Avis Car Rental and its subsidiaries operate one of the world’s best-known car rental brands with approximately 5,500 locations in more than 165 countries. Avis has a long history of innovation in the car rental industry and is one of the world’s top brands for customer loyalty. Avis is owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR), which operates and licenses the brand throughout the world.
Founded in 1946 by Warren Avis (who sold his interest in 1954), Avis was the first company to rent cars from airport locations. The company grew rapidly during the 1950’s through franchised and corporate-owned expansion. In 1963, Avis introduced the award-winning “We try harder®” campaign and the tagline remains the company’s rallying cry even today. Ten years later, Avis launched its innovative Wizard system, the company’s proprietary reservation technology. Avis changed ownership multiple times in the 70’s and 80’s, becoming employee-owned in 1987. That same year, Avis introduced the Roving Rapid Return, a handheld computer terminal allowing customers to bypass the Avis counter. Two years later, the company launched Avis Cares® a program aimed at promoting renter and employee safety. In 1996, HFS Incorporated acquired Avis, which was then spun off as a separate public company, all but the franchising rights, Wizard system, and reservation operations. In 2000, the company introduced Avis Interactive, the first Internet-based reporting system for commercial accounts in the car rental industry, which was significantly enhanced and re-launched in 2006. In March 2001, Cendant Corporation purchased all of the outstanding shares of Avis Group Holdings and later that year moved its world headquarters to Parsippany, NJ. In 2006, Cendant Corp. separated into four independent companies: Realogy, Wyndham Worldwide, Travelport and Avis Budget Group, Inc., which is now the parent company of Avis Car Rental. In 2011, Avis Budget Group acquires Avis Europe plc. The transaction re-unites Avis Budget Group with its licensee for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
About this location:
Columbia Metropolitan Apo
Welcome to the Capital of Southern Hospitality. Columbia has plenty of activities to keep you occupied while you’re in South Carolina on business. Your first stop, of course, is at the Avis Car Rental counter at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Peruse the extensive fleet of West Columbia airport rental cars, and select from a wide range of models and upgrades. What’s more, you can accelerate your travel experience with Avis Preferred, a complimentary membership that allows you to skip the line and go straight to your car. Booking Columbia Metropolitan Airport rental cars is as convenient and easy as that.
Once you’re on your way, visit the Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens to see where and how several influential families lived between 1810 and 1910. Explore the restored period rooms complete with personal belongings for a quintessential look at the lives of antebellum Columbia’s elite. For a break from the city, take a short drive to Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park or Lake Murray. Boat, kayak, canoe or hike under the hot South Carolina sun.
Entertaining clients? Treat them to the truest taste of the South with some chicken and waffles or shrimp and grits at one of the local Southern-style restaurants. Cap off the evening with a show at the Columbia Dinner Theater.
Your clients expect the very best, and so do you, so get behind the wheel of an Avis CAE car rental and prepare to impress. Avis is the preferred choice of business travelers when it comes to airport car rentals, and is always happy to be a part of your journey.
PREFERRED SERVICE
*GENERAL DIRECTIONS*