Car rental giant Avis Budget Group has reported a narrower-than-expected financial loss for the first quarter of 2010, with the company buoyed by lower costs. Chairman Ronald Nelson has also written to rival Dollar Thrifty, stating Avis would like to make a “substantially higher” offer than the $1.27 billion deal the car hire company reached with rival Hertz last week.

2009 may have been the year of the ‘staycation’, but as consumer confidence continues to rise1, 2010 looks set to be the year of the ‘experience holiday’.

Leading car rental company Avis UK has announced an increased presence across the UK’s major transport hubs to assist travellers on the final leg of journeys that have been disrupted by the volcanic ash cloud.

Amidst the confusion that has been caused in the travel and tourism markets by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano, many consumers are in the dark about how to obtain refunds on car hire bookings they will be unable to fulfil.

Avis India, has become the first to offer customized holiday packages with all the elements - return air fare, hotel stay, sight-seeing, meals, taxes and a comprehensively insured and impeccably maintained Avis self-drive car available from a single point of contact.

Avis Budget Group, Inc. announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC, has priced an offering of $450 million aggregate principal amount of 9?% senior notes due 2018.