Like many savvy travelers, you might have prioritized the lowest price when booking rental cars in the past. However, overlooking Car Rental Loyalty Programs could mean missing out on significant benefits. If you’re planning any trips that require wheels, now is the perfect time to explore and enroll in these rewarding programs. Joining a car rental rewards program is not only free, but it can also unlock a world of perks, from complimentary car upgrades to accumulating points towards free rental days.
This comprehensive guide dives deep into the best car rental loyalty programs, providing you with everything you need to know to make informed decisions and enhance your rental experience.
Why Join Car Rental Loyalty Programs?
Before we delve into specific programs, let’s understand why enrolling in car rental loyalty programs is a smart move. These programs are designed to reward frequent renters, but even occasional users can benefit. The advantages are plentiful and can significantly improve your travel experience:
- Cost Savings: Many programs offer exclusive discounts on base rental rates, helping you save money right from the start.
- Free Upgrades: Elite status within these programs often comes with complimentary vehicle upgrades, allowing you to enjoy a more comfortable or spacious car without paying extra.
- Free Rental Days: Accumulating points through rentals can lead to free rental days, effectively reducing your travel expenses.
- Faster Service: Loyalty programs often provide expedited service, allowing you to bypass long lines at rental counters and get on the road quicker.
- Additional Perks: Other benefits can include free additional drivers, bonus points, and dedicated customer service lines.
By understanding these advantages, it becomes clear that car rental loyalty programs are valuable tools for any traveler. Now, let’s explore some of the top programs available.
Top Car Rental Loyalty Programs: A Detailed Overview
Here’s a detailed breakdown of leading car rental loyalty programs, outlining their unique features, benefits, and elite status tiers.
Alamo Insiders
Alamo Insiders stands out for its simplicity. Unlike many programs, it doesn’t feature elite status tiers or a points-earning system. However, it offers immediate value:
- Discounted Rates: Alamo Insiders members receive a 5% discount on base rates in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
- Partner Rewards: Members can choose to earn points or miles with Alamo’s airline or hotel partners, including popular programs like American AAdvantage, Hilton Honors, and Southwest Rapid Rewards.
Alamo Insiders is a straightforward program providing instant savings and the flexibility to earn partner rewards, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious renters.
Avis Preferred
Avis Preferred boasts a vast global presence with over 5,000 locations across 170 countries. Their loyalty program offers a tiered structure with increasing benefits:
Avis Preferred
- Points Earnings: Earn 1 point per dollar spent on rentals and 2 points per dollar on accessories.
- Redemptions: Redeem points for rentals starting at 700 points per day, with no blackout dates.
- Skip the Counter: The primary perk is the ability to bypass rental counters at most locations worldwide, saving you valuable time.
Avis Preferred Plus
- Qualification: Achieve Preferred Plus status by renting 10 times or spending $4,000 within a calendar year.
- Increased Earnings: Earn 1.25 points per dollar on rental costs and 2.5 points per dollar on optional products.
- Upgrades: Enjoy a complimentary one-class upgrade when reserving a midsize car or larger (subject to availability).
How to Get This Status: Fast track to Avis Preferred Plus status if you hold United MileagePlus Premier Silver or Gold elite status. Additionally, The Platinum Card® from American Express provides complimentary Avis Preferred status upon enrollment.
Avis President’s Club
- Qualification: Reach President’s Club status with 20 rentals or $6,000 in spending within a calendar year.
- Bonus Points: Earn 1.5 points per dollar on rentals and 3 points per dollar on accessories.
- Enhanced Benefits:
- 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 24-hour advance reservation.
- Dedicated Avis Preferred Plus customer service and reservation line.
How to Get This Status: Certain United cobranded credit cards, like the United ClubSM Infinite Card and the United ClubSM Business Card, offer Avis President’s Club status. MileagePlus members with Premier Platinum elite status or higher also receive this perk.
Avis Preferred offers a comprehensive program with escalating benefits, making it attractive for both frequent and less frequent renters seeking rewards and convenience.
Budget Fastbreak
Budget Fastbreak focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It’s free to join and emphasizes a streamlined rental process:
- Fast Pickup and Drop-off: Fastbreak members enjoy expedited car pickup and return processes.
- Member Promotions: Budget frequently offers enticing promotions to Fastbreak members, such as Budget Bucks that can be used towards future rentals.
- No Elite Tiers: Like Alamo Insiders, Budget Fastbreak doesn’t have elite status tiers, keeping it straightforward and accessible.
Budget Fastbreak is ideal for renters who prioritize speed and simplicity, along with occasional special offers.
Dollar Express Rewards
Dollar Express Rewards allows members to earn points towards free rentals, adding a clear path to rewards:
- Points Earning: Earn 1 point per dollar spent on qualifying rentals in the U.S. and Canada.
- Free Rentals: Redeem points for free rental days starting at 500 points for weekend days and 625 points for weekdays (excluding taxes and fees).
- Additional Perks: Benefits include priority service, expedited returns, and a free authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner).
- No Elite Status: Dollar Rewards program does not have elite status tiers, maintaining simplicity.
Dollar Express Rewards is a good option for those seeking a straightforward points-based system with clear redemption options and valuable perks.
Enterprise Plus
Enterprise Plus features a robust, tiered elite status program with increasing rewards and recognition:
Enterprise Plus
- Basic Membership: Join for free and maintain Plus status through your first five rentals.
- Points Earnings: Earn 1 point per dollar on qualifying rentals.
Enterprise Silver
- Qualification: Achieve Silver status after six rentals.
- Bonus Points: Earn a 10% bonus on points for qualifying rental dollars.
- Upgrades: Receive one free car upgrade per year.
Enterprise Gold
- Qualification: Earn Gold status with 12 qualifying rentals or 40 rental days.
- Increased Bonus: Earn a 15% bonus on points for qualifying rental dollars.
- More Upgrades: Receive two free car upgrades per year.
Enterprise Platinum
- Qualification: Reach top-tier Platinum status with 24 qualifying rentals or 85 rental days.
- Highest Bonus: Earn a 20% bonus on points for qualifying rental dollars.
- Most Upgrades: Receive four free car upgrades per year.
- Flexible Redemption: Redeem points for free rental days with no blackout dates, starting at 400 points, though the exact amount varies by trip details.
- Status Match: Enterprise offers status matching from over 40 travel loyalty programs, allowing you to fast-track to elite status.
Enterprise Plus provides a compelling program with clear progression through its tiers, making it attractive for renters aiming for elite benefits and free rental days.
Fox Rewards
Fox Rewards offers a simple points-based system with flexible redemption options:
- Generous Points Earning: Earn 4 points per dollar spent (excluding taxes and fees).
- Redemption Options:
- Gift Cards: Redeem points for gift cards from retailers like Amazon, Apple, and Starbucks, starting at 2,500 points for a $25 gift certificate.
- FoxBucks: Redeem points for FoxBucks to pay for car rentals, starting at 1,600 points for $20 in FoxBucks.
Fox Rewards provides a straightforward program with a high earning rate and the flexibility to choose between gift cards and rental discounts.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards is known for its convenience and tiered elite status benefits:
Hertz Gold
- Basic Membership: Join for free and enjoy basic benefits.
- Points Earnings: Earn 1 point per dollar spent.
- Hertz Ultimate Choice: Access to Hertz Ultimate Choice at select locations, allowing you to choose your car from a designated lot.
- Free Additional Driver: Free additional driver for a spouse or domestic partner in the U.S.
Hertz Five Star
- Qualification: Achieve Five Star status with 10 Hertz rentals or $2,000 in annual spending.
- Increased Earnings: Earn 1.25 points per dollar spent.
- Upgrades: Enjoy upgrades based on availability.
- Wider Car Selection: Wider car selection within Ultimate Choice lots compared to Gold members.
Additional Ways to Earn This Status: Delta Medallion Silver or Gold status can be matched to Hertz Five Star status.
Hertz President’s Circle
- Qualification: Reach President’s Circle status with 15 Hertz rentals or $3,000 in annual spending.
- Highest Earnings: Earn 1.5 points per dollar spent.
- Guaranteed Upgrades: Guaranteed car upgrades.
- Widest Car Selection: Access to the widest range of cars within Ultimate Choice lots.
- Dedicated Service: Dedicated phone number for President’s Circle members.
Additional Ways to Earn This 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 can also be matched to President’s Circle.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards offers a strong program with a focus on convenience, upgrades, and elite status benefits, particularly appealing to frequent business travelers.
National Emerald Club
National Emerald Club is renowned for its Emerald Aisle benefit and tiered elite status:
Emerald Club
- Emerald Aisle Access: Skip the counter and choose any car from the Emerald Aisle when renting a midsize car or above.
- Rewards Choice: Choose between free rental days or earning points/miles with partner programs.
- Free Rental Days: Earn free rental days after seven rental credits.
- Additional Perks: No second-driver fees and free one-class upgrades at select European locations (subject to availability).
Emerald Club Executive
- Qualification: Achieve Executive status with 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days. Status match available from cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
- Accelerated Free Days: Earn free rental days after six rental credits.
- Executive Area Access: Pay the midsize rate and choose any car (full-size and above) in the Executive Area in the U.S.
- Guaranteed Upgrades: Guaranteed upgrades when reserving a midsize or above in the U.S. and Canada.
- Premier Selection Pricing: Exclusive pricing on upgrades to Premier Selection at rental lots in the U.S. and Canada.
Emerald Club Executive Elite
- Qualification: Reach top-tier Executive Elite status with 25 rentals or 85 rental days.
- Fastest Free Days: Earn free rental days after just five rental credits (any car class except exotic vehicles and trucks).
- Guaranteed Car: Guaranteed car (up to full-size) with 24 hours notice.
- Private Airport Delivery: Private airport delivery at small airports in the U.S. or Canada (within 50 miles of a National branch).
- Status Match: National Emerald Club offers status matching from over 40 loyalty programs, including hotel and airline programs.
National Emerald Club is highly regarded for its Emerald Aisle benefit, upgrade opportunities, and generous status match program, making it a top choice for frequent renters seeking flexibility and premium benefits.
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards focuses on discounts and straightforward benefits, without elite tiers or points earning:
- Discounted Rates: Blue Chip members receive up to a 15% discount on all rentals.
- Additional Driver: Free authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner).
- Expedited Service: Quicker pickups and returns.
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards is a simple program for renters who prioritize discounts and essential benefits, making it a good option for budget-conscious travelers.
Maximize Your Rewards: Credit Cards for Car Rentals
To further amplify your rewards, consider using the right credit card for your car rentals. Certain credit cards offer bonus points on car rental purchases and valuable benefits like primary car rental insurance.
- Bonus Points: Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Chase Sapphire Reserve® offer bonus points on travel purchases, including car rentals.
- Primary Car Rental Insurance: Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer primary car rental coverage when you decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver, protecting you from damage or theft without needing to file a claim with your personal auto insurance.
Choosing a credit card with travel rewards and primary car rental insurance can significantly enhance the value of your car rental loyalty programs.
Conclusion: Are Car Rental Loyalty Programs Worth It?
Absolutely! Car rental loyalty programs offer a multitude of benefits, from cost savings and free upgrades to expedited service and free rental days. Whether you are a frequent traveler or rent cars occasionally, joining these programs is a smart way to enhance your rental experience and get rewarded for your spending.
Take a moment to explore the programs detailed in this guide and sign up for those that best align with your travel habits. Start maximizing your benefits today and make your next car rental experience more rewarding!
