Avis Car Rental announced Feb. 15 a new, multi-year agreement through which United Airlines and Continental Airlines, wholly owned subsidiaries of United Continental Holdings, will offer Avis products and services to the airlines' customers. The newly expanded relationship between the two firms will provide Avis with marketing opportunities through online and voice channels and distinguishes Avis as a "preferred car rental partner" for the airlines' MileagePlus and OnePass loyalty programs.

"Travelers typically start planning trips by making airline reservations, then booking a hotel and a car," said Tom Gartland, president, North America, for Avis Budget Group, the parent company of Avis. "Aligning ourselves with world-class brands like United and Continental and reaching travelers at this critical trip-planning stage is an excellent opportunity for us to generate incremental bookings with both business and leisure travelers. We look forward to providing United and Continental customers with a consistently outstanding rental experience around the globe."

As part of the new agreement, Avis branding will be included on the United and Continental websites. Travelers visiting www.united.com and www.continental.com will have the ability to make an Avis reservation directly on each site. Those who contact the United or Continental reservation call centers will also enjoy the convenience of reserving an Avis vehicle. Callers to United and Continental toll-free reservations will be transferred, if interested, directly to an Avis representative.

The approximately 85 million MileagePlus and OnePass members will receive additional benefits from the partnership, including money-saving offers for Avis rentals and the opportunity to earn bonus miles for rentals at participating Avis locations around the globe. MileagePlus members can also redeem miles for Avis rentals. OnePass members who are also Continental Airlines Chase credit card members can redeem miles for Avis rentals.