Who is American Express car rental partners?

[VonDakota]

American Express has established partnerships with three major rental car companies: Avis, Hertz, and National Car Rental. Specifically, holding The Platinum Card® from American Express automatically grants you complimentary elite status with each: Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, and National Emerald Club Executive. This status is a core benefit of the card and requires no additional spending or enrollment fees.

The primary value lies in bypassing the standard rental counter. With each program, you can proceed directly to your car or a dedicated elite area. At Avis and Hertz locations, you’ll typically find your car in a reserved section. National’s Emerald Club Executive status offers the unique “Choose Your Own Car” feature from the Executive Aisle, providing immediate flexibility upon arrival.

Beyond expedited service, elite status waves the underage driver fee for renters between 21 and 24 years old at participating Avis and Hertz locations in the U.S., a significant cost saver for younger drivers. Other perks include opportunities for free rental day awards, vehicle upgrades (subject to availability), and earning bonus points or miles on rentals.

It’s critical to manage expectations regarding insurance. The elite status itself does not include primary rental car insurance. However, The Platinum Card offers Premium Car Rental Protection as a secondary, chargeable option. For primary coverage, the American Express® Gold Card or The Business Platinum Card® provide it as a benefit when you use the card to pay for the rental. Coverage terms and eligibility vary by card and region.

To activate the benefits, you must enroll your Amex Platinum card in each partner’s loyalty program and link it to your account. This is a one-time setup done online. When booking, always use your membership number and pay with your Platinum Card to ensure the benefits and potential insurance apply.

Partner	Complimentary Status	Key Perks	Notable Benefit for Young Drivers
Avis	Preferred Plus	Counter bypass, dedicated fleet area.	Underage fee waived (21-24).
Hertz	Gold Plus Rewards	Counter bypass, Gold Choice area.	Underage fee waived (21-24).
National	Emerald Club Executive	Counter bypass, Choose Your Own Car.	Standard policy applies.

The partnerships are designed for frequent travelers valuing time and convenience. The combination of expedited pickup processes, potential for upgrades, and ancillary benefits like underage fee waivers delivers tangible value, directly addressing the core pain points of traditional car rental experiences.

[DawsonAnn]

As a frequent business traveler, my Amex Platinum’s rental partners are a game-changer. I’m enrolled with Avis, Hertz, and National. At the airport, I head straight to the lot. No lines, no waiting at counters. For National, I walk to the Executive Aisle and pick any car I like—it’s that simple.

The underage fee waiver with Avis and Hertz was perfect when my son needed to rent a car during college. It saved us a substantial fee. Remember, you must book with your Platinum Card and use your elite membership number for the perks to work. The time saved is the biggest benefit for me every trip.

[PiperRose]

Let’s break down what these partnerships actually mean for you. You get top-tier status with three competing companies, not just one. This gives you flexibility to choose based on price or location while keeping elite benefits.

Here’s the practical difference: Avis and Hertz assign you a specific car in a reserved area. You see your spot number on the board, go find the car, and drive off. National’s model is different. Their Executive status lets you choose from a dedicated aisle. You see your options and take the one that suits you best in that moment.

A key detail is the young renter benefit. If you’re between 21 and 24, Avis and Hertz will waive their daily underage driver fee. National does not offer this waiver. This can make one company significantly cheaper than the others for that demographic.

Don’t forget the setup. You must proactively link your Amex Platinum to your loyalty accounts for each brand. It takes five minutes online but is essential. Also, understand that insurance is separate. The status doesn’t cover damage; you need to rely on your card’s benefits or personal insurance.

[DeMorgan]

Forget the rental counter. That’s the single best thing about having an Amex Platinum. I travel a lot for work, and landing at midnight only to face a long line is exhausting.

With my complimentary Hertz Gold status, I walk past everyone, check the board for my name and stall number, and my car is waiting. Keys are inside. I do a quick inspection and leave. The entire process from terminal to highway takes 10 minutes.

The same idea applies to Avis and National. It turns a tedious chore into a non-event. It’s not about fancy upgrades every time—it’s about getting on with your trip without hassle. That reliability is worth a lot.

[DiStella]

Maximizing the Amex car rental partnerships involves a bit of strategy. First, complete the enrollment for all three programs—Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold, and National Emerald Club. Link your Platinum Card in each account profile. This one-time step unlocks everything.

When planning a trip, I now check rates for all three partners. Since I have elite status with each, I’m not loyal to one brand; I go for the best price or most convenient location. I consistently find that National’s “choose your own car” model offers the best immediate upgrade potential, as you can often select a class higher than you booked.

A crucial tip is payment. Always use your Amex Platinum to pay for the rental to trigger any applicable insurance benefits. Be aware that the Platinum’s own rental insurance is secondary. For primary coverage without filing with your personal insurance first, you’d need to use a different eligible Amex card like the Gold Card.

Finally, always present your elite membership number at the counter if you need assistance, or use it when booking online. The benefits are automatic but tied to that profile. For young drivers, always confirm the underage fee waiver is applied at Avis or Hertz, as it can be a major cost difference. These partnerships are a set of tools; using them deliberately gets the most value.