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Travelers often focus on securing premium upgrades for flights or hotel stays, but a premium rental car can also significantly enhance a trip. So, how can travelers access these upgrades without already holding elite status with a rental car company?
Fortunately, many credit cards provide complimentary car rental elite status, and status matches are readily available for several major rental agencies in the U.S. Additionally, single-use upgrade coupons can help unlock better vehicles.
Here are some of the most effective ways to score free car rental upgrades.
Page Contents
- Join Rental Car Agency Loyalty Programs and Earn Elite Status
- Get Complimentary Rental Car Elite Status Through Your Credit Card
- Status Match Between Rental Car Loyalty Programs for Expanded Benefits
- Use a Corporate Code for Elite-Like Rental Car Perks
- Apply Free Rental Car Upgrade Coupons
- Final Thoughts
Join Rental Car Agency Loyalty Programs and Earn Elite Status
All major car rental agencies offer loyalty programs, and while simply joining one won’t guarantee free upgrades, it does provide several advantages. Members are often prioritized over non-members, and booking in advance usually ensures rental vehicles are ready upon arrival. Loyalty members can also take advantage of express pickup lines, saving time by bypassing the service desk (hopefully).
Additionally, membership increases the likelihood of receiving an upgrade, especially if the assigned vehicle doesn’t meet their expectations. Here are some of the most popular car rental loyalty programs that offer upgrades.
Related: How To Get Rental Car Elite Status for Free
Alamo Insiders
The Alamo Insiders program often features various coupons on the Alamo website. These deals frequently provide additional savings to loyalty members, including one-time free upgrade coupons. Travelers interested in upgrades should regularly check the Alamo website for coupons or perform a quick Google search to find current offers.
One limitation of the Alamo Insiders program is that it does not offer elite status or a points-based rewards system.
Avis Preferred
The Avis Preferred program is free to join and offers a straightforward way to earn benefits. However, travelers must reach Avis Preferred Plus status to qualify for free car upgrades, which are subject to availability. Achieving Avis Preferred Plus requires completing ten rentals or spending $4,000 within a calendar year.
Better yet, Avis President's Club offers double upgrades when available. This top tier requires 20 rentals or $6,000 in annual spending. Additionally, Avis frequently features coupons for complimentary upgrades on its website, which provides another potential option to enhance your rental experience.
Budget FastBreak
Budget FastBreak is a straightforward, no-frills rewards program. Members can earn Budget Bucks, which can be redeemed to offset rental car expenses. While upgrades are occasionally available to FastBreak members, they are inconsistent and cannot be guaranteed.
However, you may be able to book using a special coupon code to get a guaranteed upgrade. Here's one offer valid through December 31, 2024.
Enterprise Plus
The Enterprise Plus program features four status levels, each offering better benefits. Starting at the second tier, you'll unlock upgrade certificates:
- Silver requires six rentals within a calendar year and provides one free upgrade.
- Gold requires 12 rentals or 40 rental days a year and provides two free upgrades.
- Platinum requires 24 rentals or 85 rental cards and provides four free upgrades.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Hertz offers three reward levels within its loyalty program. Travelers can achieve Hertz Five Star status after completing ten rentals or spending $2,000 in a calendar year. This tier includes complimentary car upgrades — but are subject to availability. For guaranteed upgrades, travelers can advance to Hertz President's Circle status by completing 15 rentals or spending $3,000 within a calendar year.
National Emerald Club
National Car Rental Emerald Club offers three reward levels within its loyalty program. At the base level, members can select any midsize car or above from the rental lot while paying only the midsize rate. This benefit makes the program valuable even for occasional renters who haven't yet achieved elite status.
Members advance to Emerald Club Executive status after completing 12 rentals or 40 rental days in a calendar year. This tier allows members to choose any full-size car or above from the Executive area while still paying the midsize rate. Additionally, it guarantees an upgrade when renting a full-size or above vehicle, offering more convenience and flexibility for frequent renters.
Emerald Club Executive Elite status provides the highest level of benefits for travelers completing 24 rentals or 85 rental days annually. Members enjoy the same upgrade guarantees and car selection privileges as the Executive tier. Emerald also promotes upgrade coupons on its deals and special offers page, giving members even more opportunities to enhance their rental experience.
Sixt
Sixt's loyalty program features four status levels. Travelers can achieve Platinum status after completing ten rentals within a calendar year, which includes complimentary car upgrades based on availability. The program's highest tier, Diamond status, offers guaranteed car upgrades but is available exclusively by invitation.
Get Complimentary Rental Car Elite Status Through Your Credit Card
Travelers familiar with the points and miles world likely already have elite status or access to its benefits — often without ever having made a rental car reservation. Let’s explore some of the available options.
World Elite Mastercard
World Elite Mastercard cardholders, for example, receive complimentary Hertz President's Circle status. In addition, they can access benefits with Avis (equivalent to its top-tier President's Club status) and National. Discounts are also available with Alamo, Enterprise, and Sixt, simply by holding one of these cards. Examples of World Elite Mastercard products include:
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Our Best Offer of 2025! Earn 5 Free Nights
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5X points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
- 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 10X points for being a IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card member
- Earn 6X points from IHG® with Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of having this card
- Earn 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® One Rewards member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
Visa Infinite
Similarly, Visa Infinite cardholders can enjoy complimentary Avis Preferred Plus and National Emerald Club Executive status. Additionally, existing Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members can access discounts on their rentals courtesy of their Visa Infinite card. Some common examples of Visa Infinite cards include:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card (not open to new applicants)
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 5X miles per $1 on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
American Express
Finally, several Amex cards offer complimentary rental car elite status (Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.). Some examples include:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
- A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card®.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 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®.
Related: How Amex Cardholders Can Claim Hertz President's Circle Status
Status Match Between Rental Car Loyalty Programs for Expanded Benefits
Once travelers have status with a rental car agency, it becomes relatively easy to status match and unlock elite benefits in other rental car loyalty programs. Many agencies offer a free status match or status challenge process, which enables travelers to match the status earned through their credit card or existing loyalty program to other rental car companies. Such programs include:
- National Car Rental Emerald Club status match
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status match
- Enterprise Plus status match
- Avis Preferred status match
- Sixt status match (or its status match offer just for Delta SkyMiles elites)
The StatusMatcher website is a valuable resource for exploring available status match opportunities. It also highlights additional opportunities to leverage hotel and airline elite status to gain car rental status — even unwritten ones.
Use a Corporate Code for Elite-Like Rental Car Perks
Enterprise-size companies often have agreements with car rental agencies, hotels, and airlines that provide elite benefits to its employees and contractors. These agreements can include discounts, free upgrades, and other perks.
Travelers should check with their company's travel department to determine if they can access special rates or enhanced vehicle options. The benefits available typically depend on the corporate code used and can sometimes mirror the highest elite status levels and best pricing the rental agencies offer.
Apply Free Rental Car Upgrade Coupons
Upgrade coupons are an excellent option for travelers who don't have elite status but still want to enhance their rental experience. A quick Google search can often unearth upgrade coupon codes for specific car rental agencies. The Autoslash website is also a reliable resource for finding up-to-date car rental upgrade coupons.
Final Thoughts
Securing a free car rental upgrade can significantly enhance a traveler’s experience. Complimentary elite status from certain credit cards is one of the best ways to unlock elite benefits across multiple car rental agencies, making upgrades more accessible. Corporate codes and coupons also offer quick and practical options for snagging an upgrade. With so many strategies available, it’s easier than ever to elevate your travel experience with a free car rental upgrade!
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Great going! Thanks for the tip! I’ll surely share it with my friends!
Last week, I rented from Alamo at JFK and in addition to fantastic service (including our choice of whatever vehicle we wanted), got a free upgrade from the lowest priced vehicle to a RAV4.* Also, I added a spouse as an additional driver free of charge, and using military/government status added two more additional drivers, also free of charge. NOTE: I booked the vehicle using Ultimate Rewards points via Chase Travel (which is actually Expedia), which service does not honor loyalty programs nor elite status, but the Alamo manager courteously honored my Alamo membership and military/government status, anyway.
*To those pooh-poohing upgrades: the smallest cars are not necessarily the safest in case of accidents, nor do they always yield significantly better gas mileage than some upgrades. Moreover, free upgrades to larger vehicles come in handy when – as in our case – there’s a driver and 3-4 adult passengers, in addition to luggage, and one’s using the rental car for long-distance drives.
If you are a registered Hertz Gold member and pick up your car at an airport with “Gold choice” you can just pick any car from the Gold sector at the parking garage.
Look carefully because sometimes they park higher categories’ cars on the gold choice sector by mistake (or intentionally, not sure).
Last February I reserved a class C (toyota corolla or similar) and found a class G (chevrolet impala or similar) in the gold section so I took that one.
I was charged the rate that I had in the reservation (class C, mid-size) but the car was bigger, more comfortable and equiped with integrated GPS navigation and satellite radio.
There was even a 4×4 Jeep on the gold section that day. I could have taken that one and still pay the class C rate but it didn’t fit my needs.
Great info ! Thanks as always!
@Lee Ann says: “Usually I find the lowest pricing through Costco.”
@Isaac says: “I book thru Costco travel I seem to get great rates through there site.”
Thanks for the reminder to check them as well when renting. Always looking for ways to leverage my membership fee there, of course!
I tried this and it worked great!
Car rentals are still a necessity at times so it’s good to know how to score an upgrade.
I tend to prefer the cheapest cars over the upgrades even though I know most people don’t
Is it easy to do status match?
I never think about car rental companies. Good reminder! I do not rent cars that often so I think that AAA is best for me.
I hate driving anyway. I’ll always defer to someone else driving mrs daisy ;o)
Good list. Thanks for the reminder.
Alamo was absolutely fine in Canada. I got a decent SUV last time I used them.
Alamo has been good to me. But, even though Alamo and National are under the same ownership, Alamo will not add your National Emerald Club number to the Alamo rental.
Great post and information. I often focus on airline and hotel perks and skip over rental cars. Thanks for reminding me that travel includes rental cars often.
Nice list. Upgrades can come in handy!
I recently rented at Alamo in MIA and LGA and both times I received exceptional service. I would definitely recommend them.
My other favorite is enterprise which I often use in LGA.
I book thru Costco travel I seem to get great rates through there site.
Does Alamo provide a worse service compared to others? Their prices are usually much cheaper.
I don’t think so, based on my experience. I certainly wouldn’t avoid Alamo.
Howie, thanks for the tip (can’t reply directly to your comment for some reason). I’ll take a look at National.
I have Avis Elite status because of my United Presidents Club card, but only use Avis when there is a coupon to get extra miles. I never accumulate car rental points anymore after Hertz expired my points without notice and only credit rentals to airlines.
Theres a Fine line between the best value providers or opting for a more expensive option to get an upgrade.
This works. I have had myself status matched on National and on Hertz. Try it. You will like it and it was easy.
Exactly. If you choose a small car because you want to save on gas, there is nothing more annoying than being upgraded to a big truck because they have handed out the car that you ordered! It’s happened so many times with Avis, that I stopped using them.
I’m also liking the fact that with Hertz gold you can earn reward points to transfer to various airlines or hotels schemes!
I generally take the cheapest company. Upgrades are more important to my wife. This may be a good way to satisfy both of us. Thanks for the tip.
Usually I find the lowest pricing through Costco.
American cars are already big enough and guzzle enough gas for my liking. So a larger car doesn’t do it for me – I want the one I booked.
Now, if you could complimentary upgrade to convertibles in summer or SUVs in the wintertime… 🙂
I’m hesitant to join rental cars programs due to a rise of rideshare and other alternatives.
Great tips! Thanks.
I used my Hertz Gold in Italy recently. Worked great, got a brand new AUDI for the same price I of a FIAT…
The CSR Includes National Executive Status, and up to 25% off rentals. CSR holders also enjoy up to 30% off Avis rentals, but I don’t believe here is any program status offered.
Hertz us really good with upgrades if you have platinum status. You just have to book a mid size and they will give you the best all the way up to a luxury car if available.
I wish I got that as a President’s Circle! 🙁
As someone who prefers to drive a small car – particularly for ease of parking in the city – I hate it when I get upgraded to a bigger car!
I love using dollar due to their generous points earning with some airlines!
I often don’t really want an upgrade.. it depends but sometimes I just need a small car and don’t need the extra fuel usage if s big one.
Autoslash works great and is very helpful!
Good info. I am always bouncing between vendors. I have used AAA which often has the upgrade coupon codes
I never knew about these hacks! Awesome!
I just rented a car…tried to look up all this info before but was on a time crunch, thank you for putting it all in one place! I used an AMEX card which gave me a free upgrade and 5% off, meh not great but not bad….need to delve into this deeper. Thank you for the inspiration.
I somehow get lucky and often get offered a free upgrade…
personally I’m not a big fan of rental car upgrades as I prefer smaller cars, haha.
I normally rent intermediate size cars from Avis. I will not turn down a free upgrade to a full size sedan, however I have turned down complimentary upgrades to a full size SUV’s, especially in CA where has prices are high.
Im only Elite at Hertz – but having rented a Car in Germany, they gave me…nothing except exactly the car I had ordered…Not what i hoped for.
Did i do anything wrong with booking?
I do Avis, but I think service/quality is often location (not brand) dependent.
National are also my favourite and in my experience the most reliable.
After Hertz moved our car reservation from Rock Springs, WY to Ogden, UT (250 miles away) without telling us we really don’t feel good about any car rental companies.
Through my credit cards I do have status with several rental companies. However, unlike on planes or hotels, I DON’T like to get car upgrades. All I need is to get from place to place. Why do I want a car with a larger gas tank that will be more expensive to fill before I turn it in?
an excellent way to status match . @ Bouncer AVIS is also good in SA . I found the rates competitive to the others .
I also find national to be very good. At least with car rentals credit card perks are exponentially better and much easier to use
In my experience, if you want a free upgrade, you can find a coupon as noted…even if not an elite.
Just checked out out status matcher now. Lots of data, could be easier to read but useful site. Thanks.
Although I’m heavily into airline and hotel programs, I’ve not got into car rental programs yet, as I’ve only recently started having the time for road trips. Going forward I anticipate an average of about 30-40 days rentals each year, split between several countries (the main ones being USA and South Africa). I guess Hertz is a good place to start?
Personally, National is my favorite based on the past few years, but I typically go with them or Hertz.