Most people treat rental cars as a commodity: you book the cheapest economy car and hope you get something reasonable at the counter. Elite status turns that dynamic upside down. With top-tier status at National or Hertz, you walk past the counter entirely, go directly to the premium car lot, and choose any vehicle in the row. Upgrades to SUVs and full-size vehicles are standard. No upselling, no waiting.
Earning this status the traditional way means renting 15–20+ times per year. The shortcut: several premium travel credit cards include complimentary elite status at one or more rental car companies as a card benefit. You get the status automatically, just by holding the card.
Which Cards Offer Rental Car Elite Status
| Card | Rental Car Status Included |
|---|---|
|
$695 annual fee
|
National Executive Elite, Hertz President's Circle, Avis President's Club, Silvercar Discount |
|
$795 annual fee
|
National Executive Elite, Avis Preferred Plus |
|
$695 annual fee
|
National Executive Elite, Hertz President's Circle, Avis President's Club |
|
$395 annual fee
|
Hertz President's Circle |
The Amex Platinum offers the broadest coverage top-tier status at National, Hertz, and Avis simultaneously. If you hold the Platinum, you have meaningful elite benefits at all three major rental car companies without any additional qualification.
National Executive Elite: The Best in the Business
National Executive Elite is widely regarded as the best rental car status in the industry. The key benefit is the Executive Area selection: instead of being assigned a specific car, you choose any vehicle in the Executive Area lot which typically includes full-size sedans, SUVs, minivans, and premium vehicles. You can walk the row, pick the cleanest car, or pick the model you prefer, and drive straight to the exit. No counter interaction required.
National Executive Elite also includes guaranteed car class availability (National will honor your reservation category even if they have to upgrade you), expedited return processing, and bonus points earning in the National Emerald Club program.
National Executive Elite lets you skip the counter entirely and choose your own car from the executive row.
Hertz President's Circle: Counter Bypass at 100+ Locations
Hertz President's Circle is the top tier of the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program. The core benefit is similar to National: you bypass the main counter at most locations and go directly to your car, which will be pre-assigned or chosen from the PC row. Hertz has been expanding counter bypass availability, and it now works at most major airport locations.
President's Circle members also receive guaranteed upgrades when available, complimentary additional driver on every rental (normally $15–$20/day), and priority service when issues arise. The complimentary additional driver benefit alone can save hundreds of dollars annually for anyone who regularly rents with a partner or spouse.
Simply holding the card is not enough you need to register your status with each rental company. For Amex Platinum status benefits, log into your Amex account, navigate to Card Benefits, and follow the enrollment links for each rental company. You'll receive a membership number to use when booking. Always book using your status member number to ensure benefits are applied.
What Elite Status Gets You in Practice
Skip the Counter
This is the most valuable day-to-day benefit. Rental car counters can involve 20–30 minute waits during peak travel periods. Elite status means you go straight to your car. After a long flight, this alone makes the status worth having.
Free Upgrades
Book a midsize, get an SUV. At National with Executive Elite, you're choosing from the entire executive row regardless of what you booked. Hertz President's Circle upgrades you when available which, at most locations, is the majority of the time.
Complimentary Additional Driver
Hertz President's Circle includes a free additional driver on every rental. This is normally $13–$20 per day, capped at around $70 per rental. On a week-long trip with a partner, this saves $70–$140 per rental.
Better Primary Insurance
Many premium cards that confer rental status also include primary rental car insurance meaning your personal auto insurance isn't involved in a claim. Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum both include primary rental coverage when you pay with the card, which can eliminate the need to purchase the rental company's CDW coverage.
Guaranteed Availability
National Executive Elite guarantees your booked car class will be available when you arrive. If they can't fulfill the class you booked, they're obligated to upgrade you. This matters most during busy holiday weekends when rental companies frequently oversell their fleets.
Stacking Rental Status with Discounts
Elite status reduces friction and improves your experience, but it doesn't automatically lower your rental rate. Pair it with discount programs to get the best price alongside the best service.
The Amex Platinum includes access to Silvercar discounts Silvercar is an Audi-only rental service that offers consistent quality and no-upsell pricing. For corporate travelers, many employers have negotiated rates with National and Hertz that, when combined with elite status, deliver the best possible combination of price and experience.
Several membership programs also unlock discounts that stack with status: Costco Travel frequently has the lowest base rates on Hertz rentals, and USAA members get access to fleet pricing at multiple companies. Book through Costco or similar discount portals using your member number from your elite status enrollment to get both the discount rate and the elite benefits.
Is Rental Car Status Worth It on Its Own?
If you rent cars several times per year, the answer is clearly yes. Skipping 20-minute counter lines, upgrading from a compact to an SUV at no charge, and not paying for an additional driver adds up quickly to real dollar value.
The better framing: rental car elite status is a bonus perk that comes with cards you'd likely hold anyway for their points, travel credits, and lounge access. The Amex Platinum's $695 annual fee is difficult to justify on rental status alone, but when stacked against the $200 airline fee credit, lounge access, hotel status, and Global Entry credit, the rental benefit becomes a material addition to an already strong package.
Always enroll in the rental company's loyalty program alongside your credit card status. Even with complimentary elite status through a card, you still need to be a member to have a number to enter at booking. National's Emerald Club and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards are free to join and required to receive the status benefits.
- Amex Platinum Hidden Value The full list of Platinum benefits
- Chase Sapphire Benefit Stack Maximize every Sapphire Reserve perk
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Sign up to activate President's Circle benefits
- Hotel Status Match Strategy Get hotel elite status the same way
- National Emerald Club Sign up to receive Executive Elite status via card
For informational purposes only, not financial or professional advice. Card offers, rental program terms, and status benefits are subject to change. Verify current benefits directly with your card issuer. This site may earn compensation through affiliate links at no cost to you.
