Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Avis Budget Group, Inc. provides mobility solutions to businesses and consumers worldwide. The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements include the accounts and transactions of Avis Budget Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as well as entities in which Avis Budget Group, Inc. directly or indirectly has a controlling financial interest (collectively, the “Company”), and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial reporting. The Company operates the following reportable business segments: •Americas—consisting primarily of (i) vehicle rental operations in North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean, (ii) car sharing operations in certain of these markets, and (iii) licensees in the areas in which the Company does not operate directly. •International—consisting primarily of (i) vehicle rental operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australasia, (ii) car sharing operations in certain of these markets, and (iii) licensees in the areas in which the Company does not operate directly. The operating results of acquired businesses are included in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements from the dates of acquisition. Differences between the preliminary allocation of purchase price and the final allocation for the Company’s 2020 acquisitions of various licensees were not material. The Company consolidates joint venture activities within its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and records related non-controlling interests within stockholders’ equity and the statement of comprehensive income. In presenting the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. In management’s opinion, the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements contain all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of interim results reported. The results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire year or any subsequent interim period. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2020 Form 10-K.
Liquidity and Management Plans	Liquidity and Management’s Plans The COVID-19 pandemic, which rapidly spread across the globe in 2020, resulted in an economic slowdown and significant disruptions in travel that had a negative impact on our business, specifically a significant decline in vehicle rental volumes. During the first nine months of 2021, global travel restrictions were eased, leading to an increase in travel demand and an improvement in general economic conditions. The Company believes the full extent of the ongoing impact of this virus on its long-term operational performance and liquidity will depend on future developments, including those outside of its control, such as the spread of new variants of the virus which may be resistant to currently approved vaccines and the implementation of new or continued travel restrictions. The Company cannot assure its assumptions used to estimate its liquidity requirements will be correct because it has never previously experienced such volatility in demand, and as a consequence, its ability to be predictive is uncertain. The Company plans to finance routine Asset Backed Securities (“ABS”) maturities with program cash on hand, available revolving debt capacity, new term note issuances and vehicle sales. As a result, based on current operational assumptions, the Company believes it has adequate liquidity beyond the next twelve months.
Cash and cash equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents, Program cash and Restricted cash. The following table provides a detail of cash and cash equivalents, program and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets to the amounts shown in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows.
Vehicle Programs	Vehicle Programs. The Company presents separately the financial data of its vehicle programs. These programs are distinct from the Company’s other activities since the assets under vehicle programs are generally funded through the issuance of debt that is collateralized by such assets. The income generated by these assets is used, in part, to repay the principal and interest associated with the debt. Cash inflows and outflows relating to the acquisition of such assets and the principal debt repayment or financing of such assets are classified as activities of the Company’s vehicle programs. The Company believes it is appropriate to segregate the financial data of its vehicle programs because, ultimately, the source of repayment of such debt is the realization of such assets.
Transaction-related costs, net	Transaction-related costs, net. Transaction-related costs, net are classified separately in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income. These costs are comprised of expenses related to acquisition-related activities such as due diligence and other advisory costs, expenses related to the integration of the acquiree’s operations with those of the Company, including the implementation of best practices and process improvements, non-cash gains and losses related to re-acquired rights, expenses related to pre-acquisition contingencies and contingent consideration related to acquisitions.
Currency Transactions	Currency Transactions. The Company records the gain or loss on foreign-currency transactions on certain intercompany loans and the gain or loss on intercompany loan hedges within interest expense related to corporate debt, net. During the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded an immaterial amount in each period, related to such items. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded an immaterial amount and a loss of $5 million, respectively, related to such items.
Investments	Investments.Earnings from the Company’s equity method investments are reported within operating expenses.
Revenue	Revenues. Revenues are recognized under “Leases (Topic 842),” with the exception of royalty fee revenue derived from the Company’s licensees and revenue related to the Company’s customer loyalty program
Nonmarketable Equity Securities	Nonmarketable Equity Securities. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had nonmarketable equity securities with a carrying value of $8 million, which was recorded within other non-current assets. As of September 30, 2021, the securities are marketable equity securities with a fair value of $8 million, which are recorded within other non-current assets.
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements	Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes On January 1, 2021, as the result of a new accounting pronouncement, the Company adopted ASU 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions and improving the application of existing guidance. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans On January 1, 2021, as the result of a new accounting pronouncement, the Company adopted ASU 2018-14, “Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans,” which adds, removes, and clarifies disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. These changes are part of the FASB’s disclosure framework project, which the Board launched in 2014 to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in notes to financial statements. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.
Lessee	Lessee The Company has operating and finance leases for rental locations, corporate offices, vehicle rental fleet and equipment. Many of the Company’s operating leases for rental locations contain concession agreements with various airport authorities that allow the Company to conduct its vehicle rental operations on site. In general, concession fees for airport locations are based on a percentage of total commissionable revenue as defined by each airport authority, some of which are subject to minimum annual guaranteed amounts. Concession fees other than minimum annual guaranteed amounts are not included in the measurement of operating lease Right of Use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities, and are recorded as variable lease expense as incurred. The Company’s operating leases for rental locations often also require the Company to pay or reimburse operating expenses.

Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Avis Budget Group, Inc. provides mobility solutions to businesses and consumers worldwide. The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements include the accounts and transactions of Avis Budget Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as well as entities in which Avis Budget Group, Inc. directly or indirectly has a controlling financial interest (collectively, the “Company”), and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial reporting.

The Company operates the following reportable business segments:

•Americas—consisting primarily of (i) vehicle rental operations in North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean, (ii) car sharing operations in certain of these markets, and (iii) licensees in the areas in which the Company does not operate directly.

•International—consisting primarily of (i) vehicle rental operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australasia, (ii) car sharing operations in certain of these markets, and (iii) licensees in the areas in which the Company does not operate directly.

The operating results of acquired businesses are included in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements from the dates of acquisition. Differences between the preliminary allocation of purchase price and the final allocation for the Company’s 2020 acquisitions of various licensees were not material. The Company consolidates joint venture activities within its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and records related non-controlling interests within stockholders’ equity and the statement of comprehensive income.

In presenting the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. In management’s opinion, the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements contain all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of interim results reported. The results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire year or any subsequent interim period. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2020 Form 10-K.

Liquidity and Management Plans

Liquidity and Management’s Plans

The COVID-19 pandemic, which rapidly spread across the globe in 2020, resulted in an economic slowdown and significant disruptions in travel that had a negative impact on our business, specifically a significant decline in vehicle rental volumes. During the first nine months of 2021, global travel restrictions were eased, leading to an increase in travel demand and an improvement in general economic conditions. The Company believes the full extent of the ongoing impact of this virus on its long-term operational performance and liquidity will depend on future developments, including those outside of its control, such as the spread of new variants of the virus which may be resistant to currently approved vaccines and the implementation of new or continued travel restrictions.

The Company cannot assure its assumptions used to estimate its liquidity requirements will be correct because it has never previously experienced such volatility in demand, and as a consequence, its ability to be predictive is uncertain. The Company plans to finance routine Asset Backed Securities (“ABS”) maturities with program cash on hand, available revolving debt capacity, new term note issuances and vehicle sales. As a result, based on current operational assumptions, the Company believes it has adequate liquidity beyond the next twelve months.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, Program cash and Restricted cash. The following table provides a detail of cash and cash equivalents, program and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets to the amounts shown in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows.

Vehicle Programs

Vehicle Programs. The Company presents separately the financial data of its vehicle programs. These programs are distinct from the Company’s other activities since the assets under vehicle programs are generally funded through the issuance of debt that is collateralized by such assets. The income generated by these assets is used, in part, to repay the principal and interest associated with the debt. Cash inflows and outflows relating to the acquisition of such assets and the principal debt repayment or financing of such assets are classified as activities of the Company’s vehicle programs. The Company believes it is appropriate to segregate the financial data of its vehicle programs because, ultimately, the source of repayment of such debt is the realization of such assets.

Transaction-related costs, net

Transaction-related costs, net. Transaction-related costs, net are classified separately in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income. These costs are comprised of expenses related to acquisition-related activities such as due diligence and other advisory costs, expenses related to the integration of the acquiree’s operations with those of the Company, including the implementation of best practices and process improvements, non-cash gains and losses related to re-acquired rights, expenses related to pre-acquisition contingencies and contingent consideration related to acquisitions.

Currency Transactions

Currency Transactions. The Company records the gain or loss on foreign-currency transactions on certain intercompany loans and the gain or loss on intercompany loan hedges within interest expense related to corporate debt, net. During the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded an immaterial amount in each period, related to such items. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded an immaterial amount and a loss of $5 million, respectively, related to such items.

Investments

Investments.Earnings from the Company’s equity method investments are reported within operating expenses.

Revenue

Revenues. Revenues are recognized under “Leases (Topic 842),” with the exception of royalty fee revenue derived from the Company’s licensees and revenue related to the Company’s customer loyalty program

Nonmarketable Equity Securities

Nonmarketable Equity Securities. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had nonmarketable equity securities with a carrying value of $8 million, which was recorded within other non-current assets. As of September 30, 2021, the securities are marketable equity securities with a fair value of $8 million, which are recorded within other non-current assets.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

On January 1, 2021, as the result of a new accounting pronouncement, the Company adopted ASU 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions and improving the application of existing guidance. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans

On January 1, 2021, as the result of a new accounting pronouncement, the Company adopted ASU 2018-14, “Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans,” which adds, removes, and clarifies disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. These changes are part of the FASB’s disclosure framework project, which the Board launched in 2014 to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in notes to financial statements. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

Lessee

The Company has operating and finance leases for rental locations, corporate offices, vehicle rental fleet and equipment. Many of the Company’s operating leases for rental locations contain concession agreements with various airport authorities that allow the Company to conduct its vehicle rental operations on site. In general, concession fees for airport locations are based on a percentage of total commissionable revenue as defined by each airport authority, some of which are subject to minimum annual guaranteed amounts. Concession fees other than minimum annual guaranteed amounts are not included in the measurement of operating lease Right of Use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities, and are recorded as variable lease expense as incurred. The Company’s operating leases for rental locations often also require the Company to pay or reimburse operating expenses.