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Avis is one of the largest car rental companies in the United States. Getting Avis Preferred elite status can score you perks like a free additional driver and a free upgrade. If you don't already have Avis Preferred elite status, getting it may be as easy as filling out a web form or sending an email.
Avis Preferred members can match their status from any one of five competing rental car programs. Although Avis' status match website specifically excludes U.S. and Canadian residents from applying, we have a scoop on how Americans and Canadians can still apply for an Avis status match.
In this article, we'll go over the details of the Avis status match program — including the restrictions and how to apply.
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Avis Status Match Program
Although the website does not clearly mention this, Avis appears to have two separate loyalty programs: one for the U.S. and another for Europe and South Africa. The status match program only applies to the European loyalty program.
Depending on which rental car elite status you already hold, an Avis status match may give you Avis Preferred, Preferred Plus, or President's Club status. Here's the table on how each car rental elite status matches to Avis:
| Competitor | Avis Preferred | Preferred Plus | President's Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europcar | Privilege Club | Privilege Executive | Privilege Elite and VIP |
| Hertz | Gold Plus Rewards | Five Star | President's Circle |
| Enterprise | Plus | Silver | Gold and Platinum |
| Sixt | Express Card | Gold | Platinum |
| National | Emerald Club | Emerald Club Executive | Emerald Club Executive Elite |
Don't have any of these elite status levels yet? Check out our guide on how to get rental car elite status for free.
How to submit your Avis status match
To claim your free Avis Preferred status, you can go to the Avis status match website and follow these three easy steps:
- Select which elite status you're matching from.
- Upload proof of your membership with that status.
- Fill in your name, email address, country of residence, Avis Preferred six-digit customer number, and how you heard about the status match program.
Eligible countries
You can only request an Avis status match online if you're a resident of the following countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- The Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- The United Kingdom
How to extend your matched Avis elite status
Once Avis approves your status match, your new Avis status will be valid for 12 months. So, you'll want to wait until shortly before your next Avis rental to request your status match.
Once matched, you must rent at least five times and spend over 1,000 euros (about $1,137) within those 12 months to keep Avis Preferred Plus. If you matched to President's Club, you'll need to rent at least 10 times and spend at least 2,000 euros (roughly $2,273) to extend this status.
However, these requirements apply to the European Avis Preferred status match program. We can assume that you will need to reach the minimum requirements in the U.S. version of the program to maintain your status. For Preferred Plus, that's 10 rentals or $4,000 in 12 months, and for President's Club, it's 20 rentals or $6,000 in 12 months.
Avis Status Match for U.S. and Canadian Residents
The Avis status match webpage specifically states that it does not apply to residents in the United States and Canada. However, if you live in a country not on the above list — including the U.S. or Canada — you should still be able to get an Avis status match via email.
Just send proof of your elite status with Hertz, Enterprise, Europcar, Sixt, or National to profile.update@avisbudget.com along with your Avis Preferred number. You should receive a confirmation shortly after submitting your information.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Rental Car Insurance
Avis Preferred Status Benefits
Participating in rental car loyalty programs is the quickest way to earn free rental days. The Avis Preferred program has an entry-level status you'll automatically get as a member, plus two elevated elite status tiers you can earn via rentals or an Avis status match. Here's a look at the benefits you can expect from each Avis Preferred tier.
Avis Preferred
Entry-level Avis Preferred membership offers priority service as a perk of joining the Avis Preferred program. Plus, you can skip the line on most rentals and go straight to your car at pick-up time. Beyond that, Preferred status doesn't really have any benefits beyond earning points on rentals and accessories, which you can use for future rentals and accessories. Avis no longer offers vouchers after completing rentals.
You can match your status from other car companies to Avis Preferred, but that's pointless, as you get Preferred status automatically when you join.
Related: Beginner's Guide to Saving on Car Rentals Using AutoSlash
Avis Preferred Plus
In the U.S., Avis Preferred Plus status requires 10 rentals or $4,000 spent within a year. However, in Europe and other countries, the requirement is €1,000 and five rentals in a calendar year.
Preferred Plus members get priority service, priority car availability, a single car class upgrade when reserving a midsize or above (subject to availability), and a free additional driver on rentals. Preferred Plus members earn 1.25X points per dollar spent on rentals and 2.5X points per dollar spent on accessories.
The following car rental company elite statuses match to Avis Preferred Plus:
- Europcar Privilege Executive
- Hertz Five Star
- Enterprise Silver
- Sixt Gold
- National Emerald Club Executive
After a successful status match, if you spend at least 1,000 euros on five or more rentals within 12 months, you'll keep Avis Preferred Plus status.
Note the website gives euros instead of dollars. That's because the online status match program does not apply to U.S. or Canadian residents. But if you match in the U.S. via email, there will probably have a similar spending requirement to extend your status.
Avis President's Club
In the U.S., Avis Preferred President's Club status requires 20 rentals or at least $6,000 in spending within a year. In Europe and South Africa, the requirement is €2,000 spent on 10 or more rentals in a calendar year.
President's Club status offers all Preferred Plus benefits plus a guaranteed car up to a full-size with a confirmed 24-hour advance reservation, and a double upgrade when reserving a midsize or above (subject to availability). President's Club members earn 1.5X points per dollar spent on rentals and 3X points per dollar spent on accessories.
Alternatively, you can status match to Avis President's Club from the following tiers:
- Europcar Privilege Elite and VIP
- Hertz President's Circle
- Enterprise Gold and Platinum
- Sixt Platinum
- National Emerald Club Executive Elite
If you successfully match to Avis Preferred President's Club, you will need to rent 10 cars and spend at least 2,000 euros within 12 months to maintain the status.
Avis Preferred Sign-up
If you aren't already an Avis Preferred member, you can join here for free if you're living in the Americas, or use this link if you're joining from the rest of the world. Go to the Avis website for the full terms and conditions of the program. And then consider whether you're eligible for an Avis status match.
Once you've created your new loyalty program account, make sure to link it to your AwardWallet account. Don't have an AwardWallet account yet? Sign up for free and track unlimited rewards programs and travel plans.
Related: Do Avis Preferred Points Expire?
Other Ways to Get Avis Preferred Status
If you already claimed a status match and didn't meet the requirements to extend, you still have plenty of ways to get Avis Preferred status:
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and The Platinum Card® from American Express both offer Avis Preferred Plus status as part of their many travel benefits. Cardholders must use this link to enroll. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
- Visa Infinite cardholders can enroll in Avis Preferred Plus status.
- Cardholders of the following United credit cards can get Avis President's Club status: The New United Club℠ Card, United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Card, United Club℠ Business Card, and United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Business Card.
- United Premier elite members also can enroll to get Avis status. Silver and Premier Gold members get Avis Preferred Club status, while Premier Platinum status and higher will provide Avis President's Club status.
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase with U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase with U.S. electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase with U.S. shipping providers.
- 1.5X earning rates are subject to a cap of $2 million in purchases per calendar year.
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Bottom Line
Avis Preferred status provides some nice perks on car rentals, and you might be eligible for an Avis status match — even if you live in the U.S. or Canada. Don't let the warning on the website deceive you. If you hold elite status with Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National, or Sixt, it's worth sending an email to Avis to claim your Preferred elite status.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees), The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees), and The New United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees)
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