Tea and training enhances Avis and the AA’s relationship

In April 2006, Avis announced its new rental contract partnership with the AA. Here Avis explains the complete tailored business solution for the roadside assistance provider.

Avis was keen not to just become ‘another supplier’ for the AA, but to work closely with the organisation to identify how its business operations could be enhanced. To fulfil this brief, Avis offered assistance in a number of areas, providing support to the AA’s consumer and business operations.

Phase one of the partnership included integrating Avis with a key area of the AA’s business – its patrols. Avis provides AA’s Relay Plus and Fleet customers, whose car cannot be fixed at the side of the road, with a hire car, to aid them with their onward journey. To further improve the customer experience, AA Patrols were provided with training by Avis so they understand the car rental process. This training helps to improve efficiency for both customers and Avis staff as the rental can be completed quickly.

The understanding between Avis regional stations and AA patrols has been enhanced through the use of training sessions for the AA, and Avis station managers spending time ‘on patrol’ with the AA.

A number of services operated from regional rental stations are also on offer to AA patrols. Avis helps facilitate the testing and training for the AA’s new vehicle recovery system, which includes offering use of Avis’s fleet at no extra cost to demonstrate the equipment.

Avis further encourages patrols to visit its Stations and AA patrol staff have been issued with Avis branded, Thermal Mugs which can be re-filled at their local Avis rental station!

Stuart Gent, Managing Director, Avis UK explains, “The partnership has given us the opportunity to utilise our services from an alternative angle. We can help enhance the service provided for AA members and make the Patrol’s jobs a bit easier.”

Roy Rosier, Procurement Manager for the AA explains, “Working with Avis adds an extra dimension to our business.” He continues, “The fact that our patrols have a more direct hand in arranging car hire for members in need means we can offer a more efficient solution to keeping our members on the road. The patrols can even get a mug of tea when they visit an Avis station – we know they appreciate it.”