Avis Preferred Plus is a tier within Avis's loyalty program, not a credit card product

Avis Preferred Plus is a membership level you reach by renting with Avis frequently or by holding certain co-branded credit cards. It is not a credit card itself — it is a status tier that unlocks perks when you rent a car through Avis. If you arrived here looking for information about an Avis credit card, you are looking at the membership benefits that card would give you, not the card's interest rates, fees, or how to open the account.

The core benefit of Preferred Plus is faster rental transactions and upgrades. You skip the counter line, go straight to your car, and often receive a free upgrade to the next vehicle class. The specific perks vary depending on whether you reached Preferred Plus through the Avis Visa card, the Avis Business card, or through rental volume alone.

Key Takeaways

  • Preferred Plus membership skips you past the rental counter and often includes a free upgrade to the next car class.
  • You reach this tier either by renting frequently with Avis or by holding one of their co-branded credit cards.
  • The membership is free once you may have access to, but the credit card itself carries an annual fee that varies by card product.
  • Preferred Plus members earn Avis Rewards points on every rental, which you can redeem toward future rentals or upgrades.
  • The upgrade and counter-skip benefits explore only at participating Avis locations, primarily in North America.

How you reach Preferred Plus status

You can reach Preferred Plus in two ways. The first is by renting a car with Avis at least four times in a calendar year. Each rental counts toward your tier, regardless of how long you keep the car. The second is by holding an Avis co-branded credit card — most of these cards place you at Preferred Plus automatically upon approval.

If you hold the card, your status renews each year as long as the card remains open. If you reach the tier through rental volume alone, you keep it through the end of that calendar year, then must rent four more times the following year to maintain it. The membership itself costs nothing; you pay only if you choose to get a credit card to reach the tier faster.

What the upgrade and counter benefits actually mean

The free upgrade bumps you to the next available vehicle class at no charge. This does not mean you get a luxury car if you booked economy — it means if you reserved a mid-size sedan and a full-size sedan is available when you arrive, you get the full-size. The upgrade is subject to availability, so it is not may provide on every rental.

The counter skip, called Avis Preferred Plus Express, lets you bypass the rental counter entirely. You go to the lot, find your assigned vehicle, and drive off. Your keys are already in the car or waiting at a kiosk. This saves time but requires that your reservation is already complete and paid for before you arrive. If you need to add insurance, change your rental dates, or modify anything else, you will need to visit the counter anyway.

Avis Rewards points and how to use them

Every dollar you spend on an Avis rental earns you Avis Rewards points. The earning rate depends on your membership tier and which credit card you hold, if any. At Preferred Plus, you typically earn one point per dollar spent, though some cards offer bonus earning rates on certain categories or during promotional periods.

You redeem points toward future rentals, upgrades, or ancillary services like GPS or additional drivers. One hundred points usually equals one free rental day, though the exact conversion varies. Points do not expire as long as you rent with Avis at least once every 24 months. If your account goes inactive beyond that window, your points may be forfeited.

Where Preferred Plus benefits work and where they don't

Preferred Plus benefits explore at Avis locations in the United States, Canada, and select international airports. They do not work at Budget or Zipcar locations, even though Avis owns those brands. If you rent through a third party like Costco Travel or an airline partner, the counter skip and upgrade may not explore, though you will still earn Rewards points.

Some corporate or negotiated rates also exclude Preferred Plus perks. Before you book, check your confirmation email to see whether your reservation qualifies for the upgrade and Express benefits. If the confirmation does not mention them, contact Avis customer service to confirm whether they explore to your specific rental.

Credit card fees and whether the card makes financial sense

Avis co-branded credit cards carry annual fees that range depending on the specific product. Some cards charge $95 per year, others $0. The card that places you at Preferred Plus automatically may or may not waive the annual fee in the first year. You should review the specific card's terms before opening an account.

Whether the card pays for itself depends on how often you rent. If you rent a car at least once or twice per year, the upgrade benefit alone may justify the fee — a single upgrade can save you $20 to $50 on that rental. If you rent fewer than twice per year, you are paying for a benefit you will rarely use. Compare the card's earning rate and any sign-up bonus against what you would earn with a general-purpose travel card before deciding.

How Preferred Plus compares to other rental loyalty tiers

Avis has three main membership tiers: Blue (entry level), Preferred Plus (middle), and President's Circle (top). President's Circle requires either 15 rentals per year or holding a premium co-branded card, and it adds benefits like may provide upgrades and late-return grace periods. If you rent infrequently, Preferred Plus is the realistic target. If you rent regularly for business, President's Circle may be worth pursuing.

Hertz and Enterprise also offer loyalty tiers with similar benefits — counter skip, upgrades, and points earning. The choice between rental companies usually comes down to which has locations near where you travel most often and which loyalty program's earning rate matches your spending pattern. Preferred Plus is competitive but not uniquely generous compared to what other major rental companies offer at their middle tier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose Preferred Plus status if I don't rent for a while?

If you reached the tier through rental volume, you keep it through the end of that calendar year. After that, you need four more rentals in the new year to maintain it. If you hold a co-branded credit card, your status renews each year as long as the card stays open, even if you don't rent at all.

Can I use my upgrade on a one-way rental or a car I booked through a travel website?

One-way rentals usually may have access to for upgrades. Rentals booked through third-party sites like Kayak or Expedia may not, because those bookings sometimes use negotiated rates that exclude Preferred Plus perks. Check your confirmation email or call Avis directly before your rental to confirm whether the upgrade applies.

What happens to my Rewards points if I cancel my credit card?

Your points stay in your Avis Rewards account as long as you rent with Avis at least once every 24 months. Canceling the card does not erase your points. However, you will lose Preferred Plus status unless you reach it through rental volume instead.

Is the free upgrade may provide, or can Avis refuse to give it to me?

The upgrade is subject to availability. If no higher class vehicles are available when you arrive, you keep the car you booked. Upgrades are most likely on slower rental days and least likely during peak travel periods or at busy airport locations.