Avis Budget Group director international travel Craig Roppel has revealed plans to launch a new trade development.
Later this year (with international reach) the company will launch a portal which will allow agencies access to trade rates and pay with their company credit card. The ‘plug in play’ portal gives easy entry to the system ‘so agents can access our inventory immediately’ says Roppel.
. . . Roppel’s Top Tips
At the same time Roppel offered his top Avis tips for agents.
- Always book a budget small car. Avis doesn’t stock them so clients will get an automatic upgrade for no extra cost.
- If clients pick-up and drop-off within a US state there’s no drop-off fee. E.g. arrive at LA, pick up a rental car, drive scenic Highway 1 and drop off in San Francisco to fly home—for no extra fee. But if clients drive interstate, they will be charged a drop-off fee.
- Urge clients to research about tolls before they depart. Roppel says the rental car toll package may work well if clients are driving from New York City to Washington DC. With so many tolls clients could be looking at USD40 while Avis’ toll package for USD20 may work better. “But if you’re not on such expensive highways, it may be better to go with plan B,” he adds.
- Tell clients to activate their phone in their rental car so google maps will come up on screen and help with navigation.
- Never hire a minivan; it’s too expensive, says the Avis executive. Instead book a large SUV that can hold up to seven people without the additional expense.
- Suggest clients check the fuel offer at the desk. In some places the fuel package does not reflect the current high prices and a USD50 deal for seven days may be an excel lent idea.
Roppel says new technology is being implemented to show the exact fuel level, so urge clients to never return the car without filling, as the rental companies charge huge fee for refilling the car for you.
