Salzburg to Kaprun - Snowchains??

Ok. So I rang Avis before we went, and asked if the car would have winter tyres. The answer was no, but I could have a car with winter tyres for another 12 euros a day. I declined, and decided to take the risk that the roads would be clear.

On arrival in Niederau, anything off the main B road was icy and snowy, and it was decided to leave the car down in the village and take Jan's minibus up the mountain.
After 4 days the roads improved and we were able to drive up, although getting up the hill from the Auhof car park first thing in the morning when it was minus 9 was not easy -plenty of wheel spin!

Imagine my surprise however when, after close inspection by Jan, he announced the car did in fact have winter tyres on!!!!

On returning to Avis, I asked about the tyres, and the rep told me that all cars rented from Munich between certain times of the year have winter tyres on them, and there should not be a charge applied for requesting them. So, why did Avis tell me before I went that I would have to pay extra - some money making scam, a genuine mistake, or simple misinformation internally?

Oh well. At least I was able to get about in the main without any problems.
Thought this info might be useful for some people.

Tony_H wrote:
On returning to Avis, I asked about the tyres, and the rep told me that all cars rented from Munich between certain times of the year have winter tyres on them, and there should not be a charge applied for requesting them. So, why did Avis tell me before I went that I would have to pay extra - some money making scam, a genuine mistake, or simple misinformation internally?

I think it's a scam. You just can't see them taking the tyres on and off each time someone rents a car anymore than you can see them having two of each car in every class with and without winter tyres.

Personally, I'd rent chains and hope I got winter tyres. Winter tyres are great but they won't get you everywhere so if it came to a choice and I could only have one, it would have to be chains.

I've hired many cars over the years and have never requested winter tyres, I have just always booked chains,
it's always worked for me. :)