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Compared to airline and hotel status, car rental status often takes the backseat when discussing travel elite status. But for those renting cars frequently, having car rental status at one of the major car rental companies can be super beneficial. Depending on your status, you can score discounts, car upgrades, and bonus points on paid rentals.
Unfortunately, earning car rental status organically can be challenging. You often need to rent cars very frequently, making it challenging for casual travelers to earn status with a limited number of rentals. Thankfully, there’s an easier way: earning rental car elite status with credit cards.
Some premium travel credit cards now offer cardholders rental car elite status, discounts, and even rental car insurance. In this article, you’ll find detailed information on rental elite status and discounts.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This card is undoubtedly the #1 card for luxury travel benefits. From the best lounge access (of any card) to statement credits, to complimentary elite status, you can’t go wrong.
This card is undoubtedly the #1 card for luxury travel benefits. From the best lounge access (of any card) to statement credits, to complimentary elite status, you can’t go wrong.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.
Pros
The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges,Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
5x points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
$300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
$100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
Complimentary 1-Car Class Upgrade —Use coupon code #A756900 when making a reservation to receive a 1-class upgrade when available (unfortunately, this is not a guaranteed benefit, and Avis Signature Series Fleet cars are excluded)
Additional Avis Preferred Points — Receive additional points for every qualifying dollar you spend
Up to 25% Off Base Rates — Book directly with Avis and use Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) code #A756900 for the discount
Free 2-Day Weekend Rental Coupon — Receive this coupon after 2 completed qualifying rentals from Avis of 2 or more days each in a 6-month period
The Amex Platinum card’s perks are nice to have when you need to rent from Avis. The complimentary class upgrade can make the difference between a standard car rental and an exceptional one, so definitely take advantage of it!
20% Off Standard Rates — Make sure to use the code 211762 to take advantage of this discount and the following benefits
Guaranteed car-class upgrades – On certain class vehicles with a 24-hour advance reservation
4-Hour Grace No-charge Period — You can return a rental up to 4 hours late with no penalty in most countries
1-Car Class Upgrade – This benefit is based on availability, so it is not guaranteed and doesn’t apply to Premier rentals, but it is helpful to have
You’ll get many perks like car class upgrades, a 4-hour grace period, and even a nice discount. Use the discount code 211762 when renting directly through Hertz to take advantage of these benefits.
National Emerald Club Executive status is super valuable because of the vast array of benefits:
Executive Area Access — Choose any car (full-size and above) and only pay the midsize rate
Guaranteed Upgrades — You’re guaranteed upgrades on midsized vehicle rentals in the U.S. and Canada; receive automatic upgrades when a full-size through luxury car is reserved
No Second Driver Fees — Add a second driver for free
Upgrades in Europe — Free 1-class upgrades at participating National locations in the U.K., Ireland, France, Spain, and Germany
Special Pricing on Premier Selection Cars — Special pricing on upgrades to the Premier Selection cars at the rental lot
Faster Free Rentals — Earn a free rental credit after 6 car rentals
Partner Rewards Program – Opt to receive airline miles or hotel points from one of National’s partners (fees may apply)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options out there.
The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.
Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!
Pros
10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
5x points on airfare booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit
Priority Pass airport lounge access
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
Rental car elite status with National and Avis
Cons
$550 annual fee
Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with Avis and National status and discounts, as well as Audi on demand discounts.
Here’s what you can expect from National, Avis, and Audi on demand by having the Chase Sapphire Reserve card:
Avis Preferred — Plus Status
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a Visa Infinite card, and as such, cardholders can enroll in complimentary Avis Preferred Plus membership with the same benefits as the Amex Platinum card.
Cardholders are also eligible for up to 30% off Avis rentalswhen using AWD# S107100 at booking. Additionally, cardholders receive a complimentary 2-day weekend rental for qualifying rentals.
National Emerald Club — Executive Status
As a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder with Executive status, you’ll get the same benefits as those with the Amex Platinum card.
No second driver fees can save you money on trips where more than 1 person is driving the car. Just make sure to have the second driver’s name added when you pick up the vehicle at the lot.
Lastly, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get up to 25% off all National bookings using code 5030849. Note that you must book directly with National and use this promo code at the time of booking to be eligible for the discount.
Audi on demand is a rental car company owned by Audi. You can pick from a selection of Audi vehicles when renting from Audi on demand. Rentals can be a bit pricier than traditional rental car companies, but your Chase Sapphire Reserve card is here to help.
Cardholders receive up to 30% (with a guaranteed discount of 15%) discount on qualifying Audi on-demand rentals. Simply create an Audi on-demand account, use code VINFINITE25, and pay for the rental with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Make sure to enroll to earn points toward free rentals, too!
Hot Tip:
Not only does the Chase Sapphire Reserve card also comes with these rental car benefits, but the card also comes with primary rental car insurance.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Perfect for frequent United flyers who want premium perks like United Club access and free baggage benefits.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card is a premium card designed for the most dedicated of United frequent flyers who are looking for a card that provides the opportunity to earn extra United MileagePlus miles and receive lounge access via a yearly United Club membership.
United frequent flyers will find that the United Club Infinite card provides an enhanced experience on their United flights thanks to the money saved on each flight and the conveniences it provides.
Pros
4x miles per $1 on United purchases
2x miles per $1 on travel and dining purchases
Complimentary United Club membership
Free first and second checked bag for you and 1 traveling companion
United Premier Access
25% back on United inflight purchases
Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United-operated award tickets (when available)
Expanded award availability
Up to 8,000 Premier Qualifying Points
$100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
Trip protections like trip delay insurance, lost and delayed luggage insurance, and rental car insurance
Shopping protections like return protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection
$70 discount on CLEAR membership, plus 10,000 bonus miles
IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status and a $75 annual credit
Avis President’s Club elite status
10% discount on United Economy Saver Awards within the continental U.S. and Canada
Cons
$525 annual fee
Does not earn transferable rewards
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services
10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
Earn up to 8,000 Premier qualifying points (500 PQP for every $12K you spend on purchases)
<ul><li><a href="/credit-cards/best-chase-united-credit-cards/">Best Chase United Credit Cards</a></li><li><a href="/credit-cards/best-credit-cards-for-united-flyers/">Best Credit Cards for United Flyers</a></li><li><a href="/travel/airports/united-club-lounges/">United Club Lounge Locations</a></li><li><a href="/news/united-club-infinite-card-benefits/">New Benefits for United Club Infinite Card [IHG Elite Status, 10% Off Awards]</a></li></ul>
The United Club Infinite card has 1 primary car rental partner: Avis. All United Club Infinite cardholders get complimentary top-tier Avis status, which comes with these benefits:
Avis Preferred — President’s Club Status
Invitation-only President’s Club Status
Higher Points Earning — Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on car rentals, earn 3 points per $1 on accessories
Double Upgrade — Book an intermediate or higher car and automatically get a double upgrade when available
Guaranteed Car
Dedicated Customer Service Line — Available 24/7 for reservations and customer service
Up to 30% Off — Save up to 30% off base rates using AWD# S107100
Hot Tip:
Those with a United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Card, United Club℠ Card, or United Club℠ Business Card can also enroll in complimentary Avis President’s Club status.
National Emerald Club — Executive Status
As a Visa Infinite card, United Club Infinite cardmembers can enroll in Emerald Club Executive membership.
Cardholders can also save up to 25% on qualifying National rentals of any size car at participating locations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean using Contract ID 5030764.
Audi on demand Premium Rewards
Cardholders receive up to 30% (with a guaranteed discount of 15%) discount on qualifying Audi on demand rentals. Simply create an Audi on demand account, use code VINFINITE25, and pay for the rental with your card.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.
Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.
Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.
Pros
10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
Add authorized users for no additional annual fee
No foreign transaction fees
Cons
$395 annual fee
Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more – you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Like other premium cards, such as the Amex Platinum card and Chase Sapphire Reserve card, the Capital One Venture X card also includes incredible benefits for rental car bookings, including elite status.
Avis Preferred — Plus Status
Because the Capital One Venture X card is a Visa Infinite card, you can enroll in Avis Preferred Plus and save up to 30% off base rates (using AWD# S107100) on qualifying rentals, as well as free weekend rentals and up to 10% off base rates on Select Series rentals.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards — President’s Circle Status
Here are the benefits associated with President’s Circle status, which typically is earned after 15 rentals or $3,000 in spending:
Ultimate Choice — Choose any vehicle in the President’s Circle section on the Hertz Ultimate Choice lot for free
50% Bonus Points — Receive 1.5 points per $1 spent
Guaranteed Upgrades — Receive an upgrade of at least a 1 class, guaranteed at participating locations
Dedicated President’s Circle Hotline
Free Additional Driver — Your spouse or domestic partner in the U.S. can drive for free
As a Visa Infinite cardholder, Capital One Venture X cardmembers can enroll in Emerald Club Executive membership.
By using Contract ID 5030764, cardholders can also save up to 25% on qualifying National rentals of any size car at participating locations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Audi on demand Premium Rewards
Cardholders can take advantage of up to 30% (with a guaranteed discount of 15%) discount on qualifying Audi on demand rentals when you pay with your eligible card and use code VINFINITE25.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.
5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
Statement credits on select purchases with your card
35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
The only business travel card that currently offers rental car status is the Amex Business Platinum card. It includes the same car rental benefits as the personal Amex Platinum card outlined above, making it a solid option for business owners that frequently rent cars at Avis, Hertz, and National.
Additional Ways To Get Car Rental Elite Status
Having a specific credit card with rental car elite status or having status through car rental reservations are not the only ways to get status. Take a look at some of the lesser-known ways to get car rental elite status.
Visa Infinite Cards
Visa Infinite cards — such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, United Club Infinite card, Capital One Venture X card, UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card, and U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card — have access to a slew of rental car perks, including elite status and discounts.
Avis Preferred — Plus Status
You can enroll in Avis Preferred Plus and save up to 30% off base rates on qualifying rentals and earn free weekend rentals and up to 10% base rates on Select Series rentals.
This applies to U.S. and Canadian residents renting at a participating Avis location in the U.S. or Canada.
The Avis Worldwide Discount AWD# for up to 30% off base rates is S107100. Note that this does not apply to car group X.
National Emerald Club — Executive Status
National offers complimentary Emerald Club Executive level membership to Visa Infinite cardholders and up to 25% savings on rentals of any size at participating locations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
To get your discount, use Contract ID5030764 when making your booking. You can also make your reservation by phone at 800-227-7368.
Audi on demand Premium Rewards
Lastly, Audi on demand gives you up to 30% (with a guaranteed discount of 15%) discount on qualifying Audi on demand rentals when you pay with your eligible card and use code VINFINITE25.
World Elite Mastercards
World Elite Mastercards, such as the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and Citi Prestige® Card (no longer available to new applicants), are eligible to enroll in Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services. This program has elite status benefits with 3 different car rental companies: Avis, National, and SIXT.
You must register your card on Mastercard’s Travel & Lifestyle benefits website to enroll in these benefits. Once registered, you can find instructions on enrolling in each of the following rental car statuses on the Offers Page.
Avis Preferred — Plus Status
Avis’ elite status benefits aren’t as plentiful as National, but having access to upgrades and earning more points is always welcome. Plus, you’ll get up to 25% off your Avis rentals when you book through the offers page on the MasterCard Travel & Lifestyles page, which can be super valuable on long rentals.
National Emerald Club — Executive Status
Cardholders also can enroll in National Emerald Club Executive status, including benefits as previously expanded upon.
Savings of Up to 15% on SIXT Rentals — You’ll save 15% on all rentals made through the Mastercard portal
Complimentary Upgrade to the Next Highest Car Group — When available, you’ll receive an upgrade to the next highest class of vehicle
Preferred Reservation Priority — Receive priority on last-minute rentals booked under 24 hours from the time you’d like to pick up the car
Access to Special SIXT Platinum Counters and Parking Lots — Skip the general line and use Platinum lines when you pick up and drop off your rental car at select locations
World Elite Mastercards are the only credit cards that qualify for SIXT Platinum status. These benefits save you money on SIXT rentals and give you a far more luxurious experience with upgrades and pick-up priority.
Members receive a single upgrade (conditions apply), a free additional driver, and a voucher for a free weekend in Europe after the third rental.
Priority Pass members also can receive up to 25% off on rentals in Mexico and up to 20% off on standard international rates worldwide when booking on Avis’ dedicated Priority Pass page.
Elite members of Delta, United, and IHG’s loyalty programs may be eligible for rental car elite status:
Delta SkyMiles — Platinum Medallion and Diamond Medallion elites are eligible for complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle status; Gold Medallion elites are eligible for complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star status
United MileagePlus — Premier Platinum and Premier 1K elites can enroll in complimentary Avis President’s Club status; Premier Silver and Premier Gold elites can enroll in Avis Preferred Plus status
IHG One Rewards — Diamond Elites receive complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star status
Rental Car Status Match
Finally, drivers can also status match from one status to another with most of the major car rental companies, including Enterprise, Hertz, National, and SIXT.
Car Rental Elite Status by Credit Cards and Other Programs — Summary
Having rental car status can make a big impact when renting a car for fun or business. From being able to pick your own vehicle to bonus points and discounts, status can make a real difference in how you experience a car rental and pay for it.
When choosing a credit card for rental car status, examine your rental car habits and the other benefits included with the credit card. Pick a card that gives you the right rental car benefits while offering other valuable travel benefits like airport lounge access and high points earning rates.
Thanks for reading, and drive safe!
Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, 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.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the United Club℠ Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the United Club℠ Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information for the Citi Prestige® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here. For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.
Featured Image Credit: TierneyMJ via Shutterstock
Frequently Asked Questions
At this time, no credit cards offer Enterprise elite status, though you can use your existing status with another rental car company to request a status match to similar status with Enterprise. Enterprise status is earned based on the number of rentals or days rented in a given calendar year — here’s how to qualify:
Silver: 6 rentals
Gold: 12 rentals or 40 rental days
Platinum: 24 rentals or 85 rental days
Hertz Gold Rewards elite status can be earned through the number of rentals or the total amount of money spent at Hertz in a given year. Here’s what it takes to qualify for each status tier:
Hertz Five Star: 10 Rentals or $2,000 spent
Hertz President’s Circle: 15 Rentals or $3,000 spent
Additionally, eligible Delta SkyMiles Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion, and Diamond Medallion members and IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite members are eligible for complimentary Hertz status. You can also status match to Hertz from another rental car company’s status.
Avis Preferred Plus status is earned after 10 rentals or $4,000 spent at Avis in a given calendar year. Customers with over 25 rentals or $7,000 spent qualify for an enhanced version of Preferred Plus that earns 1.5 points per dollar spent on rentals (versus 1.25 for standard Preferred Plus). Several credit cards mentioned in our guide also confer Preferred Plus as a complimentary benefit. Also, United MileagePlus Premier Silver and Premier Gold members receive Preferred Plus status, while Premier Platinum, 1K, and Global Services members receive President’s Club status.
National status is earned through the number of rentals or rental days in a given calendar year. Here’s how to qualify:
Emerald Club Executive: 12 rentals or 40 rental days
Emerald Club Executive Elite: 25 rentals or 85 rental days
You can also use your existing status in another rental car loyalty program to match into National Emerald Club.
Victoria holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from the Howard University School of Communications and is an award-winning journalist, travel reporter, and the founder of the “Travel With Vikkie” newsletter.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
6 comments
George
September 11, 2019
Don’t all World Elite Mastercards come with Avis Preferred Plus as well? I have it from my Citi Premier, but I don’t know if it’s only valid the first year or if it’s ongoing.
Hi George. You’re correct in saying that. The benefit is ongoing. Thanks for the participation!
Billy
October 03, 2019
I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and am getting the runaround from National about Executive status. They are asking me to contact my credit card for authorization of the tier increase I am requesting from them. I bounced around to several departments at Chase and Visa to no avail. Can anyone comment if they have had luck getting Executive status from this card? If so, how did you do it?
Hi Billy. Just log in to your Sapphire Reserve Card online account. Select “Benefits”, then “Special Car Rental Privileges”, then “National”. You should see this link: “Enroll for your complimentary Emerald Club Executive Level membership to start enjoying special car rental privileges.” Hope this helps.
Benjamin
July 31, 2023
Chase removed rental car benefits; not sure when it went effective but I noticed it in July 2023. Status with Avis and National Car no longer available.
Hi Benjamin. I just signed in to my Chase Sapphire Reserve card account and under “Card Benefits” I found the Avis, National, and Silvercar benefits still there, as of today, August 1st. Can you elaborate on where you noticed a change? Thanks so much.
Any thoughts or questions? Comment below!
Email needed if you'd like comment updates. It will NOT be published.
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6 comments
George
September 11, 2019
Don’t all World Elite Mastercards come with Avis Preferred Plus as well? I have it from my Citi Premier, but I don’t know if it’s only valid the first year or if it’s ongoing.
Stephen Au
September 11, 2019
Hi George. You’re correct in saying that. The benefit is ongoing. Thanks for the participation!
Billy
October 03, 2019
I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and am getting the runaround from National about Executive status. They are asking me to contact my credit card for authorization of the tier increase I am requesting from them. I bounced around to several departments at Chase and Visa to no avail. Can anyone comment if they have had luck getting Executive status from this card? If so, how did you do it?
Christine Krzyszton
October 04, 2019
Hi Billy. Just log in to your Sapphire Reserve Card online account. Select “Benefits”, then “Special Car Rental Privileges”, then “National”. You should see this link: “Enroll for your complimentary Emerald Club Executive Level membership to start enjoying special car rental privileges.” Hope this helps.
Benjamin
July 31, 2023
Chase removed rental car benefits; not sure when it went effective but I noticed it in July 2023. Status with Avis and National Car no longer available.
Christine Krzyszton
August 01, 2023
Hi Benjamin. I just signed in to my Chase Sapphire Reserve card account and under “Card Benefits” I found the Avis, National, and Silvercar benefits still there, as of today, August 1st. Can you elaborate on where you noticed a change? Thanks so much.
Any thoughts or questions? Comment below!
Email needed if you'd like comment updates. It will NOT be published.
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