You're standing at the rental counter. The line is trailing out the door, snaking past the baggage claim, and you’ve got that heavy, sinking feeling in your chest. The guy in front of you is arguing about insurance coverage. The person behind you is breathing down your neck. Honestly, it’s the worst part of traveling. But then, you see someone—a seasoned pro—just walk straight past the line, hop into a shiny SUV, and drive away. They didn't even talk to a human. They have a Wizard Number. If you've ever wondered "how do i get an avis wizard number" while staring at a 40-minute wait, you aren't alone. It’s basically the "secret handshake" of the car rental world, but it’s not actually secret at all.
Most people think it’s some paid VIP club. It isn't. It's just a profile ID. It’s the backbone of the Avis Preferred loyalty program, and it's free. Once you have it, the system stops treating you like a stranger and starts treating you like a regular.
The Straight Shot to Your Avis Wizard Number
Don't overcomplicate this. To get your number, you just sign up for Avis Preferred. That’s the branding they use, but the "Wizard Number" is the actual technical ID assigned to your account. You head over to the Avis website—the official one, don't trust some third-party "discount" portal for this—and look for the "Join" button.
You’re gonna need your driver's license handy. And your credit card. You’ll also need to know your preferences. Do you want the loss damage waiver? Do you prefer a mid-sized car or a gas-guzzling monster? You set these up once, and they stick to your Wizard Number forever. Or until you change them. It takes maybe five minutes if you aren't distracted by a TikTok rabbit hole. Once you hit submit, they usually email the number to you instantly. It's a mix of letters and numbers that identifies you in their global database.
Why People Get Confused About the Wizard Label
Language is weird. Avis has been around since 1946, and they’ve used the term "Wizard" for decades. It refers to their backend computer system—one of the first in the industry. While the public-facing brand is "Avis Preferred," the internal tracking ID is still called a Wizard Number.
Think of it like a Social Security number for your car rentals. If you call customer service and say you're an "Avis Preferred member," they'll ask for your Wizard Number. It’s the same thing. You've probably seen it on old paper receipts or tucked away in the "My Profile" section of the mobile app. If you already have an account but can't find the number, don't panic. You can just log in and find it under your name, or search your inbox for "Welcome to Avis."
Real Talk: Does It Actually Cost Anything?
No. Not a cent.
There are higher tiers, sure. If you rent 12 times a year or spend $5,000, you might get bumped to Avis President's Club. But the basic Wizard Number is free. If a site asks you to pay for a "Wizard Registration Fee," close the tab. You're being scammed. Avis wants you in their ecosystem because it makes their logistics easier if they already have your credit card and license on file. It’s a win-win. You skip the line; they get a faster turnover at the counter.
The Perks Nobody Mentions Until You're at the Airport
The real magic happens at "Preferred" locations. Most major airports—think O'Hare, LAX, or Heathrow—have a dedicated area for Wizard Number holders. You look at the big digital board, find your name, find your stall number, and leave.
- No Paperwork: Since your preferences are on file, you don't have to sign a thousand things while tired.
- Avis Preferred Select & Go: In some places, you can even swap your assigned car for a different one in the "Select & Go" lane without talking to anyone.
- Points: You start earning points for every dollar spent. It adds up. Free weekends are a real thing.
But wait. There’s a catch. Your first rental after getting the number might still require a stop at the counter. They need to physically verify that you are who you say you are and that your license isn't a fake. After that first "handshake," you’re usually good to go for digital-only pickups.
Troubleshooting the "Already Exists" Headache
This happens all the time. You try to sign up and get an error: "An account with this email already exists."
Maybe you rented a car for a wedding three years ago and forgot. Maybe your corporate travel office set one up for you. If you’re stuck, use the "Forgot Wizard Number" tool on the login page. You usually just need your last name and the email address you would have used. If that fails, call 1-800-331-1212. Honestly, their phone support is surprisingly decent at merging duplicate accounts or recovering old Wizard Numbers.
Using It With Corporate Codes
If you’re traveling for work, your company likely has an AWD (Avis Worldwide Discount) number. This is different from your Wizard Number. The AWD is for the discount; the Wizard Number is for your identity. You can link your corporate AWD to your personal Wizard profile so you get the company rate while still earning your own loyalty points. It’s the ultimate travel hack for consultants.
Keeping Your Profile From Breaking
A Wizard Number is only as good as the info attached to it. If your credit card expires, your "skip the line" privilege disappears. The system will flag your account, and you'll be forced back into the regular line to update your payment info.
Update your profile every time you get a new card or a new driver’s license. Seriously. Do it before you leave for the airport. There is nothing more frustrating than thinking you’re going to breeze past the counter only to see a "Please See Agent" message on the board because your Visa expired last month.
Is It Even Worth It for One Trip?
Maybe you're thinking, "I only rent a car once a year, do I really need this?"
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Yes. Even for one trip. Even if you don't care about points. The time you save at the counter is worth the five minutes spent signing up. Most people value their time at more than $0 per hour. If you save 30 minutes in a rental line, you’ve essentially "earned" back part of your vacation. Plus, if there’s a car shortage, Wizard members usually get priority over the "walk-ups."
Steps to Take Right Now
- Navigate to the Avis website. Look for "Avis Preferred" in the top navigation bar.
- Fill out the enrollment form. Have your driver's license number and an expiration-date-ready credit card in your hand.
- Choose your defaults. Opt-out of the fuel plan if you’re cheap (like me) and prefer to fill it up yourself before returning.
- Save the number. When that Wizard Number pops up on the confirmation screen, screenshot it. Add it to your digital wallet or your password manager.
- Download the app. Log in using your new credentials. This makes the "Find My Car" process at the airport way smoother.
Check your email for a confirmation. Sometimes the system takes an hour or two to fully propagate, so don't try to use it for a rental you're making in the next ten minutes. Give it a day to settle in their database. Now you're ready to bypass the chaos next time you land. No more lines, no more upselling, just the road.
Actionable Insights:
- Verify your first rental: Be prepared to show your physical ID at the counter the very first time you use your Wizard Number to "activate" your bypass status.
- Check for AWD overlaps: Before finishing your profile, see if your credit card (like certain Amex or Chase cards) offers a better AWD discount code than the standard one.
- Audit your profile annually: Set a calendar reminder to check your license and credit card expiration dates in the Avis app to ensure your "skip the line" status remains active.
- Review your insurance defaults: Double-check whether your personal car insurance or credit card covers rentals so you don't accidentally pay for the Avis "optional" coverage twice through your Wizard defaults.