5 red flags in Avis rental agreements — including GPS upsells, airport surcharge stacking, and damage liability traps.
Avis adds a 'concession fee' of 10-11.11% on top of the base rate when renting at airports — a cost that is often buried after advertised prices are shown.
'Airport concession fee', 'facility charge', 'concession recovery fee' in the itemized bill
Always request a complete itemized quote before confirming. Renting off-airport (shuttle-accessible locations) can save 15-20% on total cost.
Avis charges $12-$17/day for an in-car GPS unit — a fee that adds $80-$120+ to a week-long rental when every smartphone already has free navigation.
'Navigation system', 'GPS rental', 'Avis connects' in add-ons section
Always decline. Use Google Maps or Apple Maps with a phone mount. Download offline maps before your trip for areas with poor signal.
Avis locations sometimes automatically add SiriusXM satellite radio as a daily charge without explicit opt-in from the renter.
'SiriusXM', 'satellite radio charge', 'entertainment add-on' in itemized charges
Review every line of the contract at pickup before signing. Decline any add-on you did not explicitly request.
Avis's roadside assistance plan ($4-$8/day) duplicates coverage already included with most credit cards, auto club memberships, or the rental agreement itself.
'Roadside assistance plan', 'emergency roadside service' as a daily add-on charge
Check if your credit card or AAA membership already includes roadside assistance for rentals. In most cases, it does — making this add-on redundant.
Avis advertises 'unlimited mileage' but applies per-mile charges for certain vehicle classes (luxury, specialty, or one-way trips).
Mileage limits or per-mile charges listed for your vehicle class in the fine print
Confirm in writing that your specific vehicle class and rental type includes unlimited mileage. Ask the counter agent to show you on the contract.
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