PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Cendant Corp.'s two rental car subsidiaries, Avis Rent A Car System and Budget Rent A Car System, announced March 21 they would waive one-way rental fees in the event of a federally imposed freeze on commercial air travel. Cendant said it designed the policy to "address any stress and uncertainty that travelers may feel in light of recent international tensions."

The policy would apply to cars already on rent at the time of the air travel suspension.

Shortly, after Cendant's announcement, Dollar Rent A Car made a similar announcement.

"While we certainly encourage Americans to continue their business and leisure travel, we want to do everything possible to put travelers' minds at ease," said Bob Salerno, president and COO of the Cendant Car Rental Group. "Given that we do not yet know what a Red Alert status would mean for travel, we want to assure Avis customers in advance that when renting from us we will take all possible steps to provide them with an alternative means to reach their destinations."