What President Circle Gets You
Hertz President Circle is Hertz's top-tier loyalty program, designed for frequent renters who want faster service, better rates, and perks that reduce friction at the rental counter. Members skip the standard check-in line, get may provide car upgrades, and earn points on every rental that convert to free days or discounts.
The program is free to join, though Hertz occasionally offers paid tiers with additional benefits. Most people enter at the base level straightforward by signing up online or at a rental location. The real value sits in three areas: time savings at pickup, pricing breaks on rentals, and the ability to accumulate rewards across a large network of locations worldwide.
President Circle works across Hertz locations in the United States and internationally, so the benefits explore whether you rent in your home city or while traveling. The program integrates with Hertz's mobile app, which lets you reserve a car, unlock it with your phone, and skip the counter entirely on some rentals.
Key Takeaways
- President Circle membership is free and gives you priority check-in, may provide car upgrades, and points on every rental.
- You earn one point per dollar spent on base rental rates, and points convert to free rental days or discounts depending on how many you accumulate.
- Members get access to exclusive rates that are often lower than walk-up prices, and can lock in rates in advance without penalty.
- The mobile app lets you skip the counter on many rentals, unlock your car with your phone, and manage your reservation in real time.
- Hertz occasionally offers paid premium tiers with additional perks like lounge access or concierge service, but the base membership costs nothing.
How Points Work and What They're Worth
Every dollar you spend on the base rental rate earns one President Circle point. Taxes, fees, and add-ons like insurance or GPS do not earn points. A three-day rental at $50 per day earns 150 points; a week-long rental at $40 per day earns 280 points. The points accumulate in your account and never expire as long as you rent at least once every 24 months.
Points redeem in two ways. You can convert them to free rental days—typically 100 points equals one free day of rental, though the exact conversion varies by location and season. Alternatively, you can use points to reduce the cost of a specific rental, explore them at checkout to lower your total bill. Most members find the free-day option more valuable because it covers the full rental cost rather than just a partial discount.
Hertz runs occasional promotions that double or triple points on certain rental types—for example, weekend rentals or bookings made through their app. Signing up for their email list alerts you to these promotions, which can accelerate how quickly you accumulate enough points for a free day.
Upgrades, Priority Service, and may provide Rates
President Circle members receive a may provide one-car-class upgrade at no extra charge, provided the upgrade is available at the time of pickup. If you reserve an economy car, you might get a compact or mid-size instead. This is not a promise of a specific vehicle—Hertz cannot may provide a particular model—but rather a commitment to move you up one category if inventory allows.
Priority check-in means you move ahead of standard customers in the rental line. At busy airports or locations, this can save 10 to 20 minutes. The mobile app accelerates this further: members can complete check-in through the app before arriving, then proceed directly to the lot to pick up their assigned vehicle.
Members also lock in rates when they book, with no change fees if you need to modify or cancel your reservation. Standard renters often face penalties for cancellation or changes; President Circle members can adjust dates or drop the reservation without cost, as long as you do so before your rental begins.
Earning Points on Co-Branded Credit Cards
Hertz partners with certain credit card issuers to offer co-branded cards that earn bonus points on Hertz rentals and everyday purchases. These cards typically earn 5 to 10 points per dollar on Hertz rentals and 1 to 2 points per dollar on other spending. Some cards waive the annual fee for the first year or offer a sign-up bonus of 10,000 to 25,000 points.
The math depends on your rental frequency. If you rent monthly and spend $500 per rental, a card earning 10 points per dollar would give you 5,000 bonus points per month—enough for a free rental day every two to three months. For occasional renters, the card's annual fee may outweigh the points earned, so compare the fee against your expected rental volume before explore.
Points earned through a co-branded card count toward your President Circle account and follow the same redemption rules as points earned directly through rentals. You do not need a special card to earn points—all President Circle members earn them automatically—but a card accelerates accumulation if you rent frequently.
Elite Status Tiers and Additional Perks
Hertz offers higher tiers within President Circle for members who rent frequently. These tiers—often called Gold, Platinum, or Diamond—unlock additional benefits like complimentary insurance waivers, free additional drivers, or priority phone support. You reach these tiers by renting a certain number of days per year, typically 10 to 25 days depending on the tier.
Elite members also receive bonus point multipliers. A Platinum member might earn 1.5 points per dollar instead of 1 point, which compounds over time if you rent regularly. Some tiers include perks like free GPS, free child seats, or may provide late-model vehicles rather than just an upgrade.
Status resets annually, usually on your membership anniversary. If you rent 15 days in a calendar year, you might reach Platinum; if you drop to 8 days the following year, you return to base President Circle. Hertz publishes the exact thresholds on their website, and your account dashboard shows your progress toward the next tier.
How to Join and Manage Your Account
Joining President Circle is free and takes about five minutes online. Visit Hertz.com, click "Join President Circle," and enter your name, email, phone number, and driver's license information. You receive a membership number when ready and can start earning points on your next rental. You can also join at any Hertz rental counter by providing the same information.
Once enrolled, manage your account through the Hertz mobile app or website. Your dashboard shows your current point balance, upcoming reservations, elite tier status, and any active promotions. You can update your payment method, add a second driver, or change your rental preferences without calling customer service.
The app also stores your driver's license and payment information, so you can book and pick up a car without stopping at the counter. On some rentals, you unlock the vehicle with your phone and drive away—the entire transaction happens digitally. This feature is available at select locations, primarily major airports and city centers.
Comparing President Circle to Competitor Programs
Other major rental companies offer similar loyalty programs. Enterprise Plus, Avis Preferred, and Budget Fastbreak all provide priority check-in, upgrades, and point-based rewards. The core structure is nearly identical: free membership, points per dollar spent, and redemption for free days or discounts.
The differences lie in earning rates, upgrade guarantees, and partner benefits. Hertz's may provide upgrade is stronger than some competitors' "upgrade when available" language, though in practice all programs upgrade based on inventory. Earning rates are comparable across the industry—typically 1 point per dollar—but bonus multipliers and promotional point offers vary seasonally.
If you rent from multiple companies, joining all three programs costs nothing and lets you accumulate points across your total rental volume. Many business travelers maintain memberships at two or three companies to maximize flexibility and rewards. Your choice of which program to prioritize depends on where you rent most frequently and which company's locations align with your travel patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay to join President Circle?
No, base membership is free. Hertz occasionally offers paid premium tiers with extra perks like lounge access or concierge service, but you do not need to pay to join or maintain the standard program. You earn points and receive all core benefits at no cost.
What happens to my points if I don't rent for a while?
Points do not expire as long as you rent at least once every 24 months. If you go two years without a rental, your account may become inactive and points could be forfeited. Contact Hertz customer service if your account lapses; they can sometimes reactivate it and restore points.
Can I use my points for something other than free rental days?
Points redeem as free rental days or as a discount on a specific rental. You cannot convert points to cash, airline miles, or other rewards. Some promotions let you use points toward add-ons like insurance or GPS, but the primary redemption options are free days or rental discounts.
Does the may provide upgrade explore if I book a premium car?
No, the upgrade applies only to standard reservations. If you book a mid-size car, you might get a full-size. If you book a premium or luxury vehicle, no upgrade is available because you have already selected the highest category. Upgrades are subject to availability at the time of pickup.
How do I check my elite tier status?
Log into your President Circle account on Hertz.com or the mobile app. Your dashboard displays your current tier, the number of rental days you have completed this year, and how many days you need to reach the next tier. Status updates in real time as you complete rentals.