Unleash the Road Ahead: Your Ultimate Guide to Using Capital One Hertz President's Circle
Hey there, future road warrior! Ever dreamed of skipping the long rental car lines, getting guaranteed upgrades, and choosing from an impressive selection of vehicles without a fuss? If you're a Capital One Venture X cardholder, that dream is very much a reality with complimentary Hertz President's Circle status. This isn't just about renting a car; it's about transforming your travel experience.
Ready to elevate your car rentals? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Confirm Your Capital One Venture X Card Eligibility
First things first, let's make sure you're holding the right key to unlock this elite status.
- Do you have the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card? This is the primary Capital One card that offers complimentary Hertz President's Circle status. If you have a different Capital One card, it might offer Hertz Five Star status (a tier below President's Circle), or no status at all.
- Are you the primary cardholder or an authorized user/account manager? The benefit typically extends to primary cardholders, authorized users, and account managers of the Venture X card.
If you've confirmed your eligibility, let's move on to securing your Hertz President's Circle status!
Step 2: Enroll or Link Your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Account
This is where you bridge the gap between your Capital One benefit and your Hertz loyalty.
Sub-heading: For New Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Members
If you're new to Hertz's loyalty program, no worries! It's a quick and easy process.
- Visit the Hertz President's Circle Registration Page for Capital One: Capital One usually provides a dedicated link for Venture X cardholders to enroll. Look for this link within your Capital One online account under "Premium Travel Benefits" or "Rewards and Benefits." It might also be on a page specific to your Venture X card benefits.
- Fill out the required information: This will typically include your name, email address, and other personal details.
- Leave the "Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number" field blank: Since you're a new member, this field won't apply to you yet. Hertz will generate one for you.
- Agree to the terms and conditions: Read them carefully!
- Submit your information: Once submitted, Hertz will create your Gold Plus Rewards account and automatically upgrade you to President's Circle status. You'll usually receive a confirmation email with your new Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number.
Sub-heading: For Existing Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Members
Already have a Hertz Gold Plus Rewards account? Great! You just need to link it.
- Locate the Hertz President's Circle registration link for Capital One: Similar to new members, find this link within your Capital One online account's benefits section.
- Enter your existing Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number: This is crucial for linking your accounts.
- Provide any other requested personal details to verify your identity.
- Confirm and submit: Your existing Hertz account should then be elevated to President's Circle status. Allow 24-72 hours for the status to reflect on your Hertz account.
Remember, it's always a good idea to check your Hertz account online a few days after enrolling or linking to confirm your President's Circle status has been activated.
Step 3: Understanding Your Hertz President's Circle Benefits
Now that you're a President's Circle member, let's explore the amazing perks you've unlocked!
Sub-heading: Guaranteed Upgrades
- What it means: This is one of the most celebrated benefits! You're guaranteed a one-car-class upgrade with every rental. This typically means if you book a compact, you'll get a mid-size, or if you book a mid-size, you'll get a full-size.
- Important Note: This upgrade generally applies to Economy through Full-size 4-Door cars. It often excludes minivans, SUVs, and specialty Hertz Collection vehicles. Also, it usually requires a minimum 48-hour advanced reservation.
Sub-heading: Ultimate Choice: Widest Selection
- What it means: At participating Hertz locations (primarily larger airport locations in the US, Canada, and select European airports), you get access to the "Ultimate Choice" lot. Instead of being assigned a specific car, you can go to the President's Circle section of the lot and choose any car you like within that designated area. This is where you might find premium sedans, SUVs, or even something a bit more fun!
- How to maximize it: To ensure access to the Ultimate Choice aisle and your upgrade, book a mid-size car or higher. If you book an economy or compact car, you might not be eligible for Ultimate Choice.
Sub-heading: Skip the Counter & Go Straight to Your Car
- What it means: No more waiting in long lines at the rental counter! With your Gold Plus Rewards membership and President's Circle status, your reservation is pre-assigned. You can typically head directly to the car lot, find your name on the digital board, locate your assigned car (or choose from the Ultimate Choice aisle), and drive off after a quick ID check at the gate.
- Time-saving tip: Make sure your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number is always added to your reservation at the time of booking.
Sub-heading: Free Additional Driver
- What it means: You can add a spouse or domestic partner as an additional driver for free. This can save you a significant amount, as additional driver fees can add up quickly.
Sub-heading: Bonus Points on Rentals
- What it means: President's Circle members typically earn a 50% bonus on Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points for all qualifying rentals. This means you'll accumulate points faster for free rental days or upgrades.
Sub-heading: Dedicated Customer Service Line
- What it means: Access to a dedicated phone line for President's Circle members, often leading to quicker and more personalized support.
Step 4: Making Your Hertz Reservations with President's Circle Status
This is where the rubber meets the road (literally!).
- Book Directly with Hertz: While you can book through Capital One Travel, booking directly on the Hertz website (hertz.com) or the Hertz app is generally recommended to ensure your President's Circle benefits are fully recognized.
- Ensure Your Gold Plus Rewards Number is Applied: Double-check that your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number, now linked to your President's Circle status, is automatically applied to your reservation. This is critical for receiving your perks.
- Book a Mid-size Car or Higher: As mentioned, to maximize your upgrade potential and access to the Ultimate Choice aisle, aim for a mid-size vehicle or higher when booking.
- Look for Participating Locations: While many major airport locations offer Ultimate Choice, it's good to be aware that not every Hertz location will have this specific benefit. However, the guaranteed upgrade and counter bypass should still apply.
- Review Your Reservation: Before confirming, always review your reservation details to ensure your Gold Plus Rewards number is listed and any anticipated upgrades are noted (though the guaranteed upgrade often happens at pick-up).
Step 5: At the Hertz Rental Location
The moment of truth!
- Bypass the Counter (at select locations): Look for the Hertz Gold signage directing you to the Gold/President's Circle lot.
- Locate Your Name on the Board: At participating Ultimate Choice locations, a digital board will display your name and direct you to a specific area of the lot (e.g., "President's Circle").
- Choose Your Car: Head to the designated President's Circle area and pick the car you want from the available selection. This is the fun part!
- Proceed to the Exit Gate: Drive your chosen vehicle to the exit gate.
- Show Your Driver's License: The attendant will verify your identity, confirm your chosen vehicle, and you'll be on your way!
Sometimes, a specific car will be assigned to you directly, especially at smaller locations or if the Ultimate Choice lot isn't available. In these cases, your guaranteed upgrade will still apply.
Step 6: Returning Your Rental
Even the return process is streamlined for President's Circle members.
- Locate the Returns Area: Follow the signs for Hertz returns at the airport or location.
- Drop the Keys and Go: At most locations, you can simply park the car, remove your belongings, and drop the keys in a designated drop box or with a roaming attendant. No need to wait for a detailed inspection or counter visit.
- E-receipt: You'll typically receive an e-receipt for your rental within a few hours of returning the vehicle.
Leveraging Your Status Beyond Hertz (Status Matching)
Did you know your Hertz President's Circle status can open doors with other rental car companies? Many loyalty programs offer "status matching," where they'll grant you equivalent elite status if you already hold it with a competitor.
- Common matches: Data points suggest Hertz President's Circle can often be matched to National Executive Elite or Enterprise Platinum. These statuses also come with perks like guaranteed upgrades and access to preferred car selections.
- How to do it: Visit the status match pages of other rental car companies (e.g., National Car Rental, Enterprise Rent-A-Car). You'll typically need to provide proof of your Hertz President's Circle status (a screenshot of your account, a membership card image, or a statement).
This is a fantastic way to maximize your Capital One Venture X benefit across multiple rental car providers!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to verify my Hertz President's Circle status after linking through Capital One?
You can verify your status by logging into your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards account on the Hertz website or mobile app. Navigate to "My Account" and then "Rewards Account Activity" or "Membership Details." Your President's Circle status should be displayed there, usually within 24-72 hours of linking.
How to ensure a guaranteed upgrade with Hertz President's Circle?
To ensure your guaranteed one-car-class upgrade, book a mid-size car or higher. The upgrade is typically to the next car class only and excludes special collections, minivans, and SUVs. Also, make sure your Gold Plus Rewards number is on the reservation and consider booking at least 48 hours in advance.
How to use the Hertz Ultimate Choice aisle with President's Circle?
At participating airport locations, you will be directed to the Ultimate Choice lot. Look for the "President's Circle" section, where you can choose any vehicle available in that specific area. Remember, you generally need to book a mid-size car or higher to access this benefit.
How to add a free additional driver as a President's Circle member?
As a Hertz President's Circle member, your spouse or domestic partner can be added as an additional driver for free. This is typically done at the time of pick-up or can sometimes be added to your profile online.
How to earn bonus points with Hertz President's Circle?
You automatically earn a 50% bonus on Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points for all qualifying rentals when your President's Circle status is active and your Gold Plus Rewards number is applied to your reservation. Points are based on the base rental rate.
How to contact Hertz President's Circle dedicated customer service?
Hertz President's Circle members typically have access to a dedicated customer service phone number. You can usually find this number on your Hertz account profile or within the President's Circle benefits section on the Hertz website.
How to link my Capital One Venture X card to an existing Hertz account for President's Circle?
Visit the dedicated Capital One/Hertz registration page (found in your Capital One online account under benefits). There, you'll be able to enter your existing Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number to initiate the status upgrade.
How to know which Hertz locations offer Ultimate Choice?
While Hertz doesn't provide an exhaustive list, Ultimate Choice is primarily available at major airport locations in the U.S. and Canada, and some key European airport locations. When booking online, some locations will indicate if Ultimate Choice is available.
How to status match my Hertz President's Circle status to other car rental companies?
Visit the "status match" or "elite tier match" pages of other rental car companies like National (for Executive Elite) or Enterprise (for Platinum). You'll typically need to submit proof of your Hertz President's Circle status, such as a screenshot of your online account showing your status.
How to ensure my Capital One Venture X Hertz President's Circle benefit remains active?
The complimentary Hertz President's Circle status with the Capital One Venture X card is now a permanent benefit of the card. As long as your Venture X card account is open and in good standing, your President's Circle status should remain active, though re-enrollment might be required annually or biannually by Hertz. Always check your Capital One and Hertz accounts for any specific re-verification steps.
