The Amex Platinum Card offers some amazing benefits for travelers who rent cars. You can get up to $200 in annual credits towards car rentals, which can really add up.
With the Amex Platinum Card, you'll also get access to the Global Entry program, which can help you breeze through airport security and customs. This can save you a lot of time and hassle on your travels.
If you're a frequent car renter, you'll appreciate the Amex Platinum Card's car rental insurance benefits. You'll get primary coverage on rentals, which means you won't have to file a claim with your personal insurance first.
Amex Platinum Card Car Rental Benefits
The Amex Platinum Card offers a range of car rental benefits that can save you time and money. You can get a discount on renting cars for local or interstate travel, access to a preferred queue for transport, or even free driver services.
One of the best perks is that you can accumulate points for each dollar spent on car rental and use those to cover a part of later spendings. This is a great way to earn rewards on your travel expenses.
To take advantage of these benefits, you'll need to register with the relevant service and make a payment with your Platinum card. This is a straightforward process, but it's essential to do so to get the most out of your card.
The Amex Platinum Card also offers elite status with three rental car companies: Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, and National Emerald Club. This can provide rental car upgrades, accelerated credits toward free rentals, and the ability to skip the rental car check-in counter when picking up your car.
Here are the specific benefits you can expect from each of these programs:
Keep in mind that Amex Platinum car rental insurance doesn't cover every car rental or situation. It doesn't work in some countries, including Australia, Italy, and New Zealand, and it doesn't cover certain types of vehicles, such as trucks, full-sized vans, and exotic cars.
Car Rental Status and Benefits
The Amex Platinum card offers a range of car rental benefits that can save you money and make your travel experience more enjoyable.
You can get discounts on renting cars for local or interstate travel, access to a preferred queue for transport, and even free driver services. These benefits are available through the Amex Platinum car rental program.
To take advantage of these benefits, you'll need to register with the relevant service and make a payment with your Platinum card. This will give you access to a range of perks, including coverage in case of car theft or damage.
The Platinum package also includes premium perks, like coverage in case of car theft, damage, etc. Cardholders accumulate points for each dollar spent on car rental and use those to cover a part of later spendings.
Here are some of the car rental benefits you can expect from the Amex Platinum card:
- Avis Preferred Plus status
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star status
- National Emerald Club Executive status
These elite statuses offer perks like special discounts, upgrades, and expedited service for picking up your vehicle. You can choose any car (full size and above) in the Executive Area with National Emerald Club Executive status and only pay the mid-size rate.
With Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star status, you'll get upgrades to the next vehicle booking class, subject to availability, earn 10% more points than base members, and register your spouse or domestic partner as an additional driver on vehicle rentals at no extra cost.
Insurance Coverage and Exclusions
The Amex Platinum card offers car rental insurance benefits, but it's essential to understand what's covered and what's not. The insurance applies to a limited list of vehicles and only to certain insured events, such as theft and accidents involving other cars and people.
The policy covers expenses up to $75,000 for car restoration, $300,000 in cases of fatalities, dismemberment of pedestrians, and other road traffic accident participants, and $2,000 for damaged property. However, this is a secondary policy, and its processing can be problematic.
You must cancel your rental provider's primary policy and meet additional conditions, such as age and insurance rating, to use this insurance. The policy covers the entire rental period up to 42 days.
Some vehicles are not covered by the Amex Platinum car rental insurance, including full-size or cargo vans, commercial minivans, customized vehicles, antique cars, limousines, and off-road vehicles.
Rentals in certain countries, including Australia, Italy, and New Zealand, are not eligible for coverage. Additionally, the insurance doesn't cover liability for damage you cause to other vehicles or people.
Here's a summary of the types of vehicles not covered by the Amex Platinum car rental insurance:
- Full-size or cargo vans
- Commercial minivans
- Customized vehicles
- Antique cars
- Limousines
- Off-road vehicles
Keep in mind that this is a secondary policy, and you'll need to file with your insurance company first before you file with American Express.
Activating and Managing Benefits
To activate and manage your Amex Platinum car rental benefits, you'll need to register with the relevant service and make a payment with your Platinum card. This will give you access to a preferred queue for transport, free driver services, and other premium perks.
To do this, you must decline the full collision damage waiver (CDW) or similar option offered by the Rental Company, and use your Platinum card to hold or place a deposit at the time the rental is checked out. This way, you'll ensure that coverage is activated and you won't pay for any portion of the rental by other means.
Here are the steps to activate your Amex Platinum perk as a new Hertz Gold Plus Rewards member:
- Login to your American Express account on the American Express website.
- Under the ‘Benefits & Help’ menu, select Platinum Benefits.
- Continue navigating to Travel -> Car & Rail -> Hertz Gold Plus Rewards -> View Options.
- You may be prompted to reconfirm your American Express login credentials.
- Under Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star, click the big blue Enrol button.
Activating Coverage
To activate coverage with your AmEx Platinum card, you'll need to register with the relevant service and make a payment with your Platinum card. This will give you access to a variety of benefits, including discounts on car rentals and coverage in case of car theft or damage.
To get primary rental car coverage, you'll have to pay an extra flat rate of $19.95 or $24.95 per rental period. This might seem like a lot, but it offers a higher coverage limit and longer coverage period, so it's worth considering.
The AmEx Platinum card offers secondary car rental loss and damage insurance, covering rental car theft or damage up to $75,000. To get this coverage at no additional cost, you'll need to meet two requirements: use your Platinum card to reserve and pay for the entire cost of the rental, and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
Here's a quick rundown of the requirements to activate coverage:
- Use your Platinum card to reserve and pay for the entire cost of the rental
- Decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter
- Don't split up the payment between multiple credit cards
Activate Gold Plus Rewards Membership
To activate your Gold Plus Rewards membership, you'll need to log in to your American Express account on the American Express website. From there, select Platinum Benefits under the Benefits & Help menu, then navigate to Travel -> Car & Rail -> Hertz Gold Plus Rewards -> View Options.
You may be prompted to reconfirm your American Express login credentials. Once you've done so, click the big blue Enrol button under Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star. This will guide you through the registration process.
As a Platinum member, you'll get instant access to the Five Star benefits, which include savings on standard rates and a one-car-class upgrade on select cars when available at participating locations.
Alternatively, you can also activate your Gold Plus Rewards membership through the Hertz website, but this method may not be as streamlined as using your American Express account.
Earning Rewards and Discounts
As a Platinum Card Member, you can earn rewards and discounts on car rentals. You can earn 10% bonus on Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Points if enrolled in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards.
You can also earn points on car hire bookings through American Express Travel Online, and receive bonus points on car hire bookings (and hotels) via the Amex mobile app. Some recent offers available via the Amex Platinum Card include cashback on eligible rentals with Avis and Hertz.
Here are some examples of discounts you can get on car rentals with Avis and Hertz:
President's Circle
Registering for the President's Circle is a great way to unlock exclusive benefits with Hertz. You'll get a flat 20% discount on rental and booking, making it a fantastic deal for frequent travelers.
To take advantage of this perk, you'll need to use your Platinum card when renting a car. This is a must, as it's the key to unlocking the President's Circle benefits.
With the President's Circle, you'll enjoy a grace period for returning the vehicle, giving you more flexibility with your travel plans. This can be a huge stress-reliever, especially if you're traveling with family or friends.
You'll also get access to higher-end cars, perfect for special occasions or business trips. And, as an added bonus, you'll have the option to include a free driver, which can be a huge cost-saver.
One of the best perks of the President's Circle is premium access to Hertz's support service. This means you'll get priority assistance and support whenever you need it, making your travel experience even smoother.
Here are some of the key benefits you can expect from the President's Circle:
- 20% discount on rental and booking
- Grace period for returning the vehicle
- Access to higher-end cars
- Free driver option
- Premium access to Hertz's support service
Faster Free Days
Earning rewards and discounts can be a great way to save money and get more out of your car rentals. You can earn 1 rental credit for every qualified car rental.
To get a free rental day, you'll need to accumulate 6 rental credits.
Bonus Points
Earning rewards can be a game-changer for your travel plans. As a Platinum Card Member, you'll get a 10% bonus on Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Points if enrolled in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards.
To maximize this benefit, make sure you're enrolled in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. This will ensure you receive the 10% bonus on your points.
The Platinum Card offers a range of benefits beyond its ongoing perks. Keep an eye out for relevant Amex Offers that may appear from time to time.
You can find the latest deals in the Amex Offers section of the American Express website or through the Amex mobile app. Save the offer to your Platinum Card before you spend to make sure you get the rewards.
Discounts for Hiring
As an American Express Platinum Card Member, you can enjoy discounts when hiring cars with Hertz and Avis.
You can save up to 25% off contract prices at participating locations worldwide.
Booking a car hire with Hertz using the Amex Platinum CDP can result in savings of up to $73.90 compared to the public rate.
Avis offers discounts for Platinum Card Members, with prices as low as $293.81 for a Compact car hire, compared to $523.36 for a non-discounted booking.
You can also earn complimentary one car-class upgrades when available and savings in over 114 countries through the Avis Preferred program.
Here are some example prices for Avis car hires with and without the Amex Platinum discount:
These discounts can add up, and in some cases, you may even be able to save more than the Amex Platinum Card's $1,450 annual fee.
Gold Plus Rewards
If you're a frequent traveler, you'll love the Gold Plus Rewards program from Hertz. You'll enjoy savings on standard rates and a one-car-class upgrade on select cars when available at participating locations.
To get started, you'll need to join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, but don't worry, it's easy. If you're an Amex Platinum cardholder, you can activate your perks through the American Express website.
Here's how: log in to your American Express account, navigate to the Platinum Benefits page, and click on Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. You'll need to reconfirm your login credentials, but after that, it's a simple form to fill out.
As a Platinum Card Member, you'll also get a 10% bonus on Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Points if you're enrolled in the program. This is a great way to earn even more rewards for your travels.
American Express Travel
American Express Travel offers a huge selection of great value flights, destinations, hotels, and even car rentals to choose from.
You can pay for your travel, including taxes, with your Membership Rewards points with no booking fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Amex Platinum Premium car rental insurance?
The Amex Platinum Premium car rental insurance costs $19.95 to $24.95 per rental period, depending on your coverage selection and state of residence.
Sources
- https://rates.fm/cards/amex-platinum-rental-car-benefits/
- https://www.uponarriving.com/amex-platinum-car-rental/
- https://www.americanexpress.com/en-ca/benefits/travel/the-platinum-card/
- https://www.pointhacks.com.au/american-express/amex-platinum-car-hire-benefits/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/amex-platinum-rental-car-benefits-guide
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