Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
Part of Avis Preferred hub · National Emerald Club hub
GUIDE
How to qualify for car rental loyalty tiers
Car rental loyalty tiers are earned by reaching a set number of rentals or a set amount of qualifying spend, with the threshold set by each programme: at Avis Preferred, Avis Preferred Plus is earned after 10 rentals or US$4,000 spent and Avis President's Club after 20 rentals or US$6,000 spent, as of 18 October 2026. [7] National Car Rental's Emerald Club instead counts 1 rental credit for every qualified car rental, with 7 credits making a free rental day. [9]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Avis sets its own tier thresholds in rentals or in dollars spent: Avis Preferred Plus after 10 rentals or US$4,000, and Avis President's Club after 20 rentals or US$6,000, as of 18 October 2026. [7]
- The earning rate rises with the Avis level, from 1 point per US$1 of rental spend at Avis Preferred to 1.5 points at Avis President's Club. [7]
- National Emerald Club counts rentals in credits, with 1 rental credit for every qualified car rental and a free rental day at 7 credits. [9]
- Terms are programme-specific and can be limited by market or vehicle: Avis upgrades exclude large SUVs and the Signature Fleet, and Emerald Aisle access is described for the US and Canada. [7] [9]
How are Avis Preferred tiers earned?
Avis Preferred is the loyalty programme of Avis Rent a Car, and it lists three levels of membership: Avis Preferred, Avis Preferred Plus and Avis President's Club. [7] Advancement from one level to the next is stated in rentals or in dollars spent on rentals, and Avis attaches its own threshold to each higher level. [7]
| Level | How the level is earned | Points per US$1 of rental spend | Points per US$1 of accessory spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avis Preferred | Entry level; a minimum of 100 points every rental | 1 | 2 |
| Avis Preferred Plus | After 10 rentals or US$4,000 spent | 1.25 | 2.5 |
| Avis President's Club | After 20 rentals or US$6,000 spent | 1.5 | 3 |
Points are earned on two separate kinds of spend, the rental itself and accessories, and both rates step up at each level. [7] Avis Preferred members earn a minimum of 100 points on every rental, and renting within the first three months of joining adds 100 bonus points. [7] The dollar values Avis shows are stated in US Dollars. [7]
Higher levels also carry vehicle benefits: Avis Preferred Plus includes a free one car class upgrade and Avis President's Club a free two car class upgrades, in each case when reserving a midsize car or above, subject to availability and excluding large SUVs and the Signature Fleet. [7]
Points are redeemed for rental day rewards and accessories. Reward days start at 700 points with no blackout dates, and accessories are 250 points each per day. [7] The price of a reward day is grouped into four levels based on the standard base rate, the car class and the location of the rental, from 700 points a day where the base rate is up to US$50 to 3,500 points a day where the base rate is between US$125.01 and US$225. [7] That standard base rate excludes Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) rates, special rates and other offers. [7]
How do National Emerald Club rentals count towards rewards?
Emerald Club is the loyalty programme of National Car Rental, and it counts rentals in credits rather than in dollars: members earn 1 rental credit for every qualified car rental, and a free rental day takes 7 credits, for a car up to midsize. [9]
Membership also changes how a rental is picked up. On the Emerald Aisle, a member can choose any car of midsize or above and pay only the midsize rate, at locations in the US and Canada. [9] National also describes Emerald Checkout at Emerald Aisle locations as a way to complete the rental in three steps. [9]
What limits apply?
- Two routes to the same level. Avis states each higher level as reachable by a number of rentals or by a spend amount, so a member who rents often and a member who spends more per rental are both measured against the same threshold. [7]
- Spend is counted by category. Rental spend and accessory spend earn at different rates at every Avis level, and the accessory rate is roughly double the rental rate. [7]
- Reward prices move with the rental. A reward day is priced by the standard base rate, car class and location, so the same day can cost a different number of points depending on what is booked. [7]
- Vehicle and availability conditions. Avis upgrades apply when reserving a midsize car or above and are subject to availability, with large SUVs and the Signature Fleet excluded. [7]
- Market limits. National describes Emerald Aisle access for locations in the US and Canada, while listing National locations worldwide. [9]
- Metrics are not shared between programmes. Avis expresses its thresholds in rentals or dollars and National expresses its rewards in rental credits, so a threshold or earning rate from one programme does not describe another. [7] [9]
- Value of the credit. A National free rental day is for a car up to midsize, so the credit is tied to that car class. [9]
Frequently asked questions
How many rentals do you need for Avis Preferred Plus?
Avis lists Avis Preferred Plus as earned after 10 rentals or US$4,000 spent. [7]
How much spend reaches Avis President's Club?
Avis President's Club is listed as earned after 20 rentals or US$6,000 spent, with the dollar figures on the Avis page stated in US Dollars. [7]
How many National rentals earn a free rental day?
Emerald Club members earn 1 rental credit for every qualified car rental, and a free rental day takes 7 credits for a car up to midsize. [9]
Do higher Avis levels earn points faster?
Yes. The rate rises from 1 point per US$1 of rental spend at Avis Preferred to 1.25 points at Avis Preferred Plus and 1.5 points at Avis President's Club, and from 2 to 3 points per US$1 on accessories. [7]
Where can Emerald Club members use the Emerald Aisle?
National describes Emerald Aisle access at locations in the US and Canada, where a member can choose any car of midsize or above and pay the midsize rate. [9]
Sources
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and Enterprise Plus are not covered here; their own programme pages and the car rental loyalty programmes overview cover those programmes.
- Avis Preferred programme, levels and earning rates, checked 18 October 2026
- National Car Rental Emerald Club programme, checked 18 October 2026