There you go spoiling a good pout-whine with common sense.
Thank you.
Here is the final nail in the coffin of this non-story.
http://www.avis.com/car-rental/content/render-faq.ac
(USA requirements for renting, Avis accepted forms of documentation)
“If you intend to rent outside your home country, you may also be required to present an International Driver’s Permit. Additionally, if you intend to rent outside of your home country, Avis may require that you present a valid passport, as secondary form of identification at the time of your check-out.”
So much for the agent and company acting out of bigotry!
It turns out the agent was acting totally consistently with her training and company policy.