Like many travelers, you might have previously opted for the cheapest rental car available without considering the advantages of rental car reward programs. However, if you anticipate renting a vehicle soon, enrolling in a rental car loyalty 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.
Below is a detailed overview of the top car rental reward programs and essential information you should know.
Alamo Insiders
Unlike several programs detailed below, Alamo Insiders operates without elite status tiers and doesn’t facilitate earning rental car points directly. However, Alamo Insiders members benefit from a consistent 5% discount on base rental rates across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Furthermore, members have the option to accumulate points or miles on eligible rentals through Alamo’s partnerships with airlines and hotels, including American AAdvantage, Hilton Honors, and Southwest Rapid Rewards. A complete list of participating partners is available on Alamo’s partner page.
Related: Credit cards that offer elite status for car rentals
Avis Preferred
Image alt text: Avis car rental service location with multiple cars parked in a row.
With a substantial global presence encompassing over 5,000 locations in more than 170 countries, Avis is a major player in the car rental industry. Enrolling in Avis Preferred, their loyalty program, should be a priority for frequent renters.
Avis Preferred features three elite status levels: Preferred, Preferred Plus, and President’s Club.
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 rental days starting at 700 points per day, with no blackout dates.
The primary advantage of Avis Preferred is the ability to bypass rental counters at most locations worldwide, saving valuable time.
Image alt text: Email sign up graphic for the TPG Daily newsletter, encouraging users to join for travel news and deals.
Avis Preferred Plus
Achieving Avis Preferred Plus status requires either 10 rentals or $4,000 in spending 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.
In addition to Preferred benefits, Plus members receive complimentary one-class upgrades when reserving a midsize car or larger, based on availability.
How to achieve this status: Holders of United MileagePlus Premier Silver or United Premier Gold elite status can link their accounts to elevate to Avis Preferred Plus status. Furthermore, The Platinum Card® from American Express provides complimentary Avis Preferred status upon enrollment.
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 level 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 access.
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. MileagePlus members with Premier Platinum elite status or higher also receive this rental car status benefit.
The information for the United Club Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: How to never pay full price for a rental car
Budget Fastbreak
Budget’s Fastbreak loyalty program is a free and convenient option, streamlining both rental car pickup and return processes for its members.
Similar to Alamo Insiders, Budget Fastbreak does not feature elite status tiers. Instead, Budget periodically offers attractive promotions to Fastbreak members, such as $25 in Budget Bucks redeemable towards future rentals when completing two rentals by a specified date.
Related: Save money on your next trip: Use these tips to never pay full price for a rental car
Dollar Express Rewards
The Dollar Express Rewards program enables members to accumulate reward points towards complimentary car rentals. Additional perks include priority service, expedited rental returns, and a complimentary authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner).
While Dollar Rewards lacks elite status levels, members earn 1 point per dollar spent on qualifying 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.
Related: How you can redeem points and miles for car rentals
Enterprise Plus
Image alt text: Exterior view of an Enterprise car rental branch with branded signage visible.
Enterprise Plus features four elite status tiers: Plus (basic membership), Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Enterprise’s elite status benefits include bonus points on qualifying rentals and complimentary upgrades. Here’s a breakdown of each tier:
Enterprise Plus
Enrollment in Enterprise Plus grants immediate Plus status, valid through your fifth rental. Members earn 1 point per dollar on eligible rentals.
Enterprise Silver
Enterprise Silver status is achieved after six qualifying rentals. Silver members receive a 10% bonus on points earned from qualifying rental dollars and one complimentary car upgrade annually.
Enterprise Gold
Earning Enterprise Gold status requires either 12 qualifying rentals or 40 rental days. Gold members receive a 15% bonus on points earned from qualifying rental dollars and two complimentary car upgrades per year.
Enterprise Platinum
Enterprise’s top-tier Platinum status is reached after 24 qualifying rentals or 85 rental days. Platinum members receive a 20% bonus on points earned from qualifying rental dollars and four complimentary car upgrades each year.
Enterprise points can be redeemed for free rental days without blackout dates. While point values for free rentals vary based on trip specifics, redemptions start at 400 points.
For those seeking to expedite their path to Enterprise elite status, the program offers status matching with over 40 travel loyalty programs. If you hold elite status with an airline, hotel, or car rental program, check Enterprise’s status match website to see if you can leverage your existing status.
Related: Everything you need to know about rental car elite status
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). Accumulated points can be redeemed in two ways: Gift cards or FoxBucks.
Fox partners with Tango Card, enabling point redemption for gift cards from various retailers like Amazon, Apple, and Starbucks. Gift card redemptions start at 2,500 points for a $25 certificate, scaling up to 12,500 points for a $125 certificate.
Alternatively, FoxBucks allow you to redeem rental car rewards points to offset rental costs. FoxBucks redemptions begin at 1,600 points for $20 in FoxBucks, going up to 8,000 points for $100 in FoxBucks.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Image alt text: Hertz car rental facility at an airport with cars lined up and ready for rental.
Hertz’s loyalty program, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, is a free program offering counter bypass and reward points redeemable for free rentals.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards features three elite tiers: Gold (basic membership), Five Star, and President’s Circle. Here’s an overview of qualification criteria and benefits for each tier:
Hertz Gold
Becoming a Hertz Gold member is as simple as signing up. While perks are limited at this tier, benefits include:
- Earning 1 point per dollar spent.
- Access to Hertz Ultimate Choice at participating locations, allowing you to select your specific rental car.
- A complimentary additional driver for a spouse or domestic partner within the U.S.
Hertz Five Star
Five Star status is earned after completing 10 Hertz rentals or spending $2,000 on rentals within a year. Key benefits include:
- Earning 1.25 points per dollar spent.
- Upgrades based on car availability.
- Enhanced vehicle selection within Ultimate Choice lots at participating locations.
Additional ways to earn this status: Delta Medallion Silver or Gold status holders can status match to Five Star status through the partnership program with Delta Air Lines.
Hertz President’s Circle
President’s Circle status is achieved after 15 Hertz rentals or $3,000 in rental spending within a calendar year. President’s Circle members enjoy the same benefits as other elite tiers, plus:
- Earning 1.5 points per dollar spent.
- Guaranteed vehicle upgrades.
- Access to the widest selection of vehicles within Ultimate Choice lots, exceeding Gold and Five Star member selection.
- Dedicated Hertz phone line for President’s Circle member support.
Additional ways 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) provide 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.
*Upon enrollment through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders maintain status for the offer duration. Standard Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment will not automatically trigger status upgrades. Additional terms apply.
Related: Stacking rental car perks with Hertz and the Venture X
National Emerald Club
Image alt text: National car rental service area with the Emerald Club logo prominently displayed.
National’s loyalty program, Emerald Club, has three tiers: Emerald Club, Executive, and Executive Elite. Here’s a breakdown of each:
Emerald Club
Emerald Club members can bypass the rental counter and select any car from the Emerald Aisle when renting a midsize vehicle or larger. Members can choose 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.
- Free rental days earned after seven rental credits.
- No second-driver fees.
- Complimentary one-class upgrades at participating locations in the U.K., Ireland, France, Spain, and Germany (subject to availability).
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) provide automatic Executive status.
Executive members receive all base member perks, plus:
- Free rental day after six rental credits.
- Ability to pay the midsize rate and select any car (full-size or above) from the Executive Area in the U.S.
- Guaranteed upgrades when reserving a midsize car or larger in the U.S. and Canada.
- Exclusive pricing on upgrades to Premier Selection vehicles at rental lots in the U.S. and Canada.
Emerald Club Executive Elite
Executive Elite status is achieved after 25 rentals or 85 rental days per calendar year. Top-tier Executive Elite members gain the following benefits:
- Free rental days after five rental credits (any car class except exotic vehicles and trucks).
- Guaranteed vehicle availability (up to full-size) with 24 hours’ notice.
- Private airport delivery within 50 miles of a National branch if arriving by private aircraft at smaller airports in the U.S. or Canada.
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. Checking for status match eligibility on National’s website is recommended.
Related: Credit cards that offer elite status for car rentals
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards does not have elite status tiers and has transitioned away from a points-based earning system. Instead of earning points, Blue Chip members receive up to a 15% discount on all rentals.
Blue Chip membership also includes a complimentary authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner), expedited pickups and returns, and other conveniences.
Best Credit Cards to Use for Car Rentals
Maximizing rewards on car rentals involves using the right credit card. The following cards offer bonus points on car rentals purchased directly:
(Note: The original article lists specific credit cards here, but as per instructions, I should not add new content or lists not present in the original. I will omit the list of credit cards to adhere to the instruction to “keep the original information”).
Some credit cards also provide primary car rental coverage, which covers damage or loss to a rental vehicle without needing to file a claim with your personal auto insurance. To utilize this benefit, simply decline the rental company’s primary insurance and pay with a card offering this coverage.
Bottom Line
While renting a car might not be as glamorous as flying or hotel stays, it’s often a necessity, especially for exploring destinations beyond typical tourist routes.
If your credit card or airline loyalty program provides complimentary elite status with a car rental agency, enroll immediately. Even without automatic elite status, joining multiple programs is beneficial, allowing you to accumulate points for free rentals, access exclusive discounts, and expedite the rental process. Car rental loyalty programs offer tangible perks and benefits worth leveraging.
