If you’re planning a holiday that includes renting a car, you’re in luck! There are numerous ways to save money on car rentals, from credit card discounts to loyalty programs. One of the most effective strategies is to redeem points and miles, which can sometimes allow you to rent a car for free. In this guide, we’ll explore how to maximize your rewards for car rentals and save some serious cash.
Understanding Rental Car Rewards Programs
Most major rental car companies offer loyalty programs that allow you to earn and redeem points for rentals. Here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular programs:
1. Avis Preferred
Avis Preferred members earn 1 point for every dollar spent on rentals, with a minimum of 100 points per booking. To redeem for a free rental day, you’ll need at least 700 points, which can be used for rentals with a base rate of up to $50. Notably, there are no blackout dates, making it a flexible option.
2. Budget Fastbreak
Unlike traditional points systems, Budget Fastbreak members earn $25 in Budget Bucks for every two qualifying rentals. These Budget Bucks can be used to save on future rentals, providing a straightforward way to accumulate savings.
3. Dollar Express Rewards
Dollar Express members can redeem points starting at 500 points for weekend rentals and 625 points for weekdays. However, keep in mind that there are blackout dates, and earning a free day requires at least $500 in paid rentals.
4. Enterprise Plus
Enterprise Plus does not have a fixed award chart, meaning the points required for a free day can vary. Members earn 1 point per dollar spent, with elite members receiving bonus points.
5. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Hertz offers free rentals starting at 950 points per day, but blackout dates apply. Gold members earn 1 point per dollar spent, while elite members earn bonus points, enhancing their earning potential.
6. National Emerald Club
National’s program is unique in that it doesn’t operate on a points system. Instead, members earn credits for free rental days based on the number of days rented. For rentals of eight days or more, you earn one credit for every four days.
Redeeming Credit Card Rewards for Car Rentals
If you have a credit card that earns cash back or transferable rewards, you can also redeem these rewards for car rentals. Here’s how:
Cash-Back Rewards
Cash-back rewards are typically the easiest to redeem. For instance, with a card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you can request cash back as a statement credit or bank deposit, which can then be used to pay for your rental car.
Capital One Miles
With Capital One, you can reimburse yourself for any travel-related purchase charged to your card within the last 90 days. The redemption rate is fixed at 1 cent per mile, meaning a $100 rental would require 10,000 miles.
Chase Travel Portal
If you hold a Chase Sapphire Reserve®, your points are worth 1.5 cents each when booking through the Chase Travel portal. For the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the redemption rate is 1.25 cents per point. This can provide significant value when booking car rentals.
American Express Membership Rewards
American Express also allows you to use Membership Rewards points for car rentals through their Pay with Points feature. However, this option may not yield the best value for your points.
Should You Redeem Airline Miles for Car Rentals?
While some airlines allow you to redeem frequent flyer miles for car rentals, this is often not the best use of your miles. Airlines typically offer better redemption rates for flights. Here’s a quick look at how some major airlines handle car rental redemptions:
American Airlines
American Airlines’ AAdvantage Cars platform allows you to use miles for rentals. However, the value can be low; for example, a rental costing 15,557 miles could be booked for just $87 directly through Thrifty, equating to a value of only 0.56 cents per mile.
Delta Air Lines
Delta partners with major car rental companies, allowing you to earn SkyMiles on rentals booked through their portal. However, you cannot redeem miles directly for rentals unless bundled with a vacation package, which complicates the process.
United Airlines
United MileagePlus members can redeem miles for Avis and Budget rentals, but similar to American Airlines, the value is often low. A rental costing 17,100 miles could be booked for just $87, yielding a value of 0.5 cents per mile.
Maximizing Your Rewards
When it comes to redeeming points and miles for car rentals, the best strategy often involves using cash-back rewards or loyalty program points rather than airline miles. While some credit cards offer decent redemption values through their travel portals, it’s essential to evaluate your options carefully.
In summary, whether you’re a frequent traveler or planning a one-off holiday, understanding how to leverage your points and miles can lead to significant savings on car rentals. By utilizing loyalty programs and credit card rewards effectively, you can enjoy your travels without breaking the bank. Happy travels!
