Like many savvy travelers, you might have prioritized snagging the cheapest rental car without a second thought about loyalty programs. But if you’re planning to hit the road soon, enrolling in a car rental rewards program is a move you won’t regret. Why? Because it’s free, and membership unlocks a treasure trove of perks, from complimentary car upgrades to points that pave the way for free rentals.
Let’s dive into the world of car rental loyalty programs and explore the best options available, ensuring your next car rental comes with added benefits.
Alamo Insiders
Alamo Insiders stands out with its simplicity. Unlike many programs that feature tiered statuses and point systems, Alamo Insiders offers straightforward value. Members enjoy a 5% discount on base rates across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Beyond discounts, Alamo Insiders allows you to accumulate points or miles with their airline or hotel partners, including giants like American AAdvantage, Hilton Honors, and Southwest Rapid Rewards. For a complete list of partners, Alamo’s dedicated partner page is your go-to resource.
Related: Credit cards that offer elite status for car rentals
Avis Preferred
With a commanding presence in over 170 countries and more than 5,000 locations, Avis’s global reach is undeniable. Joining Avis Preferred, their loyalty program, should be high on your list if you’re a frequent renter.
Avis Preferred structures its elite status across three tiers: Preferred, Preferred Plus, and President’s Club, each offering increasing levels of benefits.
Avis Preferred
As a starting point, the Avis Preferred membership earns you 1 point for every dollar spent on rentals and double points (2 points per dollar) on accessories. These points are valuable, redeemable for car rentals starting at just 700 points per day, with the added benefit of no blackout dates.
The most immediate perk of Avis Preferred is time-saving: bypass the long queues at the rental counter at most locations worldwide and get on the road faster.
Avis Preferred Plus
Elevate your Avis experience by reaching Preferred Plus status when you complete at least 10 rentals or spend $4,000 within a calendar year. This status boosts your earning to 1.25 points per dollar on rental costs and 2.5 points per dollar on optional add-ons.
Preferred Plus members enjoy all the benefits of the basic Preferred tier, plus the added bonus of a complimentary one-class car upgrade when booking a midsize or larger vehicle, subject to availability.
How to Get This Status: Fast track your way to Avis Preferred Plus if you hold United MileagePlus Premier Silver or Gold elite status – simply sign in to elevate your Avis status. Furthermore, The Platinum Card® from American Express holders receive complimentary Avis Preferred status upon enrollment.
Avis President’s Club
The pinnacle of Avis loyalty, President’s Club status, is achieved after 20 rentals or $6,000 in spending within a calendar year. Rewards are amplified, earning 1.5 points per dollar on car rentals and 3 points per dollar on accessories.
President’s Club benefits include:
- A generous two-class upgrade when reserving a midsize car or larger (excluding large SUVs and Signature Fleet, subject to availability).
- Guaranteed car upgrade up to a full-size vehicle with a confirmed 24-hour advance reservation.
- Exclusive access to a dedicated Avis Preferred Plus customer service and reservation line.
How to Get This Status: Certain United co-branded credit cards offer Avis President’s Club status as a premium perk: the United ClubSM Infinite Card and the United ClubSM Business Card. Additionally, MileagePlus members with Premier Platinum elite status or higher also receive this esteemed rental car status perk.
The information for the United Club Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: How to never pay full price for a rental car
Budget Fastbreak
Budget’s Fastbreak program is designed for speed and convenience. Joining is free, and members enjoy streamlined pick-up and drop-off processes, making your rental experience as efficient as possible.
Similar to Alamo Insiders, Budget Fastbreak focuses on simplicity without elite status tiers. Instead, Budget periodically offers enticing promotions to its members, such as bonus Budget Bucks to use towards future rentals, adding immediate and tangible value to your membership.
Related: Save money on your next trip: Use these tips to never pay full price for a rental car
Dollar Express Rewards
Dollar Express Rewards is your gateway to earning free rentals and enjoying enhanced service. Members earn points towards free rental days and benefit from priority service, expedited returns, and a valuable perk: a free authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner).
While Dollar Rewards doesn’t feature elite status levels, it offers a straightforward earning structure: 1 point per dollar spent on qualifying rentals within the U.S. and Canada. Free rentals start at an accessible 500 points for weekend days and 625 points on weekdays (excluding taxes and fees).
Related: How you can redeem points and miles for car rentals
Enterprise Plus
Enterprise Plus rewards frequent renters through a tiered elite status program, moving from Plus (basic membership) up through Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each tier offers increasing benefits, including bonus points and complimentary upgrades.
Enterprise Plus
Basic Plus status is granted upon sign-up and lasts through your first five rentals, earning a solid 1 point per dollar on qualifying rentals from the get-go.
Enterprise Silver
Reach Enterprise Silver after just six rentals to unlock a 10% bonus on points earned from rental dollars, plus a yearly complimentary car upgrade to enhance your rental experience.
Enterprise Gold
Enterprise Gold status is achieved after 12 qualifying rentals or 40 rental days. Gold members receive a 15% bonus on points, accelerating your rewards, and enjoy two free car upgrades per year.
Enterprise Platinum
The highest tier, Enterprise Platinum, requires 24 qualifying rentals or 85 rental days. Platinum members are rewarded with a generous 20% bonus on points and four complimentary car upgrades annually.
Enterprise points are flexible, redeemable for free rental days with no blackout dates. The points required for a free day vary based on rental specifics, but start at an attractive 400 points.
For those looking to fast-track elite status, Enterprise offers a status match program with over 40 travel loyalty programs. If you have elite status with an airline, hotel, or another car rental program, it’s worth checking Enterprise’s website to see if you can leverage your existing status.
Related: Everything you need to know about rental car elite status
Fox Rewards
Fox Rewards keeps it simple and rewarding: members earn 4 points for every dollar spent (excluding taxes and fees). Redemption options are flexible, offering both gift cards and FoxBucks.
Points can be exchanged for gift cards at popular retailers like Amazon, Apple, and Starbucks through Fox’s partnership with Tango Card. Rewards begin at 2,500 points for a $25 gift certificate, scaling up to 12,500 points for a $125 certificate.
Alternatively, FoxBucks allow you to redeem rental car rewards points directly to offset the cost of your car rental. FoxBucks redemptions start at 1,600 points for $20 in FoxBucks, going up to 8,000 points for a substantial $100 in value.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Hertz’s loyalty program, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, is free to join and designed for efficiency and reward. Members bypass the counter for quicker pick-ups and earn points towards free rentals.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards features three elite tiers: Gold (basic), Five Star, and President’s Circle, each with increasing benefits and recognition.
Hertz Gold
Basic Gold membership is yours simply by signing up. Perks include earning 1 point per dollar spent, access to Hertz Ultimate Choice at participating locations (allowing you to select your car), and a free additional driver (spouse or domestic partner) in the U.S.
Hertz Five Star
Achieve Five Star status by completing 10 Hertz rentals or spending $2,000 in a year. Key benefits include earning 1.25 points per dollar, upgrades based on car availability, and enhanced vehicle selection within Ultimate Choice locations.
Additional Ways to Earn This Status: Match your Delta Medallion Silver or Gold status to Hertz Five Star status for reciprocal rewards.
Hertz President’s Circle
President’s Circle status is earned after 15 Hertz rentals or $3,000 in annual spending. Members receive 1.5 points per dollar, guaranteed upgrades, the widest car selection in Ultimate Choice locations, and access to a dedicated President’s Circle customer service line, in addition to all benefits of lower tiers.
Additional Ways to Earn This Status: Select credit cards offer Hertz President’s Circle benefits, including the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card*, The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required), and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (enrollment required). Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion status holders also receive complimentary President’s Circle status upon enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program.
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Related: Stacking rental car perks with Hertz and the Venture X
National Emerald Club
National’s Emerald Club program is structured around three tiers: Emerald Club (basic), Executive, and Executive Elite, each offering unique benefits to enhance your rental experience.
Emerald Club
Emerald Club members enjoy counter bypass and the freedom to choose any car from the Emerald Aisle when renting a midsize or larger vehicle. Members can opt to earn free rental days or points/miles with National’s partners. Additional perks include expedited service internationally, free rental days after seven credits, no second-driver fees, and upgrades in select European locations.
Emerald Club Executive
Executive status is reached after 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days annually, or automatically for holders of premium travel cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (enrollment required).
Executive benefits build upon the basic tier, adding free rental days after six credits, the ability to pay midsize rates for larger cars from the Executive Area, guaranteed upgrades in the US/Canada, and exclusive pricing on Premier Selection upgrades.
Emerald Club Executive Elite
The top-tier Executive Elite status requires 25 rentals or 85 rental days per year. Benefits are further enhanced with free rental days after just five credits (on most car classes), guaranteed car (up to full-size) with 24-hour notice, and private airport delivery at smaller airports in the US/Canada within 50 miles of a National branch.
National Emerald Club is also known for its generous status matching, potentially offering status upgrades based on your existing loyalty with over 40 other programs.
Related: Credit cards that offer elite status for car rentals
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards
Thrifty Blue Chip simplifies rewards by offering direct discounts instead of points. Members receive up to 15% off all rentals, along with benefits like a free additional driver (spouse or domestic partner) and quicker service at pick-up and return.
Best Credit Cards to Use for Car Rentals
Maximizing rewards when renting a car involves using the right credit card. Certain cards offer bonus points for direct car rental purchases.
Furthermore, some credit cards include primary car rental coverage, providing insurance coverage for damage or theft without needing to claim through your personal auto insurance. Simply decline the rental agency’s insurance and pay with a card offering this benefit.
Bottom Line
While renting a car might not be the most glamorous part of traveling, it’s often essential. Car rental loyalty programs offer tangible benefits that enhance the rental experience and save you money.
If your credit card or airline loyalty program provides automatic elite status with car rental agencies, enroll immediately. Even without automatic elite status, joining multiple programs is wise. You can accumulate points for free rentals, secure exclusive discounts, and bypass counters, adding value and convenience to your travels. Car rental loyalty programs are definitively worth it.
