Avis App May Change Car Rental Industry

(RTTNews) - New features on the mobile app by Avis Car Rental will allow customers to control more aspects of their car rental from their smartphone and have the potential to transform the car rental industry.

Customers can avoid the unpleasantness of waiting in long queues at the car rental agency counters, choose vehicles of their choice, change the duration of a rental, and get on-demand assistance.

The 'Avis Now' features of the mobile app, created with input from Avis customers, provides flexibility, ease and control over the car rental. It is compatible with all vehicles in the Avis fleet and also has special features designed for connected cars.

Avis Now is available to all members of Avis Preferred, the company's express rental/loyalty program, via the Avis mobile application for devices on the iOS and Android platforms. Avis Preferred is free to join.

Travelers enrolled in Avis Preferred can choose the exact car they want through a swipe on their smartphone. They can view the cars available in real-time as well as exchange or upgrade a vehicle before arriving at the lot or when on the lot.

In addition, the app will allow customers to confirm, cancel, or extend a rental. They can also flash the headlights to help find their car, lock and unlock doors, and return the car without human assistance.

Avis customers will also get real-time updates on their smartphones, including real-time notifications about their trip. They can access an instant view of the rental agreement, confirm fuel or mileage, and obtain assistance on demand.

Avis Now can be used at more than 50 locations across the U.S. It will be available in select international markets in the coming months.