Key Points
- American Express is requiring Platinum cardmembers to reenroll in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President's Circle status by December 31, 2026.
- Cardmembers who miss the deadline risk losing complimentary elite status and access to the Amex Customer Discount Program's rental perks.
- Reenrolling takes just a few minutes through your Amex account and can take up to 72 hours to process.
Introduction
If you carry the Amex Platinum, your Hertz President's Circle status has probably been sitting quietly in the background since the day you first enrolled. That's about to change. American Express sent notices on July 13, 2026, telling Platinum cardmembers they need to reenroll in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President's Circle benefit by December 31, 2026, or risk losing it. Amex is calling this a "new and improved enrollment experience," but the practical upshot is simple: a benefit that used to be a one-time setup now needs a fresh confirmation. Here's what changed, why it matters, and exactly how to knock this out in a few minutes.
What Happened
Enrollment in most Amex Platinum benefits is typically a set-it-and-forget-it process, as we cover in our complete guide to the Platinum Card from American Express. Hertz President's Circle status was no exception until now. According to the notice sent to cardmembers, Amex is asking Platinum holders to reenroll their Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number through their Amex account by the end of 2026. The change appears tied to a backend update to how Amex verifies and manages the Hertz partnership rather than any reduction in the benefit itself. No new fees or requirements have been announced beyond the reenrollment step.
Why This Matters
President's Circle is one of the more underrated perks tucked into the Platinum Card's benefits menu, and it's covered in more depth in our American Express rewards programs guide. It's Hertz's top tier, and it comes bundled with a guaranteed car class upgrade at pickup, the ability to skip the counter entirely, and priority service. Losing it isn't just a status downgrade. It also puts your access to the Amex Customer Discount Program at risk, which includes up to 20 percent off eligible rentals, a four-hour grace period on returns, and space-available upgrades beyond what President's Circle already guarantees. If you're weighing how rental coverage fits into your broader travel protections, our credit card travel insurance guide breaks down what the Platinum Card covers separately from status perks.
The frustrating part is that none of this shows up until you actually need it. Show up to a Hertz counter in January 2027 without having reenrolled, and you could find yourself standing in the regular line instead of walking straight to your car. That's a rough surprise before a business trip or a family vacation.
What You Should Do
Reenrolling takes just a few clicks:
- Log in to your American Express account and go to the Rewards & Benefits tab.
- Select Benefits, then choose Learn More under Car Rental Privileges.
- Click Enroll Now and enter your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number.
- Watch for a confirmation email, which can take up to 72 hours to arrive.
Do this even if you don't have a rental booked anytime soon. It's a one-time action for now, and getting it out of the way removes any risk of scrambling before a trip. If you don't already have a Hertz Gold Plus Rewards account, you'll need to create one first before you can link it to your Amex Platinum.
Don't have the Platinum Card yet and thinking this perk alone makes it worth it? It shouldn't be your only reason, but paired with lounge access, travel credits, and Membership Rewards points, it's one more piece of a genuinely strong premium card.
FAQ
What happens if I miss the December 31 deadline?
You could lose complimentary President's Circle status along with the Customer Discount Program benefits, including the rental discount and return grace period. You may still be able to reenroll later, but you'd go without the perks in the meantime.
Does this affect other Amex cards with Hertz benefits?
The notice specifically targets Amex Platinum cardmembers. If you have Hertz status through another Amex product, check your own benefits dashboard, since enrollment requirements can vary by card.
Do I need an upcoming rental to reenroll?
No. Reenrolling now locks in the benefit for whenever you need it next, so there's no reason to wait until you have a trip booked.
Conclusion
This is a small task with a real downside if you skip it. American Express is giving Platinum cardmembers more than five months to reenroll in Hertz President's Circle status, and the process takes only a few minutes once you're logged in. Handle it now, add a calendar reminder if you tend to let things slide, and you'll never have to think about it again before your next rental. This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.
