Avis Preferred: Status Levels, Perks & How to Join
For frequent global travelers or business commuters, the efficiency of the car-rental process often determines the overall quality of a trip. As a result, more and more travelers choose to join major rental car loyalty programs to enjoy faster service, better vehicle options, and exclusive perks. Among the many rental brands, Avis’s Avis Preferred loyalty program is undoubtedly one of the most popular. If you plan to rent through Avis, it’s worth signing up for an Avis Preferred membership.
This guide will walk you through everything from the basics of how Avis Preferred works, to its status tiers, enrollment steps, and the benefits offered at each level—so you can clearly understand how to maximize the value of every rental. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Avis Preferred program to make your travels even more rewarding.
What Is Avis Preferred and Why Is It Worth Joining?
Avis Preferred is a free loyalty program created by Avis for frequent renters. Once you register and become an Avis Preferred member, you can enjoy faster service at select locations, including expedited pickup, priority counters, and a smoother rental experience. For business travelers, frequent road-trip tourists, or anyone who regularly travels in regions like the U.S. and Europe, joining Avis Preferred can significantly improve the convenience of renting a car.
Additionally, Avis Preferred is completely free—simply sign up, and you can immediately start enjoying the benefits of the base tier. You can also earn and redeem points through qualifying rentals and other eligible activities.
How Does Avis Preferred Work? How Do Members Manage Their Accounts?
When it comes to how Avis Preferred works, this is something many people are curious about. The Avis Preferred program operates differently from traditional points-based systems. Its primary method of upgrading status is based on how frequently you rent with Avis and the length of your rental periods. In general, the Avis app automatically tracks your rental history and activity, then updates your membership level accordingly.
If you are already a member, you can manage your personal information, review rental history, and update payment methods directly through your account dashboard. To access your dashboard, simply use your Avis Preferred login on the Avis website or app. The process is straightforward to navigate.
As for the different Avis Status Levels and what each tier includes, I will explain them in detail in the following sections.
Avis Status Levels: A Complete Guide to the Tier Structure
Avis’s membership structure is quite straightforward, consisting of three tiers: Avis Preferred, Avis Preferred Plus, and Avis President’s Club. Becoming an Avis Preferred member is completely free—simply register and you can start using the program and enjoying its basic benefits. However, if you want to move up to Avis Preferred Plus or Avis President’s Club, you’ll need to put in a bit more effort. These tiers are determined by your annual rental frequency and total spending.
- Avis Preferred (Base Member): Free to join; benefits are available immediately.
- Avis Preferred Plus (Mid Tier): Requires 10 rentals or USD 4,000 in spending within a calendar year.
- Avis President’s Club (Top Tier): Requires 20 rentals or USD 6,000 in spending within a calendar year.
In short, the higher the tier, the more noticeable the benefits—such as better vehicle upgrades, priority service, and faster pickup. Next, I’ll break down the advantages and qualification requirements for each of these three levels.
Avis Preferred (Base Tier): Free, Fast, and No Requirements
If you’re using Avis Preferred for the first time, it’s recommended to start with the basic Avis Preferred membership. Any traveler can join the base tier for free through the Avis Preferred sign-up process. Simply register by providing your name, address, driver’s license details, credit card information, and other required personal data. Once your registration is complete, you can immediately enjoy the following benefits:
- Earn at least 100 points per rental, which can be redeemed for rental items and accessories
- Expedited pickup: skip the line and collect your keys faster
- Priority counter service
- Automatic storage of rental history
- Flexible discounts when combined with credit cards and promo codes
Although the base tier is free, it already offers a significant improvement in rental efficiency and is very practical for travelers who rent cars only a few times a year. You can avoid waiting in line at the rental counter and save valuable time during pickup.
Avis Preferred Plus: Higher Status, Better Cars
Avis Preferred Plus is the mid-tier level of Avis’s loyalty program and is often considered the most practical and cost-effective tier for frequent renters. Typically, you need to meet a certain number of annual rentals or spending to qualify for an upgrade.
How to Become an Avis Preferred Plus Member？
To qualify for Avis Preferred Plus, you must complete 10 rentals per year or spend around USD 4,000 on eligible Avis rentals within a calendar year (requirements may vary slightly by region).
Avis Preferred Plus benefits:
Once you join Avis Preferred Plus, the most popular perk is the vehicle upgrade benefit. These are commonly referred to as Avis Preferred Plus benefits, which include:
- Points can be used to redeem rental items and accessories.
- Complimentary vehicle upgrades (subject to availability)
- Priority access to reserved vehicle inventory
- Faster pickup at most locations
- Higher-tier customer service and exclusive monthly email offers
- Free one-class upgrade when booking a mid-size or larger vehicle, subject to availability (not applicable to large SUVs or Signature Fleet vehicles)
For travelers who take regular business trips or leisure trips each year, these upgrade benefits are significantly noticeable.
Avis President’s Club: The Top Elite Tier
Avis President’s Club is the highest elite status you can achieve within the Avis loyalty program. As Avis’s top-tier level, it can only be earned through qualifying rentals or spending. What sets the President’s Club apart is not just upgrades—it’s the guarantee of receiving a better vehicle. This is one of the most valued benefits for business travelers and corporate clients.
How to Become an Avis President’s Club Member?
To qualify for Avis President’s Club, you must complete 20 rentals in a calendar year or spend USD 6,000 on eligible Avis transactions within that year.
Avis President’s Club benefits include:
- Points can be redeemed for rental items and accessories
- Earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on rentals
- Earn 3 points per dollar spent on accessories
- Guaranteed vehicle availability—even during peak seasons or late-night pickups
- Free two-class upgrade when you book a mid-size or higher vehicle
(subject to availability; excludes large SUVs and Signature Fleet models) - Priority service at the counter
- Dedicated account manager (depending on region)
- Priority pickup and designated parking zones
If you travel abroad frequently for business, this tier can make your rental experience almost entirely wait-free.
Avis President’s Club Fast Track: VIP Hotel Flights
In addition to earning President’s Club through traditional rental activity and spending, there is another option: Avis President’s Club Fast Track — VIP Hotel Flights.
This is an accelerated upgrade pathway compared to the standard method. The advantage is that you don’t need to complete numerous rentals or spend a large amount of money to qualify. By simply placing an order of $200+ through our VIP Hotel Flights program, you can obtain two years of Avis President’s Club status.
Compared to completing 20 rentals or spending $6,000 within a year—both time-consuming and costly—this fast-track option is truly appealing. Once you place an order and submit the required upgrade information, your status is usually upgraded within two days. The entire process requires no challenges or further actions from you—efficient and fast.
Below is the entry point for this fast-track upgrade program.
Avis President’s Club Upgrade for 2 Year
The Avis President’s Club is the highest level in the Avis program, awarded after 20 rentals or spending $6,000. Now, there’s no need for a challenge; simply upgrade by subscribing to our Avis President’s Club membership.
Related Articles: How to Get Avis President’s Club Fast Track.
Chairman’s Club (invite only)
Chairman’s Club is a rather exclusive and somewhat mysterious tier—entry is by invitation only and not available to the general public. It is one of the premium benefits offered to members of Exclusive Resorts, a luxury vacation club known for its exceptionally high membership requirements. Rumor has it that the membership fee is around $150,000, and each stay at one of their properties requires an additional $1,395 per night, highlighting just how luxurious this program is.
As a Chairman’s Club member, you enjoy a range of elite, highly personalized services, including:
- Personal greeting service: At major airports in the U.S. and Canada, Avis staff will personally meet you and escort you directly to your vehicle.
- Guaranteed vehicle availability: No matter the season or how busy the location is, a car will always be reserved for you.
- Complimentary vehicle upgrades: Enjoy higher-tier vehicles depending on availability.
- Free delivery service: If you are within 25 miles of a participating location, you can have your rental car delivered to your doorstep at no extra cost.
How to Enroll in Avis Preferred
Joining Avis Preferred is very easy and takes only a few minutes to complete.
- Visit the official website or search for “Avis Preferred sign up” to access the Avis registration page.
- Fill in your basic personal information, including your name, contact details, driver’s license information, and payment method (optional—your account can be created even without adding a card).
- Set up your account and password, complete the verification process, and then use your Avis Preferred login to manage your membership.
- Once registered, you can start renting and accumulating your rental activity. The system will automatically track your rental days and number of rentals, and your membership tier will be upgraded based on your performance.
How to earn Avis Preferred points?
You can earn Avis Preferred points or partner points and miles when you rent with Avis on eligible bookings. Each rental earns a minimum of 100 points. This means that even a one-day rental costing $50 will still earn 100 points (without the minimum threshold, you would only earn 50 points). The table below provides a detailed breakdown of how points are earned.
| Avis Preferred Points Earning | Avis Preferred | Avis Preferred Plus | Avis President’s Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time & Mileage (Rental Charges) | $1 = 1 point | $1 = 1.25 points | $1 = 1.50 points |
| Optional Add-Ons (e.g., GPS, Satellite Radio) | $1 = 2 points | $1 = 2.5 points | $1 = 3 points |
| Points Earned from $1,000 in Rental Spend | 1,000 | 1,250 | 1,500 |
In addition to earning Avis’s own Avis Preferred Points, you can also choose to earn miles or points through Avis’s partner programs (such as airlines and hotel groups) instead of Avis points. In other words, you can use your car rentals as a way to accumulate airline miles or hotel points—an excellent option for travelers who prioritize their airline or hotel loyalty programs.
Note that each rental can only earn rewards in one system (either Avis points or partner program points/miles). You cannot earn both at the same time.
If you want to change your reward preference from Avis Preferred points to a partner loyalty program, simply log in to your Avis Preferred account, go to your profile page, select “Rewards”, and click Edit. From there, you can choose to earn partner points or miles.
How to redeem Avis Preferred Points?
Avis points have no blackout dates, but not all locations allow point redemptions. To redeem your points, simply log in to your Avis account, enter your search details, select a vehicle, and choose to apply your points at checkout. You can use Avis points to redeem free rental days, vehicle upgrades, or accessories such as ski racks and child booster seats.
The table below shows the number of points required per reward day. The standard base rate does not include any Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD), promotional rates, or other special offers. All amounts are shown in U.S. dollars.
| REWARD DAY LEVEL | STANDARD BASE RATE* | POINTS PER DAY |
| LEVEL 1 | UP TO $50 | 700 |
| LEVEL 2 | $50.01 – $85 | 1400 |
| LEVEL 3 | $85.01 – $125 | 2100 |
| LEVEL 4 | $125.01 – $225 | 3500 |
Credit Cards With Car Rental Benefits
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Rental Car Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | $95 | • Primary rental car insurance covering up to the cash value of most rentals. • Earn 5 points per dollar on car rentals booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. • Higher point value when redeeming through Chase for travel, including rental cars. |
| United℠ Explorer Card | $0 intro for the first year, then $150 | • Primary rental insurance covering up to the cash value of most rentals. • Additional United travel perks on the day of your trip, including free checked bags, priority boarding, and lounge passes. |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | $895 | • Complimentary elite status with Avis, Hertz, and National, offering upgrades and discounts. • Secondary rental car insurance. • Additional perks such as wide airport lounge access and hundreds of dollars in travel credits. Terms apply. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $795 | • Primary rental insurance with coverage up to $75,000. • Earn 8 points per dollar on rental cars booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. • Higher point value when redeeming through Chase for travel, including rental cars. • Special offers from Avis, National, and Silvercar. |
Tips for Using Avis Preferred: How to Upgrade Faster
If you want to upgrade to Avis Preferred Plus or President’s Club more quickly, several strategies can help you accelerate your progress.
First, always book in advance during peak seasons—not only does this help you secure a vehicle more easily, but it also increases your chances of receiving complimentary upgrades.
Second, pay attention to credit card partnership benefits. Some credit cards offer enhanced upgrades or additional rental privileges. If you frequently travel for business, many companies also have long-term corporate agreements with Avis, which can help you reach higher status levels more easily.
Lastly, I believe the fastest and simplest method is using the VIP Hotel Flights Fast Track upgrade option. It can save you significant time and effort, and you won’t need to spend large amounts of money or face rental challenges. In my opinion, this is currently the most effective and worthwhile shortcut compared to other methods.
Avis Preferred vs Other Rental Car Loyalty Programs
Compared with programs like Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club, Europcar Privilege, and SIXT, Avis Preferred stands out for its high success rate of vehicle upgrades, fast pickup process, and the guaranteed car availability offered by the President’s Club. For travelers who frequently fly in and out of airports or go on regular business trips, Avis’s tier structure is more straightforward and makes it easier to truly feel the benefits of upgrading.
Below is a comparison table I’ve put together to help you quickly understand the differences among these programs.
| Rental Program | Ease of Understanding Status Levels | Vehicle Upgrade Success Rate | Speed of Pickup | Top-Tier Member Benefits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avis Preferred | (Three levels, very straightforward) | (High upgrade success, especially for Preferred Plus & President’s Club) | (Fast lanes, quick vehicle access) | President’s Club guaranteed car availability, free upgrades, airport meet-and-greet | Frequent business travelers, airport commuters |
| Hertz Gold Plus Rewards | (Gold → Five Star → President’s Circle) | (Good upgrade chances depending on points and availability) | (Gold service area for quick pickup) | President’s Circle car guarantee, priority vehicle selection | Business travelers and point collectors |
| National Emerald Club | (Emerald → Executive → Executive Elite) | (Higher upgrade probability for Executive members) | (Fastest in the industry; choose any car in your aisle) | Executive Elite guaranteed availability, priority entry/exit | President’s Club guaranteed car availability, free upgrades, and airport meet-and-greet |
| Europcar Privilege | (Simple progression: Club → Executive → Elite → Elite VIP) | (Upgrades vary by region and supply) | (Best performance in Europe) | Elite VIP free weekend rental, priority service desk | Europe-based travelers, leisure tourists |
| SIXT Loyalty Program | (Express → Gold → Platinum → Diamond) | (Notable upgrade rates from Platinum tier) | (Fast premium service at major locations) | Diamond tier guaranteed vehicle, priority for luxury car groups | Travelers who prefer the freedom to select their car |
Related Articles:
- How to Get SIXT Diamond Fast Track
- SIXT Platinum Fast Track: VIP Hotel Flights
- How to Get Enterprise Platinum Fast Track
- Fast Track to Hertz President’s Circle
- How to Choose the Best Car Rental Company
- Hertz Car Rental Reviews 2026: Service, Price & Tips
FAQ
Is Avis Preferred free?
Yes — Avis Preferred is free to join. You simply need to register on the official website and create an Avis Preferred account to start enjoying basic rental benefits.
Does Avis Preferred cost money?
Joining Avis Preferred is completely free, and there are no fees required at registration. Once you join, you can enjoy the benefits of the base membership tier.
If you choose to upgrade through the VIP Hotel Flights Fast Track, you can obtain Avis President’s Club status within two days by paying a little over $200.
How much does it cost to be an Avis Preferred member?
Becoming an Avis Preferred member costs nothing. Higher tiers require qualifying through rental activity and spending, not by paying a membership fee upfront.
How to get Avis Preferred?
Getting an Avis Preferred membership is free.
If you want to reach Avis Preferred Plus or Avis President’s Club, you can either qualify traditionally through rentals and spending, or use the fastest and simplest method — the VIP Hotel Flights Fast Track. This option requires no rental challenges or spending milestones; you can earn the status for about $200.
Do Avis Preferred points expire?
Yes. Avis Preferred Points are valid for 60 months (five years) from the date they are earned. After expiration, the points are forfeited and returned to Avis.
To prevent expiration, simply earn or redeem points at least once a year.
Conclusion
In summary, is it worth joining the Avis Preferred loyalty program? Whether you rent a car once or twice a year for leisure or travel frequently for business, Avis Preferred can significantly enhance your rental experience. If you value faster pickup and return, higher-quality vehicle options, generous frequent-traveler benefits, and a simple, easy-to-understand tier system, then Avis Preferred’s clear and straightforward structure makes it an ideal choice.
Even the free tier provides plenty of advantages, while the higher elite levels offer more comprehensive upgrade benefits that frequent travelers will truly appreciate. Best of all, registration only takes a few minutes. Simply complete the Avis Preferred sign up, log in through your Avis Preferred login, and you’ll be able to enjoy Avis’s efficient, reliable, and enhanced rental services on your next trip.
If you want to fast-track your upgrade to Avis President’s Club status, you may also consider the accelerated option mentioned in this guide: VIP Hotel Flights.
