Avis Car Rental

- 1 Culligan Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850

For residents, students, and travelers accessing the beautiful Finger Lakes region via Ithaca, New York, a reliable car rental service is often the essential first step to exploring the area. Avis Car Rental, conveniently located at the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH), stands as a prime option for mobility, offering both car and van rental solutions tailored to meet diverse local and long-distance travel needs across New York State.

Located directly at the airport, Avis provides the speed and convenience expected by air travelers, facilitating a quick transition from the plane to the open road, whether your final destination is Cornell University, a local winery, or even a one-way trip back toward the New York City metropolitan area. The agency maintains a commitment to accessibility and offers attractive benefits like active military discounts, appealing to a broad demographic of New York users.

However, potential renters in New York must approach their reservation with vigilance. While the convenience of one-way rentals and advertised estimated pricing is a major draw, customer feedback strongly indicates that the final agreement—particularly regarding mileage limits and charges—requires meticulous review. The difference between an advertised rate with "estimated total" and the final charged amount, especially on one-way trips, can be significant due to obscure mileage limits. As such, while this Avis location offers necessary services, it mandates an extra level of customer diligence to ensure a satisfactory experience.

The following information provides a detailed and factual overview to help New York users navigate the services, location, and key considerations when choosing Avis Car Rental in Ithaca.

The Avis Car Rental office is strategically situated at the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH), offering maximum convenience for both incoming air travelers and local residents in the Finger Lakes region.

The official address is: 1 Culligan Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.

Being an onsite service location at the airport terminal means customers can proceed directly to the counter after collecting their luggage, eliminating the need for off-site shuttles. This feature is particularly valuable for travelers arriving late or during challenging New York weather.

Key accessibility features include:

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: The facility provides easy-to-navigate access points for all customers, including those utilizing wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Designated parking spaces ensure that customers with accessibility needs can park, pick up, and return their vehicles without undue effort.
• Road Network Access: The location provides immediate access to NY-13, the major thoroughfare connecting Ithaca to the rest of the region, including Cortland, and onward to Syracuse and Binghamton.
• After-Hours Drop-Off: The location facilitates 24-hour vehicle returns, allowing flexibility for early morning flights or late-night arrivals back to ITH, though the counter itself operates with limited evening and weekend hours.

Avis at ITH provides comprehensive rental solutions, serving a variety of transportation needs, from compact cars for local errands to large vans for group travel.

• Diverse Vehicle Selection: The fleet includes vehicles for every occasion, such as:
  • Economy and Compact Cars: Ideal for budget-conscious local renters and students.
  • Sedans and Full-Size Cars: Comfortable options for business travel or road trips across New York State.
  • SUVs (Standard, Full-Size, Premium): Essential vehicles for handling family trips or poor weather conditions common in Upstate NY.
  • Van Rental Agency: They offer a selection of passenger vans (including 12- and 15-passenger models) and minivans, crucial for group tours, university groups, or local organizational transport.
• Flexible Rental Options: The agency specializes in one-way rentals, a popular choice for travelers driving from Ithaca to major hubs like JFK, LGA, or Newark Airport. They also facilitate daily, weekly, monthly, and long-term rental agreements.
• Multiple Payment Methods Accepted: For customer convenience, the office accepts major Credit cards, Debit cards, and modern NFC mobile payments (such as Apple Pay or Google Pay). Renters planning to use a debit card should be prepared for stricter verification requirements and a higher security hold.
• Preferred Service: For Avis Preferred members, the location generally offers an expedited experience, often allowing them to bypass the counter entirely, which significantly speeds up the pick-up process.
• Optional Services: Customers can enhance their rental with optional extras, including GPS navigation units, satellite radio, extended roadside assistance, and various insurance protection packages (DW, LDW, etc.).

Several key features make Avis Car Rental at ITH a notable option for New York users, though some require careful consideration of policy details.

• Active Military Discounts: Avis proudly supports active military, veterans, National Guard, and Reservists, often offering substantial discounts—up to 35% off PAY NOW rates—through verification partners. This is a significant benefit for service members and their families in the region.
• Unlimited Mileage (Check Policy Carefully): Avis promotes that most of its rentals come with unlimited mileage. This feature is crucial for cross-state travel, especially for one-way journeys from Ithaca to the NYC area. However, the critical point is that the system can generate rates that do not include unlimited mileage. Renters must meticulously verify the “Mileage Details” in the final step of the online booking process or on the printed contract to avoid high per-mile charges.
• One-Way Rental Expertise: As a primary pick-up point for one-way trips leaving the Finger Lakes, Avis facilitates these journeys routinely, though renters must be aware that a drop-off charge may apply depending on the specific route and rate chosen.
• Age Requirements: Drivers must typically be 21 or older to rent a vehicle from Avis at ITH. Renters aged 21 to 24 are subject to an additional daily surcharge, a standard policy across the industry.
• Cross-Border Travel: Travel into Canada is generally permitted with Avis, which is convenient given Ithaca's proximity to the Canadian border. Customers should notify the agency in advance to ensure compliance with all documentation requirements.

Given the critical nature of confirming mileage policies and final costs, direct communication with the local Ithaca team is highly recommended.

• Address: 1 Culligan Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA (Located at Ithaca Tompkins International Airport - ITH)
• Phone: (607) 257-0441
• Mobile Phone: +1 607-257-0441

The local office hours are generally limited on weekends and holidays (e.g., Saturday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM), but are typically Mon-Fri 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Always check current operating hours if you plan to visit the counter during non-peak times.

Avis Car Rental at the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH) is a powerful option primarily because of its unbeatable convenience as an onsite airport service in a smaller regional hub. For residents and visitors traveling to or from the Finger Lakes, its specialization in **one-way rentals** and its broad fleet, including much-needed passenger vans for the university and group market, are distinct advantages. The availability of active military discounts is another commendable feature that benefits a significant portion of the New York State community.

However, the critical customer reviews highlight a severe operational flaw: the potential for vast discrepancies between the online estimated total and the final charge due to hidden or inconspicuous limited mileage policies. Additionally, the reported issue of an employee refusing a routine refund, insisting it was the customer's corporate problem, points to a potential lack of professional customer service training at this specific location.

Therefore, a New York renter should choose this Avis location only with a high degree of caution and preparation. It is worth choosing for its convenience and fleet diversity, but only if you:

• Verify the Mileage Clause: Do not rely solely on the "estimated total." Call the local number and explicitly confirm in writing or verbally that your specific reservation includes **Unlimited Mileage** if you plan to drive more than a short distance.
• Inspect the Contract Closely: Before signing, review the entire agreement for any per-mile charge details, especially on one-way rentals to destinations like Newark or New York City airports.
• Use a Credit Card for Hold: Wherever possible, use a credit card for the initial reservation and security hold to avoid potential issues related to debit card holds and refunds, as detailed in the negative reviews.

By taking these preventative steps, New York users can leverage the location’s convenience while protecting themselves from potentially deceptive or frustrating billing issues.

Avis Car Rental

1 Culligan Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA