How To Get Rental Car Elite Status With Multiple Programs…For Free!

How To Get Rental Car Elite Status With Multiple Programs…For Free!

Last week, Mark shared a tip on rental car elite status with one program. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Now that you have status with one program, you can use it to get elite status with multiple rental car agencies. The best part: it won’t cost you anything, though it will definitely save you time and improve your rental experiences.

Step 1a – Amex Platinum Cardholders Get National Emerald Executive Status

As Mark shared last week, if you have the Platinum Card from American Express or Business Platinum Card, you can use that to get Emerald Executive status with National Car Rental. It’s quite simple and doesn’t cost anything.

In fact, this benefit on your card (listed here) offers status with 3 programs:

• Avis – Preferred Plus (middle tier)
• Hertz – Gold (bottom tier)
• National – Executive (middle tier)

Step 1b – No Platinum Card? Use A Visa Infinite Card

If you don’t have any type of Platinum Card, you can use a Visa Infinite credit card to get free elite status with rental car programs. These include:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• United Club Infinite Card
• U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
• Crystal Visa Infinite Credit Card

Any of these will give you the same Emerald Executive status with National Car Rental, as well as Avis Preferred Plus.

Additionally, you can get Hertz President’s Circle (top tier) with this card:

• Capital One Venture X

And get Avis President’s Club status with these two cards:

• United Club Infinite Card
• United Presidential Plus Card

Step 2 – Status Match To Other Programs

Now that we have this first status, we can use it to get status with other programs. Here are the matches available to you:

National Emerald Executive to…

• Avis Preferred Plus – apply here
• Hertz Five Star – apply here
• Sixt Platinum (works sometimes) – apply here

Now match Hertz Five Star to…

• Sixt Platinum – apply here
• Enterprise Gold – apply here

Much like our guides to status matching numerous hotels and casinos in both Las Vegas and Atlantic City, you just need to get the first program. After that, you can status match to numerous other programs.

What You Get With Rental Car Elite Status

Perks you can expect to receive include the following:

• Free upgrades on the type of car you get
• Skip the line inside, go straight to you car
• Priority customer service
• No fees for 2nd driver
• Rewards that add up to discounts and / or free rentals

Final Thoughts

If you use any of these rental car agencies and are eligible, there’s no reason to not get elite status with them. For nothing else, you skip the line at the airport. These days, that can save you an hour or two. Free upgrades and not paying fees for a second driver will save you money, as well. By simply getting elite status with one rental car program, you can then match it to other programs–all of this at no cost.

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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