No-Show Car Rental Fee Being Tested

You book a hotel room then for whatever reason don't show up: Hotel charges you a penalty. You book an airline ticket and don't catch your flight: You still get charged for the flight. But book a car rental and don't pick up your wheels: No big deal; reservation is cancelled with usually no penalty to you. That may be about to change.

According to BTNonline, Avis Budget group is testing, in a few small markets, what they call non-cancellation fees, for customers who book a car rental and never pick it up or call to cancel. It works in the airline and hotel industry - why not car rentals? Certainly other car rental agencies will be closely monitoring how much revenue might be generated and/or pushback from customers by imposing such a fee.

More Consolidation as Hertz To Buy Dollar Thrifty

The consolidation of the car rental industry continues as Hertz is reportedly planning to buy Dollar Thrifty for nearly $1.2 Billion. The combined company (count'em, 3 rental car agencies) offers a more global presence, with Dollar and Thrifty focusing on U.S. markets, while Hertz operates rental offices throughout the world. What's left among the big agencies? Avis, who just happens to own Budget. With less competition, this may mean car rental fees will start hiking up.

Avis Rental Cars: 50% off Weekend Internet Rates

I'm usually quite skeptical on "half off" promotions; usually they amount to half off the highest published prices (who pays that?) and result in a discount nothing better than using other discount codes readily available on websites such as fatwallet. But, then I tested this Avis promotion in a couple different markets with much success. Steep discounts resulted, when compared to regular Internet rates and other corporate and group discounts.

The promotion is valid for rentals checked-out no later than June 30th, for weekend rentals of at least 2 days, and at select airport locations only. Click here to check rates.

Avis offering FREE I-Tunes w/rental

This is the final week of the Avis promotion; earn up to 20 free I-tunes downloads with each car rental. See T&C here. I've personally used this promotion several times without problems.