United Airlines Ditches Hertz for AVIS As Exclusive Rental Car Partner, Limited Benefits Apply

The new Exclusive Rental CarPartner of United Airlines are Avis and Budget (both belonging to Avis) and United Mileage Plus has already published the preferential earning rates for new rentals.

United Airlines had a longstanding partnership with Hertz which included preferential mileage earning rates and status matches that lasted several years but finally came to an end last week, October 31st.

While the published benefits at this point are extremely sparse but United is just hinting on further benefits being developed which could be similar or identical to what Hertz offered in the past such as reciprocal status benefits. Neither company was able to confirm any future perks.

You can find more about this new partnership here on United Airlines website.

So far these are the only benefits listed on the site which are limited to a staggered bonus miles system that’s based upon the Mileage Plus status of the member as well as a tiered discount.

Previously United Premier Platinum as well as 1K received a complimentary status match to Hertz President’s Circle. Premier Silver and Premier Gold were eligible for Five Star status.

Hertz Presidents Circle members were able to receive a complimentary United Mileage Plus Premier Silver tier that comes with decent benefits such as Economy Plus seating upon check-in.

As the partnership is now dissolved these match options are no longer available.

Hertz has however extended the validity for Presidents Circle members who already completed this match through January 31, 2023.

If you are a United^® customer currently receiving complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards^® elite status as part of the MileagePlus^® and Hertz^® partnership, you will continue to receive Hertz benefits through January 31, 2023.

For those who like Hertz there is still a way but for members of Delta SkyMiles program.

It has become a useful side feature for both frequent flyer programs and car rental programs to provide reciprocal benefits but of course partnerships can change and especially the car rental market was in turmoil over the last 18 months.

I wish AVIS would be able to provide a little more information about what we can look forward to under this new partnership with United but so far AVIS has neither replied to a press request or on Twitter.

Conclusion

United Airlines and AVIS have just started their new exclusive partnership after the cooperation with Hertz ended late October. At this point the benefits are restricted to earning extra miles and being able to apply a discount. A status match feature might come at a later point but that’s literally up in the air right now.

The partnership is valid for both AVIS as well as their low cost subsidiary Budget so members can rent at both agencies in order to use the benefits. I’m not a big fan of either company to be honest. My preferred rental car providers in the U.S. are Hertz and National based on experience with the rental process and especially billing accuracy.