Hertz Gold+: tiers, points and pickup conditions
Hertz Gold+ benefits explained, with a clear warning about conflicting Five Star qualification figures on its own US pages.
Hertz calls its loyalty program Gold+. It advertises faster pickup at selected locations and points on qualifying rentals. Start with the pickup instructions for your actual reservation, rather than assuming a membership number always lets you walk past the counter.
The three tiers
Gold is the entry tier. Five Star and President’s Circle add benefits. Two official US pages agree on President’s Circle qualification—15 rentals or $3,000 in a calendar year—but disagree on Five Star.
| Level | How to read the current qualification information |
|---|---|
| Gold | entry membership |
| Five Star | conflicting figures in Hertz’s US pages; confirm the requirement for your account |
| President’s Circle | 15 rentals or $3,000, with the FAQ excluding taxes and fees from rental spend |
On November 8, 2026, the US FAQ showed three rentals or $1,000 for Five Star, while the US benefits summary showed ten rentals or $2,000. We can’t establish from that difference which applies to an individual account, or when a policy changed. Confirm before planning rentals around a threshold.
Skipping the counter
Illustrative AI-generated image; not a photograph of a named rental location.
Hertz describes skip-the-line service at select locations. Check what your confirmation says about check-in, required documents and where to go. If it directs you to an agent or requires a verification step, follow that process.
Don’t select a larger category simply because a choice area is nearby. Confirm which vehicles your booking permits and whether a change adds a charge.
What higher tiers add
Hertz describes more selection and tier-based upgrades. Its published footnote limits the one-class upgrade to a maximum full-size vehicle; Five Star is subject to availability, while President’s Circle has the stated guarantee. Neither description establishes a named model or a category beyond the benefit’s limit.
Earning and using points
The FAQ lists one point per qualifying US dollar at Gold, with 25% and 50% bonuses at Five Star and President’s Circle. It specifies the base rental rate, excluding associated taxes, fees and optional products/services. Check the actual reward quote, expiry information and cancellation terms before spending points; a reward headline isn’t the complete cost of a trip.
Shortcuts to status
Credit cards
Capital One’s Hertz benefit page lists President’s Circle for eligible Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders, and Five Star for other specified eligible cards. Enrollment uses the issuer’s designated benefit link; rental qualifications and changing offer terms still apply. Our card-status guide keeps the examples scoped to their actual products.
Airline and hotel status
A partner benefit must name your specific program and tier. Use the partner’s current offer for its exact enrollment, tier and rental conditions. A partnership’s existence doesn’t establish a particular status match.
Is it worth it?
If Hertz has a suitable location, car and total price, an eligible existing benefit may add value. Don’t pay for unnecessary rentals to chase a threshold that the provider hasn’t clarified for you. Compare the practical alternatives in the program overview.
Common questions
Which Five Star figure should I use? Ask Hertz which requirement applies to your account; the two public US pages currently disagree.
Do Dollar and Thrifty ownership links establish the same benefits? No automatic conclusion follows from common ownership. Check an explicit applicable offer.
Does card-linked status last forever? Use the current eligibility and renewal terms. The existence of an enrollment benefit doesn’t establish indefinite status.
Sources reviewed November 8, 2026. Check the current terms for your own booking, account or benefit.