Like many travelers, you might have opted for the most affordable 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 redeemable for complimentary rentals.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the leading car rental rewards programs, detailing what you need to know to make the most of them.
Understanding the Landscape of Rental Car Loyalty Programs
Rental car companies, much like airlines and hotels, offer loyalty programs to incentivize repeat business and reward their customers. These programs are designed to provide benefits and enhance the overall rental experience for frequent renters. By joining these programs, you can unlock a range of advantages that go beyond simply renting a car.
These advantages can include:
- Earning Points for Free Rentals: Most programs allow you to accumulate points for every dollar spent on rentals. These points can then be redeemed for free rental days, offering significant savings over time.
- Vehicle Upgrades: Loyalty programs often grant members access to complimentary vehicle upgrades, allowing you to enjoy a more comfortable or spacious car than you initially booked.
- Faster Service and Convenience: Many programs offer expedited service, such as skipping lines at rental counters and quicker pick-up and return processes, saving you valuable time.
- Exclusive Discounts: Members may also receive exclusive discounts on rental rates, making car rentals more affordable.
- Additional Perks: Depending on the program and your status level, you might also enjoy benefits like free additional drivers, access to wider vehicle selection, and dedicated customer service lines.
Let’s delve into the specifics of some of the top rental car loyalty programs available.
Top Rental Car Loyalty Programs: A Detailed Overview
Here’s a breakdown of popular rental car loyalty programs, highlighting their unique features and benefits:
Alamo Insiders
Unlike many other programs, Alamo Insiders operates without elite status tiers and doesn’t offer rental car points. However, it provides immediate value with a guaranteed 5% discount on base rates in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Furthermore, Alamo Insiders members have the option to earn points or miles with partner airlines and hotels, such as American AAdvantage, Hilton Honors, and Southwest Rapid Rewards, on qualifying rentals. A complete list of partners is available on Alamo’s partner page.
Avis Preferred
With a vast global presence encompassing over 5,000 locations across more than 170 countries, Avis’s loyalty program is definitely worth considering. Avis Preferred features three elite status tiers: Preferred, Preferred Plus, and President’s Club.
Avis Preferred
As a basic Avis Preferred member, you’ll 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.
A key advantage of Avis Preferred is the ability to bypass rental counter lines at most locations globally, saving you time and hassle.
Avis Preferred Plus
Reaching Avis Preferred Plus status requires either 10 rentals or $4,000 in spending within a calendar year. Once achieved, you’ll earn 1.25 points per dollar on rental costs and 2.5 points per dollar on optional products.
In addition to Preferred benefits, Plus members receive a complimentary one-class vehicle upgrade when reserving a midsize car or higher (subject to availability).
How to Achieve This Status: If you hold United MileagePlus Premier Silver or United Premier Gold elite status, you can upgrade your Avis status. Moreover, The Platinum Card® from American Express provides complimentary Avis Preferred status (enrollment required).
Avis President’s Club
Avis President’s Club status is attained after 20 rentals or $6,000 in spending within a calendar year. Members at this top tier earn 1.5 points per dollar on car rentals and 3 points per dollar on accessories.
Benefits of Avis President’s Club status include:
- 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 confirmed 24-hour advance reservation.
- Dedicated Avis Preferred Plus customer service and reservation line.
How to Achieve This Status: The United ClubSM Infinite Card and the United ClubSM Business Card offer Avis President’s Club status as a perk. Additionally, MileagePlus members with Premier Platinum elite status or higher also receive this rental car status benefit.
Budget Fastbreak
Budget’s Fastbreak loyalty program is free to join and focuses on streamlining the rental process with easy pick-up and drop-off services.
Similar to Alamo Insiders, Budget Fastbreak lacks elite status tiers. Instead, Budget periodically offers special promotions to members, such as bonus Budget Bucks for future rentals upon completing a certain number of rentals within a specified period.
Dollar Express Rewards
The Dollar Express Rewards program enables you to earn reward points towards free rentals. Members also gain access to benefits like priority service, expedited returns, and a free authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner).
While Dollar Rewards doesn’t have elite status, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar spent on qualifying rentals in the U.S. and Canada. Free rental redemptions start at 500 points on weekend days and 625 points on weekdays (excluding taxes and fees).
Enterprise Plus
Enterprise Plus features four elite status tiers: Plus (basic), Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Enterprise’s elite benefits include bonus points and free upgrades.
Enterprise Plus
Basic Plus status is granted upon signup and lasts through your fifth rental. You earn 1 point per dollar on qualifying rentals.
Enterprise Silver
Enterprise Silver status is achieved after six rentals. Silver members receive a 10% bonus on points earned from qualifying rentals and one free car upgrade per year.
Enterprise Gold
Earning Enterprise Gold status requires either 12 qualifying rentals or 40 rental days. Gold members get a 15% bonus on points and two free car upgrades per year.
Enterprise Platinum
Enterprise’s top-tier Platinum status requires 24 qualifying rentals or 85 rental days. Platinum members receive a 20% bonus on points and four free car upgrades per year.
Enterprise points can be redeemed for free rental days with no blackout dates. Redemption rates vary based on rental details, but start at 400 points.
For those seeking to accelerate their path to Enterprise elite status, the program offers status matching with over 40 travel loyalty programs. Check Enterprise’s website to see if your existing airline, hotel, or car rental elite status qualifies for a match.
Fox Rewards
The Fox Rewards loyalty program is straightforward: members earn 4 points per dollar spent (excluding taxes and fees). Points can be redeemed for either gift cards or FoxBucks.
Gift card options, facilitated through Tango Card, allow you to spend points at retailers like Amazon, Apple, and Starbucks. Redemptions start at 2,500 points for a $25 gift certificate.
FoxBucks can be used to pay for car rentals. FoxBucks redemptions start at 1,600 points for $20 in FoxBucks.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Hertz’s loyalty program, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, is free to join and offers counter bypass for quicker pick-up, plus reward points redeemable for free rentals.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards has three elite tiers: Gold (basic), Five Star, and President’s Circle.
Hertz Gold
Basic Gold membership provides:
- 1 point per dollar spent.
- Access to Hertz Ultimate Choice at select locations, allowing you to choose your car.
- Free additional driver for a spouse or domestic partner in the U.S.
Hertz Five Star
Five Star status is earned after 10 Hertz rentals or $2,000 in annual spending. Benefits include:
- 1.25 points per dollar spent.
- Upgrades based on availability.
- Wider car selection in Ultimate Choice lots.
Status Match: Delta Medallion Silver or Gold status can be matched to Five Star status.
Hertz President’s Circle
President’s Circle status requires 15 Hertz rentals or $3,000 in annual spending. Members receive all lower-tier benefits plus:
- 1.5 points per dollar spent.
- Guaranteed car upgrades.
- Widest car selection in Ultimate Choice lots.
- Dedicated phone line for President’s Circle members.
Status Match & Credit Cards: 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 also grants complimentary President’s Circle status.
National Emerald Club
National’s loyalty program, Emerald Club, has three tiers: Emerald Club, Executive, and Executive Elite.
Emerald Club
Basic Emerald Club members can bypass the counter and choose any car from the Emerald Aisle when renting a midsize car or larger. You can choose to earn free rental days or points/miles with partners. Other perks include:
- Expedited service in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
- Free rental day after seven rental credits.
- No second-driver fees.
- Free one-class upgrade at select European locations (subject to availability).
Emerald Club Executive
Emerald Club Executive status requires 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days per year. It can also be obtained 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 benefits plus:
- Free rental day after six rental credits.
- Executive Area access: Pay midsize rate, choose any car (full-size or above) in the U.S.
- Guaranteed upgrades in the U.S. and Canada (midsize or larger rentals).
- Exclusive pricing on Premier Selection upgrades.
Emerald Club Executive Elite
Executive Elite status requires 25 rentals or 85 rental days per year. Top-tier benefits include:
- Free rental days after five rental credits (any car class except exotic and trucks).
- Guaranteed car (up to full-size) with 24-hour notice.
- Private airport delivery at small airports in the U.S. and Canada (within 50 miles of a National branch).
National Emerald Club also offers status matching with over 40 loyalty programs.
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards
Thrifty Blue Chip has no elite status tiers and has moved away from points earning. Instead, Blue Chip members receive up to a 15% discount on all rentals.
Blue Chip benefits include a free additional driver (spouse or domestic partner), faster pick-up and returns, and more.
Credit Cards to Maximize Car Rental Rewards
Choosing the right credit card is crucial for maximizing rewards when renting a car. Cards that offer bonus points on direct car rental purchases are ideal.
Some cards also provide primary car rental coverage, protecting against damage or theft without needing to involve your personal insurance. To utilize this, decline the rental company’s insurance and pay with a card offering primary coverage.
Are Rental Car Loyalty Programs Right for You?
Renting a car might not be as glamorous as flying or staying in a luxury hotel, but it’s often a necessary part of travel, especially when exploring less accessible destinations.
If your credit card or airline loyalty program includes automatic elite status with a car rental agency, signing up is a no-brainer. Even without automatic elite status, joining multiple programs is still advantageous. You can earn points for free rentals, access exclusive discounts, and enjoy a smoother, more convenient rental experience.
In conclusion, rental car loyalty programs offer tangible benefits and are generally worth joining, especially if you rent cars even semi-regularly. The perks and potential savings can significantly enhance your travel experience.
