How to Choose the Best Rental Car Rewards Program for You

Most rental car companies offer some sort of rewards program to incentivize renters to keep renting through the company. However, as with airline and hotel loyalty programs, different rental car rewards programs offer different earning and redemption rates and perks.

That means the best car rental loyalty program for you will depend on your travel style. There's no one-size-fits-all approach. Here are the factors to consider when choosing the best rental car program for your future rentals.

Car rental membership benefits to look for

These are some of the common benefits of car rental rewards programs. Consider how much you’ll need to realistically rent from a certain company to earn these perks.

Getting to skip the line

No one likes waiting in a long line to pick up their rental car, particularly after a long flight. So, the most important rental car rewards program perk for you may simply be the ability to skip the check-in line and head straight to the lot to pick up your rental car.

The best car rental programs let rewards members do so, even if they aren't an elite member. Avis Preferred members can skip the counter at most airport locations just as a perk of being a member. Likewise, Hertz Gold Rewards members can use Hertz Gold Choice at dozens of airports in the U.S. and Europe to skip the counter and pick their preferred car from the lot.

Even budget-oriented car rental membership programs offer this service. Budget Fastbreak members simply need to flash their driver's license to pick up their keys. And Dollar Express Rewards members can bypass the counter and head straight to the lot.

Other car rental membership programs require that you check in via their website or app to be able to head straight to your car. Alamo renters can use Accelerated Check-In to pay and accept the rental agreement online and skip the counter.

Meanwhile, Enterprise renters need to download the Enterprise app and log in to their member profile to access ReadyPass to get their rental car faster.

» Learn more: How to avoid long lines at rental car counters

Earning rewards to redeem for rentals

If you're spending a lot on rental cars, your most important factor may be how much you get back on your spending. Here are the earning and redemption rates for the best car rental programs:

• Avis Preferred: Earn 1 point per dollar on rentals and 2x points on accessories. Redeem 700 points for a free rental day for a car costing up to $50 per day.

• Budget: Fastbreak members earn $25 in Budget Bucks for every two rentals, up to 52 coupons each year.

• Dollar: Earn Dollar Express Rewards on non-prepaid rentals. Free rental days start at 500 points for a one-day weekend rental or 625 points for a one-day weekday rental.

• Enterprise: Earn 1 point per dollar on qualifying rentals, and redeem as few as 400 points for a free rental day.

• Hertz Gold: Earn 1 point per dollar on rentals. After several recent devaluations, free rental days now start at 950 points.

• National: Earn 1 rental credit per qualifying car rental. Redeem 7 credits for a free rental day.

Of these, Enterprise stands out as the best car rental company. You can earn a free rental day with $400 in qualifying spending vs. $500 to $950 in spending through other programs. However, National's punch card-like rewards program might be the best for you if you have short rentals.

If you care about rewards, make sure to avoid rental car programs like Alamo Insiders and Payless Perks Club, which don't offer rewards points or free rental days.

Getting elite status through status matching or a credit card

The best car rental rewards program for you might just be determined by the credit card in your wallet or your airline or hotel elite status. That's because some rental car programs partner with airline and hotel programs to offer elite benefits.

For instance, Delta Air Lines elites can leverage their Delta Medallion elite status to get perks with Hertz or Sixt. Here's how Delta Medallion elite status matches to the following rental car rewards elite status levels:

A similar partnership exists between United Airlines and Avis. United Premier elite status members can claim the following elite status with Avis:

• United Premier Silver or Gold: Avis Preferred Plus.

• United Premier Platinum or 1K: Avis President's Club.

Even without airline or hotel elite status, you may be able to get rental car elite status through your credit card. Several premium United credit cards grant Avis President's Club elite status. Meanwhile, cardmembers of The Platinum Card® from American Express can enroll to get Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz President's Circle and National Executive tier elite status. Terms apply.

» Learn more: How to get car rental elite status through airline or hotel status

Choosing the best rental car agency program for you

As you can see, the best rental car rewards program can vary based on several factors. Some programs let you skip the line just for being a rewards member or using the car rental program's app. Many — but not all — car rental companies offer some sort of rewards program, although redemption rates vary widely between programs.

Finally, the best car rental rewards program for you might just depend on which credit card you have or your airline or hotel elite status. After all, it's easy to choose a rewards program that will offer you all of the perks of elite status even if it's your first time renting with that company.