PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Avis Rent A Car System has launched Avis California Dreamin' Sweepstakes. Now through Jan. 16, U.S. travel agents who book Avis via the Galileo Global Distribution System (GDS) are eligible to win weekly prizes and a chance at a grand prize.

Every Avis booking is an automatic sweepstakes entry. Bookings for pick-up in California or those that include a Saturday night stayover are worth two entries.

In addition, travel agents who book a qualifying Avis rental can increase their chance of winnng $10,000 cash in the "Travel Agent Sweepstakes."

Qualifying rentals for the $10,000 prize must be completed between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2003 and the duration of the rental must be three or more consecutive days and include a Saturday night. The Avis California Dreamin' Sweepstakes will award one travel agent each week for ten weeks with a $500 gift check. The grand prize winner, chosen on or near Jan. 23, 2004, will receive a deluxe California getaway for two. This includes roundtrip airfare, a four-night/five-day stay at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa in Sonoma, Calif., two spa treatments, dinner, and a five-day Avis car rental.

For more information on how to enter the Avis California Dreamin' Sweepstakes, travel agents can access Avis keyword "CADZI/DREAM" in the Galileo GDS or they can view information about this sweepstakes at www.zipromotions.com. This interactive Website provides agents with information about how to enter the promotion in Galileo and offers a link to the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. A survey is also available to agents while they view the Website.

Travel agents can enter the "Travel Agents Sweepstakes" by booking their clients through their agency's GDS and entering a special promotion code (available at avisagent.com) in the "special instructions" field.

For more information, including alternate means of entry, travel agents can visit www.avisagent.com.