When considering car rental companies, Advantage Rent A Car might not be the first name that springs to mind, especially when giants like Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis dominate the market. However, this Orlando-based company with over 33 locations at major US airports and select hotels offers a compelling reason to reconsider: its Expressway loyalty program.
In this guide, we’ll delve into the Advantage Expressway program, exploring its structure, benefits, and how it compares to other rental car loyalty schemes. We’ll also analyze if participating in Expressway truly gives you an advantage when renting a car.
Renting a Car with Advantage: A Quick Guide
Before we dive into the loyalty program, let’s quickly outline the straightforward process of renting a car through Advantage.
First, navigate to the Advantage Rent A Car website. The homepage is user-friendly and intuitive, allowing you to quickly input your pick-up and drop-off locations, dates, and times.
Once you’ve entered your criteria, you’ll be presented with search results. Unlike some platforms that offer extensive filtering options, Advantage keeps it simple. The results page is typically less cluttered, making it relatively easy to find the car category you need. Notably, you’ll notice two pricing options: Pay Later and Pay Now. The “Pay Later” option provides flexibility with cancellations but comes at a slightly higher price. Conversely, “Pay Now” offers a discounted rate but includes cancellation fees, offering a lower upfront cost for those with firm plans.
After selecting your preferred vehicle and price, you can customize your rental with add-ons like child safety seats or additional drivers. It’s important to note that insurance options are not presented during the online booking process and are exclusively available at the rental counter. We’ll discuss insurance considerations in more detail shortly.
The final step involves reviewing your reservation details, entering your payment information, and finalizing your booking. The process is streamlined, ensuring a hassle-free experience from start to finish.
Navigating Car Rental Insurance with Advantage
A key difference with Advantage is the absence of online insurance purchase options. This means you’ll need to decide on insurance coverage at the rental counter. While this might seem inconvenient, it’s worth considering your existing insurance coverage. Many travel credit cards offer robust car rental insurance, often including Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and sometimes primary coverage.
Primary coverage is particularly valuable as it means you can avoid filing a claim with your personal auto insurance in case of an accident or damage. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are renowned for their excellent primary car rental insurance benefits, alongside other travel perks and valuable rewards points.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Consider checking your credit card benefits before your Advantage rental to potentially save on extra insurance costs.
Understanding the Manager’s Special
For budget-conscious renters seeking the lowest possible price, Advantage offers a “Manager’s Special.” This opaque booking means you are guaranteed a car of compact class or higher, but the exact make and model remain undisclosed until pick-up.
While the Manager’s Special can sometimes offer savings, it’s crucial to compare prices against explicitly booking a compact car. Occasionally, the Manager’s Special might not be the absolute cheapest option. However, it presents an opportunity for a potential upgrade if availability allows.
Pay Now vs. Pay Later: Choosing Your Rate
Advantage’s Pay Now and Pay Later pricing structure caters to different travel needs. Opting for “Pay Now” usually unlocks a lower rental rate but comes with stricter cancellation policies. Canceling a “Pay Now” reservation more than 24 hours before pick-up incurs a $50 fee, while cancellations within 24 hours result in forfeiting the entire payment.
“Pay Later” provides greater flexibility, allowing cancellations without penalty up to a certain point before pick-up, but typically at a slightly higher base rate. Carefully weigh your certainty of travel plans against the price difference to determine the best option for you.
Decoding the Advantage Expressway Loyalty Program
Now, let’s explore the core of Advantage’s appeal for frequent renters: the Expressway loyalty program. Unlike traditional car rental loyalty programs that accumulate points, Expressway focuses on rewarding members with tangible perks based on rental frequency.
The program is structured into tiered levels, each unlocking progressively valuable benefits. A key differentiator is that Expressway members earn a reward with every rental, regardless of their tier status. This consistent reward system sets it apart from programs where benefits are solely tied to elite status. Furthermore, Expressway members gain access to a dedicated “Expressway Lane” at select airport locations for expedited service.
Expressway Tier Breakdown: Perks at Each Level
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Base (1-2 Rentals): Upon enrolling in Expressway, you instantly become a Base member and receive a welcome reward of either a Basic Upgrade or a Free Day on a future rental. This immediate gratification encourages initial engagement with the program.
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Silver (3-4 Rentals): Achieving Silver status unlocks the Pit Stop Reward. This unique perk allows you to return your rental car without refueling, with Advantage handling the fill-up at a rate of $2.50 per gallon. This can be convenient for travelers pressed for time before returning their vehicle.
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Gold (5-6 Rentals): Gold members receive the Pit Stop Reward plus a choice of one additional perk per rental: a GPS navigation system, a toll pass, or a child car seat. This tier starts offering tangible choices, catering to different traveler needs.
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Platinum (7+ Rentals): Platinum status, the highest tier, grants the Pit Stop Reward and the choice of an additional perk (GPS, toll pass, or car seat) on every rental. This consistent benefit structure provides significant value to loyal Advantage customers.
Random Rewards: The Element of Surprise
Adding an element of surprise, Expressway members earn a random reward after each completed rental. These rewards, while not guaranteed to be the same each time, offer varied benefits:
- Basic Upgrade: Upgrade from economy, compact, intermediate, or standard to a full-size car.
- Free Day: One day’s rental rate waived on rentals of two days or more.
- Free Weekend: Waives the cost of two rental days on rentals of at least three days, including Saturday and Sunday.
- Expressway Lane Access (Silver, Gold, Platinum): Expedited service line at select airport locations (Orlando, Las Vegas, Honolulu, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco).
- Pit Stop Reward (Silver, Gold, Platinum): Return car without refueling, charged $2.50/gallon.
- Free Toll Pass (Gold, Platinum): Unlimited toll usage during rental.
- Free Child Car Seat (Gold, Platinum): Complimentary car seat for the rental duration.
- Free GPS Navigation (Gold, Platinum): Complimentary GPS unit for the rental duration.
- Platinum Upgrade Reward (Platinum): Upgrade from full-size, premium, intermediate SUV, or standard minivan to a higher category (premium car, intermediate SUV, standard SUV, standard minivan, or premium minivan).
These rewards are valid for 12 months from issuance, non-transferable, and cannot be redeemed for cash.
Advantage Mobile App: Loyalty at Your Fingertips
Advantage enhances the Expressway experience with its mobile app. This app allows members to manage rentals, access real-time car readiness updates, apply promo codes, and connect with customer support. For loyalty program members, the app provides a convenient way to track rewards and manage their Expressway benefits on the go.
Price Comparisons: Does Loyalty Pay Off Financially?
To assess Advantage’s overall value proposition, including the loyalty program benefits, price comparisons are essential. When comparing rental costs against competitors like Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz, and National, Advantage often positions itself in the mid-range.
| Type of Car | Advantage | Alamo | Enterprise | Hertz | National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest available | $555.49 | $387.98 | $382.59 | $564.58 | $590.22 |
| Intermediate SUV | $587.58 | $436.47 | $455.70 | $649.11 | $679.67 |
Prices are for a week-long rental and include taxes and fees.
While Advantage might not consistently be the absolute cheapest option, the Expressway program adds significant value. The guaranteed reward with every rental, coupled with tier-based perks, can offset price differences over time, especially for frequent renters.
Final Verdict: Is the Advantage Rental Car Loyalty Program Worth It?
Advantage Rent A Car, while smaller than industry giants, presents a compelling option, particularly for travelers who value consistent rewards. The Expressway loyalty program distinguishes itself by offering a tangible perk with every rental, alongside tier-based benefits that enhance the rental experience.
If you frequently rent cars from airports where Advantage has a presence and appreciate straightforward rewards without complex points systems, the Expressway program is definitely worth considering. While price comparisons are always recommended, the added value of the loyalty program can make Advantage a smart choice for consistent savings and a more rewarding rental experience.
