Avis Preferred guide: How to earn and redeem points and get elite status

If you ever rent cars with Avis, joining the Avis Preferred loyalty program can save you time and let you earn rewards. Best of all, if you have airline elite status or a premium travel rewards card, you might qualify for Avis elite status without meeting the usual rental or spending requirements.Here's what you need to know about Avis Preferred, including how to earn and redeem points, qualify for elite status and get the most value from the program.What is Avis Preferred?Avis Preferred is a free-to-join rental car loyalty program. However, if you reside in the U.S., a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, or Canada, you must be at least 25 years old to join Avis Preferred. (The program may have different age requirements for residents of other regions.)SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUYBy joining the program, you can often bypass the rental counter when picking up an Avis rental car. Plus, you can enjoy discounts and earn rewards on Avis rentals.Related: Hitting the road on your vacation? Everything you need to know about rental car elite statusAvis Preferred elite statusAvis Preferred offers its base member tier, which is somewhat confusingly called Avis Preferred,...