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The program is free to join and provides immediate value by allowing members to bypass the traditional rental counter at many airport locations. This "skip the line" feature, combined with member-only rates and a tiered elite status structure, makes it a formidable competitor to other major programs like National Emerald Club and Avis Preferred. Understanding the nuances of the Hertz Gold+ Rewards program is essential for anyone looking to maximize their travel budget and minimize the friction often associated with car rentals.
The Fundamentals of Earning Hertz Gold+ Points
Unlike airline or hotel programs that often offer a multitude of ways to rack up points through shopping portals, dining programs, or credit card transfers, the Hertz Gold+ Rewards ecosystem is more streamlined. Currently, renting cars remains the primary method for earning points.
Base members earn 1 Hertz point per dollar spent on the base rental rate. It is crucial for travelers to understand that "base rate" excludes taxes, fees, surcharges, and optional insurance coverage. For example, a $300 rental might only have a $210 base rate, meaning a standard Gold member would earn 210 points, not 300.
However, as members climb the elite status ladder, their earning potential increases significantly through status-based bonuses:
- Gold Members: 1 point per $1 spent.
- Five Star Members: 1.25 points per $1 spent (a 25% bonus).
- President’s Circle Members: 1.5 points per $1 spent (a 50% bonus).
These points are the currency of the program, but they come with strict expiration rules that require vigilance. Hertz points expire after just 12 months of inactivity. Activity is defined as either earning or redeeming points. If you do not rent a car or use your points at least once a year, your entire balance could vanish. Furthermore, Hertz enforces a "hard cap" on point longevity: any points remaining in an account for more than five years will be forfeited, regardless of recent activity. This makes Hertz Gold+ Rewards a "use it or lose it" program, discouraging long-term hoarding.
Navigating the Redemption Maze: Standard vs. Peak Rewards
Redeeming points for free rentals is where the program becomes both rewarding and complex. Hertz utilizes a two-tiered award structure: Standard and Peak.
Standard Awards represent the best value. They require fewer points but are subject to availability and specific dates. For a basic compact or premium car in the U.S., a Standard daily rental typically starts at 950 points. If you are planning a longer trip, Hertz offers a significant discount for weekly rentals. A one-week Standard rental starts at 4,750 points. When you break that down, it equates to roughly 678 points per day—a nearly 30% savings compared to booking seven individual days.
Peak Rewards are Hertz’s answer to high-demand periods. During holidays, major sporting events, or peak summer travel seasons, Standard awards may be unavailable, leaving only Peak rewards. These cost exactly double the points of a Standard award. For instance, a daily rental that costs 950 points at the Standard rate jumps to 1,900 points during Peak periods. Industry experts generally advise against using points for Peak rewards unless the cash price of the rental is astronomically high, as the "cents per point" value drops significantly.
Hertz provides an online calculator and a blackout calendar to help members identify which dates are classified as Peak at specific locations. Because these dates vary by city—a snowy weekend in Denver might be Peak while it remains Standard in Miami—checking multiple nearby locations in a metropolitan area can sometimes yield better redemption rates.
Specialized Redemptions and One-Way Rentals
For those looking to drive something more exciting than a standard sedan, Hertz allows points to be used for "Specialty," "Prestige," and "Adrenaline" collections. Specialty vehicles, such as small SUVs, generally start at 1,900 points per day for a Standard award. Higher-end models, including the Porsche 911 or the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, are theoretically available for redemption, though real-world availability is often scarce.
One-way rentals—where you pick up a car in one city and drop it off in another—are a popular option for road trippers. However, Hertz charges a premium for this flexibility. A one-way award rental costs double the points of a round-trip rental. A single day for a standard car one-way would thus cost 1,900 points.
One of the most member-friendly aspects of the program is its cancellation policy. Hertz does not charge cancellation fees for award bookings. If your plans change and you cancel before the scheduled pickup time, your points are fully refunded to your account.
The Elite Status Tiers: Perks and Requirements
Hertz Gold+ Rewards features three distinct tiers, each offering progressively better service and upgrades.
1. Hertz Gold Status:
This is the entry-level tier, available to anyone 21 or older. The primary benefit is the "Gold Fast Lane" service, allowing members to bypass the counter at over 50 of the world’s busiest airports. Additionally, Gold members receive a complimentary second driver (spouse or domestic partner) for rentals in the U.S., a perk that can save $13 to $15 per day.
2. Hertz Five Star Status:
To reach Five Star status, a member must complete 10 rentals or spend $2,000 in a calendar year (though some promotional periods may lower these requirements to 3 rentals or $1,000).
Key benefits include:
- A 25% point earning bonus.
- Space-available upgrades to the next car class.
- Access to the "Five Star" section of the Hertz Ultimate Choice lot, allowing you to choose any car from a designated area when you book a midsize car or higher.
3. Hertz President’s Circle Status:
This is the top-tier level, requiring 20 rentals or $4,000 in annual spend (promotional rates may lower this to 15 rentals or $3,000).
President’s Circle members enjoy:
- A 50% point earning bonus.
- Guaranteed one-class upgrades.
- Access to the widest vehicle selection in the Ultimate Choice lot.
- A dedicated customer service line.
The "Ultimate Choice" feature is perhaps the most beloved perk of Hertz elite status. Instead of being assigned a specific car, Five Star and President’s Circle members can walk into a designated zone of the parking lot and pick any vehicle they like—often finding SUVs, minivans, or even luxury cars parked in the elite sections—provided they originally booked at least a midsize vehicle.
Leveraging Partnerships for Instant Status
For many travelers, the fastest way to achieve Hertz elite status is not through rentals, but through strategic partnerships.
Credit Card Benefits:
The American Express Platinum Card® is a powerhouse for car rental perks. Cardholders receive complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status (enrollment required). Furthermore, when using the Amex "CDP" code, cardholders get a four-hour grace period on returns at select U.S. locations, meaning if you return the car at 4:00 PM instead of 12:00 PM, you won’t be charged an extra day.
Similarly, the Capital One Venture X and Venture X Business cards offer complimentary President’s Circle status. The standard Capital One Venture Rewards card provides Five Star status. These credit card shortcuts allow travelers to enjoy top-tier benefits from their very first rental of the year.
Airline Partnerships:
Delta Air Lines and Hertz have a deep-rooted partnership. Delta SkyMiles Medallion members can match their airline status to Hertz. Silver and Gold Medallion members get Five Star status, while Platinum and Diamond Medallion members are boosted to President’s Circle. Additionally, all SkyMiles members can earn Delta miles on Hertz rentals instead of Hertz points, which may be preferable for those who prioritize air travel rewards.
AAA and Other Organizations:
AAA members have long enjoyed a privileged relationship with Hertz. By using the AAA corporate code, members can save up to 20% on base rates, get the young renter fee (for ages 20–24) waived, and receive a free car seat rental. Furthermore, Hertz often participates in status match programs, allowing members of competitor loyalty programs (like National or Enterprise) to bring their status over to Hertz Gold+.
Strategic Analysis: Is Hertz Gold+ Worth It?
In an industry that is increasingly commoditized, the Hertz Gold+ Rewards program provides a tangible edge through its "Ultimate Choice" lot and its integration with premium credit cards. While the 12-month point expiration is aggressive, the ability to skip the rental counter is a non-negotiable benefit for frequent travelers.
The transition toward electric vehicles (EVs) also marks a new chapter for Hertz. Despite some recent fleet adjustments, Hertz remains a leader in EV rentals, often featuring Tesla Model 3s and Polestars in their President’s Circle lots. For tech-savvy travelers, this provides an opportunity to test-drive the future of motoring while earning points toward their next vacation.
Ultimately, the value of Hertz Gold+ Rewards lies in its reliability and global reach. Whether you are a business traveler needing to get off the plane and into a car in under five minutes, or a family looking for a free weekly rental in Hawaii, understanding these rules ensures you never pay more than necessary. By stacking credit card status, AAA discounts, and strategic point redemptions, travelers can transform the mundane chore of car rental into a high-value component of their loyalty strategy.