BA / AVIS Fly Drive

[burney555]

Hi, we have booked a BA / Avis fly drive and looking for some knowledge before we go.

We will be going from Tampa to Disney (Caribbean Beach), Orlando then some local driving in the Orlando area.

1. Should I use the automatic toll payment or just pay cash as I go?
2. Anything to look out for when collecting / dropping off the car (I believe all insurances etc are included)?
3. Ive joined Avis preferred but this will be my first hire so some guidance there would be appreciated?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[RickT]

Originally Posted by burney555

Hi, we have booked a BA / Avis fly drive and looking for some knowledge before we go.

We will be going from Tampa to Disney (Caribbean Beach), Orlando then some local driving in the Orlando area.

1. Should I use the automatic toll payment or just pay cash as I go?
2. Anything to look out for when collecting / dropping off the car (I believe all insurances etc are included)?
3. Ive joined Avis preferred but this will be my first hire so some guidance there would be appreciated?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

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1. With Avis, i find paying csh for tolls the cheapest option.
2. Just make sure the car is free of damage and clean inside - ensure any damaged is logged and ensure the paper work you are given details no extra insurance etc.. (BA Flydrive with AVIS provides all the insurance you require.)
3. As a preferred member, go direct to the garage with your BA pre-paid voucher. In the garage, go to the AVIS desk up on the 1st floor of the carpark, show DL, CCard and paperwork, you will then be told which bay your car is in.

[Milpston]

We used Avis for the first time on a BA flydrive.
I found using the sun pass lanes was easy and worry free. I think the admin fee for doing it is capped at $19.95 (someone will confirm) and tolls on top billed to your credit card. I have read a few threads of people paying cash and and then still being billed and battles ensuing to get their money back. For me, it’s worth the admin fee to have no need to stop at tolls at all.

It was nice and easy at Tampa and just went to the garage due to signing up for Avis preferred. Your name wouldn’t be on the screen on your first use but it was quick and easy. I didn’t bother looking for damage as you are fully covered with insurances and CDW anyway.

[princess allie]

We have used Avis a few times d it’s been easy. Straight to the garage We always use the sun pass lanes, it is capped and it’s just so easy to keep driving and not have to worry about change etc.

[ginger ninja]

We have only ever had one issue with avis out of 3 times, but we are using again this year as price was so good. Not sure surpass would work if you straight to garage as our name has never been on the board!

[FindingMerida]

We've just arrived back today after a BA/Avis Fly Drive into Tampa

We always use the automatic toll - no need to stop or even think about it for a pretty reasonable amount (when I think how much I happily handed over for snacks in the parks!)

BA Flydrive gives you all the insurance you need. I just check the rental agreement they give you says $0 and check the car over when we get to it. We return the car with a full tank so just check the receipt when we hand it back says $0 too

Tampa is well signposted - you have to take a tram to the Rental car garage, go straight to the garage and the Avis Preferred Desk. Our name was on the screen but said go to the desk (we have used Preferred before but not at this location). They let us know where our car was but there was plenty there for us to swap if we hadn't been happy.


Our last Avis car hire was at Sanford. They tried to add charges and lied when I asked for it to be removed. Just take your time and read everything and don't be afraid to question things

The drive to and from TPA was super easy and we'd definitely do it again if it was cheaper than Orlando

[JellyEllieBean]

We always take the sun pass but that’s because we go down to KSC. I also check things like rear lights and indicators before leaving the garage, this is because on one occasion (not Avis) the rear light wasn’t working and we didn’t discover till part way through the holiday so had to go and change the car.

[ERICSMUM]

I have a checklist of things to check before driving off, built up over the years from experience (of things going wrong !).

-check tyres for a flat
-check you have a full tank of petrol IF you have paid for it
-find the switches for: indicators, hazard lights, headlights, wipers & aircon
-where is the handbrake ?
-how to fix your seatbelt
-where is the petrol filler cap and how to open it
-adjust the drivers seat, wing and rear view mirrors
-how to open the drivers window, as you will need to show your papers at the exit and at the toll booths (if paying cash)
-get coins or smaller notes ready for any tolls En route to the hotel.
-I usually go in Nov and driving westward to the hotel at around 5pm means driving toward the sunset, so I always have my sunglasses handy

Sounds a lot but it's worth the few minutes preparation.

[elliecjno1]

We got the BA/Avis flydrive last time & they were great - the sunpass was easy (we did a load of tolls driving about & to KSC so the $19 was worth its) & we checked all receipts we signed at the booth. We joined Avis preferred last time too so should be on the board next year with any luck.

[burney555]

Thanks for the feedback, its always good to hear others experiences.

I think I'll use the Sunpass, just for the convenience and the worry of paying tolls then receiving a Sunpass bill too.