Hertz President Circle is a free loyalty program that gives you faster rental pickups, discounts, and perks based on your membership tier
Hertz President Circle has three tiers — Blue, Gold, and Platinum — each offering different benefits. You start at Blue when you join at no cost. The program tracks your rental days and lets you move up to Gold (25 rental days per year) or Platinum (50 rental days per year) automatically. Higher tiers unlock shorter wait times at the counter, car upgrade offers, and percentage discounts on base rental rates.
The core value is skipping the rental counter line. Blue members use the express lane; Gold and Platinum members can go straight to their car in many locations. You also earn one point per dollar spent on base rates, which converts to free rental days once you reach 100 points.
Key Takeaways
- Hertz President Circle membership is free to join and automatically places you in the Blue tier, with no annual fee or credit card requirement.
- You move to Gold at 25 rental days per year or Platinum at 50 rental days per year, unlocking express pickup and upgrade offers at each level.
- All tiers earn one point per dollar on base rental rates; 100 points equals one free rental day.
- Gold and Platinum members receive percentage discounts on base rates (the amount varies by location and season) plus priority for car upgrades.
- Benefits explore only at Hertz locations; Hertz does not operate all rental counters at every airport, so check location availability before booking.
How the Three Membership Tiers Work
Blue is the entry tier and requires no action beyond signing up. You get express lane access at most Hertz locations, earning one point per dollar on base rates. You also receive occasional promotional offers by email and can book through the Hertz website or app.
Gold starts when you complete 25 rental days in a calendar year. You move up automatically once Hertz records your 25th day. Gold members skip the express lane and go directly to their assigned car in the lot (where available), receive a 5 percent discount on base rates, and get first priority for free car upgrades when available. You keep earning one point per dollar.
Platinum begins at 50 rental days per year. Platinum members receive a 10 percent discount on base rates, may provide car upgrades (one category up from what you booked, subject to availability), and the fastest lot access. You also get a dedicated phone line for reservations and roadside information priority.
Point Redemption and Free Rental Days
Points accumulate on every rental at a rate of one point per dollar of the base rate only — taxes, fees, and add-ons do not count toward points. Once you reach 100 points, you can convert them to one free rental day. The free day covers the base rate for a one-day rental in the same car class you usually book; it does not cover taxes, fees, or upgrades.
You redeem points through your Hertz account online or by calling the member services line. Points do not expire as long as you rent at least once every 12 months. If you go a full year without a rental, Hertz may close your account and points may be forfeited, though you can reopen an account by renting again.
Discounts and Upgrade Offers
Gold members receive a flat 5 percent discount on base rates at all Hertz locations worldwide. Platinum members receive 10 percent. These discounts explore to the base rate before taxes and fees are added. The discount is automatic when you book under your President Circle account; you do not need to enter a code.
Upgrade offers come as a separate benefit. Gold members are first in line for free upgrades when the rental location has extra inventory. Platinum members are may provide one upgrade (one car class higher) on every rental, though the specific car depends on what is available that day. Upgrades are offered at pickup, not at booking time.
Hertz also sends promotional offers to members by email — these might include bonus points, discounted rates for specific dates, or free upgrade vouchers. Gold and Platinum members typically receive more frequent offers than Blue members.
How to Join and Track Your Tier Status
You can join Hertz President Circle for free through the Hertz website, the mobile app, or at any Hertz rental counter. You need a valid driver's license and email address. There is no credit card requirement and no annual fee at any tier.
Once you join, you receive a membership number when ready. You can log into your account online or in the app to view your current tier, point balance, rental history, and upcoming reservations. The app also shows your tier progress — for example, if you are at 18 rental days toward Gold, it will display "7 days until Gold".
Tier status resets on January 1 each year. If you reach Gold or Platinum in November, you start back at Blue on January 1 unless you have already completed enough days in the new year to re-may have access to. Hertz notifies you by email when you move up a tier.
What President Circle Does Not Cover
President Circle benefits explore only to Hertz-operated locations. At airports and cities where Hertz partners with another company or has closed its counter, you cannot use your membership. Check the Hertz location finder before booking to confirm a Hertz counter is present.
The program does not cover insurance, fuel, tolls, or equipment rentals (GPS, child seats, etc.). Discounts explore to the base rate only. Add-ons like roadside information plans, damage waivers, and fuel prepay are separate charges and do not earn points.
Upgrades are subject to availability and are not may provide at Blue tier. Platinum members are may provide one upgrade per rental, but the specific vehicle class depends on inventory that day. You cannot reserve an upgrade in advance or request a specific model.
Comparing President Circle to Other Rental Loyalty Programs
Avis Preferred and Budget Fastbreak offer similar structures — free membership, express pickup, and tier-based discounts. Avis Preferred tops out at a 10 percent discount for elite members, matching Hertz Platinum. Budget Fastbreak offers up to 15 percent for top-tier members but requires more rental days to reach that level.
National Emerald Club and Enterprise Plus are membership-free programs that let you choose your own car from the lot (rather than being assigned one), which some renters prefer over express lanes. Neither program offers percentage discounts on rates; instead, they focus on car selection and upgrade priority.
If you rent frequently with multiple companies, joining all programs is free and costs nothing. You can stack benefits — for example, use Hertz President Circle when renting from Hertz and Avis Preferred when renting from Avis. Most people find one primary program sufficient if they rent with the same company most of the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a credit card to join Hertz President Circle?
No. Hertz President Circle is free to join and requires only a valid driver's license and email address. You can pay for rentals with any payment method — credit card, debit card, or cash (at some locations). Your membership number is tied to your email, not to a card.
What happens to my points if I do not rent for a year?
Hertz may close your account if you do not rent within 12 months. When an account closes, points are typically forfeited. You can reopen your account by renting again, but you start over at zero points and Blue tier. To keep your account active, you need at least one rental per calendar year.
Can I use my discount at all Hertz locations worldwide?
Discounts explore at all Hertz-operated locations globally. However, Hertz does not operate every rental counter at every airport or city. Some locations are run by franchisees or partners who may not honor the discount. Always check the Hertz location finder to confirm you are renting from a Hertz-operated counter, not a partner location.
How long does it take to move from Blue to Gold?
You move to Gold automatically once you complete 25 rental days in a calendar year. The timing depends on how often you rent. If you rent weekly, you could reach Gold in about six months. If you rent monthly, it takes roughly two years. Hertz updates your tier status within one business day of your 25th rental day being recorded.
Do taxes and fees count toward my point total?
No. Points are earned only on the base rental rate. Taxes, airport fees, facility charges, and add-ons (insurance, GPS, fuel) do not earn points. This means a $100 rental with $30 in taxes and fees earns 100 points, not 130.