Avis Launches Curbside Delivery Vehicle Returns

For many travelers, the schlep of having to return a rental car can be a low light for any journey. Particularly for travelers in large groups or with a significant amount of bulky luggage, the additional time and hassle of returning a rental car can leave many wishing they’d dispensed with a rental vehicle altogether.

Today, Avis is launching a new service that will take some of the schlep out of rental car return. For a nominal fee, renters can add on the “Curbside Delivery” service. Upon returning to the lot, an Avis representative will drive the same vehicle and its occupants directly to the terminal curbside for dropoff, eliminating the schlep of travelers and luggage from vehicle to shuttle bus and onward.

“We’ve all been in that situation where we’re running late for a flight or have a juggling act when returning a rental car with luggage, golf clubs, kids, and little time to spare. The new Avis Curbside Delivery shaves time off your trip and extends you the convenience of being dropped off right at the airport terminal by one of our staff members in the same car you rented,” said Joe Ferraro, president, Americas, Avis Budget Group. “As we further digitize all aspects of our business, we’re focused on reinventing the rental experience for both leisure and business travelers — that means simplifying their journeys with the tap of the app, giving them more choice and control over how they travel.”

Users of the Avis app can request the service starting today at 35 Avis locations, primarily major airports. Travelers who have push notifications turned on may also receive alerts offering the add-on service during their rental. Travelers will be able to book the add-on service via avis.com later this fall.

The fee for Curbside Delivery starts at $25 and can vary by location.