Do you often rent cars on business trips?

Over the past 3 years, I’ve been increasingly requested to travel around South Africa for performances, workshops & seminars.  In the past, I would arrive at the airport & wait 15 minutes to rent a car.  If you often rent a car for business trips, you know that you need to hand over your drivers license, credit card, booking voucher & sign about 15 places on the form.

Well, I’ve discovered a really great secret about renting cars…

Firstly, where possible I only rent cars from Avis.  Their service is superb & on the rare occasion that I’ve had a problem with the car, they are able to sort it out quickly & efficiently.  They have rental offices at every airport & major city centres, & are able to do collections & drop-offs practically anywhere.  The Avis Car Rental offices are always the nearest to the terminal building, which means I don’t have to walk far to pickup or drop-off the vehicle – particularly helpful if you’re in a rush!

But now I’m able to get my hired vehicle much faster.

A few months ago, I saw that Avis has a ‘Preferred Bookings’ counter.  I made a few enquiries & was happy to find out that they have a super-dooper personal service!

1. Join the “Preferred Bookings” club by completing the application form (click to download the .pdf).
2. You’ll receive a “Preferred Bookings” club card & a unique “Wizzard” account number.
3. When you make a booking, provide your “Wizzard” account number.
4. Arrive at the airport & walk straight to the “Preferred Bookings” counter, bypassing the 50 people waiting in the queue (this is particularly true at “rush hour”).
5. Hand over your card, driver’s license & mobile ‘phone number.
6. Receive the key & drive off. NO SIGNATURES REQUIRED!

I now literally get my car in 5 minutes! That’s NOT an exaggeration.

The bonus is that you get much better rates that a ‘normal’ Avis rental – the “Preferred Bookings” rates are competitive even against the budget rental companies.

Plus you can link your rentals to either SAA Voyager Miles, BA Executive Club Miles, or even eBucks. In fact eBucks have recently launched an online booking facility on their website where you can spend your eBucks on Kulula air flights.

All charges are done straight to your nominated credit card, so you don’t have to take your company credit card with you.  Your signature is on their files so you don’t have to sign anything!

Without a doubt, this is the fastest & cheapest way to hire a rental car & it’s highly recommended, even if you don’t travel as regularly as I do.

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Tagged as: Avis, business travel in South Africa, car hire tips, car rentals, SAA