Like many travelers, you might have opted for the cheapest rental car in the past without considering the advantages of Rental Car Loyalty Programs. However, if you’re planning to rent a vehicle soon, enrolling in a rental car rewards program is a smart move. These programs are typically free to join and offer valuable perks such as vehicle upgrades and points towards complimentary rentals.
This guide breaks down some of the top car rental rewards programs, providing essential information to help you make the most of your car rentals.
Alamo Insiders
Alamo Insiders stands out by offering straightforward savings without a tiered elite status system or points accumulation. Members benefit from a 5% discount on base rates for rentals in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Additionally, Alamo Insiders can choose to accrue points or miles from Alamo’s partner airlines and hotels, including programs like American AAdvantage, Hilton Honors, and Southwest Rapid Rewards. A comprehensive list of partners is available on Alamo’s partner page.
Related: Credit cards offering elite status for car rentals
Avis Preferred
With a vast network of over 5,000 locations across more than 170 countries, Avis offers an extensive global presence. Joining Avis Preferred, their car rental service loyalty program, should be a priority for frequent renters.
Avis Preferred features three elite status levels: Preferred, Preferred Plus, and President’s Club, each offering enhanced benefits.
Avis Preferred
Upon joining Avis Preferred, members earn 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, providing flexibility for reward redemption.
A key advantage of Avis Preferred is the ability to bypass rental counter lines at most locations worldwide, saving valuable time and streamlining the rental process.
Avis Preferred Plus
Achieving Avis Preferred Plus status requires renting 10 times or spending $4,000 within a calendar year. Preferred Plus members earn 1.25 points per dollar on rental costs and 2.5 points per dollar on optional products, accelerating point accumulation.
In addition to Preferred benefits, Plus members receive a complimentary one-class vehicle upgrade when reserving a midsize car or higher, subject to availability, enhancing the rental experience.
How to attain this status: United MileagePlus Premier Silver or Gold elite status holders can upgrade their Avis status by logging in. Furthermore, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers complimentary Avis Preferred status as a card benefit upon enrollment.
Avis President’s Club
Avis President’s Club status is earned after 20 rentals or $6,000 in spending within a calendar year. President’s Club members earn 1.5 points per dollar on car rentals and 3 points per dollar on accessories, maximizing rewards.
Benefits of Avis President’s Club status include:
- Two-class upgrade when reserving a midsize car or larger (excluding large SUVs and Signature Fleet, based on availability).
- Guaranteed car up to a full-size vehicle with a confirmed 24-hour advance reservation, ensuring vehicle availability.
- Dedicated Avis Preferred Plus customer service and reservation line access, providing prioritized support.
How to attain this status: The United ClubSM Infinite Card and the United ClubSM Business Card are United cobranded credit cards that offer Avis President’s Club status as a valuable perk. MileagePlus members with Premier Platinum elite status or higher also receive this rental car status benefit.
The 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.
Related: Strategies to avoid paying full price for a rental car
Budget Fastbreak
Budget’s Fastbreak loyalty program is a free and convenient option that streamlines car rental pick-up and drop-off processes for members.
Similar to Alamo Insiders, Budget Fastbreak does not incorporate elite status tiers. Instead, Budget frequently offers appealing promotions to its members, such as incentives like $25 in Budget Bucks redeemable towards future rentals after completing two rentals by a specified date.
Related: Travel smarter: Tips to secure the best rental car deals and never pay full price
Dollar Express Rewards
The Dollar Express Rewards program allows members to accumulate reward points that can be redeemed for free rental days. Members also gain access to benefits such as priority service, expedited rental returns, and a complimentary authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner), enhancing the overall rental experience.
While Dollar Rewards does not feature elite status tiers, members earn 1 point for each dollar spent on eligible rentals within the U.S. and Canada. Free rental car redemptions start at 500 points for weekend days and 625 points for weekdays, excluding taxes and fees, offering clear redemption values.
Related: Comprehensive guide on redeeming points and miles for car rentals
Enterprise Plus
Enterprise Plus features four elite status tiers: Plus (basic membership), Silver, Gold, and Platinum, catering to varying levels of rental frequency. Enterprise elite status benefits include bonus points on qualifying rentals and complimentary vehicle upgrades, rewarding loyal customers. Here’s a breakdown of each tier:
Enterprise Plus
Enrolling in Enterprise Plus grants immediate Plus status, valid through the first five rentals. Members earn 1 point per dollar on qualifying rentals from the outset.
Enterprise Silver
Enterprise Silver status is attained after six rentals. Silver members receive a 10% bonus on points earned from qualifying rental dollars, accelerating rewards, and one complimentary car upgrade per year, adding value to their rentals.
Enterprise Gold
To achieve Enterprise Gold status, members need either 12 qualifying rentals or 40 rental days. Gold status benefits include a 15% bonus on points earned from qualifying rental dollars, further boosting rewards, and two complimentary car upgrades per year, enhancing rental experiences.
Enterprise Platinum
Enterprise’s top-tier Platinum status requires 24 qualifying rentals or 85 rental days. Platinum members enjoy a 20% bonus on points earned from qualifying rental dollars, the highest bonus tier, and four complimentary car upgrades per year, maximizing benefits for frequent renters.
Enterprise points can be redeemed for free rental days with no blackout dates, providing flexibility and value. While point values for free rentals vary based on trip details, redemptions start at 400 points, making rewards accessible.
For those seeking to expedite their path to Enterprise elite status, the program offers status matching with over 40 travel loyalty programs. Individuals holding elite status with airlines, hotels, or other car rental programs should check Enterprise’s website to explore status match opportunities.
Related: Complete overview of rental car elite status and its advantages
Fox Rewards
The Fox Rewards loyalty program is designed for simplicity and straightforward rewards. Members earn 4 points for every dollar spent (excluding taxes and fees), providing a consistent earning rate. Points can be redeemed in two ways: gift cards or FoxBucks, offering flexibility in reward choices.
Fox partners with Tango Card, enabling members to use points for gift cards at various retailers, including Amazon, Apple, and Starbucks. Gift card redemptions start at 2,500 points for a $25 gift certificate, scaling up to 12,500 points for a $125 gift certificate.
Alternatively, FoxBucks allow members to redeem rental car rewards points to offset car rental costs. FoxBucks redemptions begin at 1,600 points for $20 in FoxBucks, reaching up to 8,000 points for $100 in FoxBucks, providing direct rental cost savings.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Hertz’s loyalty program, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, is free to join and designed to expedite the rental process. Members can bypass the rental counter and proceed directly to vehicle pick-up, plus earn redeemable reward points for future free rentals, enhancing convenience and rewards.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards features three elite tiers: Gold (basic membership), Five Star, and President’s Circle, each offering increasing levels of benefits. Here’s a breakdown of qualification criteria and benefits for each tier:
Hertz Gold
Becoming a Hertz Gold member is as simple as signing up. While perks are basic, they include:
- Earning 1 point for every dollar spent on rentals.
- Access to Hertz Ultimate Choice at select locations, allowing members to select their preferred vehicle from available options.
- Complimentary additional driver for a spouse or domestic partner within the U.S., adding value for couples or partners traveling together.
Hertz Five Star
Hertz Five Star status is achieved after completing 10 Hertz rentals or spending $2,000 on rental cars within a year. Notable benefits include:
- Earning 1.25 points per dollar spent, accelerating reward accumulation.
- Vehicle upgrades based on availability, enhancing the rental experience.
- Expanded vehicle selection within Hertz Ultimate Choice locations, providing Five Star members with a wider range of car choices.
Additional avenues to earn this status: Delta Medallion Silver or Gold status holders can status match to Five Star status, leveraging airline loyalty for car rental benefits.
Hertz President’s Circle
President’s Circle status is earned after 15 Hertz rentals or $3,000 in rental car spending within a calendar year. President’s Circle members receive all benefits of lower tiers plus:
- Earning 1.5 points per dollar spent, maximizing point accrual.
- Guaranteed vehicle upgrades, ensuring a better car than booked.
- Premier vehicle selection within Hertz Ultimate Choice locations, offering President’s Circle members the widest and most premium car selection.
- Exclusive access to a dedicated Hertz phone line for President’s Circle members, providing prioritized customer service.
Additional avenues 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 holders can also enroll in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and receive complimentary President’s Circle status, bridging airline and car rental loyalty.
*Enrollment through the Capital One website or mobile app is required for eligible cardholders to maintain status level throughout the offer duration. Standard Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment will not automatically trigger status upgrade; additional terms apply.
Related: Leveraging Hertz perks and Capital One Venture X for rental car rewards stacking
National Emerald Club
National’s loyalty program, Emerald Club, features three tiers: Emerald Club, Executive, and Executive Elite, each offering progressive benefits. Let’s examine each tier in detail.
Emerald Club
Emerald Club members can bypass the rental counter and select any vehicle from the Emerald Aisle when renting a midsize car or larger, offering vehicle choice and convenience. Members can opt to earn free rental days or points/miles with National’s partner programs. Additional perks include:
- Expedited service for rentals in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, streamlining international rentals.
- Free rental days awarded after accumulating seven rental credits, providing tangible rewards.
- Elimination of second-driver fees, adding value for rentals shared by multiple drivers.
- Complimentary one-class vehicle upgrade at participating locations in the U.K., Ireland, France, Spain, and Germany, subject to availability, enhancing rentals in Europe.
Emerald Club Executive
Emerald Club Executive status requires 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days per calendar year. Alternatively, select travel rewards cards such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (enrollment required) offer automatic Executive status.
Executive members retain all base member perks and gain:
- Free rental day awarded after six rental credits, accelerating reward accumulation.
- Access to the Executive Area, allowing members to pay the midsize rate but select any car (including full-size and above) in the U.S., providing significant value and choice.
- Guaranteed upgrades when reserving a midsize or larger vehicle in the U.S. and Canada, ensuring vehicle enhancements.
- Exclusive pricing on upgrades to Premier Selection vehicles at rental lots in the U.S. and Canada, offering premium vehicle access at preferential rates.
Emerald Club Executive Elite
Executive Elite status, the top tier, is earned after 25 rentals or 85 rental days per calendar year. Executive Elite members receive:
- Free rental days after just five rental credits (for any car class excluding exotic vehicles and trucks), providing the fastest free rental accrual.
- Guaranteed vehicle availability (up to full-size) with 24 hours’ notice, ensuring vehicle security for planned rentals.
- Private airport delivery for arrivals via private aircraft at smaller airports in the U.S. or Canada (within 50 miles of a National branch), offering ultra-personalized service.
National Emerald Club also offers status matching from over 40 loyalty programs. TPG staff have successfully matched Hilton Honors Gold status to Emerald Club Executive and United Airlines Premier 1K to Executive Elite, demonstrating the value of exploring status match opportunities with Emerald Club.
Related: Credit cards that provide elite status in car rental programs
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards program has transitioned away from elite status tiers and points earning. Instead, Blue Chip members now receive up to a 15% discount on all rentals, providing straightforward savings.
Blue Chip membership benefits include a complimentary authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner), expedited pick-up and return processes, and other conveniences, simplifying the rental experience.
Top Credit Cards for Car Rentals
Selecting the right credit card is crucial for maximizing rewards on car rentals, regardless of the rental company. Certain cards offer bonus points for direct car rental purchases, enhancing reward earnings.
Furthermore, some credit cards provide primary car rental coverage, insuring against loss, theft, or damage to the rental vehicle without requiring claims through your personal insurance. To activate this coverage, simply decline primary rental insurance at the counter and pay with a card offering this benefit.
Conclusion
While renting a car may not be as glamorous as flying or hotel stays, it’s often essential, particularly for exploring destinations beyond typical tourist routes.
If your credit card or airline loyalty program offers complimentary elite status with car rental agencies, enroll immediately. Even without automatic elite status, joining multiple rental car loyalty programs is advantageous. You can accumulate points for free rentals, access exclusive discounts, and expedite the rental process by skipping counters. Car rental loyalty programs offer tangible perks and benefits that enhance the overall travel experience and provide real value.
