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United and Avis ink new partnership with free status matches, mileage redemptions

Nov. 01, 2021
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3 min read
Avis car rental
United and Avis ink new partnership with free status matches, mileage redemptions
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Just last week, United confirmed that it was ending its longstanding relationship with Hertz.

At the time, the Chicago-based carrier told TPG that it would have a new partnership to announce soon — and it didn't waste any time.

Beginning Nov. 1, United is partnering with the Avis Budget Group to offer new benefits for travelers, according to a carrier spokesperson.

To start, the partnership includes accelerated mileage earning rates for those who complete rentals with Avis and Budget.

Both United MileagePlus elite members and Chase cobranded credit cardholders will receive bonus miles if they credit their Avis and Budget rentals to the United loyalty program. This bonus ranges from 500 miles per rental for regular members up to 1,250 miles — valued at $16 according to the latest TPG valuations — for those with United Premier Platinum status or higher.

You'll find the full breakdown below:

  • 500 miles per completed vehicle rental for MileagePlus general members.
  • 750 miles per completed vehicle rental for United Chase Cardmembers.
  • 1,000 miles per completed vehicle rental for MileagePlus Premier Silver and Premier Gold members.
  • 1,250 miles per completed vehicle rental for MileagePlus Premier Platinum, 1K and Global Services members.

The tie-up also includes a new online portal, cars.united.com/avisbudget, that offers discounted rates of up to 35% off, according to United.

In the coming months, the partnership will expand with two new (and potentially exciting) benefits for travelers.

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The first is the ability to redeem United miles for rentals with Avis. United didn't have any details to share around the redemption rate or how the award booking flow would work, but this will be a unique offering for a U.S. airline.

Two of United's three biggest competitors, Delta and Southwest, don't offer the ability to redeem miles toward car rentals. (American Airlines does offer the ability to redeem miles for car rentals through a specialized portal.) Ultimately, the devil will lie in the details of the redemption rate, so we'll be sure to follow up when we learn more.

Additionally, MileagePlus Premier members and select United Chase cardmembers will soon be eligible to register for a complimentary status match with Avis. Again, the details aren't yet available as to how the program will work, and which status tiers will be eligible for a match.

What we do know is that Avis has three elite tiers, one of which, Preferred Plus, is published on its website.

The other two levels, President's Club and Chairman's Club, have historically been available by invitation only, so it'll be interesting to see how United's status tiers map to Avis's program.

With Hertz, United’s Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members enjoyed a complimentary status match to top-tier President’s Circle, while Premier Silvers and Premier Golds received mid-tier Five Star status.

If you still hold status from the United/Hertz tie-up, it'll be valid through Jan. 31, 2023, and miles earned from Hertz rentals booked through Oct. 31, 2021, will post to within eight weeks after the rental ends.

For everyone else, well, United's MileagePlus program now has a new set of wheels.

This story was updated to reflect that American Airlines offers the ability to redeem miles for car rentals. Featured photo by man Tiraspolsky / Getty Images.

Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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 $6,000 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.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.