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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 in 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.
Page Contents
Avis Status Match 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, and Avis Preferred six-digit customer number.
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 $1,120) 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 $2,241) to extend this status. Both of these requirements are much lower than the standard way of earning Avis Preferred elite status.
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. As an Avis Preferred member, you can earn a money-off voucher after your first completed rental, an upgrade voucher after your second completed rental, and a weekend voucher after your third completed rental. Plus, you can skip the line on most rentals and go straight to your car at pick-up time.
Related: Beginner's Guide to Saving on Car Rentals Using AutoSlash
Avis Preferred Plus
Avis Preferred Plus status typically requires 10 rentals or $4,000 spent within a year. Preferred Plus members get priority service, priority car availability, a single car class upgrade when available, and a free additional driver on rentals.
Plus, you'll earn a weekend voucher after your third completed rental. 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, it will probably have a similar spending requirement to extend.
Avis President's Club
Avis Preferred Club members who complete 20 rentals or spend at least $6,000 within a year will snag Avis Preferred President's Club status.
President's Club status offers all Preferred Plus benefits plus a guaranteed single class upgrade and a double upgrade on weekends when available when reserving a midsize or above. 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. 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.
Related: Do Avis Preferred Points Expire?
After joining, track your Avis account with AwardWallet to ensure you get notifications about changes to your status, points balance, and other valuable information.
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. 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.
Related: How To Get Rental Car Elite Status for Free
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.
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