Whether you're planning a major national park adventure, a family beach vacation or a quick weekend getaway to a new city, choosing the right rental car company can have a surprisingly big impact on your trip.
Travelers today want more than just transportation. They want convenience, flexibility, value and an experience that helps them spend less time waiting and more time exploring.
That's where loyalty programs can make a difference.
For travelers considering a rental car for a family vacation, road trip, or airport-to-destination journey, Avis offers a free membership program designed to streamline the rental experience while rewarding members along the way. But is Avis Preferred worth joining?
Here's what vacation travelers should know before booking their next rental.
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What is Avis Preferred?
Avis Preferred is the company's free loyalty program. It's designed to make renting a car faster and more convenient while allowing members to earn rewards on qualifying rentals.
Travelers can learn more and enroll through the Avis Preferred program.
Some key features of Avis Preferred include:
- Earning points on qualifying rentals
- Redeeming points toward future rentals
- Access to member offers and promotions
- Faster reservation management
- Mobile app tools for booking and trip management
- The ability to skip the counter at participating locations
For many vacationers, the biggest attraction may be the time savings.
Join Avis Preferred for free
Why travelers care about faster rental car pickup
One of the most common frustrations after landing at a busy airport is standing in line when you're eager to start your trip.
More travelers search for features like:
- Fastest rental car pickup
- Skip the counter car rental
- No waiting car rental
- Hassle-free car rental
Avis Preferred helps address this by allowing eligible members to bypass the traditional counter process at many locations and head directly to their assigned vehicle.
For families traveling with children, couples heading out on a weekend escape or travelers arriving after a long flight, reducing airport wait times can make the first day of a trip much smoother.
How rewards can seriously stretch a vacation budget
Travel rewards aren't just for airlines and hotels anymore.
Avis Preferred members can earn points on qualifying rentals and use those points toward future rentals. For travelers who take several vacations each year or frequently book weekend getaways, those rewards can add up over time.
A rental car loyalty program can be especially appealing for:
- Frequent road-trippers
- Families that travel during school breaks
- Travelers who regularly fly into vacation destinations
- Multi-city vacation planners
- Travelers who rent vehicles several times per year
Book your next car rental with Avis
What is Avis Preferred Plus?
Frequent travelers may eventually qualify for higher membership tiers.
Avis Preferred Plus provides additional benefits designed to enhance convenience and rewards earning opportunities.
Potential advantages for Avis Preferred Plus members may include:
- Accelerated point earning
- Complimentary upgrades when available
- Additional travel perks
- Enhanced convenience during rentals
For travelers who rent regularly throughout the year, these benefits can help create a more seamless experience.
Learn more about Avis Preferred Plus
What about Avis President's Club?
At the highest tier of the loyalty program, Avis President's Club is aimed at frequent renters seeking premium benefits and priority treatment.
While occasional vacation travelers may be most interested in the standard Avis Preferred membership, more frequent renters can find added value through advanced tier benefits.
How to reach the Avis President's Club tier
When should you consider Avis First?
Some travelers prioritize convenience, safety and premium service above all else. For those travelers, Avis offers Avis First, a concierge-style experience focused on streamlining the rental process.
Features associated with the Avis First service include:
- Personal concierge support
- Curbside vehicle pickup and drop-off
- Premium and luxury vehicle options
- Support through the Avis app
- Simplified airport rental experiences
Avis First may appeal to travelers planning milestone trips, luxury vacations, anniversary getaways or other special travel experiences where convenience is a priority.
Discover the perks of Avis First
How the Avis App actually helps streamline travel planning
Technology has become a growing part of the vacation experience, and rental cars are no exception. The Avis app helps travelers manage reservations before, during and after a trip.
Access to the mobile Avis app can be especially useful for:
- Booking a vehicle while traveling
- Modifying reservations
- Reviewing rental details
- Managing upcoming trips
Download the Avis app here
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to skip the car rental counter and start vacationing faster
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