Like many savvy travelers, you might have prioritized the cheapest rental car in the past, overlooking the potential benefits of rental car loyalty programs. However, if you’re planning to rent a vehicle soon, enrolling in a car rental rewards program is a smart move. These programs are free to join and offer appealing perks such as complimentary upgrades and points redeemable for free rental days.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the leading car rental rewards programs, outlining what you need to know to maximize your benefits.
Alamo Insiders: Straightforward Savings
Alamo Insiders offers a simple approach to rewards. Unlike many competitors, it doesn’t feature elite status tiers or a points-earning system. Instead, Alamo Insiders members automatically receive a 5% discount on base rates for rentals in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Additionally, Alamo Insiders provides the option to accrue points or miles with partner airlines and hotels, including American AAdvantage, Hilton Honors, and Southwest Rapid Rewards, on eligible rentals. A complete list of partners is available on Alamo’s partner page.
Related Reading: Credit cards that offer elite status for car rentals
Avis Preferred: Global Reach and Tiered Benefits
Alt text: An Avis rental car service representative assisting a customer at the counter, highlighting Avis’s global presence.
With an extensive network of over 5,000 locations across more than 170 countries, Avis boasts a significant global footprint. Joining Avis Preferred, their loyalty program, should be a priority for frequent renters.
Avis Preferred features a three-tiered elite status structure: Preferred, Preferred Plus, and President’s Club.
Avis Preferred: Skip the Line and Earn Rewards
As a base-level Preferred member, you accumulate 1 point for every dollar spent on car rentals and 2 points per dollar on accessories. Points can be redeemed for car rentals starting at 700 points per day, with no blackout dates.
The primary advantage of Avis Preferred is the ability to bypass the often lengthy lines at rental counters at most locations worldwide, saving you valuable time.
Avis Preferred Plus: Upgrades and Bonus Points
Reaching Avis Preferred Plus status requires either 10 rentals or $4,000 in spending within a calendar year. Once you achieve this level, your earning rate increases to 1.25 points per dollar on rental costs and 2.5 points per dollar on optional products.
In addition to all Preferred benefits, Plus members receive a complimentary one-class car upgrade when reserving a midsize or larger vehicle, subject to availability.
Status Match Opportunities: Holders of United MileagePlus Premier Silver or United Premier Gold elite status can register to elevate their Avis status. Furthermore, The Platinum Card® from American Express holders receive complimentary Avis Preferred status (enrollment required).
Avis President’s Club: Top-Tier Perks
Avis President’s Club, the highest tier, is attained after 20 rentals or $6,000 in spending within a calendar year. Members at this level earn 1.5 points per dollar on car rentals and 3 points per dollar on accessories.
Key benefits of Avis President’s Club status include:
- Two-class upgrade when reserving a midsize car or above (excluding large SUVs and Signature Fleet, subject to availability).
- Guaranteed car up to a full-size with a confirmed 24-hour advance reservation.
- Dedicated Avis Preferred Plus customer service and reservation line access.
Accelerated Status: The United ClubSM Infinite Card and the United ClubSM Business Card offer Avis President’s Club status as a perk. Similarly, MileagePlus members with Premier Platinum elite status or higher also receive this top-tier rental car status.
Disclaimer: Information regarding the United Club Business card is collected independently by The Points Guy and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Further Reading: How to never pay full price for a rental car
Budget Fastbreak: Streamlined Rentals
Budget’s Fastbreak loyalty program is a free and easy way to expedite your rental car experience, focusing on quick pick-up and drop-off processes.
Alt text: The distinctive Budget Fastbreak logo displayed at a rental car facility, emphasizing speed and efficiency.
Budget Fastbreak does not have elite status tiers. Instead, members benefit from exclusive promotions throughout the year, such as past offers of “$25 in Budget Bucks” for future rentals after completing two rentals within a specified period.
Related Article: Save money on your next trip: Use these tips to never pay full price for a rental car
Dollar Express Rewards: Points Towards Free Rentals
The Dollar Express Rewards program allows members to earn points that can be redeemed for free rental days. Additional perks include priority service, expedited returns, and a complimentary authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner).
Dollar Rewards operates without elite status tiers, offering a straightforward earning structure of 1 point per dollar spent on qualifying rentals in the U.S. and Canada. Free rental redemptions start at 500 points for weekend days and 625 points for weekdays (excluding taxes and fees).
Further Reading: How you can redeem points and miles for car rentals
Enterprise Plus: Tiered Status and Upgrade Opportunities
Alt text: The Enterprise Rent-A-Car logo on a building facade, representing a well-established car rental brand.
Enterprise Plus features a four-tiered elite status program: Plus (basic), Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Benefits of Enterprise elite status include bonus points on qualifying rentals and complimentary vehicle upgrades.
Enterprise Plus: Entry-Level Benefits
Basic Plus status is granted upon signup and lasts through your fifth rental. Members earn 1 point per dollar on eligible rentals.
Enterprise Silver: Bonus Points and Upgrades
Enterprise Silver status is achieved after six rentals. Silver members earn a 10% bonus on points for qualifying rental dollars and receive one free car upgrade per year.
Enterprise Gold: Enhanced Earning and More Upgrades
Earning Enterprise Gold status requires either 12 qualifying rentals or 40 rental days. Gold members receive a 15% bonus on points for qualifying rental dollars and two complimentary car upgrades annually.
Enterprise Platinum: Top-Tier Rewards
Enterprise’s highest tier, Platinum status, is reached after 24 qualifying rentals or 85 rental days. Platinum members enjoy a 20% bonus on points for qualifying rental dollars and four free car upgrades per year.
Enterprise points can be redeemed for free rental days with no blackout dates. While point values vary based on trip specifics, rentals start at 400 points.
For those looking to accelerate their path to Enterprise elite status, the program offers status matching with over 40 travel loyalty programs. If you hold elite status with an airline, hotel, or another car rental program, check Enterprise’s website to see if you can match your status.
Related Article: Everything you need to know about rental car elite status
Fox Rewards: Simple Points and Flexible Redemption
Fox Rewards offers a straightforward loyalty program where members earn 4 points per dollar spent (excluding taxes and fees). Points can be redeemed in two ways: for gift cards or FoxBucks.
Fox partners with Tango Card, allowing you to exchange points for gift cards from various retailers, including Amazon, Apple, and Starbucks. Gift card redemptions start at 2,500 points for a $25 certificate, scaling up to 12,500 points for a $125 certificate.
Alternatively, FoxBucks allows you to redeem rental car rewards points to offset the cost of your rental. FoxBucks redemptions begin at 1,600 points for $20 in FoxBucks and go up to 8,000 points for $100 in FoxBucks.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards: Speed and Elite Tiers
Alt text: The exterior of a Hertz rental car facility, showcasing the brand’s presence in travel and transportation.
Hertz’s loyalty program, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, is free to join and designed for convenience. Members can bypass the rental counter and proceed directly to vehicle pickup. You also earn reward points redeemable for free rentals.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards features three elite tiers: Gold (basic), Five Star, and President’s Circle.
Hertz Gold: Basic Membership Perks
Becoming a Hertz Gold member is as simple as signing up. Basic perks include:
- Earning 1 point per dollar spent.
- Access to Hertz Ultimate Choice at select locations, allowing you to choose your car.
- Free additional driver for a spouse or domestic partner in the U.S.
Hertz Five Star: Upgrades and Wider Car Selection
Hertz Five Star status is earned after 10 Hertz rentals or $2,000 in annual rental spending. Notable benefits include:
- Earning 1.25 points per dollar spent.
- Upgrades based on vehicle availability.
- Expanded car selection in Ultimate Choice lots compared to Gold members.
Status Matching Opportunities: Delta Medallion Silver or Gold status holders can match to Five Star status.
Hertz President’s Circle: Guaranteed Upgrades and Premium Service
President’s Circle status is achieved after 15 Hertz rentals or $3,000 in annual rental spending. President’s Circle members receive all benefits of lower tiers, plus:
- Earning 1.5 points per dollar spent.
- Guaranteed car upgrades.
- Widest car selection in Ultimate Choice lots.
- Dedicated Hertz phone number for President’s Circle members.
Accelerated Status: 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) offer Hertz President’s Circle benefits. Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion status holders can also receive complimentary President’s Circle status through enrollment.
*Enrollment through the Capital One website or mobile app is required for eligible cardholders to attain and maintain status through the offer duration. Standard Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment will not automatically trigger status upgrades.
Related Article: Stacking rental car perks with Hertz and the Venture X
National Emerald Club: Choice and Elite Tiers
Alt text: The National Emerald Club logo prominently displayed at an airport car rental area, indicating a premium rental experience.
National’s loyalty program, Emerald Club, has three tiers: Emerald Club, Executive, and Executive Elite.
Emerald Club: Skip the Counter and Choose Your Car
Emerald Club members can bypass the counter and select any car from the Emerald Aisle when renting a midsize or larger vehicle. Members can choose to earn free rental days or points/miles with National’s partner programs. Other perks include:
- Expedited service in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
- Free rental days after seven rental credits.
- No second-driver fees.
- Free one-class upgrade at participating UK, Ireland, France, Spain, and Germany locations (subject to availability).
Emerald Club Executive: Upgrades and Premium Selection
Emerald Club Executive status requires 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days per calendar year. Alternatively, holders of cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (enrollment required) receive automatic Executive status.
Executive members enjoy base member perks plus:
- Free rental day after six rental credits.
- Midsize rate when selecting any car (full-size and above) in the Executive Area in the U.S.
- Guaranteed upgrades when reserving midsize or larger vehicles in the U.S. and Canada.
- Exclusive pricing on Premier Selection upgrades at rental lots in the U.S. and Canada.
Emerald Club Executive Elite: Top-Tier Benefits
Executive Elite status is achieved after 25 rentals or 85 rental days per calendar year. Top-tier benefits include:
- Free rental days after five rental credits (any car class except exotic vehicles and trucks).
- Guaranteed car (up to full-size) with 24 hours notice.
- Private airport delivery within 50 miles of a National branch in the U.S. or Canada for private aircraft arrivals at small airports.
National Emerald Club also offers status matching from over 40 loyalty programs. Hilton Honors Gold status and United Airlines Premier 1K have been successfully used to match to Executive and Executive Elite status, respectively. Check the status match page to see if you qualify.
Related Reading: Credit cards that offer elite status for car rentals
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards: Discount-Focused Program
Thrifty Blue Chip focuses on providing discounts rather than a points-based system, offering members up to 15% off all rentals. Elite status tiers are not part of the program.
Blue Chip members also receive benefits like a free authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner) and expedited pickup and return processes.
Best Credit Cards for Rental Car Rewards
Choosing the right credit card is crucial for maximizing rewards on rental car purchases. The following cards offer bonus points for direct car rental purchases:
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Some credit cards also provide primary car rental coverage, which covers damage or loss to the rental vehicle without needing to claim on your personal insurance. To activate this coverage, simply decline the rental company’s primary insurance and pay with a card offering this benefit.
Conclusion: Are Rental Car Loyalty Programs Worth It?
While renting a car might not be as glamorous as flying or staying in a luxury hotel, it’s often a necessity, especially when exploring destinations beyond major cities.
If your credit card or airline loyalty program offers complimentary elite status with car rental agencies, enroll immediately. Even without automatic elite status, signing up for multiple car rental loyalty programs is beneficial. You can accumulate points for free rentals, access exclusive discounts, and enjoy expedited service. Joining car rental loyalty programs offers tangible perks and benefits that enhance your travel experience.
