The best rental car loyalty programs in 2026

The perks and rewards you can earn on rental cars vary drastically between programs. And not every rental car loyalty program is a traditional rewards program. But joining the right program can help you earn free rental days, get upgrades, skip the counter or unlock elite status through a credit card or another loyalty program.So, here's a look at the best rental car loyalty programs for U.S. consumers.Comparison of the best rental car loyalty programsBefore we dive into each program, here's a quick comparison of the best rental car loyalty programs.I chose programs to include in this guide based on three factors: would I recommend that other travelers use them, are they available in most major cities and airports throughout the U.S., and do they offer either rewards that you can use toward free rental days or member discounts on rentals. As such, I excluded regional programs, as well as Ace Member Rewards and Fox Rewards, which offer budget rentals but often result in poor rental experiences due to the lack of widely available skip-the-line pickup features.ProgramEarning rate on rentals for members without statusStarting rate for a free rental dayReward expiration policyCompliment...