Car rental: How to get higher status easily with 6 companies

What is an status match ?

Status match is an option offered by a loyalty program.

With the major car rental companies, with a simple request and proof, the company will offer you the equivalent status to that which you already have with its competitor’s loyalty programme.

This shortcut encourages a customer who has a status with this competitor to try the new company, in the hope that he will stay with it instead. Given the client’s apparent loyalty and significant contribution to the other company, why not entice them with a gift!

How to make an equivalence of status

In most cases, a simple screenshot of your loyalty card showing your status and full name is accepted. But still check the details requested by each company.

This way, you can access all the advantages of a higher status, covoimme :

• free upgrades
• faster accumulation of points
• free car rental days
• discounts when booking
• a wider range of vehicles to choose from
• a special and faster queue at the counter
• a free additional driver

I have experienced this avenue myself and requests for equivalencies are answered very quickly. First, register for membership in each company’s loyalty program to speed up the process.

• Hertz
• Business
• Review
• National
• Sixt
• Europcar

Below you will find the path to start your status equivalencies through 6 different car rental companies.

The first step is to have one of these two credit card :

• American Express Platinum Card^®
• Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

They are the first step to a host of opportunities to make a trip easier and more memorable.

Step One – Hertz

With the benefits of the American Express Platinum Card^® or the Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, you obtain Five Star Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status. All you have to do is activate this benefit on the American Express registration page.

Then, the confirmation will arrive a few days later.

This allows you to earn points faster, upgrade and take possession of (or return) your rental vehicle quickly.

Normally, this Five Star Hertz Gold Plus Rewards level is obtained after 12 rentals or $2,000 USD in spending within a year.

Holding Five Star Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status provides leverage and helps you advance to other higher statuses.

Step 2 – Enterprise

So, with proof of Five Star Gold Plus Rewards status from Hertz, fill out this Status Match form at Enterprise.

According to the form’s table, you will obtain Enterprise Plus Gold status.

With this Gold level, you will receive two upgrades per year and bonus points for each eligible rental.

Third Step – Review

The American Express Platinum Card^® and the Business Platinum Card^® from American Express give you the advantage of having only Avis Preferred status. With this status match, you will achieve a higher level with Avis Preferred Plus status.

The car rental company Avis operates differently. You must send them an email.

Send a screenshot showing :

• your Enterprise Plus Gold status
• your name
• and your Avis membership number

at: profile.update@avisbudget.com

Then, you will receive a response confirming Avis Preferred Plus status.

To achieve Avis Preferred Plus status, you would have had to complete 12 rentals or spend $5,000 USD during the calendar year. It allows for free upgrades, faster access to Customer Service, and additional bonus points.

Stage 4 – National

Avis Preferred Plus status then grants Executive status in National’s Emerald Club program. You can even use your Hertz Five Star Gold Plus Rewards status directly to match your status.

A page of the Emerald Club of National is dedicated to make this status match.

Then, you will have the privilege of accessing the Executive car section, receiving guaranteed upgrades, as well as priority and fast services.

Fifth step – Sixt

Sixt offers Platinum status for Hertz Five Star Gold Plus Rewards members.

There are two options for doing this:

• Fill in the form directly on the Sixt website, by clicking on Get matched!
• or send an email with proof of Hertz Five Star Gold Plus Rewards membership to: sixtcard-us@sixt.com

Thanks to this Platinum status, you will receive additional discounts, exclusive parking and service counter, as well as a birthday surprise.

Stage 6 – Europcar

Finally, use your previously obtained Sixt Platinum status to obtain Europcar Executive status.

Send your information to: privilege-card@europcar.com

This Europcar Executive status can also be obtained through Emerald Executive status with National.

You will receive various discounts, faster counter pickup, and offered upgrades.

Summary

Here is a more visual summary of the step-by-step path to status equivalencies.

Note that the American Express^® Gold Rewards Card offers Gold Plus Rewards status with Hertz.

This level is lower than the Five Star Gold Plus Rewards status from Hertz, granted by the American Express Platinum Card^®.

However, using the same reasoning as above, you can follow the same steps but will obtain a lower level.

Finally, don’t forget to check that your credit card offers collision and theft insurance for your rental car (this will save you over $20 a day)!

Conclusion

When approved, status with a car rental company is valid for a determined period. Each company is different and it can be one year or longer.

It is therefore important to synchronize your status match requests with your travel dates. Furthermore, accumulated points expire after a determined period of account inactivity.