On a recent trip to Colorado, I booked an ordinary midsize rental car. What I actually drove away was worth more than twice as much — and it’s all thanks to a credit card perk I’d been overlooking for years.
On a recent drive through the spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park, I took my newly minted elite status for a test-spin. It delivered on the perks you’d expect, like 50% more points earning and priority check-in, but the real value was in the vehicle I received.
My favorite benefit of this status is the “Ultimate Choice” option, which means that even when booking an affordable midsize, like my very pedestrian Kia K4, I get to select any car in the President’s Circle zone.
I felt like a television game show winner as I strolled through the Denver Airport location with more than 50 vehicles to choose from. I’m not a car expert, so naturally I looked for the shiniest, most luxurious-looking vehicle I could find.
I settled on a brand-new open-top Jeep Wrangler Sahara, with a sticker price more than twice as much as the car I booked — which made for a memorable drive through the Rockies.
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