Estate planning as a Avis Preferred account holder

Avis Preferred is the loyalty program for Avis car rentals, combining faster pickup as a Preferred member with Avis Preferred Points earned on qualifying rentals and redeemable for reward rental days and accessories. The estate-relevant asset is the unredeemed Avis Preferred Points balance. Under the Avis Preferred Loyalty Program Terms and Conditions (updated January 6, 2025), Section 4.g provides that on a member's death Avis may, in its sole discretion, allow unredeemed points to be transferred to a family member or friend who is already an active Avis Preferred member, after Avis receives and reviews the documentation and communications it requests. The terms state that program benefits and services are the sole property of Avis and not the property of members, that points have no cash value, and that unredeemed points are forfeited on termination of membership for any reason.

When a Avis Preferred account holder dies, their points can be transferred to family members at no charge.

What happens at death

Section 4.g (Death) of the Avis Preferred Loyalty Program Terms and Conditions provides that "In the event of a Member's death, Avis may, in its sole discretion, allow unredeemed Avis Preferred Points to be transferred to a family member or friend who is an active Avis Preferred Member upon Avis's receipt and review of all requested documentation and communications." This is a discretionary transfer, not an inheritance right: the recipient must already be an active Avis Preferred member, and Avis decides whether to allow the transfer after reviewing whatever documentation it asks for. The clause covers unredeemed points only; it does not provide for the transfer of the deceased member's Preferred membership status or tier benefits, and the parallel divorce clause (Section 4.h) states expressly that "Membership status and the related benefits will not transfer to the recipient of the Avis Preferred Points." Points are not payable to an estate or a trust and carry no cash value: Section 5.e states that program benefits and services "are the sole property of Avis, and are not the property of Avis Preferred Members," that on termination of membership for any reason all unredeemed points are forfeited, and that Avis "will not compensate or pay cash for any forfeited or unused Avis Preferred Points." Section 4.f adds that points and member benefits "may not be sold, bartered or transferred (other than by Avis or its agents)." If no eligible active member receives the points before the membership is terminated, the account becomes Inactive, or the points reach their 60-month expiration, the points are forfeited.