The Ultimate Guide to Saving with Avis

If you’re renting from Avis, the goal is usually the same: get a solid base rate, skip the counter drama, and avoid the add-ons that quietly inflate your total. The good news is that Avis can be very straightforward once you understand (1) how discounts work (AWD + coupons) and (2) how Avis Preferred points and upgrades actually work.

This guide is built around real renter intent: how to book smarter, how to move faster at pickup, and how to reduce “surprise charges” that wreck the savings.

Who Avis is best for (and who it isn’t)

Avis is a strong fit if you:

• Want a simple points program that earns on rental spend (plus accessories)
• Rent a few times per year and care about expedited pickup at major locations
• Can consistently access a legitimate AWD discount (corporate, association, partner, membership)

Avis may not be ideal if you:

• Rent weekly and want the “pick any car” experience (you may prefer National’s aisle model in many airports—see our National Car Rental guide)
• Primarily care about the absolute cheapest headline rate (Budget often competes harder on base price—see our Budget guide)

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How to save with Avis (quick playbook)

1) Compare airports vs. neighborhood locations

Airport rentals are convenient, but the total can climb due to facility fees and taxes. If your schedule allows, compare an off-airport location before booking.

2) Use the right discount type (AWD vs. coupon)

Avis savings generally come from:

• AWD code (Avis Worldwide Discount): changes the underlying rate
• Coupon code: adds a benefit (money off, upgrade, free day, etc.)

If you want a shortlist of widely used options, start with our guide to the best Avis AWD codes.

3) Treat “Pay Now” rates like airfare

Prepay can be cheaper, but cancellation and changes are often stricter. If plans might shift, “Pay Later” can be the better risk-adjusted choice.

4) Decide on insurance before you get to the counter

Counter add-ons are where “cheap rentals” become expensive. Know what you already have via your personal auto policy and credit card, then only buy what you truly need.

5) Don’t let fuel and tolls erase the discount

The easiest path is usually:

• Return full to avoid refueling charges (when feasible)
• Understand the toll option in your market before you accept anything at pickup

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Avis fees & gotchas to watch

Authorization holds can be bigger than you expect

Most rental companies place a temporary authorization hold at pickup. Plan for it—especially if you’re using a debit card—so you don’t get squeezed on available funds.

Additional drivers are not “automatically free”

Assume additional drivers can trigger daily fees unless you’re clearly covered by a specific Avis rule, membership benefit, or corporate agreement.

Under-25 fees add up quickly

If you’re under 25, price-check using your real age entered in the booking flow. Many people only notice the surcharge at checkout.

Extensions can reprice your rental

Extending at the last minute can be expensive depending on demand. When possible, update your reservation earlier instead of “just calling from the road.”

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Avis Preferred: how the loyalty program works in real life

Avis’s loyalty program is Avis Preferred. You can join for free and earn points on qualifying spend, with faster earning and better upgrades as you move up tiers.

The main benefits most renters actually feel

• Expedited pickup at many locations (less counter time)
• A smoother repeat-rental experience when your preferences are saved
• Points that can be redeemed for rental day rewards and accessories

Avis Preferred tiers (and why they matter)

Avis publicly highlights multiple levels (including higher “club” tiers). The key practical differences are points earning rate and upgrade strength.

Avis Preferred (base)

• Earn points on qualifying rental spend
• Minimum points per rental
• Expedited service at many locations

Avis Preferred Plus (next tier)

• Higher points earning rate than base
• Upgrade benefit when available (typically one class when reserving midsize or above, with exclusions)

Avis President’s Club (higher tier)

• Higher points earning rate than Preferred Plus
• Stronger upgrade benefit (often two classes when available, with exclusions)
• “Guaranteed car” language in many program descriptions when reservation conditions are met

Avis Chairman’s Club

Chairman’s Club is described as invitation-only. If you see it referenced through specific partners, treat it as a “special access” tier rather than something most renters will earn organically.

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How to earn Avis Preferred Points

Avis points are generally earned on qualifying base rental charges and optional products/services, but not on taxes and many fees.

Baseline earning

• Earn points per dollar on qualifying rental spend
• Earn points per dollar on qualifying accessories (often at a higher rate than the base rental)

How tiering changes the math

As you move up, the points-per-dollar rate increases. If you rent frequently enough to reach higher tiers, the accelerated earn rate becomes a meaningful part of the value.

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How to redeem points (and when it’s worth it)

Avis points can be redeemed for:

• Rental day rewards (free days start at a published points threshold)
• Accessories (also priced in points per day)

A practical rule we use:

• If you rent occasionally: points redemptions are a nice perk, but your biggest savings usually come from AWD + booking strategy
• If you rent regularly: points + tier upgrades can materially change your average cost and experience

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Using the Avis app: QuickPass and Select & Go

If you want a faster pickup flow, the app is worth using—especially at busy airports.

• QuickPass is Avis’s contactless pickup experience inside the app. We walk through setup and what to expect in our Avis QuickPass guide.
• Avis also references Select & Go at select locations, which can allow last-second exchanges/upgrades depending on what’s available.

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Avis for Business (small and mid-size business program)

If you own a business or manage travel for a small team, Avis offers a program designed for small and mid-size businesses. Depending on the specific offer/enrollment path, the program is commonly positioned around:

• Up to a percentage off base rates
• Reward-day style incentives tied to completed rental days
• A member site/portal and program-specific support

If you’re building a broader savings stack across travel categories, our small business travel programs guide can help you coordinate rental cars with your airline and hotel strategy.

Avis Promo Codes

Let’s start with some deals, discounts, and promo codes Avis offers. The following are some of the current Avis Promo Codes and Offers:

Avis Discount	Promo Code
25% off base rates with 10% donated to Susan G. Komen	Get This Offer
15% off on Rentals of 5 Days or More	Get This Offer
10% off on already LOW RATES at your neighborhood locations	Get This Offer
15% off base rates on a monthly car rental	Get This Offer
30% off with AARP member’s rates	Get This Offer
25% off for veteran and military family members	Get This Offer

An Avis AWD Code is the abbreviation for the Avis Worldwide Discount program.  These codes are tied to discounts ranging from a limited-time offer to a discount for using a particular credit card to a discount and bonus offer combined with an Avis Travel Partner. They can also be a Corporate Discount Code, providing the largest discount.