Tampa - Avis Car Hire options

[dopson]

Morning All

I've recently booked to fly into Tampa for the first time via BA Fly Drive and was wondering if any can share their experience of Tampa airport and specifically the car hire options.

As its through BA the car hire company is Avis i believe and I've gone for a 7 seater to fit all our suitcases in (5 of us travelling). I've only really done Alamo and the facility to collect your car and select your car via skip the queue is great. Does Avis do anything similar and can anyone share what car options they had for a 7 seater style car?

Thanks
Paul

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Can't help ref Tampa but have you joined Avis Preferred and linked your booking?

[dopson]

Thanks Tom. Done and linked.

[fredflintstone]

IF you have linked your booking with AVIS preferred then you have done the equivalent to skip the counter already. You just go to the garage. The difference is you do not pick a car , but have your van already allocated and waiting for you. If you need to add extra drivers you can do it at the gaeage. If you are a member of the BA exec club (if not just join) you also get an extra driver free. Spouse is already covered to drive automatically.
Just remember to go to the right garage. There is a blue side and a red side at Tampa airport, even though it is a small airport. BA and therefore the AVIS garage you want is on the red side, so your car will be waiting.
If you do not like your van you can ask to change it.
Last time I had a van it was a full spec T&C, but that was 2 years ago.

[Orlandobelle]

Sign up to Avis preferred
Follow the signs to car rental and "ready cars"
Go to the kiosk in the garage (by-passing the desk).
They'll have your keys waiting - I was given the option of 2 cars
Get in, drive out - no checks at the exit as at other airports
All really straightforward 👍

[Jersey Mike]

Personally I find Tampa a great airport to fly into and far quicker than MCO--Last year was less than 1 hour from disembarking airplane to driving out of the garage !..Can't really help with Avis have always used Alamo but go along with what others have said about joining Avis preferred

[MikeC1964]

Originally Posted by fredflintstone

... There is a blue side and a red side at Tampa airport, even though it is a small airport. BA and therefore the AVIS garage you want is on the red side, so your car will be waiting...

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Excellent. This will be our first time flying into Tampa so that's a useful tip. We'll be getting in at 8:20 pm so here's hoping there's still a half decent SUV waiting for us... whatever 'half decent' might mean (I haven't figured that out yet, but when we last went we picked up from four points and the only SUV they had at 8am in the morning was a very battered one one New York plates, so we ended up dropping by MCO to change it later in the day!)

[DIBBadmin]

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[Alice2111]

Tampa is a great airport , easy pick up with Avis Preferred & drop off was very smooth. Its our airport of choice now , don't worry it will be fine , enjoy your trip !