As of October 1, 2009, all vehicles in our US fleet are designated as non-smoking cars. A cleaning fee of up to $ 250 may be applied to the cost of a rental, in the event this policy is violated. See press release

(Click on a question to view the non-smoking frequently asked questions)

Why are you enacting this new policy?

• Tobacco smoke leaves a residue on vehicle fabrics, fibers and surfaces, which emits odors that many people find unpleasant. This new policy is designed to ensure that we are improving the comfort of our customers, which is one of Avis’ top priorities.
• When a vehicle must be cleaned of tobacco smoke odor and residue, all surfaces must be treated and cleaned. This takes considerable time and requires the vehicle to be removed from the rental fleet until it is odor free. This generates incremental costs for special cleaning and loss of income due to the vehicle not being available for rental. This new policy helps us recoup some of the costs associated with cleaning tobacco odor and residue from our vehicles.
• Along with the new policy, we have started a new inspection process. When a vehicle that was smoke-free when delivered to a customer is inspected upon return and it is determined that the vehicle must be cleaned of tobacco odor and residue, the renter will be required to pay a fee of up to $ 250.

What is the new «inspection process»? How is it determined that a customer smoked in the vehicle?

• Similar to how we assess cleaning fees for excess dirt and grime on vehicles, when a vehicle is returned, the Returns Agent will inspect the vehicle for physical evidence that it has been smoked (ash / cigarette butts on the vehicle / cigarette burns etc) and photos will be taken to substantiate the cleaning fee assessment.
• Our goal is not to be able to prove whether or not someone smoked in our vehicle. We are committed to providing our customers with vehicles that are 100 percent smoke-free, which means that we are inspecting the vehicles for the smell of smoke as well as ash, cigarette butts, etc. Even if there is no visible evidence of smoking activity, if a vehicle that was smoke-free when delivered is returned smelling of tobacco, it will undergo a special cleaning and the fee will be assessed.

What is the new «inspection process»? How is it determined that a customer smoked in the vehicle?

• In most cases, the inspection and notification to the customer will take place at the time of the return of the vehicle by our Returns Agent in the vehicle return area. If the returns agent finds evidence that the car has been smoked and / or smells like smoke, the customer will be informed of this finding and may be charged a cleaning fee of up to $ 250. This will then be delivered to the customer. customer your receipt according to the standard procedure.
• Later, a location manager will inspect the vehicle to validate the Returns Agent’s findings and determine if a cleaning fee should be applied. If so, the customer is notified in writing that the fee has been charged to the credit card we have on file.
• In certain circumstances, the Returns Agent may not be able to notify the customer of the possible rate assessment at the time of vehicle return. Examples include:
  o The customer leaves the return area before a Return Agent can inspect their vehicle.
  o A returns agent is unable or unavailable to thoroughly inspect the car at the time of the return of the vehicle; inspection is carried out by trained personnel on our service island at a later time.
  o Vehicle is returned after business hours when no return agent is available to inspect the vehicle.
• When the vehicle can only be inspected after the customer has left our facility and is determined to require smoke-related cleaning, the customer is notified by mail that the fee has been charged to their credit card.

What can customers do to ensure that they are not charged a cleaning fee?

• By October 1, 2009, 100% of the Rentacart4you fleet vehicles will be 100% smoke-free. As new vehicles enter the fleet, or existing vehicles are inspected and determined to be smoke free, a decal is placed on the rear side window informing the customer that the vehicle is smoke free, smoking is prohibited in the vehicle and that If cleaning of residues and tobacco odors is required, a fee of $ 250 will be charged.
• Starting in October 2009, the fleet will be 100 percent smoke-free and the policy will be in effect for 100% of our fleet, not just those with decals. The stickers are primarily to help notify customers of the transition to a 100 percent smoke-free fleet.

What if my car doesn’t have a no-smoking policy label?

• To avoid paying the fee, customers must refrain from smoking in or near the vehicle at all times.
• Rental vehicles must be thoroughly inspected by the customer before leaving the rental location. Customers should check the car for body or interior damage, dirt or grime, and make sure it is smoke-free.
• If at the time of vehicle check-out the vehicle is not to the customer’s satisfaction, we recommend that the customer go to the rental counter and speak with an agent before leaving our facilities. The customer will be provided with another vehicle, if one is available, and no fees of any kind will be charged.

We do not have a strict policy on pets, but be sure to return your rental car in clean condition with no pet hair, etc. to avoid cleaning charges.