Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
Part of Avis Preferred hub
GUIDE
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards vs Avis Preferred: programme rules
Avis Preferred is the free loyalty programme of Avis Rent A Car, in which members collect points for every qualifying dollar spent on a rental and redeem them for rental day rewards and accessories, with higher membership levels earning faster and adding free car-class upgrades. [2] This page sets out the published Avis Preferred rules — levels, earning, counter bypass, upgrades and redemption — with the conditions and exclusions Avis states for each; the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards side of the comparison is not covered here. [2]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Avis Preferred has three published levels, and the entry level shares the programme's name; points per dollar rise from Avis Preferred to Avis Preferred Plus to Avis President's Club. [2]
- Points are earned on qualifying spend, not on rentals alone, and the higher levels are reached after 10 rentals or US$4,000 spent, and 20 rentals or US$6,000 spent. [2]
- Reward days start at 700 points with no blackout dates, but the price in points is set by the rental's standard base rate, car class and location. [2]
- Expedited service is offered at most locations rather than all of them, and the free upgrades exclude large SUVs and Signature Fleet and depend on availability. [2]
What are the Avis Preferred levels and earning rates?
Avis publishes three membership levels — Avis Preferred, Avis Preferred Plus and Avis President's Club — and the entry level carries the same name as the programme itself. [2] Earnings are quoted per qualifying dollar spent, split between spend on the rental and spend on accessories, so the level a member holds changes both numbers. [2]
| Level | Points per US$1 on a rental | Points per US$1 on an accessory | Upgrade listed | How the level is reached |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avis Preferred | 1 | 2 | None listed | Free enrolment |
| Avis Preferred Plus | 1.25 | 2.5 | Free one car class | 10 rentals or US$4,000 spent |
| Avis President's Club | 1.5 | 3 | Free two car classes | 20 rentals or US$6,000 spent |
All of the figures above are as stated by Avis on its programme page, with dollar values shown in US Dollars. [2]
Avis also sets a floor and a joining incentive at the base level: an Avis Preferred member earns a minimum of 100 points on every rental, and a member who rents within the first three months of joining receives 100 bonus points. [2] At the same level, members can store rental preferences, track activity and rewards, and receive monthly email offers. [2] Because the higher levels can be reached either by rental count or by spend, a member with fewer rentals but a higher qualifying spend can reach the same level. [2]
How do you redeem Avis Preferred points for rental days?
Points can be spent on rental day rewards and on accessories. [2] Reward days start at 700 points and carry no blackout dates, while accessories are priced at 250 points each per day. [2] A reward day is not a single flat price: Avis groups reward days into four levels based on the standard base rate of the rental, its car class and its location, and the points needed per day rise with each level. [2]
| Reward day level | Standard base rate | Points per day |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Up to US$50 | 700 |
| Level 2 | US$50.01 – US$85 | 1,400 |
| Level 3 | US$85.01 – US$125 | 2,100 |
| Level 4 | US$125.01 – US$225 | 3,500 |
The standard base rate used to place a rental in one of these levels excludes any Avis Worldwide Discount code, special rates or other offers, so the level follows the underlying rate rather than the final price paid. [2]
Can you skip the counter and get an upgrade?
Avis Preferred advertises expedited service: members can go straight to their car rather than stopping at the rental counter, and the programme states this applies at most locations. [2]
Upgrades are attached to the higher levels and to the size of car booked. Avis Preferred Plus lists a free one car class upgrade and Avis President's Club lists a free two car class upgrade, both when a midsize car or above is reserved. [2] Avis states that these upgrades are subject to availability and exclude large SUVs and Signature Fleet. [2]
Avis also lists a vehicle guarantee — a car up to a full size with a confirmed reservation made 24 hours in advance — and a dedicated support phone number among the programme's benefits. [2]
Exceptions and limits
- Earning. The 100 bonus points apply only to a rental taken within the first three months of joining, and the 100-point minimum is stated for Avis Preferred members at the base level. [2] Points accrue per qualifying dollar, so the amounts depend on what is spent on the rental and on accessories separately. [2]
- Upgrades. The upgrade benefit applies when reserving a midsize car or above, is subject to availability, and excludes large SUVs and Signature Fleet; the number of classes granted depends on the level held. [2]
- Counter bypass. Expedited service and going straight to the car are described as available at most locations, not every location. [2]
- Reward pricing. The points needed for a reward day depend on the standard base rate excluding AWD codes, special rates and other offers, plus the car class and location, so the same number of points buys different rentals in different places. [2]
- Accessories. Accessory rewards are priced per day at 250 points each rather than as a single redemption. [2]
Frequently asked questions
How many points do you earn per dollar with Avis Preferred?
Base members earn 1 point per US$1 of qualifying rental spend and 2 points per US$1 on accessories, with a minimum of 100 points per rental; Avis Preferred Plus earns 1.25 and 2.5, and Avis President's Club earns 1.5 and 3. [2]
How do you reach Avis Preferred Plus or Avis President's Club?
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. [2]
Do Avis reward days have blackout dates?
Avis states that reward days start at 700 points with no blackout dates, though the number of points needed per day varies with the standard base rate, car class and location. [2]
Is the Avis Preferred upgrade always available?
No — the free one or two car class upgrades apply when reserving a midsize car or above, are subject to availability, and exclude large SUVs and Signature Fleet. [2]
Sources
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards is not covered here; its programme rules are described on the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards guide.
- Avis Preferred programme page, Avis Rent A Car, checked 18 October 2026