Some credit cards go beyond merely accumulating reward points to help you save by offering specific benefits and discounts for car rentals, often providing a privileged status. These advantages may include rental car insurance, significant discounts, and even premium services, such as free upgrades through higher status at rental agencies, or priority access while others wait to pick up their vehicle.
In fact, these cards are particularly advantageous for frequent travellers or those looking to enhance their car rental experience without paying extra. With a high status, you can enjoy services such as higher-end vehicles, expedited rental processing, and preferential rates.
Here’s an overview of the most popular credit cards offering these benefits.
The American Express Platinum Card® both the personal version and the Business Platinum Card® from American Express are one of the most prestigious cards on the market for travelers. Not only does it offer you reward points for savings, it also gives you privileged access to the most renowned car rental loyalty programs:
What’s more, the American Express Platinum Card® includes complete car rental insurance, covering collision, theft and third-party liability. This can save you considerably on the insurance fees offered by rental agencies.
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card, which is more affordable than its big sister, the American Express Platinum Card® still offers an interesting advantage: Gold Plus Rewards status with Hertz. This status gives you access to discounts, car upgrades when availability permits, and simplified rental management with accelerated service. Gold Plus Rewards status is ideal for people looking for a great rental experience at a lower cost.
Scotiabank credit cards offer solid advantages when it comes to car rental, thanks to their partnerships with Avis and Budget. These cards not only offer significant savings, but also dedicated customer service and access to prestigious loyalty programs.
With the Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card, saving on car rental becomes simple and effective. With this card, you can take advantage of a discount of up to 25% off the base rate at participating Avis and Budget rental agencies in Canada and the United States. Here’s how to do it:
To rent with Avis :
To rent with Budget :
With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, you can join the Avis Preferred Plus program free of charge and enjoy a range of prestigious benefits, such as :
With the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you also benefit from interesting discounts on car rentals. You can save up to 25% on prime rates at participating Review and Budget locations in Canada and the U.S. by using your card to pay.
For bookings with Avis :
For reservations with Budget :
With the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card, you also benefit from interesting discounts on car rentals. You can get up to 25% off prime rates at participating Review and Budget locations in Canada and the United States. Discounts are also available on the Scotia Momentum VISA Card and the Scotia Momentum® No-Fee VISA* Card.
For your reservations with Avis :
These various privileges enable you to enhance your rental experience while optimizing your travel budget. Whether through a direct discount on the prime rate or through loyalty program benefits, Scotiabank’s offers stand out for their richness and flexibility.
Remember that discount codes vary from card to card. So it’s important to always consult your credit card’s benefits guide for the exact codes that apply to your card. This will help you maximize savings and take full advantage of the benefits to which you are entitled.
CIBC credit cards maximize your Budget rental experience with several benefits:
Some CIBC cards also offer additional services, such as Garmin GPS, extended roadside assistance, fuel options and child safety seats.
All the information can be found here.
BMO credit cards offer significant benefits when you rent a vehicle from National, Enterprise or Alamo. In addition to a discount of up to 25% off the base rental rate, some cards offer additional benefits such as more points on this category of purchase.
To make a reservation, use the car rental tool partners.rentalcar.com/bmo-english
Here are a few examples of cards that offer car rental benefits:
Holders of an Aeroplan co-branded credit card can access Avis Preferred or Avis President’s Club status, depending on the type of card they hold. These statuses offer the possibility of obtaining a free upgrade when renting a car in Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, subject to availability.
What’s more, you earn one Aeroplan point for every dollar you spend with Avis. For full details of the partnership between Aeroplan and Avis, visit this page.
The TD program works in a special way, offering minimal savings:
Please note that TD does not provide discount codes directly on its site. To take advantage of these offers, it is necessary to consult the benefits guide specific to each card. Recommended TD cards include :
These cards also include additional benefits, such as travel insurance and popular loyalty programs, which are super attractive for travelers.
MBNA offers a simplified TD-like approach to car rental with the following advantages:
The originality of MBNA’s offer lies in the use of a link with a unique code applicable to all their cards, simplifying activation for partner agencies. Click on the following links to go there and benefit from the discounts: Avis and Budget.
Eligible RBC cardholders enjoy attractive car rental benefits with Avis, Budget and Hertz. With your RBC card, you can get up to 20% off car rentals in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean (domestic rentals excluded). To take advantage of this offer, simply book online:
In addition, members of the RBC Avion Rewards Premium program benefit from exclusive advantages at Hertz, which enhance this international offer. As a premium member, you can also benefit from a 10% discount on the price of fuel per liter.
With Desjardins credit cards like the Desjardins Odyssey Gold Visa Card in hand, renting a car becomes much more affordable and enjoyable.
Here are the benefits you can enjoy at Hertz, Thrifty and Dollar :
At Hertz :
To take advantage of these offers, contact Hertz at 1 800 263-0678, or visit their website for more details.
At Thrifty and Dollar :
To arrange your rental, call Thrifty at 1 800 847-4389 and Dollar at 1 800 800-4000, or check out their websites for more info.
This summary provides a brief overview of the benefits offered by the most popular credit cards. If your card is not listed here, we recommend that you consult the detailed terms and conditions in the small print on your card issuer’s website.
Choosing the right credit card can make all the difference when it comes to renting a vehicle; the cards featured in this guide allow you to benefit from price discounts and premium advantages, as well as being able to use your points to reduce the bill even further. From complementary insurance to free upgrades and preferential rates, each card offers benefits to suit different profiles. Before finalizing your reservation, take the time to consult the specific offers linked to your card to maximize your benefits. A small gesture that can greatly enhance your comfort on long-distance routes and lighten your budget on future trips.
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