Hiring cars anywhere in the world can be a stressful experience. Airport chaos, hidden fees, and, come 2024, quite extortionate pricing for the privilege, make car hire one of the least enjoyable parts of any travel itinerary.
American Express® Platinum Card holders don’t share as much of this pain. They’re supported by a range of car hire discounts at both Hertz1 and Avis2, as well as automatic status unlocks at Hertz1. But how does it work exactly, and which benefit is best for you? Let’s unpack them all below so you’re armed with the right knowledge before booking your next set of wheels.
American Express Platinum Card’s Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Overview
Usually, to achieve Five Star status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program, you need to rent seven vehicles in Australia and spend more than $1,500 with Hertz each year. American Express Platinum Primary and Additional Card Members ascend to this status tier immediately after enrolment1, regardless of how often they get behind the wheel. Let’s have a quick look at the benefits of Hertz Gold Plus Five Star status.
Benefits Of Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star Status1
- Upgrades to the next vehicle booking class, subject to availability.
- When earning points with Hertz you’ll earn 10% more points than base members.
- For no extra cost you can register your spouse or domestic partner as an additional driver on vehicle rentals.
- Get up to 15% off standard rental rates.
How To Activate Your Status
Under the Platinum Benefits menu in your American Express Account, you can easily activate your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership if you don’t already have one. Just follow the steps below.
- 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.
- Click the blue ‘Enrol’ button under Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star. Fill out the form and you should expect to receive the details from Hertz in due course.
How To Upgrade Your Existing Hertz Membership
- Begin by completing the standard activation process outlined above until you reach the Hertz landing page.
- Locate the ‘Corporate Discount Program’ (CDP) code at the bottom of the page (we’re not going to show you what one looks like for obvious reasons).
- Navigate to the Profile Summary page on the Hertz website. Click ‘Edit’ next to ‘Personal Details’ and enter the CDP code associated with your Amex Platinum Card.
- While in your Profile Summary, set your Amex Platinum Card as the preferred payment method for future rentals.
- Send an email to [email protected] from the email address linked to your Gold Plus Rewards account. Include your full name, Hertz membership number, and request an upgrade to Five Star status for Australian Amex Platinum Card members.
- Mention that your Amex Platinum Card is already linked to your account and the Amex Platinum CDP code is attached (do not include your Amex Card number).
- Within a few business days, you should receive confirmation of your Five Star status upgrade. Access your digital membership card via the Membership Information tab on the Hertz website.
Discounts For Hertz Gold Plus Members
As mentioned previously, you can save up to 15% on standard rental fees by booking with Hertz thanks to the Gold Plus membership. These savings are automatically attributed to your search queries on the Hertz website when logged in with an active membership. Sometimes, you can actually book a flexible rate for less than the price of the public pre-paid rates. Such peace of mind in this economy – or if you’re one to change your plans last minute – is invaluable.
Avis Preferred Membership
For Avis, American Express Platinum Primary and Additional Card Members get discounts2, as opposed to any status tier, but in our opinion, they’re so compelling you may be swayed over Hertz anyway.
Join the Avis Preferred program via the American Express website. This is essential to have your discount attributed to your Avis Preferred account. You can activate this by clicking enrol next to the Hertz option described above. And it’s worth doing, we might add, because the discount is serious.
How Your Platinum Card’s Complimentary Travel Insurance Covers Car Hire
Car hire falls under the complimentary travel insurance available to all holders of the Platinum Card. The policy’s Loss Damage Waiver Cover on eligible rental vehicles, applies when:
- You’re at least 21 years of age but less than 80 years of age ‘before You make Your Qualifying Rental Vehicle Purchase.’
- Your Amex Platinum Card is used to pay for the car rental. Alternatively, you’ve used Membership Rewards® points from your corresponding rewards account, or used the Platinum Card’s annual Travel Benefit to book the same.
- You are a resident of Australia.
- You are a Platinum Card Member, an Additional Card Member, or their spouse or dependent child.
- That American Express Platinum Card account must be current and in good standing – not cancelled or suspended.
You are NOT covered in these instances:
- For rentals longer than 31 days.
- The hire of non-standard vehicles such as trailers, caravans, mopeds, motorcycles, campervans, and vehicles for business and commercial use.
- For vehicles with a retail purchase price in excess of $125,000 AUD.
- For any rental undertaken when you do not have the appropriate licence to operate the vehicle or are not a nominated or specified driver under the Rental Agreement.
- Sub-limits, terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).
Finally, it’s worth noting that car hire promotions occasionally fall in under the Amex Offers3 section of the website. You can earn more points, unlock an even better rate, or get cash back for a certain level of spend.
Fast Facts – The American Express Platinum Card
- Card type: Charge Card
- Annual Fee: $1,450 p.a.
- Cash Flow Period: Up to 44 cash flow days and no pre-set spending limit
Terms & Conditions
Subject to Terms and Conditions. Fees and charges apply. All information is correct as of 14/02/2025 and is subject to change. Cards are offered, issued, and administered by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085). American Express income and credit approval criteria applies. ®Registered Trademark of American Express Company
- 1. Hertz. Benefits vary by market and location of rental, and may be subject to availability. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® enrolment is required to enjoy all benefits. Terms and Conditions apply. Visit the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® website for full Terms and Conditions. American Express Terms and Conditions apply. American Express reserves the right to instruct Hertz to cancel your membership if you cease to be a Platinum Card Member or your Account is not in good standing. Valid only for new car rental bookings made through Platinum Travel Service. Available for the American Express Platinum Card Member. Payment must be made in full with an American Express Platinum Card in the Platinum Card Member’s name. Eligible Platinum Card Member must travel on itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described.
- 2. Avis. Enrolment in the Avis Preferred program is required to receive benefits. Benefits are subject to change. All Avis Preferred Terms and Conditions apply. To view partner terms and conditions, visit avispreferred.eu. American Express Terms and Conditions apply. American Express reserves the right to instruct Avis to cancel your membership if you cease to be a Platinum Card Member or your account is not in good standing.
- 3. Amex Offers. The following are not Eligible Cards: Business Cards that are affiliated with a wholesale partner, American Express Business Travel Accounts, Government Cards, Corporate Purchasing Cards, Corporate Meeting Cards, Corporate Cards and the David Jones Storecard. To view Amex Offers, simply log into your Online Account or the American Express Mobile App. The account must being in good standing to be eligible for offers.
