Rental-car elite status unlocks excellent benefits such as upgrades, extra points, free additional drivers, and better customer service.
I have been Hertz President’s Circle for the last two years, so I will teach you everything you need to know about Hertz President’s Circle in this ultimate guide.
Let’s dive right in.
What is Hertz President's Circle?
Hertz President’s Circle is the top-tier elite status of the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program.
This level is above Hertz Five Star status but below Hertz’s super-elite invite-only Platinum status.
How to Earn President's Circle Status
You can earn Hertz President’s Circle elite status each year by either:
- Completing 20 rentals OR
- Spending $4,000
You can also earn Hertz President’s Circle status by holding:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review)
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (review)
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (review)
You can also earn Hertz President’s Circle status by being an elite member:
If you want Hertz President’s Circle, opening the Capital One Venture X card is a great deal since 20 rentals a year is a lot!
You get free President’s Circle status for you and up to four authorized users with the Venture X.
Plus, a $300 travel credit, primary rental car insurance, free access to 1,300+ airport lounges, 10,000 miles every account anniversary, and 10x miles on hotels and rental cars books through the Capital One Travel portal.
The Venture X has a $395 annual fee, but you make a profit of $5 each year with the $300 travel credit and 10,000-anniversary miles (worth at least $100). Plus, President’s Circle for five people.
- bonus_miles_full
- $300 Annual Credit for Bookings through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 Miles for Each Account Anniversary
- Hertz President’s Circle Elite Status
- Airport Lounge Access (Priority Pass, Capital One, & Plaza Premium)
- 10X Miles on Hotels and Rental Cars, and 5x Miles on Flights Booked with Capital One Travel
- 2X Miles on All Other purchases
- $395 Annual Fee
Enrolling Via the Capital One Venture X
If you already have the Capital One Venture X card, you can easily upgrade your Hertz Gold account to President’s Circle status.
All you have to do is:
- Sign into Capital One
- Click “Redeem” in the Rewards box
- Click “Benefits” at the top of the page
- Click “Hertz President’s Circle Status”
- Fill out your information in the screenshot below.
Enrolling Via the Platinum or Business Platinum
You can easily enroll in President’s Circle for either Platinum Card or Business Platinum Card by:
- Signing into your American Express account.
- Choose your Platinum or Business Platinum card from your list of American Express cards.
- Click “Explore Your Travel Benefits” (alternatively, at the top of the page, click “Rewards and Benefits” then “Benefits”)
- Find “Car Rental Privileges” and click “Learn More.”
- Scroll to Hertz and click “Enroll with Hertz.”
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- Potentially Higher Welcome Bonus via Referral.
- 5x Points on Flights Booked Directly With Airlines (up to $500,000 in purchases each calendar year)
- Airport Lounge Access (Centurion, Delta Sky Club, Priority Pass, Escape, and Plaza Premium)
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- $695 Annual Fee (Rates & Fees)
Status Match to Hertz Gold Rewards
You can match your status with another car rental company to Hertz for President’s Circle status.
You will need either:
- Avis President’s Club
- Enterprise Plus Platinum
- National Executive Elite
- Avis Preferred Plus (above 25 rentals)
All you need to do is fill out your information and provide proof of your elite status at Avis, Enterprise, or National.
Hertz President's Circle Benefits
Hertz President’s Circle comes with many great benefits, including upgrades, extra points, and better customer service.
Ultimate Choice President's Circle Aisle
Members can choose any car in the President’s Circle aisle at Hertz Ultimate Choice airport locations when you book an intermediate/midsize car or higher.
This is one of the best perks of President’s Circle because you might be able to score some very nice Infinitis, Mercedes Benz, Ford Mustangs, Chevy Camaros, or a luxury SUV.
50% Points Bonus
Members earn 1.5 points per dollar (50% bonus) on rental rates, excluding taxes and fees.
For context, you would have to spend $500 with Hertz as a President’s Circle member to earn a free rental day for a standard vehicle.
Whereas, a Gold member would have to spend $750 for a free rental day.
Below is the award chart for redeeming your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points.
| Rental Type | Standard Reward | AnyDay Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 750 points per day | 1,500 points per day |
| One-Way | 1,500 points per day | 3,000 points per day |
| Specialty Vehicles | 1,500 points per day | 3,000 points per day |
| Adrenaline Collection | 2,200 points per day | 4,400 points per day |
| Prestige Collection | 2,500 points per day | 5,000 points per day |
| Weekly Rental | 3,750 points per week | 7,500 points per week |
| Weekly Rental (One-Way) | 7,500 points per week | 15,000 points per week |
Guaranteed Upgrades
President’s Circle members are guaranteed upgrades to the next available car class or the ability to choose a car from the President’s Circle Ultimate Choice aisle if you booked an intermediate car or higher.
However, my experience as a President’s Circle member is that neighborhood (non-airport) locations frequently don’t honor the guaranteed upgrade and try to up-sell an upgrade instead.
Dedicated Hertz Rewards Line
Members can reach a customer service agent faster by calling the dedicated elite phone number (1-888-444-8600).
Free Additional Driver
All Hertz Gold Plus members may add their spouse or domestic partner for free to rentals.
If you want to add a non-spouse to the rental, you will have to pay the standard additional driver fee.
Exception: No additional fee for any authorized driver if you booked the USAA rate or the AAA rate and both drivers are AAA members.
The Verdict
Hertz President’s Circle is a great option if you frequently rent from Ultimate Choice airport locations so that you can take advantage of the better selection of cars.
Getting President’s Circle status via the Capital One Venture X, American Express Platinum, or Business Platinum from American Express is an easy option if you want the benefits of the President Circle without the hassle of renting at least 20 times per year.
- bonus_miles_full
- $300 Annual Credit for Bookings through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 Miles for Each Account Anniversary
- Hertz President’s Circle Elite Status
- Airport Lounge Access (Priority Pass, Capital One, & Plaza Premium)
- 10X Miles on Hotels and Rental Cars, and 5x Miles on Flights Booked with Capital One Travel
- 2X Miles on All Other purchases
- $395 Annual Fee
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
