Like many savvy travelers, you might have previously opted for the most budget-friendly rental car without a second thought about loyalty schemes. However, if you’re planning to hit the road soon, enrolling in Best Rental Car Status Programs should be a priority. It’s completely free, and membership unlocks a world of valuable benefits, from complimentary vehicle upgrades to points redeemable for free rentals.
This guide breaks down the best rental car status programs available, detailing what you need to know to maximize your benefits and travel more efficiently.
Alamo Insiders
Unlike many programs that feature tiered elite statuses, Alamo Insiders keeps it straightforward. While you won’t accrue rental points directly within the program, Alamo Insiders provides immediate value with a consistent 5% discount on base rates across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Beyond discounts, Alamo Insiders members have the flexibility to earn points or miles with a wide array of partner airlines and hotels. These partners include major names like American AAdvantage, Hilton Honors, and Southwest Rapid Rewards. For a comprehensive list of participating partners, you can visit Alamo’s dedicated partner page.
Related: Leverage Credit Cards for Elite Car Rental Status
Avis Preferred
With an extensive network spanning over 5,000 locations across more than 170 countries, Avis boasts a significant global presence. Joining Avis Preferred, their loyalty program, should be a key consideration for frequent renters.
Avis Preferred features three distinct elite status tiers, each offering enhanced benefits: Preferred, Preferred Plus, and President’s Club.
Avis Preferred
As a base-level Preferred member, you’ll begin earning rewards immediately. For every dollar spent on car rentals, you earn 1 point, and this increases to 2 points per dollar on accessories. These points can be redeemed for rental days starting from just 700 points, with the added advantage of no blackout dates.
A standout perk of Avis Preferred is the time-saving ability to bypass the often lengthy lines at the rental counter, available at most Avis locations globally.
Avis Preferred Plus
Ascending to 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.
Preferred Plus members enjoy all the benefits of the base Preferred tier, along with complimentary one-class upgrades when booking a midsize car or larger, subject to availability.
пути to Status: Holders of United MileagePlus Premier Silver or United Premier Gold elite status can easily upgrade their Avis status online. Furthermore, The Platinum Card® from American Express provides complimentary Avis Preferred status upon enrollment.
Avis President’s Club
Reaching the pinnacle of Avis elite status, President’s Club, requires 20 rentals or $6,000 in spending within a calendar year. Rewards are amplified at this level, with 1.5 points earned per dollar on rentals and 3 points per dollar on accessories.
Avis President’s Club status unlocks a suite of premium benefits:
- Guaranteed two-class upgrade when reserving a midsize car or higher (excluding large SUVs and Signature Fleet, subject to availability).
- Guaranteed vehicle up to a full-size car with a confirmed 24-hour advance reservation.
- Exclusive access to a dedicated Avis Preferred Plus customer service and reservation line.
пути to Status: Several United co-branded credit cards offer complimentary Avis President’s Club status, including the United ClubSM Infinite Card and the United ClubSM Business Card. Additionally, United MileagePlus Premier Platinum elite status holders and above also receive this top-tier rental car perk.
Disclaimer: 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: Mastering Rental Car Savings: Avoid Paying Full Price
Budget Fastbreak
Budget’s Fastbreak program is a straightforward loyalty option, free to join and designed for efficient rental pickups and returns.
Similar to Alamo Insiders, Budget Fastbreak doesn’t incorporate elite status tiers. Instead, Budget periodically offers attractive promotions to its members, such as bonus Budget Bucks to be used towards future rentals upon completing a certain number of rentals within a promotional period.
Related: Smart Travel Spending: Tips to Avoid Full Price on Rental Cars
Dollar Express Rewards
The Dollar Express Rewards program focuses on earning points towards free rentals, alongside practical perks like priority service and expedited returns. Members also benefit from a complimentary authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner).
While Dollar Rewards doesn’t feature elite status tiers, you’ll earn 1 point for every dollar spent on qualifying rentals within the U.S. and Canada. Free rental redemptions start at 500 points for weekend days and 625 points for weekdays (excluding taxes and fees).
Related: Unlock Value: Redeeming Points and Miles for Car Rentals
Enterprise Plus
Enterprise Plus offers a tiered loyalty structure with four elite status levels: Plus (basic), Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Enterprise’s elite benefits center around bonus points accumulation and complimentary upgrades.
Enterprise Plus
Basic Plus status is granted upon enrollment and lasts through your first five rentals, earning 1 point per dollar on qualifying rentals.
Enterprise Silver
Achieving Enterprise Silver status after six rentals unlocks a 10% bonus on points earned from qualifying rental dollars, plus one complimentary car upgrade annually.
Enterprise Gold
Enterprise Gold status requires either 12 qualifying rentals or 40 rental days. Gold members receive a 15% bonus on qualifying rental dollars and two free car upgrades per year.
Enterprise Platinum
The highest tier, Enterprise Platinum, is reached after 24 qualifying rentals or 85 rental days. Platinum status provides a 20% bonus on qualifying rental dollars and four complimentary car upgrades per year.
Enterprise points can be redeemed for free rental days without blackout dates. Point values for free rentals vary based on trip specifics, but redemptions start at 400 points.
For those looking to accelerate their path to Enterprise elite status, the program offers status matching with over 40 other travel loyalty programs. If you hold elite status with an airline, hotel, or another car rental program, it’s worth checking Enterprise’s status match page to see if you can leverage your existing status.
Related: Comprehensive Guide to Car Rental Elite Status
Fox Rewards
Fox Rewards presents a simple and rewarding loyalty program where members earn 4 points per dollar spent (excluding taxes and fees). Points can be redeemed in two ways: for gift cards or FoxBucks.
Through a partnership with Tango Card, Fox Rewards points can be exchanged for gift cards from a wide range of retailers, including 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 directly apply your rental car rewards points for discounts on car rentals. FoxBucks redemptions begin at 1,600 points for $20 in FoxBucks and go up to 8,000 points for $100 in FoxBucks.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Hertz’s loyalty program, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, is another excellent, free-to-join option. Membership allows you to bypass the rental counter and proceed directly to vehicle pickup. You also accumulate redeemable reward points for free rentals.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards includes three elite tiers: Gold (basic), Five Star, and President’s Circle.
Hertz Gold
Basic Hertz Gold membership, activated upon signup, offers foundational benefits:
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent.
- Access Hertz Ultimate Choice at participating locations, enabling you to select your specific car.
- Complimentary additional driver (spouse or domestic partner) in the U.S.
Hertz Five Star
Hertz Five Star status is achieved after 10 Hertz rentals or $2,000 in annual rental spending. Key benefits include:
- Earn 1.25 points per dollar spent.
- Upgrades based on vehicle availability.
- Expanded car selection within the Ultimate Choice lots for Five Star members.
пути to Status: Delta Medallion Silver or Gold status holders (Delta SkyMiles benefits guide) can status match to Hertz Five Star.
Hertz President’s Circle
President’s Circle, the top Hertz tier, requires 15 rentals or $3,000 in annual spending. President’s Circle members receive all lower-tier benefits, plus:
- Earn 1.5 points per dollar spent.
- Guaranteed car upgrades.
- Widest vehicle selection within Ultimate Choice lots, exceeding Gold and Five Star access.
- Dedicated Hertz phone line for President’s Circle members.
пути to Status: Credit cards offering Hertz President’s Circle benefits include: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card*, The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required), and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (enrollment required). Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion status (Delta SkyMiles program details) also grants complimentary President’s Circle status upon enrollment in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards.
*Note: Enrollment for Hertz President’s Circle via Capital One Venture X is through the Capital One website or app. Standard Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment will not automatically grant the complimentary status upgrade. Additional terms apply.
Related: Maximize Rental Car Perks: Stacking Benefits with Hertz and Venture X
National Emerald Club
National’s loyalty program, Emerald Club, features three tiers: Emerald Club (basic), Executive, and Executive Elite.
Emerald Club
Emerald Club members gain access to the renowned Emerald Aisle, allowing them to bypass the counter and select any car from the Aisle when renting a midsize vehicle or larger. Members can opt to earn free rental days or points/miles with National’s partners (National partners list). Additional benefits include:
- Expedited service in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
- Free rental day earned after every seven rental credits.
- No second-driver fees.
- Complimentary one-class upgrade at participating UK, Ireland, France, Spain, and Germany locations (subject to availability).
Emerald Club Executive
Emerald Club Executive status requires 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days per calendar year. Alternatively, certain travel rewards credit 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 enjoy all base-level perks, plus:
- Free rental day after six rental credits.
- Access to the Executive Area, allowing you to pay the midsize rate but select any car (including full-size and above) 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 vehicles at rental lots in the U.S. and Canada.
Emerald Club Executive Elite
The top-tier Emerald Club Executive Elite status is achieved after 25 rentals or 85 rental days annually. Executive Elite benefits include:
- Free rental days after just five rental credits (on any car class except exotic vehicles and trucks).
- Guaranteed vehicle (up to full-size) with 24 hours’ notice.
- Private airport delivery for private aircraft arrivals at smaller U.S. or Canadian airports (within 50 miles of a National branch).
National Emerald Club also offers status matching from over 40 loyalty programs. Reports indicate successful status matches from Hilton Honors Gold to Emerald Club Executive, and United Airlines Premier 1K to Executive Elite. Checking the Emerald Club status match page is highly recommended to potentially leverage your existing loyalty status.
Related: Credit Cards Offering Elite Car Rental Status Benefits
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards
Thrifty Blue Chip is a streamlined program without elite status tiers and a simplified rewards structure. Instead of points, Blue Chip members receive up to a 15% discount on all rentals.
Blue Chip membership also includes benefits like a complimentary additional driver (spouse or domestic partner), faster pickup and return processes, and more.
Best Credit Cards for Car Rentals
Choosing the right credit card is crucial to maximize rewards on car rentals, regardless of the rental company. The following cards offer bonus points for car rentals purchased directly:
[List of Credit Cards with Bonus Rewards for Car Rentals (This would be a list in the final article)]
Furthermore, some credit cards provide primary car rental coverage, which covers damage or theft to the rental vehicle without needing to file a claim with your personal auto insurance. To utilize this, 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 essential, especially for exploring destinations beyond typical tourist routes.
If your credit card or airline loyalty program provides automatic elite status with rental car agencies, enroll immediately. Even without automatic elite status, joining multiple programs is advantageous. You can accumulate points for free rentals, secure exclusive discounts, and expedite the rental process. The perks and benefits of joining car rental loyalty programs are undeniable and enhance the overall travel experience.
