Delta adds Hertz status for all Medallion elites, revamps earning structure for rentals
About a year and a half ago, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines swapped rental car partners, leaving Delta with Hertz and United with Avis. Now, Delta and Hertz have further expanded their partnership.
As part of the partnership's second phase, all SkyMiles Medallion elite members are eligible for Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status, and there's a new mileage earning structure in place.
Today, we'll highlight the changes and show you how to earn some extra SkyMiles on your next rental.
A new status match
Previously, mid-tier Gold Medallion elites could match to Hertz Five Star status, while upper-tier Platinum Medallion and Diamond Medallion elites could match to Hertz President's Circle status. Silver Medallion elites were not entitled to Hertz status.
But that changes today. Now, entry-level Silver Medallion elites can also match to Hertz Five Star status. There have been no changes to Gold, Platinum or Diamond Medallion status matches.
This gives Silver Medallions access to modest perks with Hertz, like a 25% bonus on points earning, space-available car upgrades and a greater selection of cars at Ultimate Choice lots. Five Star status usually requires 10 rentals or $2,000 in spending with Hertz in a given calendar year to earn.
Related: The complete guide to car rental elite status matches
A new mileage-earning structure
Hertz rentals booked directly with Hertz, on delta.com/cars or through the Travel with Delta portal used to earn 500 SkyMiles per rental, regardless of how much the rental cost. Further, Medallion elites received an increased earning rate of up to 1,250 miles per rental, depending on their elite tier.
Now, Delta will credit miles from the price of your rental car (before taxes and fees):
- SkyMiles members: 4 miles per dollar.
- Silver Medallion members: 5 miles per dollar.
- Gold Medallion members: 6 miles per dollar.
- Platinum Medallion members: 7 miles per dollar.
- Diamond Medallion members: 8 miles per dollar.
As a member without Delta status, I ran a test search on the Travel with Delta portal. On a $68 per day Hertz car rental, I could earn 272 SkyMiles (worth $3.84 per TPG's latest valuations). Meanwhile, a Diamond Medallion would earn 544 SkyMiles from the same rental.
This is a mixed bag for Delta frequent flyers who rent with Hertz.
In the past, the same $68 rental would earn 500 SkyMiles with no elite status or up to 1,250 SkyMiles with Diamond Medallion status. At the same time, those renting expensive cars or those renting for an extended period will fare better under the new earning structure.
For example, if you rented the same car for 14 days at the $68 rate (for a total of $952 spent before tax), you'd earn 7,616 SkyMiles as a Diamond Medallion. In the past, you'd earn just 1,250 SkyMiles regardless of how long or how much you paid for your rental.
Note that you will not earn Hertz Gold Rewards points when you opt to earn SkyMiles (or any airline currency) on your Hertz rental, even if you book directly through Hertz. Always run the numbers and see which is a better deal before selecting the points you earn on your rental.
Related: How to never pay full price for a rental car
Linking your accounts
Per Delta's website, earning SkyMiles on Hertz rentals is a three-step process:
- Enter your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number into the Car Loyalty Programs section on the Hotel & Car Preferences page. If you're not already a Hertz Gold Plus Rewards member, follow the Enroll Now link on the page to complete enrollment.
- Click "Save Changes."
- (Only for Medallion elite members) Follow the Opt-In link to enter your Delta SkyMiles number for verification and opt-in to receive your benefit.
Once you log into your SkyMiles account, navigate to "My profile" and select "other loyalty programs."
DELTA.COM
Under "Car Loyalty Programs," add your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number and select "save."
Again, Medallion elite members can navigate to this page to register for Hertz status.
Related: How you can rent a $100,000 BMW for $3 a day
Bottom line
Hertz and Delta have expanded their partnership. Silver Medallion members can now register for Hertz Five Star status, and if you book a Hertz rental directly or through Delta, you'll earn SkyMiles from the base rate of your rental.
As discussed, the new earning structure is good for those renting for long periods of time and for those renting expensive cars. At the same time, it is a devaluation for those booking cheap rentals, as you'll no longer earn a set number of miles regardless of how much your Hertz rental costs.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.