The Amex Platinum has just added a useful new rental car elite status perk for cardmembers.
In this post:
Get Hertz elite status with Amex Platinum
New as of November 2022, the Amex Platinum is offering Hertz President’s Circle elite status:
- This is valid for those with The Platinum Card® from American Express (review) or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (review) in the United States, and it’s valid both for the primary cardmember and authorized users
- Registration is required, and can be done by logging into your Amex account, finding your eligible card, and going to the benefits tab, where you’ll be brought to a customized link on Hertz’s website
- Status will be valid within 24-72 hours of enrollment
This joins the other Amex Platinum rental car perks, including National Emerald Club Executive status and Avis Preferred Plus status.
When it comes to Hertz benefits, previously Amex offered entry level Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership, plus the ability to get further benefits by using Amex Corporate Discount Code (CDP) 211762. This could offer savings on your rental, a four-hour grace period on returns within the United States, a one-class car upgrade (subject to availability), and more.
The Amex Platinum isn’t the first premium card to offer Hertz President’s Circle elite status, as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) (Rates & Fees) also offers this.
What are the benefits of Hertz President’s Circle status?
President’s Circle is Hertz’s top-tier status, so it’s pretty cool to get that just for having a premium credit card. This status ordinarily requires 15 rentals per year or $3,000 in annual rental car spending, so this is most definitely an easier pathway to that tier.
What are the perks of Hertz President’s Circle status?
- Guaranteed car upgrades, a minimum of one-class, at participating locations
- Freedom to choose any vehicle in the President’s Circle section of the Hertz Ultimate Choice lot on the spot at no extra charge
- No additional driver fee for a spouse or domestic partner in the United States
- 50% bonus on Gold Plus Rewards points on all qualified rentals
- Expedited vehicle pick-up at over 1,000 locations worldwide
- No stopping at the counter at over 50 airports
- eReturn, whereby you don’t have to wait when returning your car
- Hertz Valet, whereby you can take advantage of a terminal drive-back service at participating locations up to four times per year
- A dedicated President’s Circle call center line
Below is a chart comparing the different Hertz elite status tiers.
Bottom line
The Amex Platinum Card now offers Hertz President’s Circle elite status, which is a nice incremental benefit, and matches what’s offered by the Capital One Venture X. Any sort of rental car status that allows you to pick your own car from the lot is valuable, as it takes the hassle out of renting a car.
Do you plan on taking advantage of Hertz status with the Amex Platinum?
Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Is this good for the schwab platinum card too?
Hertz was always my go-to, but I won’t rent from them anymore, regardless of status. The final straw was when I rented a Tahoe with bald tires and a tailgate that refused to latch during winter in the Pacific Northwest. The tires were a safety hazard, and I was expecting us to lose our luggage- the rear hatch sounded like it was hanging on by a thread on the freeway. Luckily, they didn’t have me arrested
anyone able to get the link to work? Tried it on 3 different browsers, both clicking the link while logged into Amex, as well as from this and other travel blog sites, and just getting a blank page that won't load. I guess its still better than getting jailed!
I see once again the UK gets stiffed with this benefit. President’s Circle for US card holders and only 5* level for UK?
Being Arrested for a stolen car that you didn't steal is a huge problem
I got this email on Thursday, I assume because I already had Gold through the AMEX Platinum card:
Congratulations!
Welcome to President’s Circle® status.
As an American Express Platinum Card® Member, enjoy President’s Circle® status now – we’ve upgraded you.*
Take a moment and
explore your benefits:
How any of you here continue to use Hertz is mind-boggling. A company who will falsely issue a **felony** arrest warrant against you and potentially ruin your livelihood…No thanks! I’ll pay a few bucks extra somewhere else without the unnecessary stress.
No one in their right mind should go anywhere near Hertz. With thousands of false arrests and many in jail time, it's just too much risk and not worth it.
I think news outlets jumped the the starting buzzer on this one, nothing but the Gold Status in my Amex Plat account, nothing about Presidential. Not that I'd want it, Hertz is simply the worst and I won't use them.
It was a United 1K perk for years, but ends in 2023. I'm glad Platinum AMEX picked it up.
Is there any update on whether Hertz has cleaned up its act on the false stolen cars report issue?
An unpublished elite benefit is that you get tased for free when arrested on the car theft warrant.
Not sure about registration being required? I got an email fro Hertz that said I had automatically been upgraded to President’s Circle? Maybe because I’ve rented several times recently, and I already have the Amex Plat code For all rentals in my profile?
Hertz is an absolute dumpster fire without even considering the risk of jail time. I tried using PC twice and both times was a fiasco. From locations not allowing you to select a car to others that give you junk. I was taken care of but it’s just not worth the headache. National is just so much better.
I got one that was 8,500 miles overdue for maintenance. I told them about it when returning and they just shrugged.
Already get it with Capital One Venture X. Additionally, this program used to be good, but it's 99% Nissan Altimas and Kicks at LAX. Not clear what is so elite about those vehicles - that whole lot is an upsell to $130 / day Teslas and Polestar 2s.
Risk going to jail. I think I’ll pass, but thanks.
Too bad that the Amex card just doesn’t boost status by one level. Hotel status from my Choice hotel stays in Scandinavia has already given me Hertz President’s Circle status.
A massive increase in the number of Hertz PCs at US airport car rental places does me no good.
Even if the arrests end, there will always be lingering doubts about Hertz. The practical issue is that a warrant and/or an arrest (even if dismissed) will be on one's record. When one applies for or renews TSA Pre-Check/Global Entry, it will appear and it will come up in one's interview. Thinking about an extended remote-work visa somewhere? Think again.
Encountered the same Invalid Account error message as noted in other comments. Contacted Hertz CS and received a response asking for an AMEX Platinum statement emailed to [email protected]
When trying to register through this link, I'm told "Oops…you have entered an invalid Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® account number." The number is not invalid. Any tips?
I get the same thing. i called Guest services and they said they are aware about this online issue and are working to fix it.
Hertz PC selection is pretty awful at major airports. At SFO got a Nissan Rouge 2nd hand which started its life NYC at a dealer near my house. What an upgrade.
LAX had a queue and we just grabbed what came out last time I was there. Not much of a benefit IMO.
This isn't a new benefit. It happened last year. At least it did for me. I have PC status with Hertz with just 2 rentals this year.
Venture X touted Hertz status prior to launch, only to have Capital One Travel completely omit Hertz from its search results. I wonder if that's been fixed? Eff Hertz anyway, and Capital One travel for that matter (why is it so buggy?). Avis is great internationally. An Amex discount on manuals, and 5 AAdvantage miles on every dollar spent, makes it hard to beat.
C1 Travel also does not show National car rentals. Pretty useless for National loyalists.
I use Hertz and Sixt. Never had an issue with either. Nice additional perk here.
Same here i love my Hertz gold status, constant upgrades, automatic 4 wheel drive when in Colorado. Cant wait to be upgraded to President's Circle!
You can pretty much get this already by leveraging (status matching) your existing status with Avis/National.
As long as Hertz continues to file police reports against customers because of Hertz' failure to manage their own inventory, I will not rent a car from Hertz or any of its brands.
VFTW does a valuable service in keeping those stories active
I have been Presidenrs circle for a quiet a few years. It used to be really good, but recently the perks / guaranteed upgrades have been slim pickings. The Hertz cars are really nice for sure, but I think they have been giving out these more than often so at some places, its not very convenient. I also have Avis Premier status and have been more lucky with their cars recently and upgrades are almost guaranteed in them.
got the same error message as @gavinmac. Call Hertz. We have to send an email requesting the status match to [email protected] and indicate you're a Amex Platinum member, give your Hertz Account number (make sure the card number is on your account) and wait 5-7 business days for it to take effect.
Thanks I just sent them an email
Ha, they told me to write to another dept: [email protected] and “include the invitation letter from (amex)…”. Of course when I told the rep that amex doesn’t send a letter…. The response was Ughhhhhhhhhh
Fully half of comments here and elsewhere on this benefit relate to Hertz jailing customers. What an absolutely staggering failure of leadership at Hertz to not fix such a huge reputational risk quickly and make impacted customers whole.
Do they include a 'Get out of jail free' card as a benefit?
I’m pretty sure if you use your Amex Plat for bail, it should trigger and credit you on your statement.
Yeah, no thank Hertz. I’ll stick with National.
I think the "get out of jail free" cards should come in a pack of 10 - with refills available. One wouldn't be enough.
Fastest path to landing in jail.
Tried to register at the link, got "you have entered an invalid
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® account number." Then logged into my AMEX platinum account and I don't see anything under the benefits tab.
Same happened to me on both the Amex and Hertz sites.
Risk of being falsely arrested and thrown in jail also included for free
I have been President’s Circle for 6 or 7 years. 25-30 rentals a year. Almost all of them airports and Hertz corporate locations. Never once have I received or been offered the valet benefit.
I got the valet thing at ORD twice. Once with PC status and once with the status level below it. The only thing consistent about my getting it was that it only happened when I had a car load of luggage while all but one seat in the car was occupied. Didn’t happen for me at any other US airport. If wanting airport drop off in the rental car, Silver Car was the reliable way...
I got the valet thing at ORD twice. Once with PC status and once with the status level below it. The only thing consistent about my getting it was that it only happened when I had a car load of luggage while all but one seat in the car was occupied. Didn’t happen for me at any other US airport. If wanting airport drop off in the rental car, Silver Car was the reliable way for me to go.
With a big increase in Hertz PC members, getting the valet service will likely become even less likely for me.