Rental car elite status: What is it and how to earn it
From savings to upgrades, the benefits of elite status are popular with savvy travelers. But rental car elite status doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Rental car status can pay off — it helped one TPG staffer rent a $100,000 BMW 7 Series for $3 per day. Whether you’re planning a road trip or looking for a vehicle to explore your destination, rental car status can help you skip lines, take the keys and be on your way in record time.
Many rental car elite status tiers are obtainable by holding the right credit cards or airline or hotel status, making them more accessible than you might think.
We’ll explore the different elite tiers offered by major rental car companies and how you can earn and make the most of your rental car status. Don’t forget to check out our post on how to save money on rental cars, particularly by using AutoSlash.
Related: How to skip long rental car pick-up lines for free
Avis rental car elite status
The baseline membership with Avis is called Avis Preferred. Anyone can join, and it’s completely free — and right now, Avis is offering 100 bonus points to new members who rent a car within three months of joining. Redemptions start at 700 points per day.
Basic membership allows you to go straight to your car, which has saved me lots of time over the years. You can also earn Avis Preferred points on paid rentals, though you’ll forgo earning airline miles or hotel points if you select this option. The higher status tiers allow you to earn points faster and provide additional benefits like free vehicle upgrades. Here’s an overview:
| Avis Preferred | Avis Preferred Plus | Avis President’s Club | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications | Free to join | 10 rentals or spending $4,000 per calendar year | 20 rentals or spending $6,000 per calendar year |
| Point accrual rate | 1 point per dollar spent on rentals
2 points per dollar spent on accessories |
1.25 points per dollar spent on rentals
2.5 points per dollar spent on accessories |
1.5 points per dollar spent on rentals
3 points per dollar spent on accessories |
| Expedited service | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dedicated support phone number | ✓ | ||
| Upgrades | Free one-car-class upgrade when reserving a midsize or above | Free two-car-class upgrade when reserving a midsize or above | |
| Guaranteed vehicle | Up to full size with 24-hour notice |
You can also reach Avis Preferred Plus status after earning 60,000 American Airlines Loyalty Points, by having United Airlines Premier Silver or Gold status, by holding a Chase Sapphire Reserve® card (enrollment required) or by holding The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required for select benefits).
Avis President’s Club is available to those who earn 100,000 American Airlines Loyalty Points or hold United Premier Platinum, Premier 1K or United Global Services status.
Primary cardmembers of the United Club℠ Infinite Card, the United Presidential Plus℠ Card, the United Club Business℠ Card and the United Presidential Plus Business Card (no longer available to new applicants) are eligible for instant President’s Club status.
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Avis also has an unpublished Chairman’s Club status tier that is invite-only.
The information for the United Presidential Plus Card, United Club Business Card and United Presidential Plus Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Enterprise rental car elite status
The Enterprise Plus program works similarly to Avis Preferred. Anyone can join as a base member and begin earning points for qualifying rentals (you earn 1 point per dollar spent as a basic member). You can then redeem these points for free rental days. The program also has three elite status levels with additional benefits. Here are the details:
| Plus | Silver | Gold | Platinum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications | Free to join | Six qualifying rentals | 12 qualifying rentals or 40 days | 24 qualifying rentals or 85 days |
| Point accrual bonus | 10% | 15% | 20% | |
| Free car upgrades | One per year | Two per year | Four per year |
While the benefits are limited, elite status with Enterprise can help you get free rentals faster.
Related: Credit card rental car insurance: Best cards and how it works
Hertz rental car elite status
The Hertz loyalty program is called Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. Like Enterprise’s and Avis’ programs, it’s free to join. Basic members enjoy designated aisles where they can choose any car at some Hertz locations. You can earn 1 Gold Plus Rewards point per dollar spent on qualifying rentals and optional charges like satellite radio and car seats, and you can redeem your points for free rentals. Members can also transfer points to their spouses or domestic partners.
If you reach the elite status tiers, you’ll earn more points per dollar and have access to more vehicle choices and free upgrades. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to qualify and the benefits you’ll receive:
| Gold | Five Star | President’s Circle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications | Free to join | 10 rentals or $2,000 | 15 rentals or $3,000 |
| Point accrual bonus | 25% | 50% | |
| Upgrades | As available | Guaranteed | |
| Ultimate Choice aisle | Gold aisle | Five Star aisle | President’s Circle aisle |
| No second driver fees | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tier benefit experience | Five Star for a day | President’s Circle for a day | |
| Dedicated customer service line | ✓ |
As with Avis, Hertz provides elite status for some frequent flyers. Delta Air Lines Diamond and Platinum Medallion members can enjoy complimentary President’s Circle status, while Silver and Gold Medallion members receive complimentary Five Star status. All Medallion members are also eligible to earn bonus SkyMiles when renting with Hertz — with details provided on Delta’s website. Link your accounts to begin enjoying complimentary elite status with Hertz.
The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offer complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle status. (Enrollment is required for select benefits.)
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also offers Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle status (enrollment required).*
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through Dec. 31, 2024. Please note that enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g., at hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program, and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Related: How you can redeem points and miles for car rentals
National rental car elite status
National’s loyalty program is known as National Emerald Club and offers two elite status tiers.
As with the other programs, the basic membership tier is free to join and allows you to skip the counter and select any car in the Emerald Aisle when you rent a midsize or above. The Emerald Aisle is one of the best ways to get on the road faster. You’ll also earn rental credits that you can redeem toward free rental days, airline miles or hotel rewards. Renters who reach the elite status tiers can enjoy additional perks:
| Emerald Club | Executive | Executive Elite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications | Free to join | 12 paid rentals or 40 rental days in a calendar year | 25 paid rentals or 85 rental days in a calendar year |
| Free day accrual rate | One free day every seven credits | One free day every six credits | One free day every five credits |
| Car selection | Choose any car (midsize and above) in the Emerald Aisle and pay only the midsize rate | Choose any car (full-size and above) in the Executive Area and pay only the midsize rate | Choose any car (full-size and above) in the Executive Area and pay only the midsize rate |
| No second driver fees | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Guaranteed upgrades when you reserve a full-size through a luxury car | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Guaranteed vehicle | Up to full-size with 24-hour notice |
National also has an invite-only tier called VIP, though the criteria for reaching it are somewhat mysterious.
As an Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum cardholder, you can receive complimentary National Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required).
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® also offers complimentary National Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required).
Related: VIP treatment: Your guide to invitation-only airline and hotel elite status
Sixt rental car elite status
The German rental car company Sixt has grown significantly in the U.S. since entering the market in 2011. The Sixt loyalty program offers many of the same benefits listed above, including the ability to skip the lines and collect points or miles for your rental. The Sixt Status program also has three elite status tiers (one by invitation only). Here are the details of each:
| Express | Gold | Platinum | Diamond | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications | Free to join | Three rentals | 10 rentals | By invitation only |
| Upgrades | Upon availability | Guaranteed | ||
| Discount | Up to 10% | Up to 15% | Up to 20% | |
| No second driver fees in the U.S. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| VIP counter, parking and lounge access | ✓ |
Related: Which car rental company is right for you?
Earning elite status with credit cards
In addition to the partnerships and methods for earning elite status listed above, it’s possible to score rental car elite status just by holding a card. Here are some of the best options for travelers:
Additionally, FoundersCard members receive free Avis Preferred Plus status.
Remember, many credit cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the United℠ Explorer Card, offer primary rental car insurance coverage. Many credit cards offer bonus points for rental car purchases, and you can also use online shopping portals like Rakuten to earn even more points at rental car companies.
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through Dec. 31, 2024. Please note that enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g., at hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program, and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Related: Best gas credit cards
Using a status match
Another way to snag rental car elite status is by matching your status from another program. You may have heard of airline and hotel status matches, which let you bypass elite qualification requirements if you hold status with a competitor. The idea is simple: If you earn status in one program (or get it automatically through a credit card), a status match allows you to get a similar elite tier with other programs. (Generally, you’ll only be able to keep the “free” status for the first year; beyond that, you’ll have to meet the usual qualification requirements.)
Some car rental agencies offer this, too. Some will match the status only at competitors, while others match the status at airlines and hotels as well. Here are some examples, with links to their status match request forms:
You can also check StatusMatcher’s rental car status match page to get an idea of how you might be able to earn rental car status more easily.
Related: The complete guide to car rental elite status matches
Bottom line
Renting a car isn’t nearly as glamorous as flying around the world or staying in a luxury hotel, but it can nevertheless be rewarding — especially when you hold elite status. With continued long lines at many rental counters, elite status can not only help ensure your reservation is honored but also allow you to head straight to your assigned vehicle at many airports. If your credit card or airline loyalty program includes automatic elite status with one or more rental car agencies, be sure to sign up.
For the rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For the rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
