Avis AWD Codes Explained — What They Are and How to Use Them
Quick answer: AWD stands for Avis Worldwide Discount. An AWD code is a numeric code that unlocks a specific discounted rate in Avis's booking system. AWD codes are used for membership discounts (Mastercard, Costco, AMEX), corporate programs, and promotional offers — they are not exclusively for corporate customers. In most cases an AWD code can be combined with an Avis coupon code for an even lower total, and CarRentalSavers.com applies both automatically.
If you've seen a field labelled "AWD Number" on Avis's booking page and weren't sure what to enter — or assumed it was only for corporate travellers — this guide explains exactly what AWD codes are, the different types available, which ones you might already qualify for, where to find them, and how to use them most effectively.
1
What Is an Avis AWD Code?
AWD stands for Avis Worldwide Discount. It is a numeric code — typically 7 characters beginning with a letter — that Avis assigns to a specific organisation, employer, membership group, promotion, or booking channel. When you enter an AWD at booking, Avis's system looks up the rate associated with that code and applies it to your rental.
An important point that many renters miss: AWD codes are not exclusively for corporate or membership customers. Avis also uses AWD numbers to deliver promotional rates — such as seasonal discounts, partner offers, and channel-specific pricing. If you've ever seen a promotion advertised with a code to enter at Avis's booking page, that code is typically an AWD.
The three main types of Avis AWD code:
| AWD Type | Who It's For | Examples | Proof Required at Pickup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Membership / Affiliation | Members of a specific organisation | AARP, Mastercard, Visa, AMEX, Costco, military, union, teacher, nurse/healthcare, senior | Yes — membership card or qualifying ID |
| Corporate / Employer | Employees of a company with a negotiated Avis rate | Corporate travel programs, government agencies, universities | Sometimes — check employer policy |
| Promotional | Anyone — no membership required | Seasonal offers, partner promotions, channel-specific rates, booking site discounts | No — promotional AWDs are open to all |
AWD vs coupon code — what's the difference? An AWD reduces the base daily rate through a pre-negotiated or promotional discount. A coupon code provides fixed savings — money off, free upgrade, or free day — applied on top of the base rate. Note: percentage discounts at Avis (e.g. up to 40% off) are AWDs, not coupons. Both can usually be used together. The AWD goes in the AWD field; the coupon goes in the coupon field. See our Avis coupon not working guide if you've been entering them in the wrong fields.
2
Promotional AWD Codes — Not Just for Members
This is the most misunderstood aspect of Avis's AWD system. Many renters see the AWD field and assume it's only for corporate accounts or membership programs — so they leave it blank. In reality, Avis regularly issues promotional AWD codes that are available to any renter, with no membership required.
How promotional AWD codes work:
- Seasonal promotions — Avis issues promotional AWD codes for specific travel periods, destinations, or vehicle classes. These are often advertised on Avis's website, in email campaigns, or through partner sites
- Partner channel discounts — booking through specific travel sites, credit card portals, or partner platforms sometimes unlocks an AWD that reduces the base rate below what's available on Avis's standard booking page
- Event or destination-specific rates — Avis sometimes issues promotional AWD codes tied to specific airports, cities, or travel events
- CarRentalSavers.com partner AWDs — our Smart Book engine includes promotional AWD codes that are built into the discount dropdown, giving you access to rates you may not find elsewhere
Key difference from membership AWDs: Promotional AWD codes do not require proof of membership at pickup. If you've booked using a promotional AWD, you don't need to show any additional card or ID beyond your standard driver's license and payment card. This makes promotional AWDs one of the easiest ways to reduce your Avis base rate — no membership required.
Pro Tip: Always select a discount from the AWD dropdown on CarRentalSavers.com even if you don't have a membership-based AWD. Our dropdown includes promotional AWD codes that are available to all renters and may reduce your base rate without any membership requirement.
3
Where to Find Your Avis AWD Code
Membership and Affiliation AWD Codes
| Organisation | How to Access the AWD | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AARP | Applied automatically when AARP discount is selected on CarRentalSavers.com | AARP membership card required at pickup. Available to members 50+ |
| Mastercard | Applied automatically when Mastercard discount is selected on CarRentalSavers.com | Must pay with an eligible Mastercard at pickup |
| Visa | Applied automatically when Visa discount is selected on CarRentalSavers.com | Must pay with an eligible Visa card at pickup |
| AMEX | Applied automatically when AMEX discount is selected on CarRentalSavers.com | Must pay with an eligible American Express card at pickup |
| Costco | Applied automatically when Costco discount is selected on CarRentalSavers.com | Costco membership card required at pickup |
| BJ's Warehouse | Applied automatically when BJ's discount is selected on CarRentalSavers.com | BJ's membership card required at pickup |
| Military | Applied automatically when military discount is selected on CarRentalSavers.com | Valid military ID required at pickup |
| Senior (50+) | Applied automatically when senior discount is selected on CarRentalSavers.com | Available to renters aged 50 and over |
| Union Plus | Applied automatically when Union Plus discount is selected on CarRentalSavers.com | Union membership required at pickup |
| Teachers | Applied automatically when teacher discount is selected on CarRentalSavers.com | Valid educator credentials required at pickup |
| Nurses / Healthcare | Applied automatically when healthcare discount is selected on CarRentalSavers.com | Healthcare credentials required at pickup. Also valid for first responders |
Corporate / Employer AWD Codes
Many companies have negotiated a corporate AWD with Avis for their employees. To find yours:
- Check your company's travel policy or intranet — corporate travel codes are typically listed there
- Contact your HR or travel department and ask for the Avis AWD number
- Check any corporate travel booking tools your employer uses — the AWD is usually pre-filled
- Enter the AWD at checkout when booking through CarRentalSavers.com — it can often be used for personal rentals as long as your employer permits this
Promotional AWD Codes
Promotional AWD codes are available to any renter — no membership required:
- CarRentalSavers.com discount dropdown — our Smart Book engine includes promotional AWD codes available to all renters. Always check the dropdown before searching even if you don't have a membership AWD
- Avis.com promotional pages — Avis advertises promotional AWD codes during seasonal campaigns and for specific destinations
- Avis email offers — signing up for Avis emails often delivers promotional AWD codes not available on the standard booking page
- Partner sites and credit card portals — booking through certain travel portals can unlock partner AWD rates
Already on CarRentalSavers.com? Both membership and promotional AWD codes are built into our discount dropdown. Select your discount before clicking Search and Smart Book applies the AWD automatically — in the correct field, without any manual entry required.
4
How to Apply an Avis AWD Code — Alone or with a Coupon
On CarRentalSavers.com (recommended):
- Go to carrentalsavers.com/avis
- Enter your pickup location, dates, and times
- Select your Avis discount from the discount dropdown — this applies your AWD automatically in the correct field
- Select an Avis coupon from the coupon dropdown to stack on top — money off ($15 off) or free upgrade
- Click Search — Smart Book applies both codes in the correct fields and returns results showing the combined discounted total
- At checkout, enter your Avis Preferred number if you have one — this cannot be added after booking is confirmed
On Avis's website directly:
- Enter your AWD number in the AWD Number field — numeric only, typically starting with a letter (e.g. A686210)
- Enter your coupon code in the Coupon / Promotion Code field — do not enter your AWD here
- These are two separate fields — entering either code in the wrong field is one of the most common reasons codes appear not to work. See our Avis coupon not working guide for full troubleshooting
Have a corporate AWD not in our dropdown? Enter your AWD manually in the AWD field at the Avis checkout page after clicking through from CarRentalSavers.com search results. The coupon will have been applied by Smart Book and you can add your corporate AWD at checkout.
Pro Tip: If you qualify for multiple AWD codes — for example both Mastercard and Costco — search twice on CarRentalSavers.com, once with each AWD alongside the same coupon. The percentage discount varies by program and one will often produce a meaningfully lower total for your specific dates. The comparison takes under two minutes.
5
How AWD Codes Interact with Avis Coupons
In most cases Avis allows an AWD code to be combined with a coupon code on the same booking — giving you two layers of savings simultaneously. The AWD reduces the base rate; the coupon then reduces it further.
| AWD + Coupon Combination | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Membership AWD (e.g. Mastercard) + money-off coupon ($15 off) | ✅ Yes | $175 minimum rental required; airport locations only |
| Membership AWD (e.g. Mastercard) + money-off coupon ($15 off) | ✅ Yes | $175 minimum rental required for the $15 off coupon; airport locations only |
| Membership AWD + free upgrade coupon | ✅ Yes | AWD reduces the base rate; upgrade moves you to a higher class at no extra cost |
| Promotional AWD + money-off or free upgrade coupon | ✅ Usually | Most promotional AWDs can be stacked with coupons — CarRentalSavers.com confirms valid pairings |
| Corporate AWD + money-off or free upgrade coupon | ✅ Usually | Some corporate AWDs restrict coupon stacking — test both options on CarRentalSavers.com |
| Two AWD codes simultaneously | ❌ No | Only one AWD can be applied per booking — choose the one that produces the lower total |
| Two coupon codes simultaneously | ❌ No | Only one coupon can be applied per booking |
Pro Tip: The free upgrade coupon is worth special consideration when combined with an AWD. If you'd normally book a midsize and the free upgrade moves you to a full-size, your AWD still reduces the midsize base rate — meaning you pay the AWD-discounted midsize price for a full-size vehicle. In many cases this delivers more value than a money-off coupon on a higher class or a longer rental.
