Avis Preferred Plus gives you faster pickups, room upgrades, and loyalty points that stack with your credit card rewards

Avis Preferred Plus is a free membership tier that removes friction from car rentals — you skip the counter line, get assigned a vehicle category upgrade when available, and earn points on every rental. If you're using a travel credit card to book, the membership layers on top of whatever cash back or points your card already earns. You don't choose between them; you get both.

The membership itself costs nothing. You join through Avis.com or by providing your membership number when you book. The real value sits in three places: time saved at pickup, a better car when the lot has one available, and points that convert to free rental days or other rewards.

Key Takeaways

  • Avis Preferred Plus membership is free and stacks with credit card rewards, so you earn points from both the membership and your travel card on the same rental.
  • You skip the rental counter entirely and go straight to your assigned vehicle, which typically saves 10 to 15 minutes on a standard rental.
  • The membership includes a one-car-class upgrade when your reserved category is unavailable, though upgrades are not may provide on every rental.
  • Points earned through Avis Preferred Plus convert to free rental days, gift cards, or partner rewards like hotel stays, depending on your account settings.

How the counter bypass works in practice

When you arrive at an Avis location as a Preferred Plus member, you walk past the main counter to the Preferred lot. An agent meets you there with your paperwork already printed and your vehicle keys ready. You sign once, take the keys, and drive off. On a busy day, this cuts 15 to 20 minutes from the rental process.

This only works if you've already reserved your car online or by phone before you arrive. If you show up without a reservation, you'll go through the standard counter process. The membership doesn't may provide a car is waiting — it guarantees a faster process once you have a confirmed booking.

Some locations are busier than others, and the Preferred lot itself can have a line on peak travel days. But even then, you're moving faster than the main counter, which often has multiple customers working through insurance questions, damage reports, or payment issues.

Upgrade may be able to access and what it actually means

Preferred Plus includes a one-car-class upgrade when your reserved category is not in stock. If you reserved a compact car and the lot is out of compacts, you get a mid-size at no extra charge. If you reserved a mid-size and mid-sizes are gone, you move up to a full-size.

The upgrade is not a may provide on every rental. It depends on what's actually available when you arrive. On a slow Tuesday in a small market, the lot might have exactly what you reserved. On a Friday in a major city during peak season, you could get upgraded to a better car, or you could get exactly what you booked because that's what's left. Avis doesn't promise an upgrade; it promises to give you the next class up if the situation allows.

Upgrades are most common at busy locations during high-demand periods, when the lot has run through lower categories and still has higher-tier vehicles available. They're least common at small locations or during off-peak times, when inventory is tighter across all categories.

How Avis points stack with credit card rewards

When you rent a car through Avis using a travel credit card, you earn rewards from both sources. Your card earns cash back or points based on its terms — typically 3x to 5x points per dollar on travel purchases. At the same time, your Avis Preferred Plus membership earns Avis points on the base rental rate.

These are separate reward pools. Your credit card points go into your card's account. Your Avis points go into your Avis account. You redeem them separately and they don't combine. But on a $300 rental, you might earn $9 to $15 in credit card rewards plus 300 to 450 Avis points, depending on your card's earning rate and your membership tier.

The Avis points typically convert to free rental days or discounts on future rentals. Some Avis members also transfer points to hotel and airline partners, though the conversion rates vary. Check your Avis account to see which redemption options are available to you.

Membership tiers and how to move up

Avis Preferred Plus is the entry level. Above it sits Preferred Plus Elite, which adds benefits like may provide upgrades, late-model vehicle preference, and bonus points on rentals. You reach Elite by renting a certain number of days per year — typically 10 to 15 rental days, though the exact threshold changes by year and region.

If you rent frequently through Avis, tracking your rental days toward Elite status makes sense. The may provide upgrade alone saves money on longer trips, since you're getting a better car without paying for a higher category. But if you rent a few times a year, Preferred Plus is the right tier and the free membership is all you need.

Your membership status carries across all Avis locations worldwide, so a rental in another country counts toward your annual total. Your status resets each calendar year.

When Preferred Plus saves the most money

The membership delivers the most value on business trips and longer leisure rentals where time matters. A 15-minute counter bypass on a one-day rental is nice but not transformative. On a week-long road trip, skipping the counter five times adds up to over an hour saved, and an upgrade on even one or two of those days means you're driving a nicer car for days at a time.

The membership also stacks well with travel cards that earn high points on rental cars. If your card earns 5x points on travel and you're renting weekly for work, the combination of card rewards plus Avis points creates a meaningful reward flow. A $400 weekly rental earns $20 in card rewards plus 400 to 600 Avis points, which converts to a free rental day every few weeks.

For occasional renters — one or two trips a year — the membership is still free and still worth joining, but the time savings and upgrade chances are smaller. You'll still earn points, but it might take several years to accumulate enough for a free rental.

What Preferred Plus doesn't include

The membership does not waive rental car insurance, damage waivers, or fuel charges. You still pay for gas, tolls, and any damage to the vehicle. It doesn't include free GPS, phone chargers, or other add-ons — those are separate purchases at checkout.

It also doesn't may provide a specific vehicle type. You get an upgrade if your category is unavailable, but you don't get to choose the exact model. If you need a specific car — a minivan for a family trip, a truck for hauling — you should reserve that category directly rather than relying on an upgrade to get it.

The membership is free, so there's no annual fee to justify or cancel. But it also doesn't include perks like free airport parking, lounge access, or concierge services that some premium car rental programs offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the same credit card every time to earn both rewards?

No. Your Avis Preferred Plus membership earns points regardless of how you pay. Your credit card earns rewards based on the card you use at checkout. You can use different cards on different rentals and earn from both sources each time, as long as you're logged into your Avis account when you book.

What happens to my Avis points if I don't rent for a year?

Avis points typically expire after three years of inactivity. If you don't rent or redeem points for 36 months, your balance resets to zero. Check your account settings to confirm the expiration policy, as it can vary by membership tier and region.

Can I use Preferred Plus at rental locations outside the United States?

Yes. Avis Preferred Plus works at Avis locations in most countries. Your membership number and points balance travel with you. Some international locations may have different upgrade policies or point earning rates, so confirm the details before you book.

Does the upgrade explore if I book through a third-party travel site?

Upgrades and Preferred Plus benefits typically only explore when you book directly through Avis.com or by calling Avis. Bookings through Expedia, Kayak, or other aggregators may not trigger your membership benefits. Always book through Avis directly if you want to may support your membership perks are active.