How Does Hertz President’s Circle Work: Exclusive Perks Explained

Hertz President’s Circle offers you premier benefits within the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program, making your car rental experience smoother and more rewarding. You can qualify for this elite status by completing 15 rentals or spending $3,000 annually. As a member, you get perks like guaranteed upgrades and free additional drivers, ensuring a hassle-free journey every time. Dive in to learn how these benefits can elevate your travels.

What Is Hertz President’s Circle?

Hertz President’s Circle is the highest tier in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program, offering benefits like guaranteed vehicle availability and free upgrades. This elite status can significantly enhance your car rental experience.

Definition and Overview

Hertz President’s Circle is an elite status within the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program. It provides a range of perks for frequent renters, making car rentals more convenient and rewarding. As a member, you enjoy benefits like guaranteed vehicle availability, one-car-class upgrades, and a 50% bonus on points earned. These enhancements can greatly improve your rental experience.

Additionally, you receive a dedicated customer service line and a free additional driver at participating locations in Europe. These benefits are designed to offer a seamless and premium rental experience for members.

Qualifying Criteria

To qualify for Hertz President’s Circle, you need to meet specific rental or spending thresholds within a 12-month period. There are two ways to achieve this status:

  • Complete 15 rentals or
  • Spend $3,000 on rentals each year

These requirements are part of the standard qualification process.

For customers affected by travel restrictions, the usual criteria are 20 rentals or $4,000 in spending. This status can also be earned through status matches from other loyalty programs or by having certain credit card perks. Keeping track of your rentals and spending can ensure you achieve and maintain this elite status.

Key Benefits

Being a part of Hertz President’s Circle comes with several perks designed to make your rental experience more convenient and rewarding. These benefits include guaranteed upgrades, bonus points on rentals, expedited service features, and other exclusive privileges.

Guaranteed Upgrades

As a President’s Circle member, you get access to guaranteed upgrades. This means that if you book a car, you’ll automatically receive an upgrade to the next car class. So, if you rent a standard vehicle, you might drive away in a more luxurious ride. This perk ensures you always enjoy a better driving experience at the same rental price.

Bonus Points and Rewards

You earn more points for every dollar you spend on rentals. As a President’s Circle member, you receive a 50% bonus on Gold Plus Rewards points, which can lead to faster redemption for free rentals. This increased earning potential means you can save money on future rentals and enjoy additional exclusive offers tailored specifically for you.

Expedited Service Features

Your time is valuable, and Hertz knows it. President’s Circle members can skip the counter and go straight to their car, minimizing wait times. With designated parking stalls, you won’t have to search for your vehicle. This streamlined process, including the eReturn service, makes dropping off your car quick and easy.

Other Exclusive Privileges

Other perks include guaranteed vehicle availability even during peak times. This ensures you always have a car when you need one. Additionally, you’ll receive exclusive offers and discounts that are not available to other customers, adding value and enhancing your rental experience further.

How to Join Hertz President’s Circle

You can join Hertz President’s Circle through various methods. One of the easiest ways is by being a Hertz Gold Plus Rewards member. Once you are a member, you have a few different options to qualify:

1. Complete Rentals or Spend Money

  • Rent 15 Vehicles: Simply rent 15 cars from Hertz in a year.
  • Spend $3,000: Spend $3,000 or more on rentals in a year.

2. Status Matches and Promotions
Sometimes, Hertz offers status match promotions. These promotions let you match your status from another travel loyalty program to Hertz President’s Circle. Keep an eye on Hertz promotional offers to find these opportunities.

3. Qualifying Credit Cards
Certain credit cards offer instant President’s Circle status as a benefit. Check with your credit card provider to see if this is an option.

4. Corporate Travel
If you travel regularly for work, your employer might have a corporate account with Hertz. This could automatically qualify you for President’s Circle status.

5. Special Programs
Hertz sometimes lowers its requirements due to special conditions like the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, requirements were reduced to 15 rentals or $3,000 spent in 2021.

By leveraging these methods, you can gain access to the exclusive benefits of Hertz President’s Circle status. Happy traveling!

Earning and Using Rewards

With Hertz President’s Circle, you can earn rewards points that you can later use for free rental days. The benefits include accumulating points quickly and redeeming them in various ways to get the most out of your car rentals.

Accumulating Rewards Points

As a member of Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, you gain points each time you rent a car. Specifically, President’s Circle members earn points at a faster rate compared to other tiers. You’ll earn one point per dollar spent on rental fees, excluding taxes.

For example:

TierPoints per Dollar
Standard Member1 point
Five Star Member1.25 points
President’s Circle1.5 points

To achieve President’s Circle status, you must either complete 15 rentals or spend $3,000 on rentals within a year. Points can add up quickly, especially if you rent often.

Redeeming for Rental Days

Redeeming your Hertz rewards points is straightforward. You can use them to book free rental days with the company. There are two types of rewards: Standard Rewards and AnyDay Rewards. Standard Rewards are available on most dates, but blackout dates apply. AnyDay Rewards have no blackout dates, although they require more points to redeem.

For instance, a free rental day might cost you:

  • Standard Rewards: 750 points
  • AnyDay Rewards: 1,500 points

Besides, you can opt for a Rental Day Voucher, which is another way to use your points. Each voucher will cover one rental day, depending on the points you have accumulated. This flexibility ensures you get the most value, irrespective of your travel dates or needs.

President’s Circle Membership Tiers

President’s Circle is the top tier of the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program, offering exclusive perks like guaranteed upgrades and faster service. Below, we will look at how it compares with other membership tiers like Hertz Gold and Five Star.

Comparison with Other Tiers

Hertz Gold: This is the entry-level tier. You automatically become a member when you join the Gold Plus Rewards program. Benefits include expedited pick-up and returns, and earning points for free rentals. However, upgrade options are limited, and you don’t get the same level of service as higher tiers.

Five Star: This mid-tier status requires either seven rentals or spending $1,500 in a year. Five Star members enjoy one-car-class upgrades and 25% bonus points on rentals. Designated parking stalls also make it easier to find your car. Despite these perks, it does not match the exclusivity of President’s Circle.

President’s Circle: To achieve this top-tier status, you need 15 rentals or $3,000 in spending per year. Benefits include guaranteed one-car-class upgrades, a 50% bonus on points, and designated parking stalls. Additionally, you get a free additional driver and guaranteed vehicle availability, making it ideal for frequent travelers. The perks far surpass those available in the Hertz Gold and Five Star tiers, offering a truly elite experience.

Using the Hertz Ultimate Choice Service

Hertz Ultimate Choice is a service where you can select a vehicle directly from designated lots at participating locations. Using this service lets you choose the car that best suits your needs without having to stick to a specific model booked in advance.

How Ultimate Choice Works

When you book with Hertz and are a member of their Gold Plus Rewards, you become eligible to use the Ultimate Choice service. This service is typically available when you reserve a midsize/intermediate class car or higher. Upon arrival, you head to the Hertz Ultimate Choice lot at your pickup location.

In the lot, you’ll see a range of vehicles from various categories. You are free to pick any car that fits the class you booked. The lot includes vehicles from economy or compact car options to larger SUVs, depending on availability. You aren’t locked into just one vehicle model, giving you flexibility.

Choosing from the Ultimate Choice Lot

Once you’re in the Hertz Ultimate Choice lot, you can take your time to select a car. You might find compact cars, sedans, or even more luxurious vehicles, depending on what’s available. The cars are divided into different rows, reflecting the category and sometimes the rental tier.

For those with higher status like President’s Circle, you’ll have access to more premium vehicles. Look for rows marked specifically for your status. This usually means more choices and potentially newer or higher-end models. To complete your pick, you simply drive out, checking out at the gate with your driver’s license and rental agreement.

Additional Program Features

Hertz President’s Circle offers several key features that enhance your car rental experience. These features include adding an additional driver at no charge and understanding how to navigate participating locations.

Adding an Additional Driver

As a Hertz President’s Circle member, you can add an additional driver to your rental for free. This perk is especially valuable when traveling with family or colleagues. Normally, adding an extra driver involves additional fees, but not for President’s Circle members.

The additional driver must meet Hertz’s age and licensing requirements. When you pick up your rental, both you and the additional driver should be present. This way, both drivers’ information can be verified. By avoiding extra fees, you can enjoy greater flexibility and shared driving responsibilities.

Navigating Participating Locations

Hertz President’s Circle benefits are available at many places, including airports and city locations. Most major airports will have participating branches, ensuring you receive perks no matter where you travel. Always check if the location you plan to rent from participates in the program to avoid any surprises.

You can easily find participating locations through the Hertz website. Participating locations usually offer extra services like designated parking stalls to make your rental experience smoother. Whether traveling domestically or internationally, Hertz has a wide network to support your travel needs.

Understanding these features can make your rentals easier and more cost-effective, letting you focus more on your travels and less on logistics.

  • Joshua Smith

    I am Joshua Smith, a seasoned expert in car rentals, with a wealth of experience and knowledge spanning over ten years. My passion is to share insider tips, savvy tricks, and in-depth reviews to guide you effortlessly through the intricacies of vehicle leasing.

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