Avis Preferred Plus gives you faster car rentals, room upgrades, and discounts on your bill
Avis Preferred Plus is a free membership tier that speeds up the rental process and saves money on everyday bookings. You skip the counter line, get automatic upgrades to better car classes when available, and receive discounts on base rental rates. The program stacks with credit card rewards, so if you're using a travel card to book, you earn points on top of the membership perks.
The membership itself costs nothing — you join through Avis.com or at a rental counter. The real value sits in three places: time saved at pickup, a better car without paying extra, and a lower price on the rental itself.
Key Takeaways
- Preferred Plus membership is free and skips you past the rental counter, letting you walk straight to your assigned car.
- You receive automatic upgrades to the next available car class at no charge when your reserved class is full.
- Members get discounts on base rental rates that vary by location and booking date, typically 10 to 25 percent off.
- The membership stacks with travel credit card rewards, so you earn points on the rental price and keep the membership perks.
- You can enroll online in minutes and start using benefits on your next reservation.
How the counter bypass works in practice
When you arrive at an Avis location as a Preferred Plus member, you don't stop at the main counter. Instead, you go to a dedicated area — sometimes a separate desk, sometimes a kiosk — where staff scan your driver's license and membership number. They hand you your keys and a receipt. The whole process takes three to five minutes instead of the 15 to 30 minutes a standard rental can take.
This matters most at busy airports or during peak travel times. On a Friday afternoon at a major hub, the regular line can stretch. Preferred Plus members move through a separate flow. You still need a valid driver's license, a credit card, and proof of insurance (yours or the rental company's), but the paperwork is minimal because Avis already has your information on file.
If you're renting a car in a state where you live, bring your own insurance card. If you're traveling and don't have coverage, Avis sells damage waiver options at the counter — these are optional add-ons, not required.
Automatic upgrades and what they actually mean
Preferred Plus members receive an automatic upgrade to the next car class when their reserved class is unavailable. If you book a compact car and the lot is out of compacts, you get a mid-size at no extra charge. If mid-sizes are also gone, you move up again.
The upgrade is not may provide — it depends on what's in the lot that day. During slow periods, you'll often get your upgrade. During peak travel weeks, especially holidays, the lot may be full and no upgrade happens. Avis doesn't hold back premium cars for upgrades; they upgrade you with what's left after standard rentals are filled.
You don't request the upgrade or do anything special. The counter agent or kiosk straightforward assigns you the next available class. It's automatic in the sense that it happens without you asking, not in the sense that it always happens.
Rental rate discounts and how they stack with credit cards
Preferred Plus members receive discounts on the base rental rate — the daily charge before taxes and fees. The discount percentage varies by location, season, and how far in advance you book. A typical range is 10 to 25 percent off the standard rate, though some locations and dates offer more or less.
The discount applies to the rate you see when you book. You don't enter a code or claim it later; Avis shows you the member price automatically when you log in with your membership number. If you book without logging in, you pay the higher rate, so always sign in before you reserve.
If you're paying with a travel credit card, the discount stacks. You get the lower Preferred Plus rate, and your credit card earns points on that discounted amount. Some travel cards earn 3 to 5 points per dollar on car rentals, so a $200 rental at a 15 percent discount ($170) earns you 510 to 850 points depending on your card's rate. The membership discount and the card rewards are separate — you get both.
Who should prioritize this membership
Preferred Plus makes the most sense if you rent cars more than twice a year and value time over a few dollars. The membership is free, so there's no downside to joining. But the real benefit — the counter bypass — only matters if you're renting frequently enough that those 15-minute waits add up.
If you rent once every two years on vacation, the upgrade and discount are nice but not life-changing. If you rent monthly for business or travel frequently for leisure, the time savings alone justify keeping the membership active. The upgrades and discounts are bonuses on top.
Business travelers especially benefit because they often rent during peak hours when lines are longest. A salesperson renting a car at 5 p.m. on a Friday at a major airport saves real time with the counter bypass.
How to enroll and keep your membership active
You can enroll at Avis.com by creating an account and selecting Preferred Plus, or you can join at any Avis rental counter. Enrollment takes about five minutes online. You'll need a valid driver's license, a credit card for billing, and a phone number and email address.
Once you're enrolled, your membership is active when ready. You can start using it on your next reservation. Log in with your membership number when you book to see the member rate and may support the discount applies.
Avis doesn't charge an annual fee to keep Preferred Plus active, and there's no minimum rental requirement. Your membership stays valid as long as your account exists. If you haven't rented in several years, you may need to update your information, but the membership itself doesn't expire.
What Preferred Plus does not include
Preferred Plus is not a loyalty program that earns you points toward free rentals. It's a membership tier that gives you perks on each rental you make. If you want to earn points, you need to enroll in Avis Rewards, which is a separate program. Some travel credit cards link to Avis Rewards and let you earn points on rentals; check your card's terms to see if it does.
The membership also does not waive the damage waiver or insurance requirements. You still need to bring proof of insurance or purchase Avis's damage waiver at the counter. It doesn't lower the cost of add-ons like GPS, child seats, or fuel options — those are priced separately.
Preferred Plus also doesn't may provide a specific car model or color. You get an upgrade to the next class if available, but Avis assigns the actual vehicle. You might get a red sedan or a silver one; you don't choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for Preferred Plus membership?
No. Avis Preferred Plus is free to join and free to maintain. There are no annual fees, no minimum rental requirements, and no hidden charges. You enroll once and keep the membership as long as your account is active.
Will I always get an upgrade with Preferred Plus?
No. Upgrades depend on what cars are available when you arrive. During busy periods, especially holidays and peak travel seasons, the lot may be full and no upgrade happens. During slower periods, upgrades are more common. The upgrade is not may provide, but it's automatic when cars are available.
Can I use Preferred Plus with a travel credit card?
Yes. The membership discount and your credit card rewards are separate. You get the lower Preferred Plus rate, and your card earns points on that discounted amount. Always log in with your membership number when you book to may support the member rate applies.
What happens if I haven't rented a car in a long time?
Your membership stays active, but Avis may ask you to update your information before your next rental. You won't lose the membership; you just need to confirm your current driver's license and contact details. You can update this online or at the counter.
Does Preferred Plus cover insurance or damage waiver costs?
No. The membership does not include insurance or waive the damage waiver requirement. You still need to bring proof of your own insurance or purchase Avis's optional damage waiver at the counter. The membership only discounts the base rental rate and provides upgrades and counter bypass.