Quick Points: Get automatic rental car elite status through your credit card
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Quick summary
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Although we cover loyalty programs and credit cards in-depth on TPG every day, sometimes you just want a snippet of useful information that you can put into action on the fly. That's why we launched the series Quick Points. Every week, we'll highlight a new or easily forgotten tip that can help you travel more for less.
Car rental elite status is often overlooked in the travel space, in large part because the benefits are limited. That said, it can still make a huge difference when you're on the road frequently. Generally, rental car status includes space-available upgrades and bonus points earning, which can go a long way depending on when and where you rent a car.
You don't need to rent cars a lot to earn rental car elite status either. Nowadays, many premium credit cards offer cardholders rental car elite status with companies like Hertz and National. Let's take a closer look at cards that offer this perk.
Earn rental car elite status with a credit card
Nearly all of the premium travel cards include rental car elite status — here's a look:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: National Emerald Club Executive, Avis Preferred Plus and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President's Circle (enrollment required)
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Hertz President's Circle*
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: National Emerald Club Executive and select Avis Preferred benefits
- United Club Infinite Card: Avis President's Club status
- U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: Avis Preferred Plus, National Emerald Club Executive and select Hertz Gold Plus Rewards benefits
- United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Card: Avis President's Club status
- AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: National Emerald Club Executive and select Avis Preferred benefits
- AAdvantage® Aviator Silver World Elite Mastercard®: National Emerald Club Executive and select Avis Preferred benefits
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees): National Emerald Club Executive and select Avis Preferred benefits
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: National Emerald Club Executive and select Avis Preferred benefits
- Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard®: National Emerald Club Executive and select Avis Preferred benefits
- Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees): National Emerald Club Executive and select Avis Preferred benefits
Enrollment is required for select American Express benefits.
Then, once you have status in one car rental program, you can many times match your status to another car rental program — such as with National, Hertz and Enterprise. Many times you can even request a status match if you have status with a hotel or airline loyalty program.
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, 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.
Related: The complete guide to car rental elite status matches
Bottom line
While credit cards provide a ton of perks, this lesser-known benefit can come in quite handy on your next vacation. Car rental status not only provides discounted rates but can also allow you to earn complimentary rentals quicker, earn more points and receive upgraded cars.
If you have a credit card that provides car rental status, now is the time to quickly link up your accounts to ensure you are receiving all of the benefits you are eligible for.
Additional reporting by Andrew Kunesh.
Feature photo by EQRoy/Shutterstock.com