Frequent flyer miles have become an incredibly valuable currency for many travelers. Miles can be redeemed for free flights, hotel stays, cruises, and more. One question that often comes up is whether frequent flyer miles can also be used for car rentals. The quick answer is yes, you typically can use frequent flyer miles to rent cars from major rental agencies. However, there are some important factors to consider to ensure you get good value from redeeming miles for rental cars.
Ways to use miles for car rentals
There are a couple primary ways you can utilize frequent flyer miles for car rentals:
Direct mileage redemptions
Many major airlines and hotel loyalty programs have partnerships with rental car companies that allow you to redeem your miles directly for car rentals. For example, United Airlines MileagePlus members can redeem miles for car rentals with Hertz, Avis, Budget and Thrifty. The number of miles needed for a rental varies based on rental length, location and car size. Rates often start around 7,500 miles for a basic compact car for a weekend rental.
Point transfers
Credit card points earned from travel rewards credit cards can often be transferred to frequent flyer programs. You can then use those transferred points just like miles to redeem for car rentals. For example, you could transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles and then use the SkyMiles for a rental car booking. This allows you to consolidate points from different sources into a single frequent flyer account.
Benefits of using miles for car rentals
There are some nice perks to redeeming frequent flyer miles for car rentals, including:
Free rentals
The most obvious benefit is scoring free rental cars. A weekend rental can cost $100+ in many popular destinations. If you can cover the cost with miles instead of cash, it’s like getting a big discount on your trip budget.
No blackout dates
Unlike redeeming miles for flights, there are typically no blackout dates when booking rental cars with miles. As long as there is standard availability, you can book any date you want regardless of holidays, events, etc.
One-way rentals
It’s often expensive to do one-way car rentals, where you pick up the car in one location and drop it off in another city. Using miles can make one-way rentals more affordable.
Upgrade potential
Some mileage redemption rental rates are for car class only, not a specific vehicle. That means you might be able to score a free upgrade if you’re lucky or ask nicely at checkout.
Downsides to redeeming miles
While redeeming frequent flyer miles for car rentals can be valuable, there are some downsides to be aware of:
High mileage rates
Rental cars generally don’t provide the best mileage redemption value compared to flights or hotels. It may cost 25,000 miles or more for a several day rental, while the same miles could be used for a roundtrip domestic flight.
Limited rental periods
Most mileage redemptions will have a maximum rental period, such as 3-7 days. Longer rentals will require many more miles.
Restrictions
There are often restrictions around one-way rentals, vehicle sizes and pickup locations when booking with miles. Make sure to review the fine print so there are no surprises later.
Taxes and fees
While you can score a free rental with miles, you’ll still need to pay taxes, local fees and concession recovery fees. These can add a hundred dollars or more to your checkout price.
Tips for maximizing value
If you want to get the most bang for your miles when redeeming for car rentals, keep these tips in mind:
Compare mileage rates
Mileage requirements and car rental policies can vary significantly between frequent flyer programs. Compare them to see which will give you the best deal.
Look for promotions
Occasionally programs offer bonus miles promotions for car rentals, which can lower the cost. Hertz and United had a partnership offering 2,000 bonus miles per rental as recently as 2021.
Use miles for expensive rentals
It’s smart to save your miles for pricey rentals when cash rates are sky-high, like for SUVs and minivans in Hawaii during peak season.
Stack discounts
You can combine redeeming miles with other discounts like AARP, AAA, or corporate codes for maximum savings. The discounts apply to the taxes and fees.
Reserve in advance
Booking your mileage car rental as early as possible gives you the best odds of reserving your preferred vehicle type and pickup location.
Which programs offer the best value?
The value you get from redeeming miles for car rentals will depend heavily on the frequent flyer program. Here is how some of the major airlines compare:
| Airline | Partners | Typical Rates | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles | Hertz, Avis, Budget | 10,000 miles for 2 days compact | One-way rentals allowed |
| United MileagePlus | Hertz, Avis, Budget, Thrifty | 7,500 miles for 2 days compact | Bonus elite status |
| American AAdvantage | Hertz, Avis, Budget | 7,500 miles for 2 days compact | Upgrade priority |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | Avis, Budget | 6,000 miles for 2 days compact | Points pooling |
| Alaska Mileage Plan | Hertz | 10,000 miles for 3 days compact | Extra driver fee waived |
As the table shows, United MileagePlus and American AAdvantage generally offer the lowest mileage rates, starting at just 7,500 miles for a 2 day compact rental. JetBlue TrueBlue isn’t far behind at 6,000 miles. Alaska Mileage Plan lags with higher rates and limited rental partners. When in doubt, compare multiple options to identify the best value redemption for your particular rental.
Should you use miles for car rentals?
Whether it makes sense to put your hard-earned frequent flyer miles toward a rental car depends on several factors:
Your redemption goals
If your priority is aspirational awards like first class flights and 5-star hotels, car rentals may not be the best use of miles. But if you want to stretch your miles for practical everyday redemptions, rentals can be very useful.
Rental costs
In expensive rental markets like Hawaii, Alaska, and other destinations with limited car supply, using miles can really pay off. For cheaper locations, it may not make as much sense.
Amount of miles
If you have a surplus of miles earning interest, redeeming some for car rentals can be reasonable. But if you have just enough for a specific flight, save them instead.
Alternative options
Compare redeeming miles against other options like paying with the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or your credit card’s rental coverage to determine the best value.
In many situations, redeeming frequent flyer miles for car rentals can be a smart way to offset travel costs and make the most of your points. Just be sure to evaluate the options carefully first to ensure it aligns with your overall mileage strategy and redemption priorities.
Conclusion
Frequent flyer programs offer the ability to redeem miles for car rentals with major agencies like Hertz, Avis, Budget and more. While not always the absolute best value, miles can score you free rentals to make vacations and trips more affordable. Be sure to compare mileage costs and program policies, look for promotions, and consider rental prices when deciding if using miles for car rentals makes sense for your situation. Used strategically, miles can take a big chunk out of your rental expenses.
