Robert Lyons is McLean’s newest millionaire — with heavy stress on the “air.” Lyons won Avis Rent-A-Car System’s national sweepstakes, and as the grand-prize winner he was awarded one million frequent-flier miles for any airline of his choice.
Lyons anticipates retiring in two years to a home he keeps in Hawaii and will use the miles to travel there and to Europe with his wife. “We will probably spend six months [in Hawaii] and six months in Europe. It should end up being worth about 10 years of traveling,” said Lyons.
Incredibly, Lyons doesn’t remember entering the sweepstakes. “I rent a lot from Avis. There was probably a button on the Web site I pushed, but I don’t remember it. I was, well, I really didn’t know what to make of it when they called me to tell me. They were asking a lot of personal questions over the phone, so I took their number and told them I’d call them back to make sure it was legitimate,” said Lyons.
The contest was initiated to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Avis’ tag line, “We try harder.”
Lyons has chosen to spend his million miles on United Airlines. He travels almost every week and said he has been a loyal customer of both Avis and United for decades. “The little things make a difference,” Lyons said of the companies.
KATHY DELRIDGE, an Avis representative who works out of the Dulles Center, was on hand for Lyons’ award ceremony because Lyons often deals with her directly and credits her professionalism as one of the reasons he continues to use Avis. “He’s one of my friendliest customers. It’s really nice to be recognized like this,” said Delridge.
In conjunction with the contest, Avis also awarded the Points of Light Foundation a check for $15,000. The amount donated was for each entry in the contest. Points of Light president and CEO Robert Goodwin said the donation reflects Avis’ commitment to helping others. “You can’t have a healthy business and an unhealthy community,” said Goodwin.
Alice Pereira, an Avis official, said, “This acknowledges them for trying harder on the ground.”
Lyons said this is the first time he’s won a sweepstakes, and he’s pleased it’s with a company he supports. He said, “I never win anything, but I’m a pretty lucky guy. I’ve got a great family, a great life. Luck comes in all sorts of ways.”