Like many savvy travelers, you might have focused on snagging the cheapest car rental deal in the past. Perhaps the thought of car rental loyalty programs never even crossed your mind. But if you’re planning any trips that require hitting the road, it’s time to ask: Do Any Car Rental Companies Have Loyalty Programs? The answer is a resounding yes! And signing up for these programs can unlock a world of benefits, from sweet perks like complimentary upgrades to earning points towards free rentals. It’s completely free to join, and the advantages can significantly enhance your rental experience and save you money in the long run.
This guide will delve into the landscape of car rental rewards programs, breaking down the best options available and highlighting what you need to know to make the most of them. Get ready to discover how loyalty can pay off on your next car rental.
Exploring Top Car Rental Loyalty Programs
Several major car rental companies offer loyalty programs designed to reward frequent renters. Each program has its own unique structure, benefits, and elite status tiers. Let’s explore some of the leading programs to see which one might be the best fit for your travel needs.
Alamo Insiders: Simple Savings
Alamo Insiders offers a straightforward approach to rewards. Unlike many programs, Alamo Insiders doesn’t feature elite status tiers or a points system for rentals. Instead, members enjoy an immediate benefit: a 5% discount on base rates for rentals in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
For those interested in broader travel rewards, Alamo allows members to earn points or miles with partner airlines and hotels. Participating partners include programs like American AAdvantage, Hilton Honors, and Southwest Rapid Rewards. You can find a comprehensive list of partners on Alamo’s partner page.
While it lacks the complexity of tiered programs, Alamo Insiders provides instant savings and the opportunity to link your rentals to other valuable loyalty programs.
Avis Preferred: Speed and Rewards
With a vast global presence encompassing over 5,000 locations in more than 170 countries, Avis makes its loyalty program, Avis Preferred, a valuable option for international and domestic travelers alike. Avis Preferred operates on a tiered elite status system, offering increasing benefits as you rent more frequently.
Avis Preferred – The Foundation
As a base-level Avis Preferred member, you begin earning immediately. You’ll accrue 1 point for every dollar spent on car rentals and 2 points per dollar on accessories. These points can be redeemed for car rentals starting at just 700 points per day, with the added flexibility of no blackout dates.
Alt text: Quick Avis Preferred rental pickup using QR code for faster service.
However, one of the most significant advantages of Avis Preferred is the ability to bypass the long lines at the rental counter at most locations worldwide. This time-saving perk alone can make the program worthwhile for frequent renters.
Avis Preferred Plus – Elevating Your Experience
Reaching Avis Preferred Plus status is achieved by renting at least 10 times or spending $4,000 within a calendar year. This elevated tier boosts your earning potential to 1.25 points per dollar on rental costs and 2.5 points per dollar on optional extras.
In addition to all the benefits of Preferred membership, Preferred Plus members enjoy complimentary one-class upgrades when booking a midsize car or larger, based on availability.
Fast Track to Status: Holders of United MileagePlus Premier Silver or United Premier Gold elite status can often upgrade their Avis status. Similarly, The Platinum Card® from American Express provides complimentary Avis Preferred status upon enrollment.
Avis President’s Club – Top-Tier Privileges
The highest tier, Avis President’s Club, is reached after 20 rentals or $6,000 in annual spending. President’s Club members earn at an accelerated rate of 1.5 points per dollar on rentals and 3 points per dollar on accessories.
President’s Club unlocks premium benefits, including:
- Two-class upgrades when reserving a midsize car or above (excluding large SUVs and Signature Fleet, subject to availability).
- Guaranteed car availability up to a full-size with a confirmed 24-hour advance reservation.
- Dedicated Avis Preferred Plus customer service and reservation line for prioritized assistance.
Achieving President’s Club Status: Certain United co-branded credit cards, such as the United ClubSM Infinite Card and the United ClubSM Business Card, offer Avis President’s Club status as a perk. Furthermore, United MileagePlus Premier Platinum elite status holders and above also receive this valuable rental car status.
Note: Information regarding the United Club Business card is collected independently and may not be provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
Budget Fastbreak: Streamlined Rentals
Budget’s loyalty program, Fastbreak, focuses on convenience and occasional member-exclusive promotions. Joining Budget Fastbreak is free and designed to expedite both the pickup and return processes for your rental car.
Similar to Alamo Insiders, Budget Fastbreak does not incorporate elite status tiers. Instead, Budget periodically offers attractive promotions to Fastbreak members, such as bonus Budget Bucks that can be applied toward future rentals.
Dollar Express Rewards: Points Towards Free Days
Dollar Express Rewards provides a straightforward path to free rental days. Members earn points on their spending and gain access to expedited services and cost-saving benefits.
With Dollar Rewards, you’ll earn 1 point for every dollar spent on qualifying rentals within the U.S. and Canada. Redemptions for free rental days start at 500 points for weekend days and 625 points for weekdays (excluding taxes and fees). Program perks also include priority service, quicker rental returns, and a complimentary authorized additional driver (for a spouse or domestic partner).
Enterprise Plus: Tiered Rewards and Upgrades
Enterprise Plus features a four-tiered elite status structure, rewarding loyalty with bonus points and complimentary upgrades. The tiers are Plus (basic), Silver, Gold, and Platinum, each offering increasing benefits.
Enterprise Plus – Entry Level
Simply signing up for Enterprise Plus grants you Plus status, which lasts through your first five rentals. At this level, you earn 1 point per dollar on qualifying rentals.
Enterprise Silver – Bonus Points and Upgrades
Enterprise Silver status is achieved after six rentals. Silver members receive a 10% bonus on points earned for qualifying rental dollars, in addition to one complimentary car upgrade per year.
Enterprise Gold – Accelerated Earnings
To reach Enterprise Gold, you need either 12 qualifying rentals or 40 rental days. Gold status members earn a 15% bonus on points and receive two complimentary car upgrades annually.
Enterprise Platinum – Top-Tier Benefits
The highest tier, Enterprise Platinum, requires 24 qualifying rentals or 85 rental days. Platinum members enjoy a 20% bonus on earned points and four complimentary car upgrades each year.
Enterprise points can be redeemed for free rental days with no blackout dates. Point values for free rentals vary depending on rental details, but start at 400 points.
For those with existing elite status, Enterprise Plus offers a status match program 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 and accelerate your path to Enterprise elite status.
Alt text: Convenient car rental management with the Enterprise mobile app.
Fox Rewards: Flexible Redemption Options
Fox Rewards takes a different approach by offering flexible redemption options. Members earn a generous 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 a wide range of retailers like Amazon, Apple, and Starbucks. Gift card redemptions start at 2,500 points for a $25 certificate.
Alternatively, you can redeem points for FoxBucks, which can be used to pay for car rentals. FoxBucks redemptions begin at 1,600 points for $20 in FoxBucks.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards: Speed and Choice
Hertz’s loyalty program, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, emphasizes speed and vehicle selection. Joining is free, and members can skip the rental counter and proceed directly to car pickup. You also earn redeemable points toward free rentals.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards has three elite tiers: Gold (basic), Five Star, and President’s Circle.
Hertz Gold – Basic Membership
Hertz Gold membership, attained simply by signing up, provides foundational benefits:
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent.
- Access to Hertz Ultimate Choice at participating locations, allowing you to select your specific car from a designated lot.
- Free additional driver (spouse or domestic partner) in the U.S.
Hertz Five Star – Enhanced Benefits
Five Star status is earned after 10 Hertz rentals or $2,000 in annual spending. Key benefits include:
- Earn 1.25 points per dollar spent.
- Upgrades based on availability.
- Expanded car selection within Ultimate Choice lots compared to Gold members.
Status Match Opportunity: Delta Medallion Silver or Gold status holders can often match to Hertz Five Star status.
Hertz President’s Circle – Premium Perks
President’s Circle, the top tier, is reached after 15 Hertz rentals or $3,000 in annual spending. Members receive all lower-tier benefits plus:
- Earn 1.5 points per dollar spent.
- Guaranteed car upgrades.
- Widest car selection within Ultimate Choice lots.
- Dedicated Hertz phone number for President’s Circle members.
Accelerated Status: Several premium credit cards, including the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card*, The Platinum Card® from American Express, and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, offer complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status (enrollment required). Delta Platinum and Diamond Medallion members can also enroll and receive complimentary President’s Circle status.
*Enrollment through the Capital One website or app is required for eligible cardholders to maintain status. Standard Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment will not automatically grant status upgrades.
Alt text: Hertz Ultimate Choice lot offering a wide selection of vehicles for members.
National Emerald Club: Choice and Control
National’s loyalty program, Emerald Club, is built around choice and control. It features three tiers: Emerald Club (basic), Executive, and Executive Elite.
Emerald Club – Skip the Counter
Emerald Club members can bypass the rental counter and choose any car from the Emerald Aisle when renting a midsize car or larger. You can elect to earn free rental days or points/miles with partner programs. Additional 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 select locations in the U.K., Ireland, France, Spain, and Germany (subject to availability).
Emerald Club Executive – Enhanced Selection and Upgrades
Emerald Club Executive status is achieved with 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days annually. It can also be attained through status matching with cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (enrollment required).
Executive members receive all base-level perks plus:
- Free rental day 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 when reserving a midsize or larger car in the U.S. and Canada.
- Exclusive pricing on upgrades to Premier Selection at rental locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Emerald Club Executive Elite – Top-Tier Privileges
Executive Elite status, the highest tier, requires 25 rentals or 85 rental days per year. Top-tier members receive:
- Free rental days after just five rental credits (on any car class except exotic vehicles and trucks).
- Guaranteed car availability (up to full-size) with 24 hours’ notice.
- Private airport delivery at smaller airports in the U.S. or Canada (within 50 miles of a National branch) for private aircraft arrivals.
National Emerald Club also offers a generous status match program with over 40 loyalty programs. Matching existing hotel or airline elite status can be a shortcut to Emerald Club benefits.
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards: Discounts and Simplicity
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards focuses on providing discounts and streamlining the rental process. It does not have elite status tiers or a points-earning system. Instead, Blue Chip members receive up to a 15% discount on all rentals.
Blue Chip membership also includes benefits like a free authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner), faster pickups and returns, and more.
Maximize Rewards with the Right Credit Card
Regardless of the car rental company you choose, using the right credit card is crucial for maximizing rewards. Certain credit cards offer bonus points for car rentals purchased directly.
Additionally, some cards provide primary car rental coverage, which can cover damage, theft, or loss without needing to file a claim with your personal insurance. To utilize primary coverage, simply decline the rental company’s insurance and pay with a card offering this benefit.
Final Takeaway: Loyalty Pays in Car Rentals
While car rentals might not be the most glamorous aspect of travel, they are often essential. If you rent cars even semi-regularly, asking “do any car rental companies have loyalty programs?” and then joining them is a smart move.
Even if you don’t achieve elite status through credit card perks, signing up for car rental loyalty programs is worthwhile. You can accumulate points towards free rentals, access exclusive discounts, and enjoy a faster, more convenient rental experience. From skipping lines to earning upgrades, car rental loyalty programs offer tangible benefits that enhance your travel and save you money. Take advantage of these programs and make your next car rental experience more rewarding.
