Struggling to find ways to make renting cars easier and more rewarding? Hertz Five Star Status offers perks like counter-free pickup, bonus points, and car upgrades that can make your travel hassle-free. By joining the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program, you can quickly accumulate points and enjoy benefits that save you time and money. Keep reading to discover how these benefits can enhance your rental experience.
Understanding the Hertz Loyalty Program
The Hertz Loyalty Program offers a way for frequent renters to earn points and enjoy various perks. With membership levels like Gold, Five Star, and President’s Circle, you can unlock additional benefits based on your status.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Overview
The Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program is the foundation of the Hertz Loyalty Program. It’s free to join, and as a member, you earn one point per dollar spent on rentals. These points can then be redeemed for free rental days. As a Gold Member, you also benefit from faster service with the ability to skip the counter and enjoy streamlined check-ins and returns.
Membership Service Benefits
The Hertz Loyalty Program offers several membership levels, each with its own set of benefits.
Gold Members: Enjoy faster service and earn basic points with each rental.
Five Star Elite Status: Achieved by completing 12 rentals or spending $2,400 in a year. Benefits include a 25% bonus on points, potential upgrades, and quicker reservations.
President’s Circle Status: Requires 20 rentals or spending $4,000 in a year and includes a 50% bonus on points, guaranteed car availability, and priority service.
Earning Points and Status
Earning points is straightforward with Hertz. You get one point per dollar spent. For those with elite status:
- Five Star Elite Status: Earn 1.25 points per dollar.
- President’s Circle Status: Earn 1.5 points per dollar.
You can achieve higher statuses by renting more frequently or spending more money on rentals. Points can be redeemed for free rentals, starting at 950 points for a daily rental. The more you rent, the closer you get to unlocking higher status levels and enjoying more rewards.
Benefits of Hertz Five Star Status
Achieving Hertz Five Star status comes with several perks that can enhance your car rental experience. You can enjoy complimentary car upgrades, bonus points on rentals, and the option of a free additional driver.
Complimentary Upgrades
When you reach Hertz Five Star status, you can get free one-car-class upgrades on every rental, subject to availability. This means you have a chance to drive a better car than the one you booked.
If you book an economy car, you might receive a compact one instead. This benefit not only gives you more comfort but also potentially saves you money. A wider selection of cars becomes available to you.
Bonus Points on Rentals
Having Hertz Five Star status means you earn more points each time you rent. You receive a 25% bonus on Hertz Points for every dollar spent on rentals.
For example, if you spend $100 on a rental, you earn 125 points instead of the usual 100. These extra points can add up quickly, helping you unlock free car rentals sooner. Regular rentals become more rewarding with this added bonus.
Free Additional Driver
Another great perk of Hertz Five Star status is the ability to add a free additional driver to your rental agreement. Typically, there’s an extra fee for adding another driver.
With this status, you can share the driving responsibility without any extra cost. This benefit is especially useful when you are traveling with family or friends, allowing more flexibility and convenience.
Each of these benefits contributes to a more enjoyable and valuable rental experience. Having Hertz Five Star status offers you significant perks that can make your travels smoother and more rewarding.
How to Achieve Five Star Status
To achieve Hertz Five Star Status, you must meet specific criteria through rental activity or status matches. These methods offer various ways to reach that desired status and unlock the associated benefits.
Earning Through Rentals
One way to earn Hertz Five Star Status is through your rental activity. You need to complete 10 rentals or spend $2,000 on rentals within a 12-month period. Alternatively, another threshold is spending $1,500-$3,999 on rentals in a calendar year.
Each rental and dollar spent brings you closer to this elite status. Once achieved, you will gain benefits such as bonus Gold Plus Rewards Points and possibly even upgrades.
Status Match Opportunities
Investing in a status match can save you time and effort. Hertz offers status matches from certain programs. If you hold United MileagePlus Premier Gold or Premier Silver status or Delta Gold Medallion status, you can match your status to Hertz Five Star.
This will grant you elite benefits without needing rental activity or dollar spend.
Enrollment and Qualification Criteria
To enroll in the Hertz rewards program and aim for Five Star Status, you first need to sign up for a Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership. This membership service is free, and enrollment is straightforward.
Meeting the qualification criteria includes tracking your rental count and spend. Use the Hertz website or app to monitor your progress towards hitting the needed benchmarks.
Table of Measurements for Status:
| Rentals | Total Spend | Period |
|---|---|---|
| 10 rentals | $2,000 | 12 months |
| 7-19 rentals | $1,500-$3,999 | Calendar year |
Following these steps ensures your journey towards Hertz Five Star Status is systematic and achievable.
Maximizing Hertz Points
When you’re trying to get the most out of your Hertz Five Star status, it’s important to know how to earn and redeem points efficiently. Here we’ll delve into redeeming points for rentals, transferring points to partners, and making the most of AnyDay Rewards while being mindful of blackout dates.
Redeeming Points for Rentals
With Hertz points, you can easily reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by redeeming points for rentals. You earn points based on your spending. For instance, Hertz Five Star members get a 25% bonus, which equates to 1.25 points per dollar spent.
The number of points required varies, but a day rental starts at 950 points. To maximize your value, try to book during off-peak times. Keep an eye out for promotions that might reduce the points needed for a rental.
Points Transfer to Partners
Another way to make the most of your Hertz points is by transferring them to partner programs like Marriott Bonvoy. This could be especially helpful if you have a surplus of Hertz points but prefer to use them for hotel stays instead.
When transferring points, you should check the conversion rates. Often, you might find that the value is higher when using points directly for rentals rather than transfers, but it depends on your travel needs and plans.
AnyDay Rewards and Blackout Dates
Using AnyDay Rewards can be a great way to avoid blackout dates. These are special rewards that let you book rentals on any date, even during high-demand periods. Be aware that AnyDay Rewards generally require more points than standard rewards.
Keep track of blackout dates so you aren’t caught off guard when trying to make a booking. This knowledge can help you decide when to use standard rewards versus AnyDay Rewards to maximize your points and booking flexibility.
Knowing these strategies will help you get the best value from your Hertz points, ensuring that each point stretches further for your travel needs.
Additional Hertz Membership Perks
As a Hertz Gold Plus Rewards member, you enjoy several perks that enhance your car rental experience. Key advantages include the convenience of counter-free pickups and valuable partnerships with AAA and American Express.
Counter-Free Pickup and Skip-the-Line Service
One of the notable perks for Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members is the counter-free pickup service. This means you can skip the counter entirely when you go to pick up your rental car. This service saves you time by letting you head straight to your car, which will be waiting for you in a designated area.
Whether you are in a rush or value efficiency, this perk ensures that your rental process is smooth and swift. It’s particularly beneficial in busy airports where waiting in line can take time. By eliminating the line, Hertz enhances your overall experience, allowing you to get on the road faster.
Partnerships with AAA and American Express
Hertz also has valuable partnerships with organizations like AAA and American Express, particularly for those holding the American Express Platinum Card. AAA members enjoy a variety of benefits, including discounts on rentals and additional driver fees waived. This can be a significant saving if you frequently rent cars.
For American Express Platinum Card holders, the benefits are equally impressive. You may receive complimentary Hertz Five Star status. This means earning points faster and enjoying a higher status level, which comes with its own set of perks, such as upgrades and priority service. These partnerships make renting from Hertz an even more attractive option, adding extra value to your memberships.
Hertz Five Star in Different Regions
Hertz Five Star Status varies slightly depending on where you are. Whether you’re in North America or Europe, you’ll find unique benefits and requirements to match your travel needs.
Hertz Five Star Status in North America
In North America, Hertz Five Star Status offers several perks. One major benefit is the ability to earn a 10% bonus on your normal points, which means more reward points for your car rentals. You’ll also enjoy expedited service at rental locations, saving you time.
Another key advantage is access to a wider selection of cars, ensuring you find a vehicle that suits your preferences. Specific locations offer guaranteed one-car class upgrades, making your travel experience more comfortable.
Finally, you can achieve Hertz Five Star Status by completing ten rentals or spending $2,000 in a calendar year. These requirements make it accessible for frequent travelers in the U.S. and Canada.
Hertz Elite Status in Europe and Canada
In Europe and Canada, Hertz Elite Status also provides valuable benefits. One notable feature is the status match program, where you can match your elite status from other car rental companies to Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. This helps frequent travelers maintain their perks across different brands.
While the benefits are similar to those in North America, such as bonus points and car upgrades, specific offers may vary by country.
Another important point is the ease of access to rental cars and the ability to skip the counter, which saves time. Select locations in Europe may also have unique perks tailored to local needs.
Leveraging Partnerships and Rewards Programs
Earning Hertz Five Star status can be enhanced by leveraging partnerships with hotel loyalty programs and collaborating with other rental car companies. These tactics can provide more opportunities to earn points and enjoy additional perks.
Collaboration with Hotel Loyalty Programs
Hertz partners with various hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy. By holding elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, you can enjoy benefits such as bonus points on Hertz rentals. This partnership is a great way to earn rewards more quickly and take advantage of exclusive offers.
For instance, if you are a Marriott Bonvoy elite member, you can earn additional points on Hertz rentals, which can help you reach Five Star status faster. Moreover, some hotel programs provide discounts on Hertz rentals, making it a cost-effective option.
Pairing with Other Rental Car Companies
You can also leverage Hertz’s partnerships with other rental car companies such as National and Avis. If you hold elite status with National or Avis, Hertz often offers status matches to their Five Star level. This means you don’t need to start from scratch to earn high-tier benefits.
For example, if you’re a National Executive member, you can request a status match to become a Hertz Five Star member. This way, you continue to enjoy benefits like bonus points and free rental days without additional spending. This strategy allows you to maximize your benefits across different rental car companies.
