In the car rental world, where companies like Avis, Hertz, and Enterprise compete fiercely and it’s super easy to switch providers, keeping customers coming back is tough. That’s where loyalty programs shine. The Avis Loyalty Program, officially known as Avis Preferred, is a smart way for frequent renters to save time, earn rewards, and enjoy better perks with every car rental.

It’s a free membership program focused on repeat rentals, especially for business travelers who need reliable, hassle-free service. Over the years, it has evolved from basic perks to a robust frequent traveler program with car rental rewards, travel perks, and strong customer engagement tools.

In this blog, we’ll break down how the Avis Loyalty Program works, why it’s effective at driving repeat purchase behavior, and what lessons any business can take away to improve their own customer retention efforts.

You’ll see how Avis uses travel loyalty programs features like point system rewards and partnerships to stand out. And if you’re exploring ways to reward your own customers with something similar, check out HappyRewards.io, a simple platform that helps businesses launch modern, flexible loyalty programs fast.

So, what makes Avis Preferred stand out in a sea of loyalty schemes? Let’s jump in and find out.

Understanding the Avis Preferred Loyalty Program: An Overview

If you’re wondering how Avis keeps pulling renters back time after time, it all starts with understanding the basics of their Avis Loyalty Program.

Let’s break it down simply so you can see why it’s such a powerful tool for repeat rentals and customer experience.

History of the Avis Preferred Program

The Avis Preferred program kicked off in the mid-1990s as a way to reward frequent renters with faster service and small perks.

Back then, Avis was already innovating with things like self-service returns, but they saw the need for a dedicated car rental membership to fight churn in a competitive market.

Over time, it evolved—major updates came around 2017 (and echoed in later tweaks) when Avis made it “more rewarding” with easier redemptions, like free rental days starting at just 700 points with no blackout dates, plus a minimum of 100 points per rental.

These changes came from listening to customer feedback, making the point system more user-friendly, and boosting customer engagement.

Today, it’s a free, tiered loyalty program open to folks in places like the U.S., Canada, and select regions—super accessible, which is key to getting tons of people signed up quickly. No fees, no complicated hoops—just join online and start earning right away.

The Three Tiers of Avis Preferred

The program has three main tiers, each unlocking better rewards as you rent more:

• Avis Preferred (base level): Everyone starts here for free. You get expedited service (skip the counter at many locations and go straight to your car), earn a minimum of 100 points per rental, plus 1 point per dollar on rentals and 2 points per dollar on accessories. Redeem points for free days or add-ons, and enjoy priority treatment basics.
• Avis Preferred Plus: Reach this by completing 10 rentals or spending $4,000 in a year. Perks build on the base level with bonus earnings (1.25 points per dollar on rentals, 2.5 points on accessories), a free one-car-class upgrade (when available), and more exclusive offers to keep you motivated.
• Avis President’s Club: The top tier—hit 20 rentals or $6,000 spent to unlock it. You earn even faster (1.5 points per dollar on rentals, 3 points on accessories), get free two-car-class upgrades (when available), guaranteed car availability, highest priority on waiting lists, and true VIP benefits like top-notch service.

How It Compares to Competitors?

Compared to competitors, Avis Preferred shines with its focus on points-based rewards and strong partnerships. For example:

• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards vs Avis: Hertz emphasizes quick counter skips and airline ties, but Avis often edges out with minimum points guarantees, easier redemptions (no blackout dates on reward days), and clearer upgrade paths for elites.
• Enterprise Plus vs Avis: Enterprise is great for local rentals with no-expiry points (if you stay active), but it lacks the same elite upgrade perks and global airport focus that Avis nails for business travel rewards and rental car status.

This matters a lot for business owners because in a commoditized industry like rental car status, little differences add up.

Avis has used airline partnerships and these perks to grab market share—like in past cases where shifting alliances led to noticeable revenue jumps (think around 8-9% growth in certain markets from loyalty-driven repeat business).

Imagine an infographic here showing the tiers side-by-side: base perks, qualification, and escalating VIP benefits—it makes the progression clear and motivating.

All in all, the program’s design encourages brand advocacy by making every rental feel rewarding and convenient, turning casual users into loyal ones through better customer service, loyalty app features, and real incentive program value.

Now that we’ve set the stage with this overview of what Avis Preferred is and how it stacks up, let’s dive into the mechanics that power this retention machine—things like how points really work and the day-to-day perks that keep people coming back.

How the Avis Preferred Program Works?

Now that you know the big picture of the Avis Loyalty Program, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how it actually operates day-to-day.

This is where the magic happens—simple enrollment, smart earning, easy redemptions, and cool features that make renting feel effortless. Understanding these mechanics shows why it’s so good at turning occasional renters into loyal fans.

Easy Enrollment and Getting Started

Joining the Avis Preferred program is super straightforward and free—no strings attached. You head to the Avis website or app, fill in basic info like your name, address, driver’s license number, and a credit card (which they store securely for faster future bookings).

This creates your profile and gives you a unique Avis Wizard Number (or AWD number) right away—think of it as your loyalty ID that you use every time you book.

Right after signing up, you can opt into earning Avis rewards points (or switch to partner miles if you prefer). As a welcome perk, many members snag an enrollment bonus like 100 bonus points when they complete their first rental within the first three months.

The Avis app ties everything together beautifully—manage your profile, track points, book rentals, and even select your car ahead of time for that skip the counter experience.

It’s all designed to reduce hassle from the start, encouraging you to rent again soon.

The Tier Structure and Progression

The program uses a clear tiered loyalty setup to reward more frequent use, with tier progression that feels achievable:

• Avis Preferred (entry level): Free and automatic upon joining. No minimums needed.
• Avis Preferred Plus: Qualify with 10 rentals or $4,000 spent in a calendar year. This unlocks accelerated earnings and better perks.
• Avis President’s Club: Hit 20 rentals or $6,000 spent for the top published tier—think premium treatment.
• Higher invitation-only levels like Avis Chairman’s Club exist for ultra-frequent or high-value customers, but they’re not publicly detailed and come via special invites.

This structure motivates milestone rewards and steady engagement, pushing you up naturally.

At the end of each section like this, you can see how these tiers build excitement—qualifying feels rewarding, and it keeps you coming back for more.

Earning Points: The Core System

Points are the heart of the program, earned through a revenue-based point system that’s straightforward:

• Base Avis Preferred members earn 1 point per dollar on rentals (base rate) and 2 points per dollar on accessories (like GPS or child seats).
• Preferred Plus bumps it to 1.25 points per dollar on rentals and 2.5 on accessories.
• President’s Club goes to 1.5 points per dollar on rentals and 3 on accessories.

Every qualifying rental guarantees a minimum of 100 points, even on small spends—great for building up quickly. Points are points per dollar focused, but you can choose to earn with airline partner rewards or hotel partner points (over 50 partners like Southwest or Hyatt) instead of Avis points for “double-dipping” with credit cards.

No strict point expiration worries in many cases (60 months generally, but some regions like Ontario have none), so they stick around.

This flexible coalition loyalty approach makes earning feel valuable and tied to your travel habits.

Redeeming Rewards: Getting Real Value

Redeeming is one of the program’s strongest features—simple and flexible with no blackout dates on reward days.

• Reward days start at just 700 points for lower-cost rentals (Level 1: up to $50 daily base rate), scaling up: 1,400 for $50-85 (Level 2), 2,100 for $85-125 (Level 3), and 3,500 for higher (Level 4 up to $225).
• Accessories like child seats or GPS cost 250 points per day.
• Approximate redemption rate gives 4-7 cents per point value, depending on the level (e.g., higher on cheaper rentals).

Examples? A $500 rental might earn 500-750 car rental points (depending on tier), enough toward a free day soon. You can also redeem for upgrades or add-ons.

It’s all about turning spend into free or discounted rentals easily.

Partnerships, Integrations, and Smooth Operations

Avis shines with partnerships—earn or redeem with dozens of airlines and hotels, plus status matches (like via certain Amex cards for Preferred Plus perks).

Operationally, your Avis app lets you pick vehicles, extend rentals, view preferences, and enable skip the counter at most spots (go straight to your car). Priority service and dedicated lines add convenience.

For business owners, copy this: Use simple sign-ups, tiered qualifications for progressive engagement, and low-friction redemptions to build loyalty in your own setup.

Wrapping this up, these mechanics make the Avis Loyalty Program feel rewarding and effortless—earning and redeeming blend seamlessly into travel. Next, let’s look at the specific perks that make members stick around and feel truly valued.

Key Benefits and Perks That Drive Loyalty

Friend, perks are what turn a good loyalty program into a great one—and Avis nails it by layering benefits that grow with your usage.

These aren’t just nice-to-haves; they create real convenience, savings, and that “they get me” feeling, which is huge for loyalty.

Tier-Specific Perks That Escalate Value

Starting simple and building up:

• Avis Preferred (base): Expedited service to skip the counter, exclusive offers, and basic priority—already saves time.
• Avis Preferred Plus: Adds a free one-car-class upgrade (when available), faster point earning, and more personalized touches.
• Avis President’s Club: The best—free two-car-class upgrades, guaranteed car availability, highest priority on waitlists, dedicated support lines, and true VIP benefits.

These escalations make you feel recognized the more you rent.

Enhancing the Customer Experience

Convenience is king here. Features like skip the counter (pre-select your car via app), Avis app management for bookings and extensions, and saved preferences (car type, seat position) cut down wait times and stress. It’s all about smoother customer experience—no long lines, no surprises.

This creates perceived value way beyond the rental itself.

Financial Incentives and Savings

Money talks: Rental car upgrades mean driving a nicer vehicle for free (or low points), plus car rental discounts through exclusive offers or codes. Free weekend rental redemptions or add-ons save cash, and points from a $500 rental (500-750 points depending on tier) quickly add up to real rewards.

Pair with travel rewards credit card for extra earnings—it’s smart stacking.

The Broader Ecosystem and Stickiness

Partnerships extend value—earn across travel, making Avis a hub for travel rewards. Perks foster emotional loyalty too: feeling valued through personalized offers, surprise and delight moments (like occasional birthday rewards or upgrades), and high customer satisfaction keep you loyal over competitors.

It’s not just transactional; it’s experiential.

For business owners, mirror this—offer tiered exclusive offers, experiential rewards, or personalized perks (free upgrades in your store, priority support) to build similar stickiness and boost retention.

These benefits create a loop: convenience and savings lead to more rentals, more perks, and stronger loyalty. Up next, we’ll explore the real impact on retention and what lessons you can apply.

How Does the Avis Preferred Loyalty Program Helps in Bringing Back Customers?

We’ve talked about how the Avis Loyalty Program is built and what perks it offers—now let’s get to the real heart of it: how it actually brings customers back again and again.

In a world where people can easily switch rental companies, Avis Preferred uses smart tricks to fight churn reduction and boost repeat purchase behavior. It’s all about creating habits, value, and that “why go anywhere else?” feeling.

Retention Mechanisms That Keep Members Engaged

The program shines at motivating ongoing rentals through clever design. Tier progression is a big one—your status gets reviewed annually based on the previous year’s rentals and spend.

If you’re not active enough, you could drop a tier (like from President’s Club back to Preferred Plus), which creates a strong incentive to keep renting to maintain or climb higher. This annual evaluation acts like a gentle push for consistent frequency of purchase.

Even for less frequent users, the minimum 100 points per rental ensures every trip adds meaningful value—no tiny rentals feel wasted. Avis keeps engagement high with targeted email offers, personalized promotions, and reminders about points balances or upcoming redemptions. These re-engagement tactics and occasional win-back campaign elements (like special offers for lapsed members) pull people back in.

Plus, the customer journey starts easy with free onboarding and builds through behavioral triggers like earning points toward free days—making the next rental feel almost inevitable.

Data and Evidence of Real Impact

Numbers don’t lie, and loyalty programs like this deliver big. Industry stats show loyal customers generate 12-18% more revenue annually than non-members(McKinsey Insights), and 57% of people spend more to maximize rewards(Accenture Rewards). Top programs can boost revenue 15-25% from participants.

For Avis specifically, the Avis Preferred program has driven noticeable gains. In one well-known case from the Australian market (around 2010-2013), Avis shifted its Qantas Frequent Flyer partnership exclusively, pulling business travelers away from Hertz.

This led to Avis revenue growth of 4.6% in 2012 and 8.7% in 2013, while Hertz saw declines. Recent updates, like enhanced rewards in 2024 (instant perks and better priority), have reportedly increased member customer lifetime value by around 15% in some reports. These examples highlight how data-driven marketing and partnerships fuel customer retention.

Loyal members are also 79% more likely to recommend the brand, and referrals can lift retention by 37%—turning satisfied renters into advocates.

Psychological Factors at Play

It’s not just mechanics; psychology keeps people hooked. Gamification through tiers, points tracking, and milestones taps into achievement feelings—watching your status rise or points accumulate is motivating. The principle of reciprocity kicks in too: free upgrades, priority service, and surprise perks build goodwill, making customers want to “return the favor” by renting again.

Habit formation is huge—the Avis app makes booking seamless, reducing barriers so renting with Avis becomes the default choice. Over time, this builds attitudinal loyalty (emotional connection) alongside transactional loyalty (points-driven).

Challenges and How Avis Handles Them

No program’s perfect. One potential issue is point expiration—points last 60 months from earning (with some regional exceptions like no expiration in Ontario, Canada), but Avis mitigates this with reminders, activity alerts, and easy redemptions to encourage use before loss. Inactivity can forfeit points after 12 months of no rentals or activity, but Avis counters with customer feedback loops and bonuses to reactivate.

These solutions keep satisfaction high and show Avis listens.

Measurable Impact and Tips for Business Owners

Overall, strong loyalty setups like this deliver solid ROI—top programs increase revenue 15-25% and respond to feedback (like Avis’s easier redemptions) for better customer satisfaction and Net Promoter Score.

For your business, measure impact with simple metrics: track repeat purchase rates, churn reduction, average order value growth, and customer lifetime value. Use predictive analytics to spot at-risk customers and trigger offers. Start small—test tiered perks or personalized emails—and watch how loyalty marketing transforms one-time buyers into lifelong ones.

In short, Avis Preferred excels at retention strategy by blending incentives, convenience, and smart nudges. It turns casual renters into regulars, proving loyalty pays off big time. Next, let’s pull out the key lessons you can apply to your own business—no matter the industry.

Lessons Business Owners Can Learn from Avis’s Loyalty Strategy

Friend, the Avis Loyalty Program isn’t just a car rental thing—it’s a masterclass in loyalty marketing that any business can borrow from.

Whether you’re running a shop, service, or online store, these strategies build brand loyalty, boost customer engagement, and create real competitive advantage. Let’s break down the big lessons with practical ways to adapt them.

Lesson 1: Make Entry Barrier-Free

Avis keeps it simple: free enrollment, quick sign-up, no fees. This broadens reach massively—tons of people join casually and start earning right away, leading to rapid adoption and higher participation. In your business, ditch complicated sign-ups.

Offer instant membership via app or website, maybe with a small welcome perk (like 10% off first purchase). Low barriers mean more people in, more chances for repeat purchase.

Lesson 2: Use Tiers for Progression

The tiered system (Avis Preferred to President’s Club) creates clear progression—more rentals mean better perks, motivating deeper engagement. This gamification works wonders.

Adapt it anywhere: retail could tier based on annual spend (bronze/silver/gold with escalating discounts or early access); services might use visit counts for priority booking. It encourages frequency of purchase and makes customers feel their loyalty is recognized.

Lesson 3: Integrate Partnerships

Avis’s partner ecosystems (airlines, hotels) extend value—earn points across travel, creating a bigger “why stick with us” reason. Think cross-selling and up-selling through alliances.

For your business, team up with complementary brands (e.g., a coffee shop with a local gym for joint rewards). This adds perceived value without huge costs and strengthens brand affinity.

Lesson 4: Focus on Convenience and Personalization

Saved preferences, skip the counter, app controls—these reduce friction and make experiences feel tailored. Convenience builds habit; hyper-personalization boosts satisfaction.

Apply this digitally: use CRM integration for personalized offers, saved carts, or recommended products. In hospitality or retail, remember preferences (favorite items, sizes) for seamless returns. It turns transactions into effortless relationships.

Lesson 5: Leverage Data for Retention

Avis tracks activity for targeted offers, using data-driven marketing to re-engage. You can do the same—monitor purchase history, send timely reminders, or A/B test loyalty elements.

Focus on ROI metrics like customer lifetime value growth or churn drop. Tools like marketing automation make this scalable, spotting patterns for better predictive analytics.

Lesson 6: Respond to Feedback

Avis evolves—updates like easier redemptions come from listening. This keeps the program fresh and members happy.

For you, build customer feedback loops (surveys, reviews) and iterate. Small tweaks based on input show you care, fostering brand trust and customer centricity.

Lesson 7: Measure and Scale

Stats prove it: 66% modify behavior for rewards, driving higher spend. Top programs boost revenue 15-25%. To implement:

1. Define goals (e.g., increase repeat rate 10%).
2. Start simple (free join, basic points).
3. Add tiers/partners over time.
4. Track metrics (engagement, revenue lift).
5. Scale with AI in marketing for smarter personalization.

Avoid pitfalls like overcomplicating rules or low redemption value—Avis counters with clear, valuable perks and no blackout dates.

Ultimately, these create incentive program magic: non-monetary incentives (upgrades, priority) plus scalable rewards build brand advocacy.

So, take a look at your business—is there a way to reward loyalty better? Start small, test, and watch customer engagement soar. Your customers could become your best promoters. And want to explore more about Loyalty program similar to Avis, explore our blogs on Sixt loyalty program and Enterprise Loyalty program.

Conclusion

Wrapping it up, friend—the Avis Loyalty Program, or Avis Preferred, is a standout example of how a well-crafted membership program drives repeat purchase and brand loyalty. From easy free enrollment and tiered perks to seamless app features, valuable incentive program redemptions, and strong partnerships, it creates convenience, savings, and emotional connection that keep renters coming back.

The real power? It boosts customer lifetime value, reduces churn reduction, and lifts customer satisfaction and Net Promoter Score through a smart retention strategy and customer engagement. In a competitive world, these elements turn one-time users into advocates who rent more, spend more, and spread the word—delivering serious revenue growth and brand equity.

If you’re ready to bring that kind of magic to your own business, our loyalty platform HappyRewards.io makes it surprisingly easy to design and launch your own modern loyalty program—no coding headaches required.

Is your business ready to turn customers into loyal advocates? Why not start by exploring a simple loyalty tweak today—or even sign up for Avis Preferred yourself to see it in action? The results could surprise you.