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Avis Car Rental is one of the largest global players. The company operates a large number of locations across 165 countries worldwide. During its early years, the company led the charge and was the first car rental company to establish airport locations.
Avis Preferred is the company’s popular loyalty program, due to the sheer number of Avis locations in the U.S. and abroad. Where you can benefit from frequent Avis promotions that offer bonus points or even free rental days.
However, as you accrue points, you might wonder whether Avis points expire. Sadly, Avis also has one of the more complex point expiration policies around. Here is all you need to know about its complex policy.
Do Avis Points Expire?
Avis points expire if you have no activity in your account for 12 months. As per the Avis Preferred terms and conditions.
“Avis Preferred Points earned or otherwise obtained by an Avis Preferred Member will be forfeited without notice if the Avis Preferred member becomes Inactive. An Avis Preferred Member is considered “Inactive” if during a 12-month period: (a) the Avis Preferred Member has not completed an eligible rental at a participating Avis location; (b) the Avis Preferred Member has not earned or redeemed any Avis Preferred Points, or (c) the Avis Preferred Member’s account has been cancelled.”
Unfortunately, that is not the only hurdle Avis puts in your way. Avis points have a fixed lifespan of 60 months from the date you earn them, even if your account is active and in good standing. Per the terms and conditions:
“Points are valid for sixty (60) months from when they were earned. In the event that the Avis Preferred member fails to exercise any redemption of earned points within such sixty (60) month period, the points are deemed forfeited and surrendered back to Avis and shall have no value to the Avis Preferred Member and will be removed from any of the Member’s accounts.”
The only exception from the 60-month expiration policy is for residents of Ontario, Canada, whose Avis points never expire — though they can be “canceled” due to inactivity. Per the terms and conditions:
“Points earned by residents of the province of Ontario, Canada do not expire. However these points may be canceled due to inactivity.”
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How To Keep Avis Points From Expiring Due to Inactivity
To keep your Avis Preferred account active and avoid your Avis points expiring due to inactivity, you must undertake one of the following actions every 12 months:
- Earn points for completing a rental at an eligible location.
- Earn points for renting accessories like SiriusXM Radio, GPS, child safety seats, or roadside assistance.
- Redeem your Avis Preferred points for a rental.
Remember that taxes, fees, and surcharges associated with rental cars and accessories do not earn you any Avis points. As a result, they do not count toward maintaining an active Avis Preferred account.
Finally, while undertaking an activity that counts, you must also ensure you do not break any Avis Preferred rules. This would lead to account cancellation and the forfeiture of your points.
Related: Guide to the Avis Status Match Program
How To Track Your Avis Preferred Points Through AwardWallet
With such a complex expiration policy, it pays to keep a close eye on your Avis Preferred points. The best way to do so is to use AwardWallet. All you need to do is sign into your AwardWallet account and add your Avis Preferred account, and you are set.
Now, AwardWallet will take the hassle out of tracking your Avis points expiration. You'll automatically receive an email alert when your points are in danger of expiring soon. Alternatively, you can set up calendar reminders for expiring points.
Related: How To Track Your Rewards Using AwardWallet
Our Take
When it comes to Avis points expiring, the Avis Preferred policy is one of the harshest we have seen. As a rule, programs tend to have a set lifespan or an inactivity threshold, but rarely both! Unfortunately, the Avis program has both, and neither is member-friendly. creating undue pressure on travelers worried about Avis points expiration.
This strict policy makes it hard to accumulate points towards one-off, aspirational redemptions. As a result, it is best to maintain a transactional loyalty relationship with Avis Preferred. Simply earn and burn through your points as fast as possible, and don’t stockpile a large balance.
