For businesses that require frequent travel, car rentals are a necessary component. However, navigating the myriad of car rental options and loyalty programs can be complex and time-consuming. Choosing the right car rental program is crucial for managing travel expenses and ensuring a smooth, efficient experience for your team. This guide dives into the Best Business Car Rental Programs designed to save your company money and streamline the rental process.
We understand the challenges faced by operations managers and business travelers alike. That’s why we’ve compiled a detailed overview of leading car rental reward programs specifically beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses. If you’re seeking the absolute best business car rental program to maximize savings and simplify your corporate auto rentals, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s explore the top programs that can transform your business travel.
1. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards: Streamlined and Rewarding
The Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is designed to make renting vehicles faster and more rewarding for frequent renters. Joining is free and immediately unlocks benefits.
For every dollar spent, members earn one point redeemable for free rental days and various online rewards. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards also allows you to select vehicles from a superior fleet, offering a higher quality rental experience.
For businesses already utilizing Hertz, this program is a straightforward enhancement providing tangible benefits without any additional cost. It’s a valuable upgrade for frequent Hertz renters.
For even more frequent renters, Hertz offers tiers like Hertz Five Star and President’s Circle for more significant rewards and perks as rental frequency increases.
2. Avis Preferred Plus: Expedited Service with Valuable Perks
Avis Preferred Plus focuses on providing an expedited rental experience combined with attractive rewards. For companies that favor Avis, this program is a logical starting point for optimizing business rentals.
Members earn Avis points for every qualifying dollar spent, which can be redeemed for rentals, upgrades, accessories, and other benefits. A key advantage is the ability to bypass lines and proceed directly to your vehicle, saving valuable time – a significant benefit for business travelers.
The Avis website and mobile app streamline the entire rental process, from booking and modifications to vehicle selection. The Avis App enables users to manage their rentals efficiently from their mobile devices.
For businesses with substantial rental volume, Avis offers elite status tiers like Avis President’s Club and Avis Chairman’s Club, providing even greater benefits and recognition.
3. Enterprise Plus: Simple Rewards and Flexibility
Enterprise Plus emphasizes simplicity in its rewards structure: dollars spent directly translate to points earned. The program is designed for ease of use and consistent rewards accumulation.
Points do not expire as long as membership remains active with at least one qualifying rental every three years, providing long-term value. Redemption is straightforward, with points usable for free rental days on any available car, without blackout dates and across a vast global network of locations.
To further incentivize frequent rentals, Enterprise Plus offers tiered status levels:
- Silver status: 10% bonus points
- Gold status: 15% bonus points
- Platinum status: 20% bonus points
These tiers accelerate point accumulation, leading to faster rewards for businesses with higher rental volumes.
4. Alamo Insiders: Straightforward Savings
Alamo Insiders is a free and simple program offering immediate savings. Members receive a 5% discount on base rates and the flexibility of booking pay-later reservations.
While the rewards might be less complex than some other programs, Alamo Insiders provides direct and consistent cost savings. For businesses that frequently utilize Alamo for their car rental needs, this program offers undeniable value.
Although not as feature-rich as some competitors, Alamo Insiders is a practical option for businesses primarily focused on immediate rate reductions.
5. Budget Car Rental Fastbreak: Speed and Savings
The Budget Car Rental Fastbreak Program prioritizes speed and convenience, allowing members to bypass rental counters. Fastbreak members can simply show their driver’s license, collect keys, and proceed directly to their car, significantly reducing rental time. Returns are also streamlined for Fastbreak members.
In addition to expedited service, members gain access to exclusive deals and discounts, contributing to overall cost savings on rentals.
While the rewards structure is less point-based than some programs, Budget Fastbreak delivers tangible value through time savings and member-exclusive pricing. For businesses that frequently rent from Budget and value efficiency, Fastbreak is a worthwhile program.
6. Fox Rewards: Flexible Redemption Options
Alt text: Business traveler driving a rental car in city traffic, highlighting Fox Rewards program for corporate travel.
The Fox Rewards Program enables members to earn points and access exclusive member benefits. Members earn four points for every dollar spent on rentals.
Points can be redeemed for “SuperCertificates” usable at a wide variety of stores, restaurants, airlines, and hotels, offering redemption flexibility beyond just car rentals. For instance, 2500 points can be exchanged for a $25 Bath & Body Works SuperCertificate.
Alternatively, points can be converted to FoxBucks, which are redeemable for future Fox car rentals. 1600 points equate to $20 in FoxBucks.
Fox Rewards provides a clearly defined and easy-to-understand reward system. While the direct monetary savings might not be as substantial as some programs, the flexible redemption options and straightforward point system add significant value, especially for businesses that appreciate versatility in their rewards.
7. Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards: Discounted Rates and Time-Saving Benefits
The Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards Program is free to join and offers an immediate 15% discount on every car rental. Beyond the discount, Blue Chip Rewards provides numerous time-saving and convenience benefits:
- Counter bypass for quicker pick-up
- Faster reservations and streamlined returns
- Free authorization for additional drivers
- Exclusive discounted rates and special deals
- Priority counter service access
Enrolling is simple through the Thrifty website, making these benefits easily accessible for business travelers. Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards is a strong option for businesses seeking both cost savings and efficiency in their car rental process.
8. Sixt Loyalty Program: Status Matching and Tiered Benefits
SIXT Club status unlocks access to the SIXT loyalty card, designed to simplify and enhance the car rental experience. The program features a tiered structure, with higher rental frequency leading to greater benefits.
Perks include:
- Rental discounts
- Free additional drivers
- Complimentary car category upgrades
The entry-level Express Card is free, and frequent renters can advance to SIXT Gold or SIXT Platinum for enhanced benefits.
Notably, SIXT offers status matching, where they will match the loyalty status you hold with other car rental companies. This is a significant advantage for businesses already benefiting from another company’s program, allowing them to experience SIXT’s offerings without losing their earned status perks. Providing proof of existing status enables businesses to leverage equivalent benefits with SIXT.
9. National Car Rental Emerald Club: Frequent Renter Focused
The National Emerald Club is specifically structured to reward frequent car renters with speed, cost savings, and efficiency.
Members earn one rental credit for each qualifying rental. Accumulating seven credits earns a free rental day, effectively providing a free rental for every eight rentals.
Emerald Aisle Access allows members to select any car in the Emerald Aisle (midsize or above) while only paying the midsize rate, essentially providing complimentary upgrades. Emerald Checkout further streamlines the process for faster service.
National Emerald Club also offers higher tiers: Executive Club Status and Executive Elite Status. Executive Elite status, achieved after 25 paid rentals or 85 paid rental days in a calendar year, unlocks premium benefits:
- Free rental for every five credits earned
- Guaranteed car availability with 24-hour notice
- Private airport delivery service
With no annual fees or monthly statements, National Emerald Club is a valuable program for businesses with substantial car rental needs, offering significant rewards for frequent use.
10. Dollar Express Rewards: No-Frills Value
The Dollar Express Rewards program delivers a range of extra benefits without any membership fees. Members enjoy practical advantages:
- Counter bypass for quicker rentals
- Faster reservations and returns
- Free authorized additional drivers
- Priority counter service
- Potential to earn free rental days
Joining is free, making it a straightforward way to enhance the Dollar Car Rental experience. While not as elaborate as some programs, Dollar Express Rewards provides solid, practical benefits for businesses that frequently rent from Dollar.
11. Zipcar For Business: Urban Mobility Solution
Zipcar For Business offers an alternative to traditional car rental, providing access to vehicles parked conveniently near workplaces and residential areas. It’s designed for short-term, on-demand car access, particularly useful in urban environments.
The model is different:
- Businesses create a Zipcar business account.
- Zipcars are booked as needed.
- Vehicles are returned to their designated parking spots after use.
Zipcar operates on a membership and reservation basis, often proving more cost-effective and convenient than traditional rentals for shorter durations or specific trips within urban centers. The pay-per-use model can be advantageous for companies with predictable, short-trip car needs.
Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Perks
Leveraging the right credit cards can significantly enhance car rental benefits by providing bonuses and discounts. Several credit cards offer valuable perks specifically for car rentals.
1. American Express Travel: Broad Travel Rewards
The American Express Travel Card provides rewards across various travel expenses, including car rentals. For businesses with diverse travel spending, this card offers broad travel-related benefits.
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Premium Car Rental Benefits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is particularly strong for car rental benefits. It offers:
- Rental car insurance coverage
- Discounts with select rental car companies
- Lost luggage protection
- Travel and emergency assistance services
For businesses prioritizing comprehensive car rental insurance and travel protections, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a leading option.
Leverage Status Matching for Enhanced Benefits
Alt text: Scenic autumn drive on a mountain highway, symbolizing travel flexibility through car rental status matching programs.
Status matching is a valuable strategy to maximize car rental program benefits. Many car rental companies offer status matching, where they will grant you equivalent status in their program based on your existing elite status with a competitor. This allows businesses to trial different rental companies and potentially access better deals or services without starting from the bottom of a new loyalty program.
For example, Avis Status Match and Hertz Status Match programs recognize status from companies like Europcar, Enterprise, SIXT, and National (varies by program).
Always inquire with your preferred car rental companies about status matching opportunities to potentially leverage your existing loyalty benefits across multiple providers.
Double Your Rewards with Engine on Lodging
Engine offers a leading lodging rewards program that can complement your car rental savings. If your business travel includes hotel stays, Engine can help you maximize rewards on accommodations.
With HE Rewards, members earn points on every hotel booking. You can also link your existing hotel loyalty program accounts to your Engine account to “double dip” – earning both HE Rewards points and your hotel loyalty points simultaneously for double the savings. Engine provides access to over 700,000 hotels, increasing opportunities to accumulate points.
Engine also offers significant savings on business lodging rates. HE Rewards allows for partial point redemption and has no blackout dates or point expiration, offering exceptional flexibility. Engine is unique as a third-party booking platform offering this type of double-rewards stacking.
Conclusion
By strategically utilizing best business car rental programs, companies can achieve substantial cost savings and enhance the travel experience for their teams. From expedited services and complimentary upgrades to point-based rewards and status matching, the programs detailed in this guide offer a range of benefits tailored to different business needs and travel patterns.
Combine these car rental program benefits with Engine for optimized savings on business lodging. Engine empowers you to manage business travel efficiently and cost-effectively.
Now you are equipped to make informed decisions, hit the road, and start accumulating those valuable rewards points.
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