Avis: Get 10-20% Back in Amazon Gift Cards on US Car Rentals

The Offer

Direct Link to offer | Press Release

• Get 10% of your Avis Car Rental cost back in the form of an Amazon gift card by linking your Amazon account with Avis.
• Get 20% of your Avis Car Rental cost back in the form of an Amazon gift card by linking your Amazon account with Avis when you book the rental using Amazon Alexa.

Additionally, they advertise savings of “up to 30% off base rates.” I guess by linking your Amazon account, Avis will quote you lower rates on the rental.

Amazon Prime membership is NOT required for this.

The Fine Print

• The savings of up to 30% applies to Avis base rates and is applicable only to the time and mileage charges of the rental. Offer does not apply to car group X. All taxes, fees (including but not limited Air Conditioning Excise Recovery Fee, Concession Recovery Fee, Vehicle License Recovery Fee, Energy Recovery Fee, Tire Management Fee, and Frequent Traveler Fee) and surcharges (including but not limited to Customer Facility Charge and Environmental Fee Recovery Charge) are extra. This offer is based on the currency of the location of check-out and subject to applicable exchange rates. Optional products such as LDW ($29.99/day or less) and refueling are extra. Your Amazon Benefits must be used to take advantage of this offer. Offer is available for U.S. only for rentals at Avis participating locations in the U.S. Offer may not be used in conjunction with any other AWD number or promotion. Coupon offers can be used with your Amazon Benefit. Weekly rates require a minimum five day rental period. Weekend rate available Thursday noon; car must be returned by Monday 11:59 p.m., or higher rate will apply. A Saturday night keep and an advance reservation may be required. Offer is subject to vehicle availability at the time of rental and may not be available on some rates at some times, including some online rates at Avis.com. Car rental return restrictions may apply. Offer subject to change without notice. Holiday and other blackout periods may apply. Renter must meet Avis age, driver and credit requirements. Minimum age may vary by location. An additional daily surcharge may apply for renters under 25 years old.
• 10% back as an Amazon.com Gift Card applies to time and mileage charges of completed rentals using your Amazon Benefits on avis.com, excluding Alexa Skill rentals.
• 20% back as an Amazon Gift Card applies to time and mileage charges of completed rentals using your Amazon Benefits with Alexa Skill.
• Amazon.com Gift Card will be issued within 48 hours to the email associated with your Amazon.com profile.
• Customers are required to authenticate on Avis.com by logging in with the Amazon credentials to receive Amazon.com Gift Card.

Our Verdict

Sounds like credits will just automatically roll into your Amazon account which is pretty cool. A lot of people book car rentals with services like Priceline which won’t work to trigger this credit. Also remember that around half of the car rental cost is often fees or insurance which won’t get rebated. And it’s USA only.

So while the offer seems quite generous on the surface, I suspect that in reality it won’t turn out as useful  as it sounds. If the “up to 30% savings” part is real, it could turn out to be good deals. We need a car rental expert to do some rate testing and analysis.

There’s mention in the fine print that the offer apply for coupon rentals but not any AWD or promotion rentals. Sounds like those terms are only for the 30% discount, but not for the 10-20% deal? Let us know if you try it out.

I don’t see what Avis has to gain with the whole Alexa thing (other than maybe some sort of psychological novelty ploy?), presumably Amazon is giving Avis a steep discount on the gift cards for adding in the Alexa part.

Hat tip to Dansdeals