Whether you're planning a weekend city break, a family road trip across Europe, or a long-term rental for work, choosing the right car hire company can make or break the experience. Avis is one of the most established names in car rental, offering vehicles across the UK, Europe, and worldwide, backed by flexible booking options and a loyalty programme that rewards frequent renters.
Here's what makes Avis worth considering for your next trip.
What Is Avis?
Avis is a global car rental company with a long-standing presence in the UK, operated locally by Avis Budget UK Limited. The company offers car hire for leisure, business, and long-term needs, with locations spanning major UK airports and cities as well as international destinations across Europe, the US, and beyond.
Avis positions itself around the idea that car hire is about more than just getting from A to B — it's part of the journey itself, with an emphasis on convenience, flexibility, and a smooth pick-up and drop-off experience.
Booking Made Simple
The Avis website is built around a straightforward booking flow: choose a pick-up location (or use your current location), select your dates, specify the rental type — leisure, business, or other — and confirm you're an eligible driver aged over 25. From there, the platform surfaces available vehicles along with current deals.
Avis also backs its pricing with a Best Price Guarantee, giving renters some reassurance that they're getting a competitive rate without needing to shop around extensively.
You can start comparing available cars and rates directly through Avis's booking page.
Deals and Discounts
Avis regularly runs seasonal promotions, and current offers include savings of up to 10% on European car hire, discounts on rentals in the USA and Canada, and free upgrades in select destinations like Denmark. The site also features an Early Summer Sale, with time-limited booking windows tied to travel dates later in the year.
For renters who book through Amazon-linked promotions, Avis has also offered cashback in the form of Amazon.co.uk gift cards on eligible rentals — a nice added incentive on top of standard discounts.
Avis Preferred: Free Loyalty Programme
One of Avis's strongest value propositions is Avis Preferred, a free loyalty programme that includes:
10% member discount on rentals
Priority service at pick-up
Exclusive partner offers
Access to self-service key kiosks, letting members collect their car keys in under 30 seconds
For frequent renters, signing up costs nothing and can meaningfully speed up the airport pick-up process, particularly for travelers who want to skip the counter altogether.
Avis Drive: Bigger Discounts for Regular Renters
For renters who hire cars more often, Avis Drive offers a tiered discount structure — up to 20% off rentals in the UK and 15% off in Europe every time you book. This can be a particularly good option for business travelers or anyone who rents cars on a recurring basis rather than just once or twice a year.
Flexible Cancellation and Long-Term Options
Avis also emphasizes flexibility beyond just pricing. Renters benefit from a cancellation policy with no cancellation fees and full cash refunds, which can offer peace of mind when travel plans shift unexpectedly.
For those needing a vehicle for an extended period, Avis's long-term car rental option includes a flexible mileage range and a free additional driver, making it a practical choice for relocations, extended work trips, or longer holidays.
Where You Can Rent
Avis has a strong network of pick-up locations across the UK, including major airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Belfast International, and Glasgow, as well as city locations in London, Liverpool, Birmingham, and more.
Internationally, Avis covers popular destinations including Dubai, Florida, Barcelona, Rome, and a wide range of European and North American countries, making it a convenient option for travelers who want consistency across multiple trips abroad.
Who Is Avis Best For?
Based on what the platform offers, Avis is a strong fit for:
Travelers who want a well-established, globally recognized rental brand
Frequent renters who can benefit from the free Avis Preferred programme or Avis Drive discounts
Business travelers needing flexible booking tools and long-term rental options
Families planning road trips who need larger vehicles or additional drivers
Anyone who values a straightforward cancellation policy and price guarantee
Final Thoughts
Avis combines a global rental network with practical perks like free loyalty benefits, flexible cancellation, and fast self-service pick-up options — all aimed at making car hire feel less like a hassle and more like part of the trip. Whether you're renting for a weekend or several months, the range of deals and membership programmes can add up to meaningful savings over time.
If you've got a trip coming up, it's worth checking current deals and availability with Avis before booking elsewhere.