Award Travel in the Car Rental Industry: Maximizing Points, Status, and Redemptions
For frequent travelers, car rentals are often an essential part of the journey. While airline and hotel loyalty programs receive much of the attention, car rental rewards programs can provide significant savings and perks—if you know how to leverage them properly.
In this guide, we’ll explore how award travel works in the car rental industry, including how to earn and redeem points, the benefits of elite status, and strategies to maximize value.
Understanding Car Rental Loyalty Programs
Major car rental companies offer loyalty programs that reward members with points, discounts, and status-based perks. While not as widely publicized as frequent flyer programs, these memberships can lead to free rentals, upgrades, and exclusive benefits.
Major Car Rental Loyalty Programs
Most car rental companies offer loyalty programs that allow customers to earn and redeem points. Some of the top programs include:
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
- National Emerald Club
- Enterprise Plus
- Avis Preferred
- Budget Fastbreak
- Alamo Insiders
- Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards
- Dollar Express Rewards
Each program operates slightly differently, but the general structure involves earning points based on the amount spent, with opportunities for elite status and redemption options that can yield free rentals or upgrades.
Earning Points in Car Rental Loyalty Programs
Unlike airline programs, where miles are often awarded based on distance flown, car rental loyalty programs primarily grant points based on dollars spent. However, promotional bonuses and partner earnings can significantly boost your balance.
How Points Are Earned
| Rental Company | Base Earning Rate | Bonus Earning Opportunities |
|---|---|---|
| Hertz | 1 point per $1 | Bonus for elite members, promotions |
| National | 1 credit per rental (Emerald Club) | Free rental days after a certain number of rentals |
| Enterprise | 1 point per $1 | Promotions and elite status bonuses |
| Avis | 1 point per $1 | Bonus for elite members, credit card partnerships |
| Budget | 1 point per $1 | Linked loyalty program bonuses |
Many programs also allow you to earn points through airline and hotel partnerships, rental car credit cards, and promotional offers.
Credit Card Partnerships
Some car rental companies partner with credit card issuers to allow you to earn points on rentals. For example:
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve offer extra points on travel spending, including car rentals.
- The American Express Platinum Card includes elite status with Hertz and National, plus discounts.
- Co-branded car rental credit cards (e.g., the Hertz World Elite Mastercard) offer additional points per dollar spent.
Elite Status: What It Means and How to Get It
Elite status in a car rental loyalty program provides valuable perks, such as free upgrades, faster check-in, and bonus points. Unlike airline elite status, which is often based on miles flown, car rental elite status is typically determined by the number of rentals or dollars spent annually.
Elite Tiers by Company
| Program | Elite Tiers | Benefits |
| Hertz Gold Plus Rewards | Five Star (10 rentals/year), President’s Circle (20 rentals/year) | Free upgrades, extra points, priority service |
| National Emerald Club | Emerald Executive (12 rentals/year), Executive Elite (25 rentals/year) | Free rental days, automatic upgrades, dedicated customer service |
| Enterprise Plus | Silver (6 rentals/year), Gold (12 rentals/year), Platinum (24 rentals/year) | Bonus points, vehicle upgrades |
| Avis Preferred | Preferred Plus (12 rentals/year), President’s Club (25 rentals/year) | Free upgrades, higher earning rates |
Status Matches
Many rental car programs offer status matches from other loyalty programs. If you have elite status with a hotel or airline, you may be able to match it to a high-tier rental status.
For example:
- American Express Platinum holders get National Executive status and Hertz President’s Circle.
- United Airlines Premier members can receive elite status with Hertz.
- World and World Elite Mastercard holders may qualify for status upgrades at select rental agencies.
Redeeming Points for Free Rentals and Upgrades
Car rental points can be redeemed for free rentals, upgrades, and other travel perks. However, redemption values vary widely, so it’s important to understand the best ways to use them.
Standard Redemption Rates
| Program | Points per Free Rental | Value per Point |
| Hertz | 700–2,500 points | ~$0.02/point |
| National | 7–12 credits | Varies by location |
| Enterprise | 400–1,500 points | ~$0.02/point |
| Avis | 700–2,500 points | ~$0.015–$0.02/point |
Maximizing Redemption Value
- Book during peak demand times – Redemption values are higher during busy travel seasons when rental rates increase.
- Use for premium or specialty vehicles – Luxury cars often offer better redemption value compared to economy rentals.
- Take advantage of one-way rentals – Certain programs offer better redemption deals for one-way rentals, especially with National.
- Combine with discounts and promotions – Some programs allow stacking of discounts with award redemptions.
Insider Tips for Getting the Most Value
- Sign Up for Multiple Programs – Even if you have a preferred rental company, signing up for multiple programs allows you to compare redemption rates and take advantage of promotions.
- Use Corporate Codes or Membership Discounts – Many rental programs offer corporate codes, AAA discounts, or AARP savings that can be used alongside loyalty points.
- Watch for Promotions – Periodic promotions (e.g., “Rent Twice, Get One Free”) can accelerate your points earnings.
- Leverage Airline and Hotel Partnerships – Many programs allow you to earn airline miles or hotel points instead of car rental points, which can sometimes offer better redemption value.
- Consider Third-Party Booking Sites – While booking directly often yields better rewards, some third-party travel sites offer loyalty benefits or cashback deals.
Final Thoughts: Car Rental Awards Stack Up
While airline and hotel loyalty programs dominate the travel rewards landscape, savvy travelers can find significant value in car rental loyalty programs. By earning elite status, taking advantage of promotions, and optimizing redemptions, you can turn a necessary travel expense into a rewarding experience. Whether you’re a business traveler looking for convenience or a vacationer seeking savings, maximizing your car rental points and status can make a meaningful difference in your overall travel budget and experience.
