I have now phoned Airmiles and they phoned Avis at Venice airport who said no problem. (That took another hour on the phone.)

I just thought someone here might have experienced exactly the same situation before.

I appreciate most of you were trying to help, but a few just seemed to take my question as an invitation to tell me how things are in the US. Please remember, people, this is NOT the US we are talking about, it's Europe - I live here and we do some things differently from you.

Hi CE,

>Avis at Venice airport who said no problem.

Good for you.

((I))

P.S. Sue, I didn't actually use Airmiles, I paid money - but Airmiles gave me a good price (£160 for 8 days all in, with no deposit required).