Avis President's Club is a free loyalty program that gives you discounts on car rentals and perks like upgrades and late checkout

Avis President's Club is Avis's rewards program for frequent renters. You join at no cost, and the program tracks your rentals to unlock discounts, car upgrades, and other benefits. Unlike some car rental loyalty programs that charge annual fees, President's Club membership itself is free — you only pay for the actual rental.

The program works by linking your membership number to your Avis account. Every time you rent through Avis, your rental counts toward your membership tier and earns you points. Those points can be redeemed for free rental days or upgrades. The more you rent, the more benefits unlock.

Key Takeaways

  • Avis President's Club membership costs nothing to join and is free to maintain as long as you rent occasionally.
  • Members earn points on every rental that can be redeemed for free days or car upgrades.
  • The program offers tier levels — the more you rent, the higher your tier and the better your perks become.
  • Benefits typically include may provide car availability, priority service, and the option to skip the rental counter entirely.
  • You can enroll online or at any Avis location in minutes using your driver's license and email address.

How points and tier levels work

When you complete a rental through Avis, you earn points based on the rental cost and your membership tier. A standard member might earn one point per dollar spent, while higher tiers earn more points per dollar. Points accumulate in your account and can be used toward free rental days — typically, a certain number of points equals one free day.

Avis President's Club has multiple tier levels: standard, Silver Elite, Gold Elite, and Platinum Elite. You move up tiers by reaching rental milestones — usually measured in number of rentals or total rental days per year. Each tier unlocks additional benefits. For example, Platinum Elite members may receive complimentary upgrades on every rental, while Silver Elite members might get upgrades on select rentals.

Your tier status resets annually, usually on your membership anniversary. If you rent frequently for business travel or regular leisure trips, you may reach higher tiers and maintain them year to year. If you rent less often, you stay at the standard level, which still includes basic discounts and point earning.

Common member benefits across all tiers

All President's Club members receive a base set of benefits regardless of tier. These include discounted rates compared to walk-up pricing, the ability to earn and redeem points, and access to Avis's online reservation system with member-only rates.

Members also get priority customer service — you can call a dedicated phone line for faster information rather than waiting in the general queue. Many members appreciate the option to skip the rental counter entirely and go straight to their car, which saves time at busy locations. Some members can use the Avis mobile app to unlock their car and drive off without stopping at the counter.

Additional perks often include late checkout options (keeping your rental an extra few hours without extra charge), free additional driver additions, and discounts on insurance upgrades. The exact perks vary by tier and can change, so it's worth checking your account to see what's currently available to you.

How to enroll and link your membership

You can join Avis President's Club online through the Avis website or mobile app, or in person at any Avis rental location. The process takes just a few minutes. You'll need your driver's license, email address, and a phone number. Avis will assign you a membership number when ready.

Once enrolled, link your membership number to any future Avis reservation. You can do this when booking online, through the app, or by providing your number at the rental counter. Make sure the name on your membership matches your driver's license — this ensures your points and benefits are credited correctly.

If you already have an Avis account but haven't joined President's Club, you can add the membership to your existing account. Your previous rentals may count toward your tier status once you enroll, depending on how long ago they occurred and Avis's current policies.

Redeeming points and using upgrades

Points in your President's Club account can be redeemed through the Avis website or app. You typically select a free rental day option and choose the dates you want to use it. Some members prefer to save points for longer trips, while others redeem smaller amounts for short weekend rentals.

Upgrade benefits work differently depending on your tier. Higher tiers receive may provide upgrades on every rental — you'll automatically get a car in a higher class than what you booked. Lower tiers may receive complimentary upgrades on a limited number of rentals per year, or upgrades may be offered based on availability at the time of rental.

Both points and upgrade benefits have expiration dates. Points typically expire if your account is inactive for a set period, and annual upgrade allotments reset each membership year. Check your account regularly to see your current balance and expiration dates so you don't lose unused benefits.

President's Club versus other Avis programs

Avis President's Club is the main consumer loyalty program and is separate from Avis Preferred, which is a faster check-in service for members who want to skip paperwork. Some members use both — Preferred handles the counter process, while President's Club tracks your rentals and rewards.

Corporate renters sometimes have access to Avis corporate accounts with negotiated rates, which may or may not stack with President's Club benefits. If you rent through your employer's corporate account, check whether you can also enroll in President's Club to earn personal points and benefits.

Avis also partners with credit card companies and airline loyalty programs. Some credit cards offer accelerated point earning when you rent through Avis, and some airline programs let you transfer Avis points to airline miles. These partnerships can increase the value of your membership if you also use those other programs.

What to know about membership maintenance

President's Club membership doesn't require an annual fee or minimum rental activity to stay active. However, your tier status does reset annually and is based on your rental activity in the previous 12 months. If you don't rent during a year, you'll drop back to the standard tier, but you keep your membership and can start earning toward a higher tier again whenever you rent.

Your membership number and account information stay with you as long as you keep the account open. Avis doesn't close inactive accounts when ready, but it's a good idea to check your account periodically to make sure your contact information is current and your points balance is accurate.

If you move or change your email address, update your account details in the Avis system so you receive communications about promotions, point expiration notices, and tier status changes. Avis sometimes sends bonus point offers to active members, and you don't want to miss those notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay anything to join Avis President's Club?

No. Membership is free to join and free to maintain. You only pay for the actual car rental itself. There are no annual fees or membership dues.

Can I use my points if I rent through a third-party booking site?

It depends on the site and how the reservation is processed. Points are most reliably earned when you book directly through Avis's website or app and provide your membership number. Some third-party sites may not credit points to your account. When booking elsewhere, confirm that your membership number is attached to the reservation.

What happens to my points if I don't use them?

Points expire after a period of inactivity, typically 12 to 24 months depending on Avis's current policy. Check your account regularly to see your point balance and expiration dates. You can redeem points anytime before they expire through the Avis website or app.

How long does it take to move up to a higher tier?

Tier advancement depends on how many rentals or rental days you complete in a year. The exact thresholds vary, but frequent business travelers often reach higher tiers within a few months, while occasional renters may stay at standard tier. Avis shows your progress toward the next tier in your account.

Can I combine President's Club benefits with a corporate rental account?

Many employers allow you to enroll in President's Club even when renting through a corporate account. Your personal points and tier status build separately from your corporate account benefits. Contact your company's travel coordinator or Avis directly to confirm whether both can be used together on the same rental.