/23 11am.

I do have a Pxx_xx_ code which I assume is tied to the Amex, but doesn't make a difference on the app when I remove that code.

Those prices are both insane with and without your code. I am seeing less than half that with our corp P***** code for intermediate SUV (compact doesn't show up with the code). Man that really shows the crazy gouging going on in the rental car industry at the moment. Although our ancient code may be an anomaly - our prices often cause raised eyebrows when I collect cars. Here is a comparison of the Premium SUV for those dates - $890 vs $2500:

 

[randompunter]

Curiously, I just did a random search for a 24 hr hire from SYD and it was $68. If I had back to back work trips, it would actually be cheaper than a Taxi and even Uber I picked up an Avis rental drove home and dropped it off the next morning! I never, ever thought of that before….

Haha strange hey - once we were staying in an AirBNB near Spencer St before an evening flight to PEK and it was way cheaper to rent a car for the day from Avis across the road than to pay for lockers for 4 suitcases plus a taxi/Uber/skybus X 4. We ended up going a bit past MEL for a rail trail walk in Trentham and had lunch at the Holgate Brewery. Bonus holiday!

 

[p--and--t]

I booked an Avis car through a third party for Feb 23, as Joe Blow public, didn't disclose Wizard Number and quoted $437.66.

The same car same conditions same dates and times direct to Avis using my Wizard number gives me $521.55 after corporate discount applied.

 

[SYD]

I booked an Avis car through a third party for Feb 23, as Joe Blow public, didn't disclose Wizard Number and quoted $437.66.

The same car same conditions same dates and times direct to Avis using my Wizard number gives me $521.55 after corporate discount applied.

TBH, I get very good rates with AVIS via a corp code (work and leisure codes). It was quoting me half the price mentioned a few posts up. I also just completed a 10d one way CHC to ZQN for $900 (including ER).

They gave me a hybrid that did 1000kms per tank (handy since we knocked up 2400 kms!) and petrol was NZ$2.60 p/l