Rental Car Loyalty Programs: Free Upgrades Explained
See which rental tiers grant free upgrades, what to book, and which pickup limits decide what you drive.
Rental car loyalty programs give free upgrades by placing members in a larger vehicle class at the booked rate. Members usually need free enrollment, a midsize or larger reservation, and an available car at pickup. An upgrade means you pay the lower-class price but drive one class higher.
Each company sets its own tiers, booking rules, and location limits.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 02, 2026.
How does Hertz tier its upgrades?
Hertz says Gold Plus Rewards is free to join with three tiers. Five Star starts after 10 rentals or $2,000 spend, and President's Circle starts after 15 rentals or $3,000 spend. Five Star receives a one-car-class upgrade when cars are available, while President's Circle receives one up to full-size at participating locations, plus wider choice and more points for higher tiers, as detailed by Hertz in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards overview.
For example, a Five Star member might book a midsize car and drive a standard car if one is open. A President's Circle member booking the same class has stronger location-level assurance up to full-size.
What can you pick with National?
National's base Emerald Club lets a member who reserves midsize choose from the Emerald Aisle and pay the midsize rate. That functions as an upgrade when larger cars are parked there at participating U.S. and Canada locations.
Executive status needs 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days per calendar year and adds a free upgrade when reserving full-size through luxury vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, as described by National in the National Emerald Club benefits page. For example, you might reserve midsize and select a standard car from the aisle.
An Executive member reserving full-size could drive a larger class without added class charge when eligible.
How do Avis and Enterprise compare?
Avis Preferred gives Preferred Plus members a free one-car-class upgrade. President's Club members receive a free two-car-class upgrade. Both need a midsize-or-above reservation and depend on availability.
Specialty, large-SUV, luxury, van, and nonparticipating-location rentals fall outside the offer, as explained by Avis on the Avis Preferred program page. Enterprise Plus awards yearly one-car-class upgrade certificates by tier. Members earn about one for Silver, two for Gold, and four for Platinum.
Certificates apply to paid rentals at participating Enterprise locations up to full-size, as stated by Enterprise in the Enterprise Plus terms and conditions. Certificates differ from counter upgrades because you redeem a set number per year. Counter upgrades depend on what is parked and ready at pickup.
What should you check before pickup?
Availability controls most upgrades, so reserve a qualifying class at a participating location. Join the program before booking so the rental credits to your account. If the lot is full, keep your booked class and save any certificate for a trip with more choice.
- Join the free program before you book
- Reserve at least midsize at a participating location
- Arrive early and ask what is open in the next class