When it comes to car rental, it is vital to be aware of your credit card inclusions and the small print of your rental car policy so that you know exactly what is and what is not covered in case you face an accident, a car theft or other damage that could affect your rental experience.
More importantly, if you rely on the car rental collision damage exemption included on your credit card to protect you, whether you are touring the country or renting a vehicle overseas, and whether or not you have your own insurance personal car at home – you need to make sure you follow all the rules to avoid surprises.
There are generally three main requirements: You must pay the entire rental with that specific credit card to receive coverage and associated benefits, the cardholder must be the primary driver (although the additional drivers listed in the contract should also be covered. car rental) and most importantly, you must refuse any additional insurance offered by the car rental company.
Thankfully, there are several personal and business credit cards available designed to make things easier for those seeking protection on their travels, by including primary or secondary rental insurance (we’ll deal with the difference between them later) or by providing free elite status with some car rental companies.
Below, select details on the best credit cards to use when renting a car, including those that offer collision damage waiver insurance and other benefits such as automatic elite status.
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Best credit cards for rental cars
Contents
- 1 Best credit cards for rental cars
- 2 Best overall
- 3 Best low-annual-fee credit card for car rentals
- 4 Best for those who prefer rental car elite status
- 5 Best for luxury travel lovers
- 6 Best for frequent United Airlines flyers
- 7 Best for renting a car for business purposes
- 8 Other things to consider before renting a car
- 9 Bottom line
- 10 Our methodology
- 11 What is Avis highest status?
- 12 Why is it harder to rent a car with a debit card?
- 13 Which credit card gives 25% discount on tickets?
- 14 Is Visa a major debit card?
Best overall
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Rewards
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals by purchasing travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $ 300 has been spent annually on travel purchases. On the same subject : Can you lie about mileage on insurance?. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & amp; 1 point per $ 1 spent on all other purchases plus 10 X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
Welcome bonus
Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $ 4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account
Annual fee
Intro APR
Regular APR
Balance transfer fee
Foreign transaction fee
Credit needed
Who is this for? If you’re looking for a card with exceptional points-earning opportunities, a generous welcome bonus, and a variety of luxury travel perks, look no further than Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Car Rental Benefits: The Chase Sapphire Reserve has you covered, with comprehensive car rental collision damage insurance – a primary rental insurance that covers up to $ 75,000 in damage caused by an accident or theft for rentals up to 31 consecutive days in the United States and in most cases other countries.
Cardholders also get discounts and upgrades through Avis, Silvercar and National Car Rental, as well as automatic elite status with National’s Emerald Club Executive loyalty program and Avis Preferred Plus, providing access to even more benefits that can make your experience easier rental. Additionally, the card offers free roadside assistance in the United States and Canada to help with emergencies such as flat tires and empty gas tanks (up to $ 50 of coverage per event, up to four events per year).
Other Benefits: While Chase Sapphire Reserve’s $ 550 annual fee may seem high, it’s quite reasonable if you plan to use all the included benefits: up to $ 300 in annual travel credit (which can be used for car rental) ; Credit for the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS registration fee; access to Priority Pass ™ Select airport lounges and The Luxury Hotel & amp; Resort Collection; free subscriptions and monthly credits via DoorDash DashPass; VIP access to exclusive dinners; and premium seating at concerts and sporting events. The card also offers travel and emergency assistance, travel cancellation and curtailment insurance, extended warranty and purchase protection, and there are no foreign transaction fees.
Best low-annual-fee credit card for car rentals
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rewards
Annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit of $ 50, 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x points on meals, 2x points on all other travel purchases, and 1x points on all others shopping See the article : Third party car insurance explained – Forbes Advisor Australia.
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $ 4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account. That’s $ 750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Annual fee
Intro APR
Regular APR
18.99% – 25.99% variable on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
Either $ 5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
Credit needed
Who is this for? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is for those interested in receiving similar benefits as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but for a much lower annual fee of $ 95.
Car Rental Benefits: Like the high-end reserve card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card also includes primary car rental coverage for domestic and international car rentals for up to 31 consecutive days, but in this case it is intended to cover any damages caused by an accident or theft up to the actual cash value of most rental cars.
Other Benefits: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers subscriptions and credits via DoorDash DashPass, Instacart + and Gopuff; has no foreign transaction fees; and comes with travel cancellation and curtailment insurance, travel and emergency service, extended warranty and purchase protection. You’ll also have access to exclusive benefits like an annual Ultimate Rewards® credit of $ 50 annually for hotels booked through the Ultimate Rewards® travel portal and a 10% increase in anniversary points.
Best for those who prefer rental car elite status
The Platinum Card® from American Express
On the secure American Express website To see also : Car Insurance Cost Comparison in a Recently Released Survey.
Rewards
Earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $ 500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1 redeem points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $ 6,000 on purchases on your new card in the first 6 months of your card enrollment. Apply and select your favorite metal card design: the classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Annual fee
Intro APR
Regular APR
Balance transfer fee
Foreign transaction fee
Credit Needed
Who is this for? If you’re a fan of elite status benefits, American Express’s Platinum Card® is a great choice, especially as it offers a ton of luxury perks.
Car Rental Benefits: Cardholders receive automatic status and special privileges through Avis Preferred®, National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive or Hertz President’s Circle® elite subscription, each of which includes their own benefits such as free upgrades and discounts additional on car rentals.
Although this card offers a collision damage waiver for car rental, in this case it is secondary coverage, meaning you should first go through your auto insurance provider in the event of an accident or theft, although you have the option to add an additional premium car rental protection for a flat rate per rental period (not per day) to increase this value up to the primary rental insurance. Rates range from $ 12.95 to $ 24.95 depending on where you live and the coverage you choose. It is valid on rentals up to 42 consecutive days, so it is quite complete despite the additional cost. This particular product is not available for rental in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, Israel or Jamaica.
Other Perks: At $ 695 (see Fees and Fees) per year, this card carries the highest annual fee on this list, but there are many perks that may be worth it, including:
Best for luxury travel lovers
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card information was independently collected by Select and was not reviewed or provided by the card issuer prior to publication.
Rewards
10X miles on hotels and rental cars, 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel; unlimited 2X miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $ 4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account
Annual fee
Intro APR
Regular APR
Balance transfer fee
3% for promotional offers in April; none for balances transferred to regular April
Foreign transaction fees
Credit needed
Who is this for? Those who prefer luxury travel benefits, annual travel credits, a decent welcome bonus, and profitable rates to earn points should check out the Capital One® Venture X® Rewards credit card.
Car Rental Benefits: The card also includes primary rental insurance with a car rental collision damage waiver to cover damage caused by accident or theft up to the value of the vehicle (up to $ 75,000 if new) on rentals up to to 15 consecutive days in the United States. and up to 31 consecutive days when renting abroad.
In addition to receiving benefits through your automatic Hertz President’s Circle® elite status, such as skipping the rental counter and having the widest selection of cars, cardholders can also earn 10x miles per dollar on rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and for any Turo booking made now until May 16, 2023.
Other Benefits: While there is an annual fee of $ 395, this card offers valuable travel benefits such as a Capital One Travel credit of up to $ 300 per year, access to airport lounges, and an automatic bonus of 10,000 miles each year you hold the card open.
Cardholders also have exclusive access to restaurant reservations, dining experiences and presale tickets for sporting events and concerts; no foreign transaction fees for using the card abroad; travel accident insurance; extended warranty and return protection; and cell phone protection.
Best for frequent United Airlines flyers
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Rewards
4 miles per $ 1 spent on United® purchases, 2 miles per $ 1 spent on all other travel and meals (including eligible delivery services), and 1 mile per $ 1 spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $ 5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account.
Annual fee
Intro APR
Regular APR
Balance transfer fee
Foreign transaction fees
Credit needed
Who is this for? The United Club℠ Infinite Card is a great choice if you fly frequently with United or another Star Alliance carrier. In addition to the many United-related benefits, it offers a number of other premium travel benefits, including auto rental elite status and solid protections.
Car Rental Benefits: Cardholders receive primary car rental coverage, which offers reimbursement for damage caused by theft or accident up to the full value of the car (up to $ 75,000) for rentals up to 15 consecutive days nationally (or 31 consecutive days internationally).
If you rent with Avis, you can also join the Avis President’s Club loyalty program to access additional benefits such as two-car class upgrades, fast rental service and guaranteed rental availability.
Other Benefits: There are no foreign transaction fees and you will receive loads of additional benefits, such as joining up to 45 United Club for you and your travel companions and some Star Alliance affiliated lounges around the world; two free checked bags on flights operated by United Airlines; priority service for check-in, security, baggage sorting and boarding; and a $ 100 credit to use for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS.
Cardholders also receive free IHG Rewards Platinum Elite status; 25% back in account credits when you use it to pay for Wi-Fi, food and drinks in flight; upgrades for you and a companion when you have Premier status and flights with award tickets; 10% discount on flight awards in Economy on United and United Express; special benefits through The Luxury Hotel & amp; Resort Collection; a free one-year subscription to DoorDash DashPass if you activate it by December 31, 2024; Visa Infinite Concierge service and exclusive access to United Card Events from Chase.
Best for renting a car for business purposes
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Rewards
Earn 3x points for $ 1 on the first $ 150,000 spent on combined purchases across select categories each account anniversary year (travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, and advertising purchases with social media sites and engines search), 1 X point for $ 1 on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $ 15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account
Annual fee
Intro APR
Regular APR
Balance transfer fee
Either $ 5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
Credit needed
Who is this for? Small business owners who often rent cars for business trips and don’t want to pay. a high annual fee should consider the Ink Business Preferred® credit card. It offers strong car rental coverage and great opportunities to earn points.
Advantages of car rental: If your rental is part of a corporate or business trip to the United States or abroad, or if you are renting one for personal reasons while traveling abroad and do not have your own auto insurance, Ink Business The Preferred card covers you, with a car rental collision damage waiver that protects you with primary rental insurance for rentals up to 31 consecutive days worldwide. Keep in mind that if you are renting a car for personal reasons in the United States and happen to have your own auto insurance, this included benefit is treated as secondary insurance after coverage from your primary provider.
Other Benefits: You will also receive additional benefits such as road dispatch service, travel and emergency assistance, and trip cancellation and trip curtailment insurance. Other benefits include purchasing and extended warranty protection and cell phone protection when using the card to pay your monthly phone bill.
Other things to consider before renting a car
To get started, remember the three essential rules for credit card rental car insurance coverage:
Primary vs. secondary rental insurance
Beyond that, it’s important to note the difference between primary and secondary rental insurance – of all the cards on this list, American Express’s Platinum Card® was the only one that included secondary coverage (with an option to switch a primary) while all of the others offered primary.
When you have primary rental insurance, it essentially means that you won’t have to go through your auto insurance provider (if you have one) and you can simply file a claim via the website or by calling the number on the back of your card in case. of damage or theft.
With secondary rental insurance, however, the coverage provided by your credit card will not take effect until you have filed a claim through your personal auto insurance policy and, ultimately, your credit card policy. You may also need to contact your card issuer to make sure you are covered if you don’t have your own car insurance (i.e. if you don’t have a car at home but need to rent one on a trip) or if I will rent one overseas where yours is. usual auto insurance will not take effect.
Liability coverage isn’t usually included
Keep in mind that so far we’ve only talked about damage to the actual vehicle you are renting, not to anyone or anything else that may also have been damaged at the time of the accident or theft and the typical credit card – provided the insurance probably won’t it will cover it.
If you have your own insurance policy, double check to make sure you have liability coverage just in case, and if not, you may be able to attach it to your rental at the counter for an additional fee, which usually ranges from $ 8 to $ 25 extra per day.
Not all car rentals will be covered by a collision damage waiver
Check that the type of car you are renting is actually covered by the credit card car rental collision damage waiver, as some luxury cars and recreational vehicles may not be included. Likewise, car sharing companies like Turo are generally not covered by credit card car rental protection.
It is also important to pay attention to any specific time periods indicated in the fine print of your credit card, such as rentals that must be completed within 14 or 31 consecutive days depending on where you are going, as well as any countries that may be excluded, to make sure you are properly covered.
Bottom line
With a little planning and attention to detail, it’s possible to make your credit card work for you, providing the coverage and benefits you need to ensure a successful car rental experience at the lowest possible cost.
There is an option available for every type of consumer, whether you are interested in a card that offers solid travel-related benefits, a particularly lucrative welcome bonus or other treats such as automatic elite status with your car rental company. favorite. And with all the cards on this list providing primary, or secondary rental insurance with the option to pay more for the primary, you’ll have the peace of mind you need to fully enjoy your time on the go, wherever it takes you. . To maximize your savings even more when renting a car, consider using a credit card that gives you bonus rewards on gas station spending.
Our methodology
To determine which cards offer the best value for car rental, Select analyzed 234 of the most popular credit cards available in the United States. We compared each card on a number of features, including: rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR, balance transfer fee and foreign transaction fees, as well as factors such as credit required and customer reviews, if available . We also considered additional benefits, the application process and how easy it is for the consumer to redeem points.
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Editorial Note: The views, analyzes, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editors only and have not been reviewed, endorsed or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
What is Avis highest status?
President’s Club and Chairman’s Club are the two highest tiers of Avis’s loyalty program and require an invitation. Avis President’s Club members will benefit from: Double Upgrade: After booking an intermediate or higher level car, you will automatically get a double upgrade whenever it becomes available.
What is the highest level of Avis? Avis Preferred Plus is the higher of the two tiers of Avis’ rental car loyalty program. Its benefits include: A free upgrade to a single car class based on availability. The ability to earn additional bonus points on each rental.
How long does Avis President’s Club last?
The free Avis President’s Club lasts for two years (provided the cardholder makes a car rental within the two-year period). If no rentals are made within the two year period, the free membership will terminate.
How long does Avis status last?
Avis Preferred Points are valid for 60 months (i.e. five years) from when they were earned.
Does Avis Preferred Plus status expire?
For members who have achieved Avis Preferred Plus or Avis President’s Club, the respective status remains valid for the remainder of the current membership year plus an additional 12 months.
What is Avis Chairman’s Club?
The final status level with Avis is Chairman’s Club, and it’s also by invitation only. Benefits include an automatic upgrade to the best available car when you hire an intermediate or higher level car and a delivery service within 25 miles of an Avis location.
What are the different levels of rental cars?
Car rental categories in the United States
- Economy. Passengers: 4. Bags: 2. …
- Compact. Passengers: 2. Bags: 2. …
- Intermediate / Medium size / Standard. Passengers: 5. Bags: 3-4. …
- Full size / Premium. Passengers: 5. Bags: 4. …
- Luxury. Passengers: 5. …
- Convertible. Passengers: 2-4. …
- Compact SUV. Passengers: 5. …
- Intermediate / Medium / Standard SUV. Passengers: 5.
What do rental car categories mean?
Rental companies organize similar cars into distinct “classes” or “categories” rather than renting specific models. When selecting a car, you are actually specifying a group of similar vehicles – not a particular model. That’s why you’ll usually see “or similar” next to the make and model.
What’s better standard or intermediate rental car?
Comparing an intermediate car with a standard one? An intermediate car rental is smaller than a standard car, but larger than a compact car. The small size allows for easier parking and greater fuel economy than a standard car.
Is compact or economy car better?
The biggest difference between an economy car and a compact car is the size. While both vehicle classes are generally very affordable to rent and drive (offering great fuel efficiency), budget cars are generally slightly smaller than their compact counterparts.
What does Avis elite status get you?
Benefits of Avis Preferred Plus Elite Status As a new Avis Preferred member, you will receive fast service, earn 1 point for every dollar spent on rentals, 2 points per dollar on accessories, and receive special member offers every month.
How do you get invited to Avis President’s Club?
To join Avis’ President’s Club, you must also be a member of the Third Home luxury home exchange service. To participate in Third Home, you must own a luxury second home that meets the company’s expectations, including quality of furnishings, finishes, location, and value (must be worth at least $ 500,000).
What is the difference between Avis preferred and preferred plus?
Each Avis Preferred rental brings you closer to Avis Preferred Plus â a higher membership level with even greater premiums for rental cars. Redeem points for daily rental rewards, upgrades and accessories. Daily rental rewards start at just 700 points with no blackout dates.
What are the Avis status?
Avis status levels. Avis offers a loyalty program consisting of two tiers: Avis Preferred and Avis Preferred Plus. The next two tiers, Avis President’s Club and Avis Chairman’s Club, are by invitation only.
Why is it harder to rent a car with a debit card?
Car rental companies view debit cards as riskier and often unfairly view them as a bad credit warning sign. Businesses also fear that a debit card may be linked to a bank account without sufficient funds to meet an unexpected charge if the car is damaged or returned late.
Is it better to rent a car with a credit or debit card? However, debit cards aren’t always accepted for car rentals, and even when they are, it’s much better to opt for a credit card anyway. Credit cards offer better consumer protection, such as fraud liability, and some cards cover rental car insurance.
Is a debit card OK to rent a car?
The short answer is yes, you can rent a car with a debit card. Major car rental companies including Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz allow all debit card rentals.
Why can’t you use a debit card for car rental?
Many car rental companies prefer not to allow customers to use debit cards because it increases the risk they take when renting to you. Unlike a credit card, a debit card only has as much money as you have put into your bank account.
Which rental car companies allow you to use a debit card?
Car rental companies that accept debit cards
- Business. Debit cards are accepted in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada (non-airport locations only). …
- Dollar. Dollar changed its debit card policy in 2019 to make it easier for customers to pay the charge. …
- Alamo. …
- Notice …
- Balance. …
- Sixth. …
- National. …
- Hertz.
Is it more expensive to rent a car with a debit card?
Requirements for renting a car with a debit card None, major car rental companies will rent to debit card holders as easily as they rent to credit card holders. In all major car rental companies, a customer with a debit card can expect the car rental company to: apply for a bank-issued debit card.
Is it more expensive to rent a car with a debit card?
Requirements for renting a car with a debit card None, major car rental companies will rent to debit card holders as easily as they rent to credit card holders. In all major car rental companies, a customer with a debit card can expect the car rental company to: apply for a bank-issued debit card.
How much does car rental hold on debit card?
If your car rental company allows you to collect your car using your debit card, the rental agent will hold a hold on the funds in the bank account linked to the debit card in an amount equal to the estimated rental charges plus a deposit. , typically $ 200 to $ 300.
Why don’t you rent a car with a debit card?
Why car rental companies avoid debit cards. Many car rental companies prefer not to allow customers to use debit cards because it increases the risk they take when renting to you. Unlike a credit card, a debit card only has as much money as you have put into your bank account.
Why can’t I use debit card for car rental?
Many car rental companies prefer not to allow customers to use debit cards because it increases the risk they take when renting to you. Unlike a credit card, a debit card only has as much money as you have put into your bank account.
Does Hertz accept debit cards for payment?
Hertz will not accept prepaid debit or debit cards as a form of payment or guarantee at the time of booking or at the time of collection. You must present a valid and accepted credit card mentioned above at the start of the rental. Debit cards can be used for payment upon return.
Which rental car company does not require a credit card?
Which car rental companies don’t require a credit card? All major US car rental companies have credit cardless payment options at select rental locations, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, SIXT, Thrifty, and Turo.
Which rental car companies allow you to use a debit card?
Car rental companies that accept debit cards
- Business. Debit cards are accepted in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada (non-airport locations only). …
- Dollar. Dollar changed its debit card policy in 2019 to make it easier for customers to pay the charge. …
- Alamo. …
- Notice …
- Balance. …
- Sixth. …
- National. …
- Hertz.
Which credit card gives 25% discount on tickets?
An HDFC Times Card holder can enjoy a 25% discount up to INR 350 on up to 4 discounted movie tickets per card per month.
.
Is Visa a major debit card?
Visa Debit is one of the leading brands of debit cards issued by Visa in many countries around the world. Numerous banks and financial institutions issue Visa debit cards to their customers for access to their bank accounts.
Is Visa considered a debit card? Types of Visa cards include credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, and gift cards.
What is a major debit card?
A physical card can include functions of all three types, so that it can be used in a variety of circumstances. The top 5 debit card networks are UnionPay, American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.
Is a debit card a major credit card?
Debit card users can only spend the money available in their bank account unless they have overdraft protection. A credit card is linked to a line of credit offered by the company issuing the card. Credit cards help build credit history while debit cards don’t.
What are the 3 types of debit cards?
A: The types of debit cards for students are Visa, Maestro and MasterCard. And these are offered by all major banks in India.
What are major credit debit cards?
Primary Credit Card means MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover.
What type of card is a Visa debit?
A Visa Debit card basically works like a check. The amount of your purchase is deducted directly from your current account. You can use your Visa debit card to: Place an order online, by phone or by post.
Is a Visa debit card a credit card?
Your Visa Debit card still works like a debit card, not a credit card. If you use your PIN for Visa debit card transactions without signing up, you may not receive the same security protections for unprocessed Visa transactions. You can get a refund when you use your Visa debit card in many stores.
Is a Visa debit the same as a Visa card?
Although they work in similar ways, there are inherent differences between the two. A debit card uses the funds from your bank account while a credit card is linked to a line of credit that can be repaid later, which gives you more time to pay for your purchases.
Is a Visa debit card a Mastercard?
Cards are issued by all forms of banks, financial institutions, and even street shops will issue Visa or Mastercard® cards. For you as a consumer, there is no real distinguishable difference between Visa or Mastercard®. Both are simply forms of payment.
Is a Visa card a major credit card?
Primary Credit Card means MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover.
What are the 4 major credit cards?
Credit card companies are classified as payment networks and / or card issuers. Four major credit card networks dominate the market in the United States: American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.
Is a Visa card considered a credit card?
A Visa credit card is a credit card that uses the Visa network to authorize and process payments between consumers, government, and businesses. A Visa credit card is a credit card that uses the Visa network to authorize and process payments between consumers, government, and businesses.
What type of credit card is a Visa?
Visa cards are payment cards that use the Visa network. Financial institutions partner with Visa to use the company’s network. Visa cards come with a 16-digit account number, microchip and magnetic stripe. Types of Visa cards include credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, and gift cards.