Just like airlines and hotels, car rental companies offer loyalty programs designed to enhance your travel experience. These programs come with appealing benefits, including bonus points, complimentary upgrades, and various cost-saving advantages. If you’re gearing up for travel, especially during peak seasons, car rental elite status can be a game-changer, allowing you to bypass long lines and get on the road faster.
A fantastic perk within these loyalty schemes is the opportunity for car rental status matching, sometimes referred to as reciprocal programs. If you’ve already achieved elite status with one car rental program, or even with airlines or hotels, you can often leverage that to gain comparable status with other car rental companies. For example, your Hertz President’s Circle status could potentially be matched to Enterprise Platinum status, granting you similar benefits across different brands.
Status matching is an excellent strategy to explore different car rental services without having to build loyalty from the ground up. In this guide, we’ll delve into the currently available car rental status match opportunities, helping you make the most of these programs and elevate your car rental experience.
Enterprise Status Match: Aiming for Platinum
Image alt text: Close up of an Enterprise car rental key tag with the Enterprise logo, representing Enterprise’s status match program.
Enterprise provides a clear path to status matching for members of Avis and Hertz programs. If you hold elite status with either of these competitors, you might qualify for a status match to Enterprise Plus, potentially reaching up to Platinum status.
Here’s a breakdown of how Avis and Hertz statuses can translate to Enterprise Plus tiers:
| Avis/Hertz Status Tier | Enterprise Status Match |
|---|---|
| Avis Preferred (6-11 rentals/year), Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (6-9 rentals/year) | Enterprise Plus Silver |
| Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz Gold Five Star | Enterprise Plus Gold |
| Avis President’s Club, Avis Chairman’s Club, Avis Preferred Plus (25+ rentals or 85+ rental days), Hertz President’s Circle | Enterprise Plus Platinum |
To initiate a status match, first, you’ll need to enroll in the Enterprise Plus program. Once registered, navigate to the dedicated status match website and input your details. You’ll be required to upload proof of your current Avis or Hertz status, such as a recent monthly statement or a membership card image displaying your name, elite tier, and expiration date. Personal experiences indicate a swift processing time; one user reported their Hertz President’s Circle status being matched to Enterprise Plus Platinum within just seven days.
While Enterprise Plus status might not be perceived as richly rewarding as top-tier statuses like Hertz President’s Circle or National Executive Elite, it still offers valuable perks. Enterprise Plus Platinum members, for instance, enjoy a 20% bonus on earned points and are entitled to four complimentary car upgrades annually.
Related: Which Car Rental Company Suits Your Needs Best?
Avis Status Match: Limited Availability
Image alt text: Row of Avis rental cars in a parking lot, illustrating Avis’s car rental services and status match program limitations.
Avis does offer a status match program; however, it’s important to note that this offer is not available to residents of the U.S. or Canada.
The Avis status match webpage is exclusively accessible to individuals residing in specific European countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, U.K.) and South Africa. If you are a resident of one of these eligible regions, you can submit your status match request here.
For those in the U.S. and Canada, achieving Avis Preferred Plus status is possible through alternative routes. Earning 60,000 American Airlines Loyalty Points or holding United Premier Silver or Gold status will grant you Avis Preferred Plus status. Additionally, Chase Sapphire Reserve primary cardholders also receive automatic Avis Preferred Plus status.
The highest tier, Avis President’s Club, is also attainable for U.S. and Canadian residents by accumulating 100,000 American Airlines Loyalty Points or holding United Premier Platinum, 1K, or Global Services status. Furthermore, primary cardholders of select United co-branded credit cards, such as the United Club℠ Infinite Card, United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Card, United Club℠ Business Card, and United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Business Card, are granted instant President’s Club status.
Note: Information regarding the United Presidential Plus Card, United Club Business Card, and United Presidential Plus Business Card was independently collected by The Points Guy and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuers.
Hertz Status Match: Up to Top-Tier President’s Circle
Image alt text: Selection of cars in the Hertz President’s Circle parking area, highlighting the premium benefits of Hertz’s top-tier status.
Hertz President’s Circle is widely recognized as one of the most valuable elite statuses in the car rental industry. Top-tier members enjoy a 50% bonus on points earned and are guaranteed a one-class car upgrade at participating locations. President’s Circle members also gain exclusive access to the President’s Circle section at Hertz Ultimate Choice locations globally, offering a wider selection of premium vehicles.
Currently, Hertz extends status match opportunities to elite members from Avis, Enterprise, National, and Europcar at the following tiers:
| Your Rental Status | Hertz Status Match |
|---|---|
| Avis Preferred Plus (under 25 rentals), Enterprise Plus Silver or Gold, National Executive, Europcar Privilege Executive | Hertz Five Star |
| Avis Preferred Plus (25+ rentals), Avis President’s Club, Enterprise Plus Platinum, National Executive Elite, Europcar Privilege Elite | Hertz President’s Circle |
To request a status match with Hertz, you must first create a Hertz Gold Plus Rewards account. Then, visit the Hertz status match website, complete the required information, and provide proof of your existing elite status. Click the “Match My Status” button, and you should receive confirmation of your matched status shortly thereafter.
Delta Air Lines elite members also have a pathway to complimentary Hertz status. Medallion Gold members can match to Hertz Five Star status, while Platinum and Diamond Medallion members can achieve top-tier President’s Circle status through this partnership.
Furthermore, select Delta elites and Capital One cardholders are also eligible for Hertz status through specific partnerships.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
National Status Match: Broadening the Scope
Image alt text: National Car Rental Emerald Aisle with various car selections, showcasing the potential for upgrades for National elite members.
National Car Rental is a favorite among frequent travelers, largely due to its robust Emerald Club program. Top-tier Executive Elite members enjoy exceptional benefits, such as a complimentary rental day for every five qualifying rentals and guaranteed upgrades in the U.S., Canada, and Europe when booking a midsize vehicle. Personal anecdotes highlight the value of National status, with examples of securing luxury rentals, like a BMW 740i, for minimal daily rates by leveraging status and free rental days.
A standout feature of National’s status match program is its inclusivity. You can match status not only from other car rental loyalty programs but also from airline and hotel programs. While National explicitly lists American AAdvantage, United MileagePlus, and Hilton Honors as eligible programs, they indicate that “more than 40” programs in total are considered for status matching. This broad acceptance makes National’s program exceptionally appealing.
Initiating a status match with National is straightforward. Simply create a National Emerald Club account and complete the status match form.
Related: Credit Cards Offering Elite Status for Car Rentals
Sixt Status Match: Request-Based Opportunities
Image alt text: Exterior of a Sixt car rental location, representing Sixt’s car rental services and status match program.
Sixt features a tiered elite status program with three levels, each offering escalating benefits, including bonus points, car upgrades, and other valuable perks. While Sixt doesn’t publicly disclose a list of competing rental car statuses they match, they encourage you to request a status match by clicking “get matched” on their website.
Sixt openly reviews status match requests from members holding elite status with Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National, and Thrifty, indicating a willingness to recognize status across major car rental brands.
Related: Strategies to Avoid Paying Full Price for Car Rentals
Europcar Status Match: An Email Inquiry Approach
Image alt text: Europcar rental car pick-up area, illustrating Europcar’s services and its less transparent status match program.
Europcar provides status matches to its Privilege elite program, though these are not publicly advertised. The Privilege program comprises four tiers: Club, Executive, Elite, and Elite VIP, each offering increasing benefits like complimentary additional drivers, discounts, and vehicle upgrades.
While not explicitly stated on their website, you can request a status match by emailing your Europcar Privilege number to [email protected], along with proof of your elite status with another program. Personal experiences indicate success with this method; for instance, a Hertz President’s Circle membership screenshot has been used to successfully request and receive Europcar Privilege Elite status, the second-highest tier.
It’s important to note that Europcar’s status match program is subject to certain eligibility criteria and may not be universally available across all regions. The duration of the matched status and the required documentation may also vary depending on the program you are matching from. It is advisable to contact Europcar customer support for the most current details before submitting your status match request.
Related: 9 Car Rental Rewards Programs You Should Know About
Maximize Savings with Rental Car Insurance
While elite status elevates the car rental experience, insurance costs are typically still a factor. To minimize expenses, consider using a credit card that includes rental car insurance when booking. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve are highly recommended for their primary rental car coverage.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers primary coverage up to $75,000, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred covers up to the car’s cash value. This can lead to significant savings, especially if you typically purchase a damage waiver directly from the rental company.
Furthermore, these credit cards reward you with bonus points on travel purchases, including car rentals. This allows you to accumulate more points on your car rentals, which can be redeemed for future travel savings.
Related: Is Rental Car Insurance Necessary?
Final Thoughts on Car Rental Status Matches
Car rental elite status matches are a powerful tool to amplify your benefits and rewards when renting vehicles. By leveraging your existing loyalty status from other programs, you can unlock the advantages of car rental elite status without needing to start from zero. This can translate to complimentary upgrades, accelerated point accrual, and a host of other valuable perks that enhance your overall travel experience.
However, it’s crucial to carefully review the terms and conditions of each car rental company’s status match program, as eligibility requirements and necessary documentation can differ. Additionally, paying for your rental with a credit card that offers robust rental car coverage is a smart strategy to minimize potential costs and maximize rewards. In conclusion, strategically utilizing car rental elite status matches can significantly improve your rental experience and contribute to savings on your travel expenditures.
Additional reporting by Andrew Kunesh.
