What is the ideal car rewards program for my business?
Rental frequency
Earning potential
Coverage area
Point redemption options
Membership levels
Airline and hotel partnerships
Flexibility
The 8 best car rental loyalty programs
1. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program
Key features
- Membership fee: Free to join
- Airline and hotel partners: Hertz partners with most major airlines, and with IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and Accor Live Limitless
- Counter-free pick-up option: Yes
- Point redemption options: Free rental cars, free airline rewards, and free hotel stays
- Hertz Gold: Members earn one point per dollar spent plus a free additional driver
- Hertz Five Star: This level is achieved after spending $2,000 or 10 rentals. Members receive 1.25 points per dollar spent plus a 25% bonus. Capital One Venture Rewards credit card cardholders qualify for complimentary Five Star status.
- Hertz President’s Circle: This level is achieved after spending $3,000 or 15 rentals. Members earn 1.5 points per dollar spent plus a 50% bonus.
2. Avis Preferred
- Membership fee: Free to join
- Airline and hotel partners: Avis partners with the majority of major airlines. It also partners with Accor Live Limitless, Best Western Rewards, Choice Privileges, Fiesta Rewards, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Nordic Choice Club, Radisson Rewards, The Ascott Limited, and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.
- Counter-free pick-up option: Yes
- Point redemption options: Car rentals, upgrades, and accessories like ski racks and booster seats. Members also have the option to earn miles and points with airline and hotel loyalty programs instead of earning Avis Preferred Points.
- Avis Preferred: Members earn one point per dollar spent and two points per dollar spent on accessories (GPS, satellite radio, etc)
- Avis Preferred Plus: This level is achieved after spending $4,000 or 10 rentals. Members earn 1.25 points per dollar spent and two and a half points per dollar spent on accessories.
- Avis President’s Club: This level is achieved after spending $6,000 or 20 rentals. Club members earn 1.5 points per dollar spent and three points per dollar spent on accessories.
3. Alamo Insiders
Key features
- Membership fee: Free to join
- Airline and hotel partners: Alamo Insider partners with Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA), American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, Eva Air, Frontier Miles, Korean Air, Southwest Rapid Rewards, and Sun County Airlines. It also partners with Best Western Rewards and Hilton Honors.
- Counter-free pick-up option: Yes
- Point redemption options: N/A
4. Enterprise Plus
- Membership fee: Free to join
- Airline and hotel partners: Enterprise Plus partners with AirFrance-KLM, CAA Rewards, and Hilton Honors
- Counter-free pick-up option: Yes
- Point redemption options: Free car rentals with no blackout days
- Plus: Members need to complete 0-5 rentals before they can start earning points
- Silver: Members need to complete 6-11 rentals for this level, and will earn 10% bonus points on points earned and one free car upgrade per year
- Gold: Members need to complete 12 rentals or 40 paid rental days for this tier, and will earn 15% bonus points on points earned and two free car upgrades per year
- Platinum: Members need to complete 24 rentals or 85 paid rental days for this level, and will earn 20% bonus points on points earned and four free car upgrades per year
5. National Emerald Club
Key features
- Membership fee: Free to join
- Airline and hotel partners: National Emerald Club partners with 14 airlines, including Southwest Rapid Rewards and Delta SkyMiles, and also partners with Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Honors, and Radisson Rewards Americas
- Counter-free pick-up option: Yes
- Point redemption options: Members have the option to earn miles and points with airline and hotel loyalty programs instead of earning car rental credits
- Emerald Club: Members earn one rental credit for every qualified car rental, with one free rental day costing seven credits
- Executive: This level is achieved after 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days in a calendar year. Members earn one rental credit for every qualified car rental, with one free rental day costing six credits.
- Executive Elite: This level is achieved after 25 paid rentals or 85 paid rental days in a calendar year. Members earn one rental credit for every qualified car rental, with one free rental day costing five credits with no blackout days.
6. Budget Fastbreak Program
Key features
- Membership fee: N/A
- Airline and hotel partners: Budget Fastbreak partners with several airlines, including Emirates Skywards and Asia Miles, and also partners with Wyndham Rewards and Radisson Rewards Americas
- Counter-free pick-up option: Yes
- Point redemption options: Members also have the option to earn miles and points with airline and hotel loyalty programs instead of earning Budget Bucks
7. Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards
Key features
- Membership fee: N/A
- Airline and hotel partners: Thrifty Blue Chip partners with several airlines including American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, and Emirates Skywards, and also partners with IHG Rewards Club Program
- Counter-free pick-up option: Yes
- Point redemption options: N/A
8. Dollar Express Rewards
- Membership fee: N/A
- Airline and hotel partners: Dollar Express partners with several airlines, including Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines, and also partners with IHG Rewards and
- Counter-free pick-up option: Yes
- Point redemption options: Free car rentals. Members also have the option of earning frequent flyer miles or hotel points.
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