Business travel can be demanding, and managing car rentals for your team shouldn’t add to the stress. Choosing the right corporate car rental program can significantly streamline the process, save your company money, and enhance the travel experience for your employees. With numerous car rental companies vying for your business, understanding the Best Corporate Rental Car Programs is crucial.
This guide dives into the top car rental reward programs tailored for businesses, helping you navigate the options and select the perfect fit for your corporate travel needs. We’ll explore programs that offer the most value, convenience, and rewards, ensuring your team hits the road smoothly and efficiently.
Table of Contents
1. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program
2. Avis Preferred Plus
3. Enterprise Plus
4. Alamo Insiders
5. Budget Car Rental Fastbreak Program
6. Fox Rewards
7. Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards
8. Sixt Loyalty Program
9. National Car Rental Emerald Club
10. Dollar Express Rewards
11. Zipcar For Business
Leveraging Credit Cards for Enhanced Car Rental Benefits
Status Matching: Maximize Your Rewards Across Programs
Boost Your Business Travel Savings with Engine
1. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program
The Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is designed to make corporate car rentals faster and more rewarding for businesses of all sizes. This program is particularly beneficial for companies seeking efficiency and value.
Signing up is free, and the benefits start immediately. For every dollar spent, members earn one point, which can be redeemed for free rental days and various online rewards. This points system allows businesses to accumulate savings over time, directly reducing travel expenses.
One of the key advantages for corporate users is the ability to select vehicles from Hertz’s premium fleet. This ensures employees have access to reliable and comfortable cars, enhancing their travel experience. For businesses already utilizing Hertz, this program is a logical and cost-effective upgrade.
Frequent renters can further elevate their benefits by progressing to Hertz Five Star and ultimately President’s Circle status. These higher tiers offer even greater rewards and privileges, making it an attractive option for businesses with significant rental volume.
2. Avis Preferred Plus
For businesses prioritizing speed and streamlined service, the Avis Preferred Plus reward program stands out as a top corporate rental car program. It offers expedited service and a range of rewards tailored to frequent renters.
Avis Preferred Plus members earn points for every qualifying dollar spent, redeemable for rentals, upgrades, and accessories. This allows businesses to reinvest travel spending back into future trips or enhance employee travel perks.
A significant advantage for business travelers is the ability to bypass lines and proceed directly to their car. This time-saving feature is invaluable for busy schedules and ensures a smoother rental experience. The Avis website and mobile app further enhance convenience, allowing for easy booking, modifications, and rental management on the go.
For companies with high-volume rental needs, Avis offers elite status tiers like President’s Club and Chairman’s Club, unlocking even more exclusive benefits and personalized services.
3. Enterprise Plus
Enterprise Plus is a straightforward and rewarding program for corporate car rentals, emphasizing simplicity and consistent value. Its easy-to-understand points system makes it a popular choice for businesses looking for transparent reward structures.
The core benefit of Enterprise Plus is its direct point-to-dollar earning system: every dollar spent earns a point. These points accumulate without expiration, provided the membership remains active with at least one qualifying rental every three years. This flexibility is ideal for businesses with fluctuating travel schedules.
Points redemption is equally simple, allowing for free rental days on any available car, without blackout dates, at thousands of locations globally. This extensive network and flexible redemption policy make Enterprise Plus highly accessible for corporate travelers across various locations.
For businesses with higher rental frequency, Enterprise Plus offers tiered status levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These tiers provide bonus point earnings, ranging from 10% to 20% more points, accelerating reward accumulation for frequent corporate renters.
4. Alamo Insiders
Alamo Insiders presents a straightforward savings opportunity as one of the best corporate rental car programs for budget-conscious businesses. Joining is free and provides immediate discounts.
The primary benefit for Alamo Insiders is a consistent 5% discount on base rates, coupled with the advantage of booking pay-later reservations. While the rewards may not be as elaborate as some programs, the direct discount translates to immediate cost savings for corporate travel budgets.
For businesses that frequently utilize Alamo for its value and convenient locations, Alamo Insiders is a practical choice. The savings accumulate over time and can contribute to overall travel expense reduction.
5. Budget Car Rental Fastbreak Program
The Budget Car Rental Fastbreak Program focuses on efficiency and speed, making it a valuable corporate rental car program for travelers who prioritize time savings.
Fastbreak membership allows renters to bypass the rental counter, presenting their driver’s license to quickly pick up keys and proceed to their vehicle. This expedited service is particularly beneficial for business travelers on tight schedules. Returns are also streamlined for Fastbreak members, further enhancing efficiency.
In addition to time-saving benefits, Fastbreak members gain access to exclusive deals and discounts, providing cost-saving opportunities on Budget rentals. While the program may not heavily emphasize points-based rewards, the focus on savings and speed makes it a strong contender for corporate travel.
6. Fox Rewards
The Fox Rewards Program offers a distinct approach to corporate car rental rewards, providing flexibility and diverse redemption options.
Members earn four points for every dollar spent, accumulating rewards quickly. These points can be redeemed for “SuperCertificates,” usable at a wide array of stores, restaurants, airlines, and hotels. This versatility allows businesses to utilize rewards for various corporate needs beyond car rentals, such as employee incentives or travel-related expenses. For example, 2500 points can be exchanged for a $25 Bath & Body Works SuperCertificate.
Alternatively, points can be converted to FoxBucks, redeemable for future Fox car rentals. 1600 points equate to $20 in FoxBucks. This dual redemption system offers flexibility, allowing businesses to choose rewards that best align with their objectives.
While the direct monetary return may vary compared to some programs, Fox Rewards stands out for its clearly defined and user-friendly reward system, offering diverse options that extend beyond traditional car rental benefits, making it a unique option among corporate rental car programs.
7. Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards
The Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards Program is a valuable program for businesses seeking consistent savings and streamlined rental processes. Joining is free and unlocks a range of benefits.
A primary advantage is an automatic 15% discount on every car rental. This consistent discount provides immediate and tangible savings for corporate travel budgets. Beyond cost savings, Blue Chip Rewards offers several time-saving benefits:
- Counter bypass for faster service.
- Expedited reservations, pick-ups, and returns.
- Free authorization for additional drivers, beneficial for team travel.
- Exclusive discounted rates and deals.
- Priority counter service for enhanced support.
These combined benefits of cost savings and efficiency make Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards a strong contender for businesses looking for practical and impactful corporate rental car programs.
8. Sixt Loyalty Program
The SIXT Loyalty Program offers a tiered approach to corporate car rental benefits, escalating rewards with increased rental frequency. The program is designed to enhance the rental experience and provide growing value for loyal customers.
Entry into the SIXT Club grants access to the SIXT loyalty card, the gateway to program benefits. As rental frequency increases, members can achieve higher card tiers, unlocking greater rewards. Perks include:
- Discounted rentals, reducing overall travel costs.
- Free additional drivers, simplifying team travel logistics.
- Complimentary car category upgrades, enhancing vehicle comfort and experience.
The program starts with the free Express Card. Frequent renters can ascend to SIXT Gold or SIXT Platinum status, unlocking premium benefits. Notably, SIXT offers status matching, acknowledging existing loyalty status with competitors. This allows businesses already benefiting from other programs to seamlessly transition and leverage their existing status with SIXT. By providing proof of status with another rental company, businesses can receive comparable benefits with SIXT, making it a compelling option for those seeking to explore different providers without losing their earned perks.
9. National Car Rental Emerald Club
The National Emerald Club is structured to optimize the corporate car rental experience through speed, savings, and choice. It’s particularly appealing to businesses that value flexibility and premium service.
Members earn one rental credit for each qualified rental. Accumulating seven credits earns a free rental day, effectively providing a free rental for approximately every eight rentals. This reward structure translates to significant savings over time for frequent corporate renters.
Emerald Aisle Access is a signature benefit, allowing members to select any car from the Emerald Aisle (midsize or above) while paying only the midsize rate. This provides upgrade opportunities and greater vehicle selection at no extra cost. Emerald Checkout further streamlines the process, enabling quicker transactions and reduced wait times.
For businesses with substantial rental volume, National offers higher tiers: Executive Club Status and Executive Elite Status. Executive Elite members, achieving 25 paid rentals or 85 rental days annually, unlock top-tier benefits:
- Free rental for every five credits, accelerating reward accumulation.
- Guaranteed car availability with 24-hour notice, ensuring reliability for business trips.
- Private airport delivery, offering premium convenience.
The program has no annual fees or monthly statements, making it a straightforward and cost-free way to access valuable corporate car rental benefits.
10. Dollar Express Rewards
The Dollar Express Rewards program delivers practical benefits and streamlined service for corporate car rentals without added costs. It focuses on core features that enhance the rental experience.
Membership is free and provides access to several key benefits:
- Counter bypass for faster pick-up.
- Expedited reservations and quicker returns.
- Free authorized additional drivers, simplifying logistics for teams.
- Priority counter service for efficient support.
- Potential to earn free rentals, adding long-term value.
For businesses already utilizing Dollar Car Rentals, Express Rewards is a logical addition, providing tangible benefits and enhancing the overall rental process without increasing expenses. While it may not offer the most extravagant perks, the program delivers solid value and efficiency.
11. Zipcar For Business
Zipcar For Business presents a unique alternative to traditional corporate rental car programs, offering on-demand car access in urban environments. It’s particularly suited for businesses in cities where car sharing is a viable and convenient option.
Zipcar operates on a membership model, providing access to vehicles parked in designated locations near offices and residences. The process involves:
- Joining Zipcar and establishing a business account.
- Booking vehicles as needed through the Zipcar platform.
- Returning vehicles to their designated parking spots after use.
This model eliminates the need for traditional rental counters and paperwork, offering a streamlined and often more cost-effective solution for short-term car needs in urban settings. Zipcar’s subscription-based model involves paying for a plan that includes a certain number of rentals per month. This can be financially advantageous compared to daily rental rates, especially for businesses with predictable, recurring short trips.
Leveraging Credit Cards for Enhanced Car Rental Benefits
Beyond car rental loyalty programs, strategic use of corporate credit cards can unlock additional benefits and savings. Certain credit cards offer specific perks related to car rentals, providing another layer of optimization for corporate travel expenses.
1. American Express Travel
The American Express Travel Card provides comprehensive travel benefits, extending to car rentals. Using this card for rental transactions can unlock bonuses and rewards points, accumulating value on travel spending. For businesses already utilizing American Express for corporate expenses, the Travel Card can be a valuable tool to maximize rewards on car rentals and other travel-related costs.
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is particularly advantageous for car rentals, offering a range of protections and benefits:
- Reimbursement coverage for certain incidents.
- Discounts with select rental car companies.
- Lost luggage protection, adding a layer of security for business trips.
- Travel and emergency assistance services, providing support during unforeseen circumstances.
Utilizing the Chase Sapphire Reserve for corporate car rentals can provide both financial savings through discounts and valuable protection and support services, enhancing the overall travel experience and mitigating potential risks.
Want To Test Out Other Reward Programs? Try Status Matching
Status matching is a strategic approach to maximize corporate car rental benefits by leveraging existing loyalty status with one company to gain comparable status with a competitor. This allows businesses to explore different rental providers without starting from scratch in building loyalty rewards.
Car rental companies use status matching to attract customers from competitors by offering to match their current loyalty tier. For example, Avis Status Match program acknowledges status from Europcar, Hertz, Enterprise, SIXT, and National. Similarly, the Hertz Status Match program recognizes status from many of the same companies (excluding SIXT).
By taking advantage of status match programs, businesses can quickly access higher tiers of benefits, such as upgrades, discounts, and expedited service, even when trying a new rental company. It’s recommended to inquire with your preferred car rental companies about their status match programs to potentially unlock greater value and flexibility.
Boost Your Business Travel Savings with Engine
Engine provides a comprehensive platform to further optimize business travel expenses, particularly in lodging and car rentals. While focusing on car rental programs is crucial, integrating lodging savings can significantly amplify overall travel cost reduction.
Engine’s HE Rewards program allows members to earn points on every booking, redeemable for cash back on future stays. Furthermore, members can link their existing hotel loyalty program accounts to their Engine account, effectively “double-dipping” and accumulating points in both programs simultaneously for double the savings. With access to over 700,000 hotels, Engine provides extensive options for maximizing lodging rewards.
Engine also offers significant savings on business lodging through exclusive corporate rates. The HE Rewards program features partial point redemption and no blackout or expiration dates, offering exceptional flexibility. Engine stands out as the only third-party booking platform offering this double-rewards savings system.
Explore more resources for business travel optimization:
Gifts for Frequent Business Travelers | Trip Risk Assessment Guide | How to Adjust Your Company Mileage Policy When Gas Prices Skyrocket
Conclusion
Selecting the best corporate rental car programs is a strategic decision that can significantly impact your business travel budget and employee experience. By understanding the nuances of each program, from Hertz Gold Plus Rewards to Zipcar for Business, companies can tailor their choices to align with their specific needs and travel patterns.
Combining car rental rewards with strategic credit card usage and leveraging platforms like Engine for lodging savings creates a holistic approach to business travel optimization. Equipped with this knowledge, your business can confidently hit the road, maximizing savings and rewards while ensuring smooth and efficient travel for your team.
Learn more about Engine:
Features | Pricing | Group Bookings | Partners | Join for Free
[
Article written by Audrey Fairbrother, Content and SEO Manager at Engine.
