Avis Car Rental

- Hotel Guests Only, 455 N Park Dr, Chicago, IL 60611

For residents across Illinois, particularly those in the vibrant city of Chicago, accessing convenient and reliable car rental services is a common need. Whether you’re staying downtown for a staycation, have out-of-town guests visiting, or require a vehicle for a specific purpose within the city, understanding the nuances of local car rental options is essential. This article focuses on a unique Avis Car Rental location at the Loews Chicago Hotel, designed primarily for hotel guests but offering insights relevant to local usage, especially if you're hosting visitors or have specific arrangements.

While Chicago boasts excellent public transportation, there are indeed times when the flexibility and privacy of a rental car are indispensable. This could be for day trips outside the city, attending events where public transit is less convenient, or simply for the comfort of having a private vehicle. The Avis Car Rental at 455 N Park Dr presents an intriguing option within the city's car rental landscape, though it operates under specific conditions that Illinois locals should be aware of.

This guide will provide a clear, factual overview of the Avis Car Rental location at the Loews Chicago Hotel, including its operational model, accessibility, the services it offers, and what to expect based on publicly available information and customer feedback. Understanding these details will help you determine if this particular Avis branch aligns with your car rental needs in the Illinois region.

Location and Accessibility

The Avis Car Rental is located at 455 N Park Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. This address places it within the Loews Chicago Hotel, a prominent establishment in the Streeterville neighborhood, just a short distance from Navy Pier, the Chicago River, and the Magnificent Mile. Its location in a well-known hotel in a bustling part of downtown Chicago offers a degree of convenience for those already in the vicinity.

However, it is crucial for local Illinois users to understand a significant distinction about this particular Avis branch: it is primarily designated as "Hotel Guests Only." This means that direct walk-up rentals for non-hotel guests are generally not accommodated. Instead, this Avis location often operates more as a delivery or pick-up point, serving the Loews Chicago Hotel's clientele. The reviews highlight a common issue where customers expect a traditional Avis office on-site, only to find that vehicles are brought from another location or a shuttle is provided to an off-site Avis branch (commonly 214 N Clark St, which shares the same phone number).

For hotel guests, or locals who might be making a reservation on behalf of hotel guests, the accessibility involves working with the hotel concierge or contacting Avis directly for vehicle delivery to the hotel or shuttle service to the main rental facility. Its proximity to major city landmarks means that if a vehicle is successfully delivered to the hotel, or if you're shuttled to the nearby Clark Street location, you'll be well-positioned to access Chicago's road network, including Lake Shore Drive and connections to major expressways.

Services Offered

Avis Car Rental, as a globally recognized brand, typically offers a comprehensive range of services. While the 455 N Park Dr location has a unique operational model (primarily serving hotel guests with vehicle delivery/shuttle), the underlying Avis services remain consistent. These generally include:

• Diverse Vehicle Fleet: Avis typically provides a wide selection of vehicles, from economical compact cars for city driving to spacious SUVs and minivans for families or groups. They also offer luxury cars, convertibles, and specialty vehicles, depending on availability at their main Chicago locations that serve this hotel branch.
• Flexible Rental Durations: Whether you need a car for a few hours, a day, a weekend, a week, or even longer, Avis offers various rental periods to accommodate different travel plans.
• Online Reservation and Management: Reservations are required, and it's highly recommended to book well in advance (at least 24 hours, or call directly for shorter notice) through the Avis website. Changes to prepaid reservations must be made online or at the rental counter, and current rates, taxes, and fees apply at the time of change.
• Pick-up Service: Avis states they offer a free pick-up service, where you call the rental location directly. For non-Preferred members at this specific hotel location, a shuttle will pick up the customer at the requested time and transport them to the nearest Avis location (e.g., 214 N Clark St) to complete the rental process.
• Vehicle Delivery: For Avis Preferred, Preferred Plus, and President's Club members, the reserved vehicle can often be delivered directly to the Loews Chicago Hotel at the requested time. All customers will meet an Avis associate in the roundabout in front of the hotel for vehicle delivery or shuttle pickup.
• After-Hours Returns: If you wish to leave the car at the hotel, you can leave the keys and valet ticket with the hotel concierge and call the Avis location to advise of the return. However, additional expenses may apply until the contract is closed, so returning the vehicle directly to the 214 N Clark St Avis location is recommended to avoid extra charges, and they will provide a ride back to the hotel.
• Additional Protection Options: Avis offers various protection products, including Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) and liability coverage options, which can be added for peace of mind during your rental.
• Optional Add-ons: Common extras include GPS navigation systems, child safety seats (infant, child, and booster seats), Extended Roadside Assistance (covering key replacement, lockouts, tire changes, jump starts, and fuel delivery), and SiriusXM® radio.

Given the unique operational model of this "Hotel Guests Only" location, direct communication with the Avis branch is vital to confirm specific processes for pick-up and return, especially if you are not a hotel guest but have made arrangements through the hotel.

Features / Highlights

While the Avis Car Rental at 455 N Park Dr presents some operational specificities, it offers certain features and highlights that can be beneficial, particularly for its intended clientele (Loews Chicago Hotel guests) and for locals who understand its unique setup:

• Hotel-Integrated Service: For guests staying at the Loews Chicago Hotel, this Avis location offers a very convenient, albeit indirect, car rental solution. The ability to have a car delivered or to be shuttled from the hotel streamlines the rental process without needing to venture far.
• Convenience for Downtown Stays: For Illinois residents enjoying a staycation in downtown Chicago, or those hosting out-of-town visitors at the Loews Hotel, this Avis branch can be a highly convenient option, eliminating the need to travel to a standalone rental office or airport location.
• Standard Avis Fleet and Services: While the pick-up process is specialized, renters still gain access to the full range of vehicles and services offered by a major brand like Avis, ensuring reliability and a diverse selection of cars for various needs.
• Pre-booking and Membership Benefits: The requirement for advance reservations and the benefits for Avis Preferred members (like direct vehicle delivery) highlight a system designed for efficiency and personalized service for frequent renters.

However, it is crucial to address the customer feedback provided. Reviews indicate that the primary challenge with this location is the expectation versus reality of a physical office and immediate car availability. Customers have reported arriving to find no Avis office, being told to wait for a car to be provided from another location, or being directed to a different Avis branch (e.g., 214 N Clark St) to pick up the car, causing delays and inconvenience. The phrase "Location does not exist" in one review strongly underscores this disconnect. This means that while services are technically offered, the execution and communication around the pick-up process can be a point of frustration. It is essential for renters to understand that this is not a traditional counter location where cars are immediately available on-site.

Contact Information

For reservations, inquiries, or to coordinate vehicle pick-up or delivery with Avis Car Rental at the Loews Chicago Hotel, please use the following contact details:

• Address: Hotel Guests Only, 455 N Park Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
• Phone: (312) 782-6825
• Mobile Phone: +1 312-782-6825

It is strongly advised to call this number well in advance of your desired pick-up time, especially if you are not an Avis Preferred member or if your reservation is made less than 24 hours in advance, to confirm the pick-up process and vehicle availability. Operating hours for this specific location are typically Sun 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM; Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Illinois residents, particularly those who are guests at the Loews Chicago Hotel or are coordinating travel for visitors staying there, the Avis Car Rental at 455 N Park Dr offers a specialized car rental solution. Its primary suitability lies in its dedicated service model for hotel guests, providing convenience through vehicle delivery or shuttle service directly from the hotel premises. This eliminates the need to travel to a distant airport or downtown car rental hub, a significant benefit for those already situated in the Streeterville area.

While the operational specifics (such as the absence of a traditional walk-in office and reliance on off-site vehicle provision) require careful attention to the booking and confirmation process, for those who understand and plan accordingly, this Avis branch offers the reliability of a major brand combined with a tailored, hotel-integrated service. It's an option that, with proper communication and expectation setting, can provide convenient access to a rental car for navigating Chicago and exploring the broader Illinois region, particularly for guests seeking seamless transportation from their hotel base.

Avis Car Rental

Hotel Guests Only, 455 N Park Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, USA