Avis Rent A Car System

I love Avis at Santa Barbara Airport. This is the fastest check-​in ever, and you can go from counter to car in 60 seconds, unless you walk really slow. Returning the car is just as fast. In an environment where business travel has become soul-​less and painful, Avis is a bright spot in an otherwise dreary trip.

I travel once a month on business to LAX, so I pick up at LAX and drop off at SBA. Occasionally picking up from SBA to LAX. Nathan is always VERY helpful. He’s quick and pleasant — service with a smile!

Before the new SBA was built, you had to trek to a certain spot outside the airport and wait for the Avis shuttle to take you to the rental office. then wait in a 4 person line while 2 staff people explain to all the newbies how things work… then finally get service where you confirm 10 different details they should already have gotten from your travel agent… then walk out to your POS car and make your merry way.
NOW with the new SBA, you skip the first step, but still have to deal with the next 3 steps. Ridiculous — not even an marked improvement.
I know the SBA is quite small, so they don’t really need a staff of 4 or anything, but it would be nice if, for people like me who are frequent Avis renters, we could just pass them our ID/​CCard, and get the key and GTFO there. I am usually not up for dilly-​dallying when I’m getting my car — I just want in and out. and a decently powered car.
I’ve occasionally gotten upgrades only because they haven’t had my vehicle line available. which has worked out well.
Their staff is friendly actually, I just wish they were quicker and they treated business travelers like business travelers and not newbies.