Avis Preferred: How to maximize points and status
With over 5,000 locations worldwide, you can find an Avis branch in most major cities. Its loyalty program, Avis Preferred, is free to join and can help you skip the line at the rental counter at some locations. Preferred members have their rental preferences and details on file, making picking up your vehicle quick and convenient.
Also, at some U.S. locations, Avis Preferred members can select their car on the mobile app. The mobile app lets you make reservations, view and modify bookings, access receipts and manage your Avis Preferred profile.
Ahead of what's likely to be a record-busy summer of travel, now is the perfect time to sign up for Avis Preferred status to save time in line and be on your way faster.
What is Avis Preferred?
Avis Preferred members can earn and redeem points for qualifying rentals. Preferred members also receive expedited service at some locations so you can go right to your car.
Avis Preferred elite status also entitles you to various benefits.
Avis Preferred elite status
Avis Preferred has two published elite status tiers. Here's an overview of some of the benefits you receive as an Avis Preferred elite member:
| Avis Preferred | Avis Preferred Plus | Avis President's Club | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications | Free to join, open to the public. | 10 rentals or spending $4,000 per calendar year. | 20 rentals or spending $6,000 per calendar year. |
| Point accrual rate | 1 point per dollar on rental cars.
2 points per dollar on accessories. | 1.25 points per dollar on rental cars.
2.5 points per dollar on accessories. | 1.5 points per dollar on rental cars.
3 points per dollar on accessories. |
| Expedited service | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Upgrades | Up to one class. | Up to two classes. | |
| Guaranteed vehicle | Up to full size with 24-hour notice. |
You can also earn Avis Preferred Plus status after earning 60,000 American Airlines Loyalty Points or by holding United Premier Silver or Gold status. Primary cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve are also eligible for Avis Preferred Plus status.
Avis President's Club is also available to those who earn 100,000 American Airlines Loyalty Points or United Premier Platinum, 1K or Global Services members. Primary card members of the United Club℠ Infinite Card, United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Card, United Club℠ Business Card and United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Business Card also are eligible for instant President's Club status.
If you don't have Avis status but hold another rental car status, you can submit a status match form here.
The information for the United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Card, United Club℠ Business Card and United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: United and Avis ink new partnership with free status matches, mileage redemptions
How to earn Avis Preferred points
You can earn Avis Preferred points or partner points and miles on qualifying Avis rentals. As a base Avis Preferred member, you earn 1 point per dollar spent on the base rate of your rental and 2 points per dollar spent on accessories like satellite radio and car seats.
You can also opt to earn partner points and miles instead of Avis Preferred points. Avis has over 50 airline partners and nine hotel partners. You can earn points with Avis' other partners, like Eurostar. Just note that for rentals in the United States, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix and Canada, you may be subject to a frequent flyer surcharge or excise tax if you earn airline miles or hotel points instead of Avis Preferred points. This generally costs $1.50 per rental day. To change your rewards preferences from Avis Preferred points to the loyalty program of your choice, log into your Avis Preferred account, go to your profile homepage, click "rewards," and then "edit."
You can then opt to receive partner points and miles.
After you enter your partner loyalty number and save your preferences, Avis will automatically start crediting points and miles to your partner account and charging you the frequent flyer surcharge/excise tax on qualifying rentals. As noted, you can't earn partner miles and Avis Preferred points on all rates.
Avis has negotiated rates for the members of many of its partners. For example, the United Airlines MileagePlus AWD (Avis Worldwide Discount) number drops the base price of this airport rental by over 50%.
You can use your partner program's AWD rate regardless of whether or not you're earning miles on your rental. Be prepared to present proof of your partner loyalty program membership if asked.
How to redeem Avis Preferred points
Avis advertises that you can redeem Avis Preferred points with no blackout dates. However, you can't redeem Avis points at all locations.
| Reward day level | Standard base rate (does not include AWDs, special rates or any other offers) | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Up to $50. | 700 points. |
| Level 2 | $50.01 to $85. | 1,400 points. |
| Level 3 | $85.01 to $125. | 2,100 points. |
| Level 4 | $125.01 to $225. | 3,500 points. |
To redeem points, log into your Avis account, enter your search criteria, select your car and apply your points at check out. You can refer to this page for more information on redeeming Avis points.
Related: How to redeem points and miles for car rentals
Best credit cards for Avis car rentals
Ideally, you should use a card that provides both Avis elite status and primary rental car insurance (on most rentals). The only major credit card that offers top-tier President's Circle status and primary rental car insurance on most Avis rentals is the United Club Infinite Card.
Other cards that offer primary rental insurance include:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card.
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card.
- United Explorer℠ Card.
- United Quest℠ Card.
- United Club Infinite Card.
- United Business℠ Card.
- Any American Express card that's enrolled in the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection program.*
*Eligibility and Benefit level vary by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc
Related: 9 rental car rewards programs you need to know about
Bottom line
In my experience as a President's Circle member, I haven't received nearly as many Avis upgrades, free days and the same quality of service as National Executive Elite.
However, Avis Preferred status can certainly make your travel more enjoyable by allowing you to bypass lines, track your rentals through the app and earn points toward free days. If you haven't signed up with Avis Preferred yet, we recommend joining for free.