Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.
From upgrades to ways to save money, high status is popular with savvy travelers. But car rental elite status doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Payable car rental status — a TPG employee rented a $100,000 BMW 7 Series for $3 per day.
Multiple ranks of car rental elite status can be obtained through credit or airline or hotel status, making them more accessible than you think.
Before what might happen a record busy travel summerCar rental elite status can help you skip the queues, get your keys, and hit the road in record time.
Today, we’ll explore the different elite tiers offered by the major rental car companies, giving you tips to help you make money and get the most out of your rental car status. Don’t forget to check Our post about saving money with rental carsIncludes helpful tips from Automatic slash.
Avis
The basic membership with Avis is called Priority Avis. Anyone can join and it’s free. Membership lets you go straight to your car, which has saved me a ton of time over the years. You can also earn Avis Preferred points on rentals (you earn 1 point for every dollar spent), though you’ll forgo earning miles or hotel points if you choose this option.
| Priority Avis | Avis Preferred Plus | Avis . President’s Club | |
|---|---|---|---|
| level | free of charge joinopen to the public. | 10 rents or spends $4,000 per calendar year. | 20 hires or spends $6,000 per calendar year. |
| Accumulation rate of rental points and accessories | 1 and 2. | 1.25 and 2.5. | 1.5 and 3. |
| Emergency service | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| upgrade | Up to a class. | There are two classes. | |
| guaranteed car | Up to full size with 24 hour notice. |
You can also win Avis Preferred Plus status after earning 60,000 American Airlines loyalty points or by holding United Premier Silver or Gold Status. President’s Club is open to people who earn 100,000 American Airlines Loyalty Points or hold United Premier Platinum, 1K, or Global Services status. Main card member of United Club Infinite CardThe United Presidential Plus Card, United Club Business Card, and United Presidential Plus Business Card are also eligible for instant President’s Club status.
Avis also has an undisclosed Presidents Club status level, which is open to invitees only.
Information about the United Presidential Plus Card, United Club Business Card and United Presidential Plus Business Card has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Related: United and Avis forge new partnership with free status matches, mileage redemption
enterprise
The EnterprisePlus Program works similar to Avis Preferred. Anyone can join as a junior member and start earning points for all eligible rentals (you earn 1 point for every dollar spent). You can then redeem these points for free rental days. However, the program also has three levels of elite status with additional benefits. Here are the details:
| More | Silver | Yellow | platinum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| level | free of charge joinopen to the public. | Six qualified rentals. | 12 qualified leases or 40 days. | 24 qualifying leases or 85 days. |
| Rewards for accumulating points | ten%. | 15%. | 20%. | |
| Free car upgrade | One per year. | Two per year. | Four per year. |
While the benefits of elite status are limited, renting regularly from Enterprise can be a great way to earn points towards free rentals.
Related: Insurance Car Rental Credit Cards: The Best and How It Works
Hertz
Hertz’s loyalty program is called Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. Like the Enterprise and Avis plans, you can join for free. You’ll enjoy designated driveways where you can pick up any vehicle at several Hertz locations. You can earn Gold Plus Points on all eligible rentals and optional fees like satellite radio or car seats (you earn 1 point for every dollar spent). You can redeem your points for free rental, and members can also transfer points to their spouse or common-law partner.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to qualify and what benefits you’ll receive:
| Yellow | Five stars | president’s circle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| level | free of charge joinopen to the public. | 10 rent or $2,000. | 15 rent or $3,000. |
| Rewards for accumulating points | 25%. | 50%. | |
| upgrade | As available. | ensure. | |
| Ultimate Choice aisle | Golden path. | Five Star Walkway. | President’s Circle Walkway. |
| No second driver fee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Experience the benefits by level | Five stars for one day. | The President’s Circle in a Day. |
As with Avis, Hertz offers elite status to some frequent flyers. If you are a Delta Diamond or Platinum Medal, you can enjoy free Presidential Circle status, while Gold Medal members get free Five Star status. All SkyMiles Medals members are also eligible for bonus miles when rented with Hertz — with details provided on Delta’s website.
If you are a Medalist, you can link your accounts and start enjoying free elite status with Hertz.
Related: How to redeem points and miles for car rental
Nation
Country partners with Enterprise through the Drive Alliance program, but it also has its own loyalty program: emerald club.
As with the other programs, the junior level is free to join and lets you skip the counter, picking up any car on the Emerald Walk when you rent a midsize car or more. The National Emerald Walk is one of the best ways to hit the road faster.
The program also has two different elite status tiers. Here are some key benefits of National Emerald Club status:
| emerald club | Operating | elite executive | |
|---|---|---|---|
| level | free of charge joinopen to the public. | 12 paid leases or 40 rental days in a calendar year. | 25 paid rentals or 85 rental days in a calendar year. |
| Free day accumulation rate | One free day every seven credits. | One free day every six credits. | One free day every five credits. |
| Choose any vehicle on the Emerald Walk when you book a midsize or higher vehicle | ✓ | Executive aisle. | Executive aisle. |
| No second driver fee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Upgrades are guaranteed when you reserve a full size through a luxury car | ✓ | ✓ | |
| guaranteed car | Up to full size with 24 hour notice. |
The country also has an invite-only VIP level.
Related: How can you rent a $100,000 BMW for $3 a day
six
German car rental company Sixt has grown significantly in the US since entering the market in 2011. Sixt . Loyalty Program offers many of the same benefits listed above, including the ability to skip lines and collect your rental points or miles. Sixt’s program also has three elite status tiers (one by invitation only). Here are the details of each:
| Yellow | platinum | Diamond | |
|---|---|---|---|
| level | Three rents. | 10 rental. | By invitation only. |
| upgrade | When available. | ensure. | |
| Discount | Up to 10%. | Up to 15%. | Up to 20%. |
| No second driver fee in the US | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Related: Which car rental company is right for you?
Earn elite status with a credit card
In addition to the partnerships and methods for achieving elite status listed above, it is possible to score car rental elite status just by holding a card. Here are some of the best options for travelers:
Besides, FoundersCard members get Avis Preferred Plus status for free.
Remember, many credit cards offer prime rental car insurance, including Chase Sapphire Priority Card and United Explorer card. Many credit cards offer bonus points on rental car purchases that you can use, too online shopping portal alike rakuten to earn even more points with many of the car rental companies mentioned above.
* Once registered, accessible through Capital One’s website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain in upgraded status until December 31, 2024. Please note that the Registering through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards application process (e.g. at hertz.com) will not automatically detect cardholders eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the program. status class applies. Additional terms apply.
Related: The ultimate guide to the best cards for each bonus type
Use state match
Another way to win car rental elite status is to match your status from another program. Posts that match the previous status were mainly focused on Airlines And suitable hotel status. However, many car rental companies will allow you to pass the qualification requirements if you stay ahead of the competition. Hertz even has a dedicated page to submit these requests.
The idea is very simple. If you win status in one program (or get it automatically through a credit card), then matching status will entitle you to a similar elite tier to other programs.
Although these results are self-reported, you can also check StatusMatcher rental car status match page to get an idea of how you can capture rental car status.
Related: A complete guide to the right car rental elite status
bottom line
Renting a car isn’t nearly as flashy as flying around the world or staying in a luxury hotel, but it can still be rewarding by holding elite status.
And with long lines at many rental counters, elite status not only helps ensure your booking is honored, but it also allows you to go straight to your designated vehicle at many airports.
If your credit card (or airline loyalty program) includes automatic elite status with one or more rental car dealerships, be sure to sign up. Doing so can help you skip the line and make sure you actually get a car on arrival.
Additional reporting by Ryan Smith, Joseph Hostetler and Kyle Olsen.
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