Advantage Rent A Car Franchise News

November 06, 2008 // Franchising.com // Minneapolis, MN, – Having a picture of a Lamborghini prominently displayed on the Advantage Rent A Car display stand at the 2008 World Travel Market November 10-13 at ExCeL London international exhibition and conference centre may have some exhibitors and visitors wondering why a car hire company offering competitive low rates would be promoting such an expensive and luxurious automobile.

Advantage does have some of the best rates on new hire cars. Every day Advantage has vehicles for hire at rates that are better than the competition. However, customers in Las Vegas, Los Angeles or San Diego, who are looking for a unique way to arrive at their destination in style, can also hire one of Advantage's Premium Collection automobiles including: Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Mercedes, and Range Rover...

Minneapolis, Mn--(Marketwire - October 15, 2008) - Advantage Rent A Car has introduced a car rental program that gives Continental Airlines OnePass members a frequent flyer mileage-earning opportunity on the ground that will help keep costs down before they next take to the air.

Advantage is awarding Continental OnePass members 10,000 frequent flyer miles to select cities across America on all qualifying rentals when they rent from Advantage.

OnePass members who rent a full-size car class or higher from Advantage for three or more days to Los Angeles, Denver or Orlando by October 31, 2008, will earn up to 10,000 miles. OnePass members can also earn 5,000 miles when they book a full-size car class or higher for three or more days at any of Advantage's other U...

Minneapolis, MN--(Marketwire - October 6, 2008) - With the Greater Houston area still reeling from the damage caused by Hurricane Ike, Advantage Rent A Car has launched two hurricane relief car rental programs featuring special low rates aimed at helping area residents, travelers and relief workers travel in and out of the Houston metropolitan area.

"Advantage is Texas born, and we care about our coastal neighbors, especially those affected by the recent hurricane," said Denny Hecker, Chairman at Advantage. "We've moved cars into Houston to help. Choose any car, from economy through minivan size classes, and you'll pay the same low rate, regardless of the vehicle you choose. We're also offering special low weekly rates, because at this time, getting around should be the least of your worries...

Minneapolis, MN--(Marketwire - October 2, 2008) - Delta Air Lines SkyMiles members who rent a car from Advantage Rent A Car between October 1 and December 31, 2008, can earn double frequent flyer miles.

Whether the trip is for business or leisure, SkyMiles members who rent from Advantage can earn up to 400 miles per day, in addition to getting up to 50 percent off competitor rates on a great new car.

"Advantage is pleased to be part of the Delta SkyMiles program. We believe our special offer of 400 miles per day far exceeds other car rental company offers and we are excited to share this with our valued customers," said Bob Thunell, Vice President of Sales at Advantage.

This offer applies to a car rental of an intermediate size vehicle or larger...

Minneapolis, MN--(Marketwire) - Advantage Rent A Car is rolling out its new Senior Advantage car rental program that has customers excited about reaching their golden years more than ever.

That's because at Advantage, growing older means you get great savings without the hassle of a lot of restrictions associated with senior discounts. You don't need a coupon, you aren't restricted to renting on a certain day of the week, and you don't even have to be a member of any retirement organizations. In fact, you don't even have to be age 55 or 60.

The Senior Advantage program is available to customers age 50 and better who rent a great new car from Advantage. For an economy car through full size car at just $25 per day or a minivan and small SUV for only $35 per day, seniors can get the car they want for a price they can afford...

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - September 16, 2008) - As a result of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike, Texas-based Advantage Rent A Car has responded by sending much needed inventory of rental cars into the Houston area.

Thousands of vehicles in the region have been either rendered inoperable or destroyed as a result of flooding and other storm damage. To assist in taking care of the tremendous demand for rental cars that will be needed in the city for relief and reconstruction, Advantage has already started to move additional vehicles into the Houston area.

"As a company with deep roots in Texas, we were naturally concerned for the welfare of our employees, friends and neighbors," said Denny Hecker, Chairman of Advantage...

September 08, 2008 // Franchising.com // Minneapolis, MN, – Advantage Rent A Car recently announced that Janice Bunch has been promoted to a newly created position of Vice President/General Manager, San Antonio Corporate Operations.

Ms. Bunch joined Advantage in 2006 as Vice President/Chief Human Resources Officer. She brings more than 25 years of human resources, administration and business management experience from a variety of industries including technology, financial services and government contracting.

In her new position, Ms. Bunch will have oversight of the San Antonio corporate operations facility, as well as be in charge of reservations sales, customer contact center operations, human resources, the Advantage employee website, and corporate training...

Drive America Partners with Advantage Rent-a-Car to Provide Assistance for Customers.

Dallas, TX, --(PR.com)-- Drive America (www.driveamericaholdings.com) announces a new partnership with Advantage Rent A Car (www.advantage.com) to provide superior emergency roadside assistance services to its rental car customers.

This new partnership establishes Drive America as a significant service provider in the rental car industry. It allows Advantage Rent A Car to offer its customers roadside assistance services from a company with one of the largest and best managed service networks in the country. The roadside assistance program offers rental car customers complete roadside assistance services, from towing to changing flat tires and aiding drivers who are locked out of their vehicles...

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - August 4, 2008) - Advantage Rent A Car has announced its selection of W.W. Grainger, Inc. as the car rental company's preferred partner for maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) purchases.

Lake Forest, Ill.-based Grainger will provide specific product categories to each of Advantage's more than 80 locations, including: motors, HVAC, electrical and lighting, material handling, janitorial supplies, tools, safety supplies, car wash chemicals, fasteners, metalworking, pumps, pipes, plumbing, pneumatics, and hydraulics.

Many of these products will assist Advantage in moving forward with its commitment to becoming the first major all green car rental company in the United States.

"Our newly formed relationship with Grainger is significant in allowing our locations to purchase 'green products' from a significant single source distributor," said Mick Anselmo, Chief Operating Officer at Advantage...

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - July 25, 2008) - Advantage Rent A Car has announced a new partnership with Drive America to provide rental car customers "anywhere, anytime, peace of mind" 24-hour emergency roadside assistance services.

If roadside assistance is needed, Advantage customers can call Drive America's toll-free service number, which is manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by associates who are ready to dispatch help to wherever the rental vehicle is disabled. Service features include: 24-hour towing, battery jumpstart, flat tire change, lockout service and fuel delivery (up to 2 gallons).

"Advantage Rent A Car is committed to offering our customers 'worry free' travel by providing the very best roadside assistance," said Mick Anselmo, Chief Operating Officer at Advantage...

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - July 14, 2008) - Advantage Rent A Car is joining forces with GayTravel.com to form an exclusive partnership with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) travelers offering GayTravel.com visitors convenient access to some of the best deals and promotions in the car rental industry via Advantage's website at www.advantage.com/gaytravel.

"We're excited about our relationship with GayTravel.com and the LGBT community," said Denny Hecker, Advantage Rent A Car Chairman. "We value the opportunity to work with quality partners like GayTravel.com to develop valued services that cater to the travel wants and needs of the LGBT community."

As part of the company's continuing efforts to be responsive to the travel needs of the LGBT community, Advantage Rent A Car will be on hand at San Diego's 34th annual Gay Pride Festival July 19-20 to gather feedback from the LGBT community on what they are looking for when choosing a car rental company...

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - July 11, 2008) - Next week, Advantage Rent A Car will help introduce a Global Positioning System-based audio device that will help change how tourists and business travelers get to their destinations when renting a car from Advantage.

Advantage is partnering with Tourism Radio to offer a virtual "tour guide" radio service device that combines GPS technology with an informative and entertaining audio service to tell travelers about the surrounding area, road safety warnings and cautions and any points of interest as they approach them in their Advantage rental car. The device, which plugs into the cigarette lighter and broadcasts through the vehicle's radio, will be available for $9.99 per day to be used in rental cars at Advantage's Maui car rental and Honolulu car rental locations...

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - July 9, 2008) - Advantage Rent A Car will be opening a new car rental location Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at 5401 West 63rd Street to serve Chicago Midway International Airport.

Located just 10 miles southwest of downtown, Chicago Midway (MDW) is one of the fastest growing airports in North America serving more than 17 million travelers each year. Southwest Airlines is one of the carriers serving the airport with more than 200 departures per day to 47 destinations.

"Our success at Chicago O'Hare was the impetus for the new Midway rental car location for Advantage," said Mick Anselmo, Chief Operating Officer. "Chicago Midway is a significant location for Advantage and is part of our long-term strategy to serve our Advantage customers at top airport locations across the United States...

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - June 30, 2008) - Advantage Rent A Car today announced that it will open its second car rental franchise location Tuesday, July 1, in Pittsburgh International Airport.

The Pittsburgh in-terminal franchise is owned by General American Rentals, Inc. Robert P. Gardill II, the company's president and sole shareholder, is no stranger to the car rental business, having worked in the industry since graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1988.

"We are extremely excited by the tremendous opportunity for the growth of the Advantage brand and look forward to working with Advantage to establish it as the premiere rental car provider in the Mid-Atlantic region," said Gardill. "We are pleased to begin that growth by the opening of our in-terminal location at the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport, a top 50 national airport...

June 26, 2008 // Franchising.com // MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Advantage Rent A Car, the first major U.S. rental car company to commit to going 100 percent green with its fleet of rental cars, recently announced the appointment of Robert Thunell as the Vice President of Sales.

Thunell will be responsible for leading the sales team to support and enhance the company's competitive position. He will oversee and direct local and national sales efforts, online and traditional travel agent market segments and development of strategic partnerships for the company.

With more than 25 years of experience in the car rental industry, Thunell joins the company after working for the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. "I am excited to join the Advantage team and look forward to many successes in growing the Advantage brand," said Thunell...

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - June 20, 2008) - Heading to Dallas for a business meeting? Maybe you're planning to cool off during a family summer vacation to South Padre Island or one of Texas' many great amusement or water parks? Perhaps San Antonio's famed River Walk or the Alamo is your destination. No matter what the reason for traveling in Texas this summer, Advantage Rent A Car has announced its Lone Star State "Rent in Texas" promotion that will help save you money.

Now through July 15 business travelers and summer vacationers can rent a car from any Advantage Texas location and receive a coupon good for $25 off their next rental of three or more days. The process is simple and the savings are great. To receive the $25 coupon, book your reservation online at any Texas location at http://www...

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - June 13, 2008) - Advantage Rent A Car, the first major U.S. car rental company to commit to going 100 percent green with its fleet of rental cars, recently announced that Swade North America LLC has purchased Advantage's first car rental franchise location, which is located in the suburban Memphis, Tennessee, market.

The Memphis car rental location opened June 2, 2008, in the popular Wolfchase area at 7887 U.S. Hwy. 64 (Stage Road).

"We are excited to be working with Swade North America in the development of this and additional locations in Tennessee and Alabama," said Peter Fritz, Director of Franchising at Advantage. "Their enthusiasm and dedication to customer service will be a welcome addition as the Advantage system increases its reach east of the Mississippi River...