Comparison // Drive865 vs Avis
Drive865 vs Avis at TYS
Avis Preferred, counter convenience, standardized vehicles. Drive865: sports cars, contactless, vehicles worth renting specifically for the roads.
TL;DR
Avis for Preferred program, counter convenience, and standardized vehicles; Drive865 for the vehicles Avis doesn't carry.
Side by side
Aspect
Avis at TYS
Drive865 at TYS
Avis at TYS
Pros
- Avis Preferred skip-counter program
- One-way rentals available
- On-airport — no shuttle
- Corporate accounts
Cons
- No sports cars or enthusiast vehicles
- Upsell at counter
- Standard fleet — nothing distinctive
Drive865 at TYS
Pros
- Sports cars, FJ Cruiser, Miata
- Contactless — no counter pressure
- Multi-day discount rates
- Direct host communication
Cons
- No one-way rentals
- Economy Lot shuttle (~15 min)
- No corporate accounts
- Advance booking required
When Avis is the better choice
Avis Preferred members can skip the counter and go directly to their assigned vehicle — a genuinely good experience for business travelers who rent frequently. If you have Avis Preferred, the on-airport process is seamless for standard vehicles.
Avis also handles one-way rentals, corporate accounts, and vehicle categories that Drive865 doesn't stock (economy compacts, full-size trucks, 15-passenger vans).
When Drive865 is the better choice
Avis at TYS doesn't carry sports cars. For the trip that's centered on Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, or any of East Tennessee's driving roads, the right vehicle isn't in Avis's TYS inventory. Drive865's fleet is built around the roads people fly to East Tennessee to drive.
For multi-day rentals, Drive865's discount structure typically outperforms Avis's standard rates. Direct booking also removes Avis's upsell process on insurance, upgrades, and add-ons.
Frequently asked questions
Does Avis have performance or sports cars at TYS?
Avis occasionally participates in luxury/sport programs, but standard TYS inventory is sedans, crossovers, SUVs, and trucks. Not a BRZ, Supra, Miata, or MR2.
Can Drive865 match Avis Preferred's counter-skipping convenience?
The lockbox process is similar in result — you go directly to the car without counter interaction. The difference is the Economy Lot shuttle adds about 15 minutes versus Avis Preferred where the car is in the terminal garage.
Is Drive865 cheaper than Avis?
For our vehicle categories, usually yes — particularly on multi-day rentals where Drive865's discount tiers apply. For standard sedan or crossover rentals where both have comparable vehicles, rates are similar.
Can I return a Drive865 car to a different city?
No — all Drive865 rentals return to the original pickup location. For a one-way rental, Avis or another chain is the appropriate resource.
Does Drive865 have corporate accounts?
No corporate account structure currently. Drive865 is direct-booking only. Avis's corporate program is an advantage for business travelers with company accounts.
What if Avis doesn't have the car I want?
Avis's TYS fleet is standardized — if you want a BRZ, Supra, or FJ Cruiser, Avis won't have it regardless of inventory. Drive865 is the resource for vehicles outside the chain model.
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The cars Avis doesn't carry
From $88/day