How to Maximize the Avis Preferred Rewards Program

Avis Preferred is a popular rewards program used by the agency's regular renters. Members can earn points for renting vehicles and adding accessories, then redeem for further rentals and/or accessories.

Here, we explain the finer details of the Avis Preferred program, including how to earn points, how to use them, and how the elite status membership tiers work.

What is the Avis Preferred rewards program?

The Avis car rental agency rewards loyal customers through its membership program, called Avis Preferred. Members earn points every time they book rental cars and accessories through the company. Points can later be redeemed for car rentals and accessories.

As you can tell, it's a fairly straightforward program, but there are different earn rates and benefits for elite-status members.

To join, head to the Avis website or download the mobile app and follow the prompts.

Overview

Currency: Points

Rewards: Rentals and accessories

Pros:

• Free to join
• Easy to set up
• No blackout dates on reward rentals
• Tiered membership program allows you to earn points faster
• Enjoy expedited service lanes when using Avis
• Get exclusive monthly offers

Cons:

• Limited opportunities to earn and redeem points
• Doesn't earn points on taxes or fees
• Points expire after 12 months of inactivity

Avis Preferred membership tiers

The more you book with Avis, the more Points you earn and the closer you get to elite status within the program. New members are automatically placed at the base level, Avis Preferred, but are bumped up to Avis Preferred Plus and then to the Avis President's Club level once they earn enough points.

Here's an overview of the benefits for each tier:

What are Avis Preferred Points worth?

The value of Avis Preferred Points depends on how you redeem them, but the average value is 5.9 cents per point (CPP).

To see exactly how much value your points give you, we use this handy formula:

Value of reward in CAD / cost of reward in points × 100 = value in cents per point (CPP)

Unfortunately, additional math is required to determine the value of the rental car rewards since the reward values are given in USD. At the time of writing, $1 USD = $1.42 CAD.

Avis rental cars: 7 CPP

Avis adds a little wrinkle when redeeming Points for vehicle rentals: Redemption bookings are based on standard day rates that are broken into 4 levels.

You can see the levels, rates, and points here:

* Note: You still have to pay the taxes and fees for your reward rental.

We found that the best redemption option is for the Level 1 rental cars, which cost less than $70.81 per day. If you can find one at this amount, your 700 points could be worth over 8 CPP.

Overall, we found that points are worth 7 CPP when averaged across all reward levels – a fantastic value.

Accessories: 4.7 CPP

Avis Preferred members can redeem Points for accessories by exchanging a fixed 250 points for each extra they choose to add. Overall, this option provides an average value of 4.7 CPP, with GPS navigation offering the most value at 7.2 CPP.

How to earn Avis Preferred Points

There are only 2 ways to earn Avis Preferred Points: renting cars and paying for accessories.

The rate at which you earn points depends on your current membership level.

Accessories that you can add to your Avis rental include SiriusXM radio, GPS navigation, digital SIM cards, and child safety seats.

Best credit cards for earning Avis Preferred points

Avis doesn't offer branded cards that offer accelerated earn rates, but we still recommend carefully considering the credit card you use when renting from them.

Some cards include rental car insurance or accelerated rewards for gas, and major card issuers like Scotiabank often offer rental car discounts on their premium credit cards.

How to redeem Avis Preferred Points

Avis Preferred members have just 2 options for redeeming points: car rentals or rental car accessories.

Redeem for car rentals

As mentioned above, redemption car rentals are based on standard rates. The required points per rental depend on which of the 4 levels your preferred vehicle falls into:

• Level 1: 700 points per day
• Level 2: 1,400 points per day
• Level 3: 2,100 points per day
• Level 4: 3,500 points per day

Considering the differences in costs for each level, your reward Points are worth an average of 7 CPP when redeemed for car rentals.

Redeem for accessories

At the rental counter (or when you book a vehicle), you'll be asked if you want to purchase any accessories, such as:

• SiriusXM radio
• GPS navigation
• Digital SIM cards
• Avis Travel Partner service
• Child safety seats

If you do, you can buy them with points. Each accessory you add costs a flat 250 points per day, regardless of your membership level.

Is the Avis Preferred rewards program worth it?

While the Avis Preferred program doesn't offer the extensive earning opportunities of other reward programs, its simplicity and high value make it worthwhile if you frequently book with the rental company.

The fact that you can earn status to unlock even more benefits is a nice bonus. And, if you book strategically with the right credit card, you can access Avis discounts, rental car insurance, or accelerated rewards when you refuel your rental.

FAQ

What does "Avis Preferred" mean?

Avis Preferred is the name of the Avis loyalty rewards program, though it also refers to the base membership level that you're automatically placed in when you join the program. Avis Preferred terms and conditions apply to the U.S. and Canada.

Is Avis Preferred status free?

Yes, you'll get base-level Avis Preferred status just for signing up for the program. It is free to join, but all prices listed on the Avis Canada website are in USD, so be sure to account for conversion rates when calculating the true value of your car rental and points.

How do you get Avis Preferred?

To become an Avis Preferred member, download the app and follow the enrollment prompts, or sign up online. To achieve Avis Preferred status, you simply have to be a member, as it's the base level in the program – the others being Avis Preferred Plus and Avis President's Club.

What's the difference between Avis Preferred/Plus?

Avis Preferred is the initial level you're at when you join the Avis Preferred Program. Once you've booked 10 rentals with Avis or spent $4,000 USD, you'll move to Avis Preferred Plus membership, which lets you earn points faster.

Is there an Aeroplan and Avis Preferred partnership?

Yes, if you have an Aeroplan premium credit card or have reached Aeroplan 75K or Super Elite Status, you'll automatically get Avis President's Club status in the Avis Preferred program. This is the program's top tier and includes benefits like dedicated support and vehicle guarantees.

Are there benefits with American Express and Avis Preferred?

Yes, there's an American Express-Avis Preferred partnership, where select Amex cards offer cardholders complimentary Avis status or a 25% discount on Avis rentals. To access the discount in Canada or the U.S., you have to book the car using the eligible Amex credit card.