Delta Medallion and Hertz: President's Circle Through Delta
If you hold Delta Medallion status, you may already be entitled to Hertz elite status and not know it. Delta's car partner page lists complimentary Hertz status for Medallion members: President's Circle for Diamond and Platinum Medallions, and Five Star for Gold and Silver Medallions. Some Delta SkyMiles American Express cards include Hertz status as well.
It isn't automatic, though. You have to link accounts and opt in. This guide covers who qualifies, how to activate it, what you get, and the common mistakes.
Who gets what
According to Delta's partner benefits page:
| Delta status or card | Hertz tier |
|---|---|
| Diamond Medallion | President's Circle |
| Platinum Medallion | President's Circle |
| Gold Medallion | Five Star |
| Silver Medallion | Five Star |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve / Reserve Business Amex | President's Circle |
| Delta SkyMiles Platinum / Platinum Business Amex | Five Star |
Delta's page also lists SkyMiles earning on Hertz rentals that increases with Medallion level: 5 miles per $1 for Silver, 6 for Gold, 7 for Platinum and 8 for Diamond, on qualifying rentals.
What President's Circle gets you
Hertz describes President's Circle as the top published tier of Gold Plus Rewards, with:
- A guaranteed one-class upgrade, when available, up to the maximum class Hertz specifies
- The widest selection of available vehicles in the Gold Plus Rewards program
- A dedicated President's Circle service line
- The highest points earning rate in the program
And, as a Gold Plus Rewards member, counter-free pickup at participating locations.
Five Star is the middle tier, a step below President's Circle on vehicle choice and upgrades.
How to activate it
Delta's page says that for Hertz President's Circle, you need to add your Gold Plus Rewards number to your SkyMiles profile and opt in to the benefit. In practice:
- Join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (free) if you aren't a member.
- Log in to delta.com, go to your SkyMiles profile, and add your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number in the partner section.
- Opt in to the Hertz benefit through Delta's partner page.
- Wait for Hertz to update your tier, then check your Hertz account.
- Book rentals with your Gold Plus Rewards number and your SkyMiles number attached, so you get the tier and the miles.
If you get Hertz status from a Delta Amex card instead of Medallion status, follow the card's benefit instructions. Card benefits often have their own enrollment step.
How long it lasts
The Hertz tier through Delta is tied to your current Medallion status, or to holding the eligible card. If your Medallion level changes, for example from Platinum to Gold, your Hertz tier is expected to change as well, from President's Circle to Five Star. If you cancel the card, the card-based benefit ends.
Delta's Medallion year resets each year (Delta has described the 2026 Medallion Year on its news site). Make sure your Hertz tier still shows correctly after Delta's annual status changes take effect.
Delta route vs. Hertz's own status match
Hertz's Tier Status Matching Program is a separate route. It matches competitor rental status, such as Avis President's Club or National Executive Elite, to President's Circle. It's limited to members who've never matched or haven't matched in five years, and runs through December 31 of the second calendar year.
Why the Delta route is often better: - It doesn't use up Hertz's match. Keep that for later, in case you lose Medallion status. - It renews as long as you keep Medallion status or the card. There's no fixed end date. - It doesn't need competitor rental status.
When the Hertz match is better: if you don't have Delta status but do hold top-tier status at Avis, National or Sixt.
Using President's Circle to get other rental status
A current President's Circle tier from Delta is still President's Circle. Rental programs that accept Hertz status as a source include Avis (Hertz President's Circle reported as a source for President's Club) and SIXT (which names Hertz among its sources). National accepts rental, airline and hotel programs, so your Delta Medallion status itself may qualify there. Each program decides, and all require current status in your name.
Common mistakes
- Assuming it's automatic. You have to add your Gold Plus Rewards number at Delta and opt in.
- Booking without your Hertz number. Status applies to reservations with your membership attached.
- Expecting an upgrade on every rental. It's "when available," up to a capped class.
- Not checking after Delta's annual reset. A change in Medallion level can change your Hertz tier.
- Using Hertz's own match when you already qualify through Delta. You'd use up the five-year window for nothing.
Getting the most from President's Circle
- Book the class you actually need, then expect one class up when available. Booking a midsize and receiving a full-size is the typical result. Booking an economy car and hoping for an SUV usually isn't.
- Rent at larger airport locations. Upgrade availability, dedicated areas and fast exits are mostly airport features.
- Use the dedicated service line to fix reservations. It's one of the less obvious but more useful benefits.
- Earn Delta miles on rentals by booking with your SkyMiles number attached, at the rate for your Medallion level.
- Check the rental agreement before driving off. Make sure no extras you didn't ask for have been added.
If you lose Medallion status
Delta Medallion status is reset each year based on qualifying activity. If you drop a level or lose Medallion status:
- Check your Hertz tier. It may change to match.
- Think about a Delta Reserve Amex. It gives President's Circle on its own, separate from Medallion status.
- Keep Hertz's own match available. Hertz's five-year match is a fallback if you hold competitor rental status.
- Look at other cards. Capital One Venture X also gives President's Circle.
Delta route vs. card route vs. Hertz match
| Route | Who qualifies | Hertz tier | Uses Hertz's 5-year match? | Lasts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Medallion | Silver–Diamond Medallions | Five Star / President's Circle | No | While Medallion level holds |
| Delta Reserve Amex | Cardholders | President's Circle | No | While card held |
| Delta Platinum Amex | Cardholders | Five Star | No | While card held |
| Capital One Venture X | Cardholders | President's Circle | No | While card held (enroll via Capital One) |
| Hertz Tier Status Match | Holders of competitor rental status | Up to President's Circle | Yes | Through Dec 31 of 2nd calendar year |
For most Delta flyers, the order is simple: use the Delta benefit first, keep a card route as backup, and save Hertz's own match for when you have no other option.
Booking tips specific to Delta travelers
- Book Hertz through delta.com or hertz.com with both numbers attached. Your tier comes from your Gold Plus Rewards number, and miles come from your SkyMiles number.
- For rentals on award trips, President's Circle still applies. The status belongs to your Hertz account, not to the flight.
- For corporate rentals, your company's Hertz contract rate and your personal President's Circle status usually work together. Check your travel policy.
FAQ
Do I need a Delta credit card to get Hertz status as a Medallion? No. Medallion status alone qualifies under Delta's partner page. The Delta Amex cards are separate routes.
Does it work on international rentals? Hertz's tier benefits generally apply worldwide at participating locations, but benefits can vary outside the US.
Can a companion use my President's Circle? Status applies to the member's rental. Additional-driver rules follow Hertz's terms.
Confirmed vs. uncertain
Confirmed (Delta and Hertz sources): the Medallion-to-Hertz tier mapping; Delta Amex Reserve and Platinum Hertz tiers; SkyMiles earning rates on Hertz rentals by Medallion level; the add-your-number-and-opt-in requirement; President's Circle benefits; Hertz's separate match terms.
Check before relying on it: exactly when your Hertz tier changes after a Medallion change; card-specific enrollment steps for Delta Amex benefits.
Sources
- Delta car partner elite benefits: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/medallion-program/elite-benefits-partners
- Delta Platinum Medallion benefits: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/medallion-program/platinum-medallion-status
- Delta News Hub, 2026 Medallion Year: https://news.delta.com/travel-and-moments-between-your-2026-medallion-year-starts-now
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Tier Status Matching Program: https://offer.hertz.com/offers/index.jsp?targetPage=TierStatusMatch.jsp&ID=47798
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards member benefits: https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/misc/index.jsp?targetPage=lamc_membership_benefits.jsp
Written by Andrea for the Status Unlocked blog. Questions? unlocktravelstatus@gmail.com.