Avis Budget Extends Partnership with American Airlines

Avis Budget Group Inc. and American Airlines have announced the extension of their preferred partnership agreement.

Under the new multi-year agreement, Avis Car Rental, Budget Car Rental and now Payless Car Rental have been named the preferred car rental partners of American's AAdvantage rewards program.

This preferred status improves the reward-earning benefits for AAdvantage members from 50 miles per rental day to 500 or more miles for each qualifying rental, according to the company. Corporate travelers can now earn a minimum of 500 miles on a typical two-day business trip rental instead of earning 100 miles for the same under the old scheme.

Additionally, as part of the partnership, Avis and Budget will promote products, services and money-saving offers in American Airlines' customer channels, including those for AAdvantage members as well as placements online, at Admirals Club locations around the world and aboard flights through inflight media opportunities, according to Avis Budget.

Avis and Budget are also the exclusive car rental providers on AA.com, the airline's official website.

"We're excited to strengthen our relationship with American Airlines and bring the half a million passengers they fly each day an easy way to get from the runway to the highway in one of our quality vehicles," said Stephen Wright, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Avis Budget Group. "This enhanced partnership will help us generate incremental rentals, and now with the new mileage accrual and the addition of Payless, renting a vehicle is even more rewarding than ever."

This agreement builds on the more than 30-year relationship between American Airlines and Avis. Budget has been a travel partner of American Airlines since 1998.