United Airlines and Hertz have announced a new partnership in which MileagePlus elite members will receive elite status in Hertz’s Gold Plus Rewards program and more miles for Hertz rentals.
Discounts and Bonus Miles with Hertz
Hertz is already discounted on united.com (up to 40%, though always shop around) and with this partnership, Hertz, including its Thrifty and Budget divisions, will become the exclusive rental car company of United Airlines. MileagePlus members who book with Hertz will now earn the following bonus points per rental:
- 1,250 miles – MileagePlus Global Services, Premier 1K and Premier Platinum members
- 1,000 miles – MileagePlus Premier Gold and Premier Silver members
- 750 miles – Primary cardmembers of MileagePlus credit cards from Chase
- 500 miles – MileagePlus general members
Cars need not be reserved on united.com in order to take advantage of these bonus points.
Rentals with Hertz’s Thrifty and Dollar subsidiaries will earn 50 miles per day for rentals of one to four days and 500 miles for rentals five days or longer (this remains unchanged from previous policy).
Elite Status on Hertz
Beginning on 01 January 2015, United elite members will receive elite status in Hertz’s Gold Plus Rewards program. Global Services, 1K and Platinum members and primary MileagePlus Club and Presidential Plus Card members may sign up for complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program, with benefits that include:
- Confirmed availability of an economy – full-size car with a minimum 48-hour advance reservation
- Confirmed one-car-class upgrade availability at all participating locations in the United States and Canada and select European locations
MileagePlus Gold and Silver members may sign up for complimentary Hertz Five Star status, which offers a one-car-class upgrade as its primary benefit, based on availability.
Will it Help You?
I am not loyal to any particular car company right now, because rates seem to vary so much. I tend to use Hertz or Sixt in Germany, National or Alamo in the USA, and have used Avis this month in South Africa because it has offered the most attractive prices. For most trips, I don’t care what kind of car I have (as long as it is automatic), but if I happen to book with Hertz it will be nice to earn extra points and enjoy a complimentary upgrade. We also see in this news the increasing importance of holding an airline-affiliated credit card – look for more perks like this going forward as the relationship between airlines and credit-card issuing banks remains a fundamental profit source.
I saw this on FT yesterday and thought it was neat partnership – but didn’t read any more about it, so thanks for highlighting it and explaining the benefits more. The Airlines are doing more and more to make people brand loyal to a group instead of letting traveler hand pick their own loyalty. I.e. Now you Fly with United, Stay at Marriott and rent from Hertz or Fly Delta & stay at SPG to maximize points. Not only does the new partnership enhance travel experience with status matches/mileage earning opportunities it can cause consumers to dump credit cards that offer perks like the Amex Plat that gives status away as part of the $450 annual charge as now you get the cross travel benefits by being an Elite flyer.
Small correction – Budget is part of the Avis group, not Hertz. You’re probably thinking of Dollar. You do have the right logo down towards the bottom.
I wonder if this means I will lose my Avis President’s Club status. I have that status right now either due to United Premier status, or due to the United Presidential Plus Mastercard… can’t remember which. I hope not as I really like the upgrades and service that come with that Avis status.
And yes, looks like I do lose Avis President’s Club in this move. I received a letter from United stating this today.
could not register as it did not accept my last name Allen. Not sure what the problem was, but would appreciate help on this matter. Presidential Plus Chase card ..first 6 digits 546657.