The Best Rental Car Points Programs For Travelers

Traveling can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be quite expensive. One way to save money on your travels is by taking advantage of rental car points programs. These programs allow you to earn points or rewards for renting cars, which you can then redeem for free or discounted rentals in the future. If you're a frequent traveler, here are some of the best rental car points programs to consider.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards:

Hertz is one of the largest and most well-known rental car companies in the world, and their Gold Plus Rewards program is highly regarded. With this program, you can earn points for every qualifying rental and enjoy benefits like faster checkout, free upgrades, and the ability to skip the counter at select locations. Hertz also offers partnerships with airlines and hotels, allowing you to earn even more rewards.

Pros:

Wide Availability: Hertz has a vast network of rental locations worldwide.

Frequent Promotions: Hertz often offers promotions and discounts for members.

Partnerships: The program has partnerships with airlines and hotels for added rewards.

Faster Checkout: Enjoy faster checkout and the ability to skip the counter at select locations.

Cons:

Points Expiration: Points may expire if there's no rental activity within a certain timeframe.

Blackout Dates: Limited availability during peak travel times.

National Emerald Club:

National Car Rental's Emerald Club is another popular choice for frequent travelers. With this program, you can earn credits for every qualifying rental, which can then be redeemed for free rentals. One of the standout features of the Emerald Club is the ability to choose any car in the Emerald Aisle when you reach a certain membership level, giving you more flexibility and options.

Pros:

Free Rental Days: Earn credits for free rentals, and choose any car from the Emerald Aisle at higher membership levels.

Fast and Convenient: Expedited service and a straightforward booking process.

One-Way Rentals: Offers flexibility with one-way rentals.

Cons:

Limited International Presence: The National's presence is primarily in North America.

Elite Status May Be Required: Some benefits are reserved for higher-tier members.

Avis Preferred:

Avis Preferred is Avis' loyalty program, and it offers a range of benefits for members. With this program, you can earn points for every qualifying rental and enjoy perks like expedited service and the ability to skip the line at select locations. Avis Preferred also offers partnerships with airlines and hotels, allowing you to earn additional rewards.

Pros:

Global Network: Avis has a strong presence internationally.

Skip the Line: Enjoy the ability to skip lines at select locations.

Partnerships: Partnerships with airlines and hotels provide additional earning opportunities.

Cons:

Points Expiry: Points may expire if there's no rental activity within a certain timeframe.

Blackout Dates: Limited availability during peak travel times.

Enterprise Plus:

Enterprise Plus is the loyalty program of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and it's a great option for travelers who frequently rent cars for business or leisure. With this program, you can earn points for every qualifying rental and enjoy benefits like free rental days and upgrades. Enterprise Plus also offers a convenient mobile app, making it easy to manage your reservations and earn rewards on the go.

Pros:

Large Network: Enterprise has a vast network of rental locations, including many in neighborhoods.

Free Rental Days: Earn points for free rentals and upgrades.

Mobile App: Convenient mobile app for reservations and rewards tracking.

Cons:

Fewer International Locations: Enterprise's international presence may be limited compared to some competitors.

Limited Partnerships: Fewer partnerships with airlines and hotels for additional rewards.

Budget Fastbreak:

Budget Fastbreak is Budget Rent a Car's loyalty program, and it's designed to make the rental process quick and seamless. With this program, you can earn points for every qualifying rental and enjoy benefits like faster reservations and rentals, as well as the ability to skip the line at select locations. Budget Fastbreak also offers partnerships with airlines and hotels, allowing you to earn additional rewards.

Pros:

Quick and Seamless Rentals: Expedited reservations, rentals, and skip-the-line options.

Global Presence: Budget has rental locations worldwide.

Partnerships: Partnerships with airlines and hotels provide additional earning opportunities.

Cons:

Points Expiry: Points may expire if there's no rental activity within a certain timeframe.

Availability: Limited availability during peak travel times.

When choosing a rental car points program, it's important to consider factors like the availability of rental locations, the value of the rewards, and any additional perks or benefits offered. It's also a good idea to compare the programs and see which one aligns best with your travel needs and preferences. By taking advantage of these programs, you can save money on your car rentals and make your travels even more enjoyable.