Avis Gay & Lesbian Discount Offer Class Action Lawsuit

An Arizona woman has filed a $5 million class action lawsuit against Avis Rent A Car, claiming the company violated her civil rights by offering discounted rates to gay and lesbian customers, and not to her.

Lynn Evenchik alleges in the Avis Rent A Car class action lawsuit that Avis’ practice of offering a 20%-25% discount to members of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) and National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) violates California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits businesses from offering discount to customers based upon, among other things, their sexual orientation.  

“These unfair and unlawful business practices result in many consumers who are not affiliated with those organizations paying substantially higher rental rates than those made available to gay and lesbian renters” who use the discount codes provided to them, the class action lawsuit states.

“Although Avis offers many discounted rates and (Avis Worldwide Discount) codes, the IGLTA/NGLCC discounts are among the best that Avis makes generally available and is frequently a better rate than small businesses and other affinity groups obtain.”

The Avis discount class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of anyone who rented a car from Avis in California during the period from September 15, 2010 through the date of Class certification, and who was charged a rate that exceeded the rate available for a comparable rental by using the IGLTA or NGLCC AWD codes.  

It is seeking damages, restitution and disgorgement of at least $5 million, in addition to equitable and injunctive relief.

A copy of the Avis Rent A Car Gay & Lesbian Discount Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.

The case is Lynn Evenchik v. Avis Rent A Car System, LLC, Case No. 12-cv-0061 H POR, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California.