Car Hire by British Airways

• Counter-screens have been installed to observe social distancing protocols where possible
• Hand sanitisers are available
• Paperless rental agreements are available at most locations
• Clear social distancing floor markings are in place at rental desks
• Staff are provided with masks and gloves
• The number of passengers on each bus are being limited

Plus, at certain ‘key in car’ locations across Europe, you can use Avis Preferred to walk directly to your vehicle, ensuring a full contactless experience.

Please also be aware that local government restrictions may require you to wear a mask when entering Avis and Budget locations. For further information, please refer to the official government requirement in the country you will collect your rental.

• Every vehicle is carefully cleaned before every rental using Dettol, the UK’s number one disinfection brand that kills 99.9% of bacteria and Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
• Special attention is paid to steering wheels, indicators, dashboards, hand grips, in-car entertainment controls, cup holders, centre consoles, and all door handles both inside and out

• When you leave the vehicle, please check that you have removed all your belongings, personal effects, and rubbish
• The vehicle will then be cleaned again, ready for the next rental
• A paper receipt will be available if required
• Otherwise, your receipt will be emailed to you or you can retrieve your invoice online 36 hours after your rental

Yes, if you’re eligible (residents of the UK and most EU countries) you can take advantage of the 'digital check-in' service offered by Avis and Budget. It allows you to check-in online and provide the depot with all the information needed, so that your rental agreement can be prepared before you arrive. This service, which is free of charge, is designed to help you get on your way quickly and safely, reducing time at the rental location. Alternatively, check-in at the depot continues to be available as normal.

Should you wish to take advantage of this digital check-in service, Avis or Budget will automatically contact you once you've made your booking, inviting you to complete your online check in. Invitations are sent 10 days before car collection, or within one hour of you making your booking if your car collection date is within the next 10 days.

If you are an Avis Preferred member and entered your Avis Preferred number into your reservation at the time of booking, your paperwork will be pre-prepared in the usual way for priority service, no need to use the Avis digital check-in service.

Each driver needs to present :

1. A full, valid driving licence in English (held for 12 months or more) from their country of residence. This should include both photo and paper parts of the licence where applicable *see note below

2. A credit card in their name (for deposit and excess)

* For UK residents, in June 2015, the paper counterpart to the UK driver's licence was abolished. If you're collecting a car from a UK depot/rental location, you won't require the paper counterpart, the DVLA 'Share Driving Licence' online code or a downloaded summary of your driving licence record - the photocard will be sufficient. However, if you're collecting a car from an overseas depot/location, for peace of mind Avis and Budget recommend you do take the DVLA 'Share Driving Licence' online code or a downloaded summary of your driving licence record. Please visit the DVLA's website for more information and advice.

If you still hold a paper driving licence issued before the photocard licence was introduced in 1998, you will be able to collect your vehicle with this so long as you have photographic identification too i.e. a passport.

Additional drivers can be booked and paid for at the same time as your car rental on ba.com. Alternatively, you can arrange this directly with the depot on collection (the charges for the second driver will be payable locally). The second driver will need to present a full driving licence and credit card in their name on collection of the vehicle. A minimum age restriction may apply to second drivers, which varies by depot; please contact us for more information.

If you are a member of the British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus, you are entitled to a free second driver with all pre-paid Avis car rental booked via ba.com or over the phone with us. Simply provide your Executive Club or Iberia Plus account number at the time of booking – we do not require the name of the second driver and you do not need to book this on ba.com. The second driver does not need to be an Executive Club member, however they will need to present a full driving licence and a credit card in their name, on collection of the vehicle. Where applicable, a young driver surcharge may apply. If you have an existing booking and you didn't provide your Executive Club account number at the time of booking, please call to let us know that you require a free second driver added and we will arrange this for you.

Please note that the free additional driver does not apply to Budget car rental.

No. If you are booking car hire only (without flights), we only require the name of the first driver. Please see above for guidance on additional drivers.

The term 'Or Similar' is used because the vehicle you are allocated may not be the exact make and model as the vehicle displayed. However, it will be from the same car group, meaning that it will be comparable in size and performance to that vehicle.

The actual vehicle you are allocated will depend on the makes and models available at the time within the car group you request. If we are unable to provide a vehicle in your requested car group, we will provide a vehicle from the next available car group up at no extra charge.

You may book car hire with or without a British Airways flight.

Please be aware that if you book your car separately to your flight, the depot will not be aware of your flight information. In the unlikely event of a flight delay, you will therefore need to call the 24 hour In-Resort number on your voucher, so that we can advise the depot of your progress. Alternatively, please contact us prior to travel and we can inform the depot of your flight details.

If you require stand-alone car hire i.e. you do not require flights or any other ground arrangements, search for car rental using the 'create a trip' form here. Tick the 'Returning to a different location' field. If a one-way rental fee applies, this will be included within the price quoted to you.

If you require flights and other ground arrangements with your car, use the 'Customise your trip' link from our home page. This will enable you to book one-way car hire and if a one-way rental fee applies, this will be included within the price quoted to you.

If you require just flights with your car, it is possible to book one-way rental if you are arriving into and departing from different airports. Use the multi-city link from the home page to select your flights then add car rental to your booking - the system will allow you to select different depots for collection and return. If you are arriving into and departing from the same airport, it is currently only possible to book one-way rental if the duration of the car hire differs to the duration between the flights. Once you've selected your flights, follow the links to add car hire to your booking.

Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to arrange one-way car hire if the duration of the car hire matches the duration between the flights, for example, a Flight + Car package.

Some countries will not allow you to cross their borders with a hire car. Please check this when you collect your vehicle. Alternatively, please contact us to confirm before you travel.

Excess fees vary considerably according to vehicle type, destination and even depot. They are shown with the inclusions when booking your car on ba.com and also on the Excess Information section of your voucher.

There are two Avis/Budget depots at Heathrow Airport – one at Terminal 5 and one that services Terminals 1 to 4 via a shuttle bus.

If you book car hire from Heathrow Airport, by default, the system will book collection from Terminal 5. However, if you book a BA flight at the same time as your car, the depot will use your flight information and assume that you wish to collect your car from the terminal you fly into e.g. if your BA flight arrives into Terminal 4, your car will be ready for you to collect at the Terminals 1 - 4 location even though your pre-paid voucher will show Terminal 5.

If you do not book a BA flight at the same time as your car, you can choose which depot you collect your car from. We recommend you check the depot opening hours - in the event that the Terminal 5 depot is closed, you can use the Terminals 1 - 4 location. We do not need to know in advance which terminal you wish to collect the car from.

Avis/Budget Terminal 5 opening hours are 0500 - 0000. Avis/Budget Terminals 1 - 4 location is open 24 hours.

Avis/Budget also offer a facility for customers to collect their rental cars from Terminal 2. However, a charge of approximately £19.99 (subject to change without notice) will be applied should you wish to take advantage of this Terminal 2 depot - payment for this charge will need to be made directly to the depot when collecting your car. You do not need to notify us in advance should you wish to collect your car from this depot, even if your pre-paid voucher shows collection from Terminal 5. Simply visit the Terminal 2 depot and staff will be able to assist you.

All British Airways flights at London Gatwick use the South Terminal.

There are two Avis/Budget depots at Gatwick Airport – one at the North Terminal and one at the South Terminal. However, all car rental depots at the North Terminal are currently closed for major renovation works. Therefore, please proceed to the Avis/Budget depot at the South Terminal to collect your car, regardless of which terminal you arrive into and which depot you booked. A complimentary shuttle service runs every few minutes between terminals. From the North Terminal, simply follow signs for the South Terminal.

When making your booking, car availability will only be offered to you if the depot is open for your requested pick up and drop off times. In the event that you do not see any availability, this could mean that the depot is closed – try alternative pick up and drop off times. We are unable to organise collection/drop off outside the depot’s opening hours, but some depots offer a 'drop box' to enable you to return the car and keys out of hours. Check directly with the depot when collecting your car to see if they offer this service.

We recommend that you book your car and flights together in one transaction – this will ensure the depot receive your flight details. If you book your car separately, the depot will not know your flight information. Therefore, in the unlikely event of a delay, you will need to call the 24 hour number on your voucher so that we may advise the depot of your progress.

Yes, however we will need to cancel your existing car and rebook it which will result in it being re-priced at today’s rates. Any increases in price will be passed on to you in addition to the applicable amendment fee, whilst decreases will be refunded to you less any applicable cancellation or amendment fees as advised at time of booking. If the price changes significantly, we could keep your existing booking and ask the supplier to add a request for the additional item (although special requests are always subject to availability). If the item is then available for you on collection, you would pay the additional charges locally.

Yes, however we will need to cancel your existing car and rebook it which will result in it being re-priced at today’s rates. Any increases in price will be passed on to you in addition to the applicable amendment fee, whilst decreases will be refunded to you less any applicable cancellation or amendment fees as advised at time of booking.

You can now confirm and pay for car seats when booking your car rental on ba.com, so the option to ‘request’ car seats is no longer needed and has been removed.

All prices promoted on ba.com/avis are in currency stated and are based on Group A car size and drivers aged 30-70. Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply.

General

Car rental durations are based on a 24 hour clock. Minimum rental age and standard British Airways terms and conditions apply. Driver must present a full valid driving licence including a DVLA code for UK residents; and International Driving Permit if the driver’s licence is written in non-Roman alphabet e.g. Greek / Arabic etc.).

Collecting Avios

To qualify for standard and bonus Avios awards, rentals must include the British Airways Executive Club membership number of the first named driver (the "renter"). This Executive Club card number must be given at time of reservation and the card shown at time of rental.

Chauffeur Drive, van rentals, travel industry staff rates including BA and Avis employee programmes, replacement/insurance rates, selected association programmes, net rate programmes and rentals booked with online travel agents with the exception of ba.com), brokers and price comparison sites do not qualify for Avios. Only UK Prestige rentals qualify for Avios; Avios will not be awarded on any other Prestige rentals worldwide.

Only rentals that qualify for standard Avios will qualify for any bonus Avios issued as a result of special promotions run by Avis or Budget from time to time.

Consecutive or conjunctive rentals will not qualify for Avios awards – only the first qualifying rental in such situations will be awarded Avios.

Avios can be collected on Avis car rental without taking a flight. The awarding of Avios may take up to 8 weeks from date of rental. All Avios issued are subject to Executive Club terms and conditions. Renter must meet Avis age, driver and credit requirements.

Collect 5 Avios per £1 spent (or other currency equivalent) on Avis car rental

Avis will award a standard ‘5 Avios per £1 spent’ (or other currency equivalent) on qualifying Avis rentals. If the rental is not paid in £ sterling, then the currency will be changed to £ sterling at the Avis Exchange rate applicable on date of rental commencement (the date the car is collected). The final rental value used to calculate the Avios award will exclude any charges for damage (actual damage charges or insurance excesses charged due to damage) and will exclude all taxes.

A maximum of 10,000 Avios will be awarded per qualifying rental.

Post-rental, if any adjustments to the value of that rental are made (e.g. a refund is made by Avis Customer Services) then the appropriate Avios award adjustment may be credited or debited from the Executive Club Member's account as necessary.

Collect 2 Avios per £1 spent (or other currency equivalent) on Budget car rental

Budget will award a standard ‘2 Avios per £1 spent’ (or other currency equivalent) on qualifying Budget rentals. If the rental is not paid in £ sterling, then the currency will be changed to £ sterling at the Budget Exchange rate applicable on date of rental commencement (the date the car is collected). The final rental value used to calculate the Avios award will exclude any charges for damage (actual damage charges or insurance excesses charged due to damage) and will exclude all taxes.

Rentals made using Budget contracted (corporate/government) rates/BCDs, do not qualify for standard or bonus Avios. A maximum of 10,000 Avios will be awarded per qualifying rental.

Post-rental, if any adjustments to the value of that rental are made (e.g. a refund is made by Budget Customer Services) then the appropriate Avios award adjustment may be credited or debited from the Executive Club Member's account as necessary.

Collect 2 Avios per £1 spent (or other currency equivalent) on Avis corporate rates

Avis will award 2 Avios per £1 spent (or other currency equivalent) on certain selected qualifying Avis corporate rentals. If the rental is not paid in £ sterling, then the currency will be changed to £ sterling at the Avis Exchange rate applicable on date of rental commencement (the date the car is collected). The final rental value used to calculate the Avios award will exclude any charges for damage (actual damage charges or insurance excesses charged due to damage) and will exclude all taxes. There is no minimum Avios award for corporate rentals. A maximum 10,000 Avios will be awarded per qualifying rental. Avis corporate rentals do not qualify for any bonus Avios promotions. Post-rental, if any adjustments to the value of that rental are made (e.g. a refund is made by Avis Customer Services) then the appropriate Avios award adjustment will be credited or debited from the Executive Club Member’s account as necessary. To qualify for the 2 Avios per £1 spent on selected Avis corporate rentals, rentals must include the British Airways Executive Club membership number of the first named driver (the “renter”). This Executive Club card number must be given at time of reservation and the card shown at time of rental. If you are a corporate customer and have any questions regarding your eligibility for Avios, please contact your Avis Corporate Account Manager.

1,000 bonus Avios when you join Avis Preferred

Join Avis Preferred through one of our Avis & British Airways partnership enrolment communications or at carhire-ba.com/preferred. This way you will be asked to provide your Executive Club membership tier and your Executive Club membership number and this information will be stored in your Preferred membership profile, ensuring you receive Avios on every rental you make. Please always remember to bring your driver's licence whenever you rent a car from Avis. It is essential that we check your driver’s licence for identification and driving endorsements. Sometimes our Avis Preferred Members forget as they understandably assume that they don't need ANY paperwork, but we do need to be able to check a valid driving licence at each rental, so please bring it along. When you receive your Avis Preferred digital card you will also receive a digital voucher for 1,000 bonus Avios on your next Avis Preferred rental. Simply follow the booking instructions on the reverse of the voucher to qualify.

Executive Club Members are eligible for one free additional driver on every qualifying Avis rental worldwide

Simply log in to your Executive Club account and make your Avis reservation as normal. You do not need to request an additional driver at time of booking. Simply request an additional driver to be added when you collect your car. The additional driver must meet standard Avis age and driver requirements for that rental location. The additional driver must present a full valid driving licence (including a DVLA code for UK residents; International Driving Permit if the driver’s licence is written in non-Roman alphabet e.g. Greek / Arabic etc.). Only one additional driver may be claimed free of charge per rental. Further additional drivers will be charged at time of rental at the appropriate rate published for that location. This benefit is available for British Airways Executive Club Members only, all membership tiers, booking on ba.com; carhire-ba.com; BA Call Centres or Avis Call Centres. Rentals made using Avis contracted (corporate/government) rates/AWDs, chauffeur drive, or van rentals do not qualify. Travel industry staff rates including BA and Avis employee programs, replacement/insurance rates, selected association programs, and net rate programmes, and rentals booked with online travel agents (with the exception of ba.com), brokers and price comparison sites do not qualify.

Correct as of 7 October 2020