Rental Car Status Matches Compared: Hertz vs. Avis vs. National vs. Sixt
Rental car status often has the best value-to-effort ratio in travel loyalty. Top tiers get you counter-free pickup, a choice of cars or a guaranteed class upgrade, and faster returns, and the programs match each other fairly readily. For a US traveler who rents several times a year, getting top-tier status at two or three companies is achievable in an afternoon, as long as you start with one real status to match from.
This guide compares the four programs Americans match into most often: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Avis Preferred, National Emerald Club and SIXT ONE. For each, it covers what each accepts, what you get, how long it lasts, and what it takes to keep it.
At a glance
| Hertz | Avis | National | SIXT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top matchable tier | President's Circle | President's Club (reported) | Executive Elite | Platinum |
| Accepts | Competitor rental status | Competitor rental status (reported) | 40+ rental, airline and hotel programs | Rental, airline and hotel programs |
| How | Email proof | Form/support (reported) | Online form | Online, via SIXT account/partner page |
| Validity | Through Dec 31 of 2nd calendar year | Varies (reported) | Through Feb 28 of 2nd calendar year | Per SIXT terms |
| Limit | Once, or 5+ years since last match | Not confirmed | Per National's terms | Per SIXT terms |
| Official page found | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
What Hertz publishes: Hertz's Tier Status Matching Program matches competitor rental status up to President's Circle, its top published tier. Hertz names the sources that qualify for President's Circle: Avis President's Club, Enterprise Platinum, National Executive Elite, Sixt Diamond and Europcar Privilege Elite. Lower competitor tiers map to Hertz Five Star.
How: enroll in Gold Plus Rewards, then email proof of identity and proof of status, such as a welcome email, membership card or monthly statement, to the address on Hertz's match page.
Validity: through December 31 of the second calendar year after approval. After that you need to meet the normal requirements or drop to Gold.
Limit: only if you've never matched with Hertz, or more than five years have passed since your last match.
What President's Circle gets you: Hertz describes a guaranteed one-class upgrade (when available, up to a stated maximum class), the widest vehicle choice in its program, a dedicated service line and the highest points rate.
Shortcuts that skip the match: Delta Diamond and Platinum Medallions get President's Circle through Delta. So do Capital One Venture X and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex cardholders, after enrolling through the partner.
Avis Preferred
What we could confirm: we couldn't find a current official Avis status match page while writing. Third-party trackers report that Avis matches competitor rental status up to President's Club, and name Europcar Privilege Elite and VIP, Hertz President's Circle, Enterprise Gold and Platinum, and Sixt Platinum as sources. Mid-tier sources reportedly get Preferred Plus.
To keep it (reported): Preferred Plus at 10 rentals or $4,000 in 12 months, and President's Club at 20 rentals or $6,000.
Other routes: WeSalute+ members get a free annual Preferred Plus upgrade. Amex Platinum has included Avis status, with enrollment.
Our take: Avis is worth asking about, but verify the current process with Avis customer service before relying on it.
National Emerald Club
What National publishes: National's status match site accepts status from more than 40 car rental, airline and hotel programs. That's unusual and helpful: you can match from an airline or hotel tier, not just from another rental company.
How: submit National's online form at status.emeraldclub.com with a statement or membership card showing your name, current tier and expiration date. National accepts common file types up to 10MB.
Validity: through February 28 of the second calendar year after approval.
To keep Executive Elite afterwards: 25 rentals or 85 rental days in the full calendar year after the match.
Tier outcome: National doesn't publish its mapping. Travelers report many approvals at Executive Elite, but it isn't guaranteed.
Why people like it: at many US airports, Emerald Club members walk to the aisle and choose a car. Executive and Executive Elite members get a better aisle.
SIXT ONE
What SIXT publishes: a match can give you Gold or Platinum in SIXT ONE, depending on your source tier. SIXT says Diamond is by invitation or for specific partner tiers. It names sources including Hertz Gold, Europcar, Avis Preferred, Enterprise Plus, Miles & More, ALL Accor and Radisson Rewards.
How: sign in to your SIXT account and upload proof. For airline status, use the airline's partner page on sixt.com.
Timing: SIXT says approved status is active immediately.
Why it matters for Americans: SIXT is growing at US airports, and its upgrades can be generous. SIXT Platinum also appears as a source for Avis's top tier, which makes it useful for building a chain.
Building a rental status chain, legitimately
Rental programs accept each other's status, so one real top-tier status can lead to others:
- Start with a genuine top tier. The easiest source for most people is a credit card, like Venture X for Hertz President's Circle, or Delta Medallion status.
- Match to National with any eligible rental, airline or hotel status.
- Match to SIXT with your Hertz or Avis status.
- Match to Avis with your Hertz President's Circle or Sixt Platinum, if Avis's current process allows it.
Each program asks for current status, in your name, shown on its own statement or card. Don't submit something you don't hold.
Which match should you do first?
- Rent mostly at airports and want to choose your own car? National first.
- Want guaranteed upgrades? Hertz President's Circle. If you have Venture X or Delta Medallion status, you may already qualify without a match.
- Renting abroad or in cities where SIXT is strong? SIXT.
- Mostly renting from neighborhood branches? Status matters less there. Upgrades and dedicated aisles are mostly an airport benefit.
Timing tip: apply early in the year
Hertz (December 31 of the second year) and National (February 28 of the second year) both measure validity from the calendar year of approval. A match approved in January gets you nearly a full year more status than one approved in December, because both end on the same date. If you can choose, apply early in the calendar year.
Common mistakes
- Submitting an expired tier. National specifically wants to see the expiration date.
- Using up Hertz's five-year window right before you'd qualify for something better.
- Assuming status applies to a booking. Add your member number to every reservation, including ones made before the match.
- Expecting a guaranteed upgrade at a sold-out branch. "When available" means exactly that.
- Paying for a "match." Every program here processes matches for free.
What each top tier actually gets you at the counter
Hertz President's Circle. Hertz describes a guaranteed one-class upgrade when available, up to a maximum class, the widest vehicle choice and a dedicated service line. At major US airports, Gold Plus Rewards members can often skip the counter.
National Executive Elite. National's Emerald Aisle model lets members choose a car from a designated area at many airports. Executive and Executive Elite members get access to a better selection. The real value is choice and speed.
SIXT ONE Platinum. SIXT's higher tiers come with upgrade priority and faster service. SIXT tends to have a newer, often European, fleet, and upgrades can be generous when cars are available.
Avis President's Club (reported). Avis's top tier is reported to include guaranteed upgrades and dedicated service, with Avis Preferred's counter-free pickup.
Which program for which renter
| Renter type | Best fit |
|---|---|
| Frequent airport renter who wants to choose a car | National |
| Wants upgrades and uses Delta or Venture X | Hertz |
| Rents in Europe or in US cities where SIXT is strong | SIXT |
| Rents often in places served mainly by Avis | Avis |
| Occasional renter | One top tier is enough. Pick by location |
FAQ
Does matched rental status affect insurance or fees? Status affects how you're treated at pickup, not your insurance. Fees such as young driver fees follow each program's terms.
Can I hold top status at all four at once? Yes, if each program accepts your source status. Each one applies its own rules and validity.
Will my status work outside the US? Generally yes at company-owned locations, but benefits can differ at franchise locations and abroad.
Confirmed vs. uncertain
Confirmed (official pages): Hertz's sources, process, validity and five-year rule; National's accepted program types, proof requirements, validity and requalification; SIXT's Gold/Platinum outcomes, its named sources and immediate activation; Delta's and Capital One's Hertz benefits.
Reported only: Avis's current match process, source tiers and requalification thresholds; National's typical Executive Elite outcome.
Sources
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Tier Status Matching Program: https://offer.hertz.com/offers/index.jsp?targetPage=TierStatusMatch.jsp&ID=47798
- National Emerald Club status match: https://status.emeraldclub.com/
- National FAQ on competitor matches: https://www.nationalcar.com/en/support/car-rental-faqs/higher-status-with-competitor-match.html
- SIXT ONE status match: https://www.sixt.com/magazine/tips/how-to-increase-status-match/
- SIXT ONE terms and conditions (PDF): https://www.sixt.com/shared/t-c/tc-sixt_one.pdf
- Delta car partner elite benefits: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/medallion-program/elite-benefits-partners
- Capital One: Hertz benefits for cardholders: https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/more-than-money/elevate-your-travel-with-hertz-and-capital-one/
- WeSalute Avis offer: https://www.wesalute.com/brands/avis
Written by Emily for the Status Unlocked blog. Questions? unlocktravelstatus@gmail.com.