Capital One Venture X Offers Hertz President's Circle Elite Status

Capital One Venture X... too much of a good thing, Lucky...

Does the Venture X cover legal fees incurred after being arrested for "stealing" Hertz vehicles?

@ Brutus -- Lol...

Do you have to book directly through the agency to get the status benefits when it comes to rentals? Frequently find the Skyscanner rates are much cheaper than booking via Hertz or National directly. Could I still book through Skyscanner (that then gets booked via something like auto Europe) and take advantage of status perks?

You know that Avis and Hertz offer bypass the counter programs, Hertz Gold and Avis Preferred, that have been included for free with many premium credit cards over the years, right? Hertz Presidents Circle is just a slightly higher priority and adds some additional select-your-own-car options.

Good question. Not sure but believe I’ve booked via Priceline and got the Hertz Gold skip the counter benefit (huge). However, I think you bypass the Hertz reward points.
Curious if these same PC benefits apply for Hertz rentals outside the US and what status match options exist (like top status at Avis, Sixt, etc.).

President's Circle is good... but definitely not great. Yes, you get a few more perks and the guaranteed upgrades are good. And while I hate to say it's a benefit, because everyone used to get it, the ability to cancel reward redemptions and get all your points back without penalty is nice. That said, if President's Circle wasn't free, it's not like a mileage run on an airline to get a status where the benefits are significantly better.

That's my fear as well. It's gonna be so popular that in 18-24 months they'll dilute it significantly or add $200 to the annual fee.

It depends. Sometimes Hertz will accept it... and sometimes they won't. My experience is that they won't if you try to add your Hertz # over the phone. However, at the counter I have had success where they have added my # and given me benefits... though it's not every time.

Do those things benefits extend to international rentals?

Back in Jan/Feb 2020, AMEX Cobalt in Canada was running an offer to get National Executive Elite (top tier National status), which I signed up for. I then status matched that to President's Circle, which was extended through 2022 due to the pandemic.

This year, I have rented with Hertz more than a dozen times, all at non-airport locations. Here is my experience -

1. I almost always booked a dummy booking through Hertz's website and used Autoslash to track it. I'd eventually get the same car option through Autoslash but at a significant discount, so I'd rebook it through them. Autoslash basically books through Priceline, so for Hertz, this was a third party booking. But I could always include my Hertz number while booking through priceline and that booking would show up in my Hertz profile. Since these were pay later rates, I'd use my credit card of choice and get primary coverage.

2. I agree with Ben that Hertz prices are usually better than Avis or National, even at airport locations.

3. In terms of elite recognition, I always used to get 3-4 class upgrades for my rental. The front desk associate once told me that they were instructed by the central office to reserve the best cars for President'c Circle members. I once got a Volvo XC90 when I had booked an economy hatchback and often got mid-size SUVs (which is a big deal in a small non-airport location).

you can always add the number while confirming booking through priceline. I have done that over a dozen times and always received the PS benefits. No exceptions.

Surprisingly, due to the pandemic, the rental car benefit from the Visa Infinite Card is the most underrated benefit for me.

Since rental car rates are through the roof, I have benefited from the Avis rental car program. More specifically, I use the AVIS rental car code, and it has saved me a ton of money.

For example, I have a 5 day trip in Phoenix in December. I did a quick search for any car for 5 days on Orbitz and $500+ was the minimum price that came up for any rental car agency. I went to Budget.com and used the Avis Visa Infinite Discount Code (AWD or BCD - S107100) and the price was $320 for a savings of $180+.

avis.com/visainfinite shows the code (S107100) and that code works at Budget too.

@ DM -- Awesome info, thanks so much for sharing!

@ DENDAVE -- It seems to depend on the benefits, and for that matter select locations offer certain services, while others don't. It seems to me like at least some of the President's Circle benefits apply outside the United States, though hopefully people with more firsthand experience can chime in.

@ Bgriff -- I was aware of that, but I do think the wider selection of cars and greater flexibility are worth something, and do set President's Circle apart. I guess I'll experience firsthand soon enough whether that's true or not.

It's not unlike what you get in the US. The big locations will be the same as any big location in the US e.g. airports such as LHR, CDG etc. Other locations can become more hit or miss.

Also relevant is that outside the US (and even some in the US such as Hilton Head, Cape Cod), a lot of Hertz locations are franchises (particularly Asia, Africa, South America). This usually means the benefits and service becomes a little less consistent (sometimes much better, and sometimes not!)

I've been a Pres Circle for a long time.

Before Ultimate Choice it was fun to play the upgrade game and often got a Prestige / European luxury for a full / premium class rental.

Ultimate Choice was fun in the early days - often saw European luxury cars in the aisle so great for a 'standard' class rental.

But in 2019 pickings got more slim like National. And even before that often found just booking the European luxury car class outright was only 25-50% more than a cheap midsize rate (so $50-$80 / day) at big airport locations - kind of like first class in recent years.

So in other words, Pres Circle itself doesn't seem to confer much unless you like booking 'standard' and liking getting an SUV or American premium / full size in the Ultimate Choice lane with the occasional European luxury if you're lucky.

We're here to save you money anytime you want, Ben. 🙂

PC will probably be more useful in the second half of 2022 and beyond when they’ve had the chance to rebuild their fleet and the pick your own PC section has something more interesting than five different Mazda CX-5s, a Tahoe and a random Avalon.

Well, FedEx delivered my shiny new VentureX card an hour ago (yes, it's a metal card) and I'm still trying to find that "tab" online to enroll in Hertz's PC.

If you go to explore rewards, it will take you to travel and if you scroll down you will see travel benefits. There you will see a tab for hertz presidents circle and you just click the link and fill in you information. It took me about 15 secs to upgrade

how does one enroll for the PCircle benefit? TIA

When I get the Venture X it will be my main card for all rental car purchases over all other premium travel cards and here's why. Not only do you get Hertz President's Circle status and primary rental car insurance, but you also get the full slate of rental car benefits by virtue of Visa Infinite: https://usa.visa.com/supporting-info/infinite-car-rental.html

Visa Infinite includes decent discounts through Avis, Hertz, National, and Silvercar. Additionally, you can get easily get status like Avis Preferred Plus and National Emerald Club Executive. While this elite status isn't top-tier, it probably makes your life a little bit easier when renting a car for no additional cost. Last of all, rental car status has been extremely easy to status match recently. So take your Hertz President's Circle status and request a status match to National Emerald Club Executive Elite and (maybe) Avis President's Club.

In summary, the following reasons make this the strongest all-around card for rental car purchases: elite status with Hertz/Avis/National, primary rental car insurance, Visa Infinite discounts, and option to book through the Capital One Travel portal to use the $300 credit and/or earn 10x. Oh, and any Authorized User gets these same list of benefits. What's not to love?

Found it!! Thanks for the tip.

@ paul -- I've updated the post to reflect how to register. Let me know if you have any questions.

@ Kay -- Thanks for that info, I updated the post to reflect that.

@ Rational Traveler -- Totally agree, and great point on the Visa Infinite perks. I updated the post to reflect that.

Your welcome! Happy to help the community a tiny bit.

For decades, Hertz was the go-to for rental cars because of their great service. That all changed around the time of their bankruptcy (pre-COVID) and continues to this day. They are about the worst (and most expensive) option now. I certainly prefer both Avis and National to Hertz.

Ben,
When you log into your Hertz account are you seeing the upgrade to status? I'm not and wondering how long it takes.

It is worthless

@ Steve -- Not yet. It can take 24-72 hours, apparently, though I'll update this post when I see the status reflected.

Some experiences with Hertz Presidents Circle from abroad (before Covid)

Both reservations where made through ADAC Autovermietung who have special rates if all drivers are ADAC members (unlimited drivers, no YDF) and Presidents Circle benefits were granted except bonus points.

Booked an intermediate station wagon (IWMR) at a small city branch for 210 Euro a whole week. Gave them a call before pick-up and asked for the availability of an automatic car, since a friend had a sprained left foot and could not operate the clutch. They offered a Ford Galaxy and a Mercedes GLC - both with automatic transmission. Decided on the Ford Galaxy, since we had to transfer somepeople for a corporate event, and 7 seats came in very handy. A decent upgrade considering that I could not have booked both cars in advance due to the age limit of 25.

Second time, I had a reservation at Roma Ciampino Airport. Did cancel/ change the reservation after communicated pick-up time, since the Ryanair flight was delayed for technical reasons. After 4 hours and further uncertainty, we cancelled the flight and received 250 Euro compensation per person and booked a flight with Eurowings to Roma Fiumcino.

Last minute prices were skyrocketing but ADAC managed to move the reservation to Fiumcino for the same price. Unfortunately, intermediates with automatic transmission where booked and the reservation downgraded.

On a pick-up we received a decent upgrade to an Alfa Romeo Giulia. I cannot complain 😉

These have been nice experiences for a matched status. Sad that the status is gone.

Have a look on my experiences in my separate post 😉

@ Steve -- As an update, my status posted after roughly 24 hours.

I had Hertz President's Circle status for a few years when I had the United Club card. I enjoyed the upgrades and easy pick-up and return. Hertz in Las Vegas was awesome with a wide selection of upgrade vehicles lined up for you to check out and choose from. I consider this a significant card benefit.

Just got the new Venture X so I thought I would give Hertz a go. I enrolled and waited to receive my status update on my Hertz profile then booked a midsize car. Upon arriving at PHX I was told to pick a car from the gold isle. For some reason their system told them that I was a first-time gold member. They refused to upgrade me and instead told me to call reservations. So I called reservations and they confirmed that my status was showing as PC and that I should be upgraded. Again the counter refused. I have not rented from Hertz in a very long time. So I don't know if the status won't show up until the second reservation or what. Just throwing this out there in case others run into the same issue.

Wait… So the status expires even if you still have the card?

@ Commenting Commenter -- Presumably the partnership has the potential to be extended, but for now it's valid through the end of 2024.

Darn. I wasn’t aware that is expired after 2024. It’s the only reason I have the Capital One X.

Sounds great.....if you want to visit the local jail.

I will never again patronize a company that knowingly allows its customers to be jailed because of problems with their IT system.

Yes, I have the Venture X. No, I won't sign up for Hertz anything, every again.

When I saw this post, that was my first thought as well. I'm surprised @Ben didn't mention/update that...

Been using a Hertz a lot more with the Amex Plat since I learned about the 4-hour grace period before they charge for next extra day. But their website is just bizarre. Like where do you go to find your points balance? I cannot find it anywhere.

Presidents Circle will also come with the benefit of free vaseline and Ramen noodles when Hertz puts you in jail.

The only use for Hertz status for me has been matching it to National so I never have to rent a Hertz car. Even if the odds of getting wrongfully arrested are extremely low, there’s no way I’ll take a chance on that to save a few bucks.

@lucky - In the Hertz signup process I don't see where to upload my mugshot, do you know where that is? I had hoped to save time on the other end by having my profile all setup and ready to go.

Tried to find a car in SEA TAC airport on different dates in September, No cars. October in Everett, Washington ? No cars! Capital one car rental sight sucks.

Does the Venture X also come with free legal assistance when Hertz has you arrested for stealing a car you returned months before?

I get that this post is meant to highlight the benefits of the credit card, but it seems a bit negligent to write about Hertz without talking about the elephant in the room.

Never post anything that might suppress clicking on the link pimping the shiny bit of plastic! It's ALL about the conversions!

Wonder isn’t venture x has primary insurance coverage? Is that any reason to use other credit card to have better insurance coverage?

I noticed a big perk was missing that you find with Chase Saphire. I did not see where Capital One Venture X serves as your auto car rental's primary insurance (so you can skip buying rental car insurance and not have to use your own policy if something happens) when renting.

Twice, I have tried to rent a Hertz car using the Capital One Travel portal only for the prices to show up as appx 10x the cost of renting through Hertz or another third party site, and it is gamed so that you can't price match it. The CAT rental requires payment up-front of the base rental with taxes and fees to be paid at pick-up. So for what should have been a $300+ rental with $80 taxes and fees on Hertz' website, I tried to rent on CAT for a base rental of $2,999 and $600 taxes and fees and then price match it. Because CAT defaults to paying the taxes and fees at pick-up, they told me the price match would get me the $300 rental but that I would then still have to pay the $600 at pick-up. Capital One was extremely unhelpful trying to fix this, but I wonder if Hertz identified a loss of direct rentals from this benefit and jacked up the costs charged through Capital One.

You do not get the benefits immediately .... I have the venture X Card .
Step one : I registered for my Hertz Membership at on the Hertz website and was allocated a Number
Step Two : I returned to the Capital One Rewards and Enroll for Presidents Circle and 2 Days later got the status upgraded to Presidents Circle .

That when the problems started i was told im not really a presidents circle member until i complete a booking . So who is lying . Hertz or Capital One . Any advice