Frequently Asked Questions - Travel

Yes. Contact Roadside Assistance at (800) 354-2847.
In the event of a vehicle breakdown, a situation in which the renter believes the vehicle is unsafe, or other vehicle emergency, Avis/Budget shall remedy the situation within two (2) hours of being notified by the renter (e.g. fix the flat tire, jump start the vehicle, refill the vehicle with gas, unlock the vehicle) or replace the vehicle; replacement vehicles shall be the same or greater class and shall be provided at no additional charge.

Avis Preferred and Budget Fastbreak are loyalty programs that provide members with exclusive benefits and privileges to make renting faster and easier.

Members may receive such benefits as:

• Expedited Service.
• Saving their rental preferences and the ability to reserve faster

You can enroll by visiting

• Avis Preferred
• Budget Fastbreak

Renters are also encouraged to download the free Avis and Budget mobile apps:

• Avis app
• Budget app

These steps will help expedite the reservation and rental process for the renter.

Using one of the following methods:

Personal credit card or your university travel card in Lightning.

Initiate reservations through the Avis Website or the Budget Website. Or contact the state-dedicated customer service number: (800) 338-8211.

You will need an Avis/Budget issued billing number. Billing numbers are issued to allow travel card holders to reserve and pay rentals for other individuals (i.e. visitors, co-workers, and staff).

You can request the billing number by completing the Global Electronic Billing Terms of Agreement, and submitting to Raylene Clegg, Avis/Budget Account Services Representative, at floridahelp@avisbudget.com.

Once you receive your billing number, you will be sent a step-by-step booking guide for using your Billing Number with future reservations.

A billing number is not needed for rentals reserved and paid by the individual traveler for themselves. 

Do not disclose billing numbers to others as it is tied to your travel card.

Use the driver’s legal name as shown on their valid driver’s license.

If you are renting for business use in the US, do not accept any of the optional insurance coverages at time of enrollment in Avis Preferred or Budget Fastbreak Programs, or at time the vehicle is picked up and contract is signed. 

These coverages are included in the state contracted business rate and are automatically included on all business rentals.

If you are renting for leisure use, these coverages are NOT included, but can be added to your reservation at your cost.

Contact the branch directly (in advance) to cancel a reservation by name or contact Avis/Budget state-dedicated customer service number: (800) 338-8211.

Proceed with booking a business reservation. At time of pickup, tell counter attendant which days of rental are for leisure use.

The attendant will ensure appropriate taxes are assessed for leisure days. Insurance is not included for leisure rentals.

Yes, but State of Florida sales tax will be charged on in-state rentals.

Although possible, there are severe limitations and it is not encouraged.  

Contact the state-dedicated customer service number: (800) 525-7521 for details.

Travelers are provided rental receipts with each return, either in person or to email address on file.

If receipt is lost, contact (800) 525-7521 or please contact Raylene Clegg, Avis/Budget Account Services Representative, at floridahelp@avisbudget.com; please copy the Contract Administrator on all communications with the Avis/Budget Account Services Representative.

For business use & leisure use:

• 18-year olds for all car classes except passenger vans.
• 21-year olds may rent passenger vans accommodation 12 to 15 passengers.

Note: Avis/Budget will assess underage fees to any leisure use rental if the renter is between the ages of 18 and 24.

Yes. There will be no charge for additional drivers, provided they are also state employees on business or are members of the same household as the primary renter.

Standard age qualifications apply for vehicle classes.

Additional drivers do not have to be present to be added on the contract.

At the time of pick up, the primary renter must be present at branch in order to depart with the car.

The primary renter is considered the person whose name appears on the reservation and who will sign the rental agreement.

Yes, a 3-hour grace period is provided for picking up a rental.  

For example: If the reservation was made for 8AM, traveler may pick up as late as 11AM.

Please notify branch with any delays or changes.

• A valid driver’s license.
• A major credit card (unless electronic or central billing is used).
  • Use of debit cards for rentals may be restricted; please refer to the email confirmation received at the time of the reservation, or inquire when making a telephone reservation, regarding the debit card policy for the selected location.
• An employee identification badge (unless electronic or central billing is used).
  • The renter must be employed by a state agency or eligible user (e.g. a Florida city or county, state college or university, etc.).
  • Written authorization is required for non-employees and contractors traveling on behalf of a customer; written authorization must be on the customer’s letterhead and include the renter’s name, rental dates, and reservation number.
  • Non-employees and contractors are not permitted to use this contract for leisure use rentals.

Airport locations: Parking is available per airport terms. Charges may apply.

Non-Airport locations: Renters should not plan on leaving a personal vehicle at a non-airport location during the rental period. .

Yes. Business or personal associates may return the vehicle on behalf of the primary renter

Yes, Avis/Budget locations in Tallahassee have drop boxes near the front door. Park the vehicle on the lot and deposit keys in secure box provided.

Avis/Budget will inspect and close out contract the following morning. The renter will be contacted if there are any issues.

Routine dirt and minor trash is to be expected. At the time of return, the vehicle should:

• Have a full tank of gas (or the same amount of gas that was in the vehicle at the time of pick-up, if the renter agreed to accept less than a full tank).
• Be clean and free of personal items. If the vehicle is excessively dirty (including animal fur), Avis/Budget may assess a fee up to $200 to clean the vehicle.
• Be free of residual odors, smoke, or cigarette smell. If the renter smokes in the vehicle, Avis/Budget may assess a fee up to $200 to desmoke the vehicle.

Detailing fees are to be paid by traveler and are not reimbursable by FSU.

Upon return, travelers can refill tank to level provided at pickup or have Avis/Budget refuel. There will be no refueling fee and fuel charge will be based on average midgrade fuel price. Fuel will be an additional charge and reimbursable by FSU.

Florida sales tax will show on your reservation during booking and will be removed at the counter by rental agent if the following applies and:

• Rental originates in the State of Florida
• Rental is for business use and paid with an FSU Travel Card or assigned Billing Number.

Taxes will be charged if paid by personal credit card or if rental is made out-of-state.

Renters should plan ahead if they anticipate incurring toll charges during their travel.

• Renters are strongly encouraged to use a SunPass transponder. Renters must add the rental vehicle’s license plate number to the SunPass account at time of pick-up and remove the license plate number from the account when the vehicle is returned.
• If the renter does not have a SunPass transponder, and the renter travels through a toll plaza without paying cash, the renter will automatically be charged for using the Avis/Budget e-Toll service. The renter will be charged the actual cost for all tolls plus an e-Toll convenience fee of $3.95 for each day a toll is incurred. The convenience fee will not exceed $19.75 for the entire rental period.

Tolls will be charged to the credit card on file 2-4 weeks after the rental. Further questions can be directed to TollPass at: (877) 765-5201 or htallc.com.

Yes, 12-passenger vans are available for rent on contract through Avis/Budget for approved university business by renters aged 21 and over. Pricing can be found on the current rate sheet.

Please submit requests at least 72 hours in advance. These vehicles are typically available only at city locations and are not commonly available at airport locations.

15-passenger vans are available for rent off-contract with Avis/Budget for approved University business by renters aged 21 and over.

• These rentals require Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) and Additional Liability Coverage (ALI) to be purchased at the rental counter.

Please submit requests at least 72 hours in advance. These vehicles are typically available only at city locations and are not commonly available at airport locations.

Yes. Avis/Budget will not charge a drop fee for one-way rentals within the State of Florida and within 700 miles out-of-state. Mileage will be assessed on any one-way rentals out-of-state that exceed 700 miles. A mileage fee of $0.25 will be assessed for each mile beyond the initial 700.