7 Best Credit Cards for Rental Cars

Earning Structure:

• 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3x points on dining
• 3x points on select streaming services
• 3x points on online groceries
• 2x points on all other travel purchases
• 1x point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: Not specified on the source page
• APR: 19.99%–28.24% variable APR
• Other perks: Up to $50 statement credit each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠; 10% anniversary points boost; trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and lost luggage insurance; complimentary DashPass (activation required; limited-time terms apply).

Key Benefits:

• Primary rental car coverage that can reimburse up to the cash value of most rental vehicles
• Points can be worth more when redeemed for travel through Chase
• Option to transfer points to about a dozen airline and hotel partners

Redemption Options:

Redeem points for travel through Chase (with boosted value) or transfer to airline and hotel partners for potentially higher returns.

Credit Requirements:

Good to excellent credit is usually needed to qualify.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

As a general-purpose travel card, it doesn’t include airline- or hotel-specific perks like free checked bags or room upgrades.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers simple earning categories and easy-to-use rewards, making it a good starting point for those new to travel cards.

Earning Structure:

• 4x miles per $1 on United® purchases
• 2x miles per $1 on dining
• 2x miles per $1 on all other travel
• 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

New cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $695
• APR: 20.49%–28.99% variable APR
• United Club℠ membership (at least a $750 value)
• Free first and second checked bags and Premier Access® travel services (terms apply)
• 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases, up to two times each calendar year

Key Benefits:

• Full United Club lounge access for the primary cardholder
• Priority airport perks (priority boarding and Premier Access)
• Free first and second checked bags for you and a companion
• Application fee credit for TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry, or NEXUS

Redemption Options:

Redeem miles through MileagePlus® for United and partner flights, upgrades, and other travel.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants typically need an excellent credit score (720–850) to qualify.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The $695 annual fee can be hard to justify if you don’t use United Club lounges or fly United frequently.

Why it Works for Beginners:

The primary rental car coverage and simple earning structure make it easy to use while learning to maximize travel rewards.

Earning Structure:

• 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $395
• Foreign transaction fees: Not specified on the source page
• APR: 19.99%–29.24% variable APR
• 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
• Access to 1,300+ lounges (Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass) after enrollment

Key Benefits:

• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Elevated 10x earnings on rental cars via Capital One Travel
• Lounge access that can offset trip costs
• Eligible for complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status (enrollment required)

Redemption Options:

Use miles to cover travel purchases or transfer to 15+ airline and hotel partners for added value.

Credit Requirements:

This card requires an excellent credit score (720–850).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The $395 annual fee may be hard to justify if you rarely use Capital One Travel or lounge access.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Its flat rewards structure and simple redemption process make it easy for new cardholders to use effectively.

Earning Structure:

• 8x Points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠.
• 4x Points on flights and hotels booked direct.
• 3x Points on dining worldwide.
• 1x Points on all other purchases.

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $795
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 20.24%–28.74% variable APR
• Complimentary Priority Pass™ Select and access to Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club (with two guests).
• Trip cancellation/interruption, auto rental coverage, lost luggage insurance, and more.

Key Benefits:

• Primary rental car insurance with worldwide coverage
• Access to Priority Pass™ airport lounges
• $300 annual travel credit
• Strong travel and dining rewards rates

Redemption Options:

Redeem points for travel via Chase for elevated value, or transfer to airline and hotel partners for potentially higher returns.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants typically need an excellent credit score (720–850) to qualify.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The $795 annual fee is a significant upfront cost, best justified by frequent travel use.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers simple earning categories and strong travel protections, making it easy for new cardholders to get value.

Earning Structure:

• 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases
• 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, including eligible delivery services
• 2 miles per $1 spent on hotel stays booked directly with the hotel
• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 60,000 bonus miles after meeting the spending requirement.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $150
• APR: 20.49%–28.99% variable APR
• Priority boarding privileges
• Two one-time United Club℠ passes each account anniversary year
• Free first checked bag for you and a companion (terms apply)

Key Benefits:

• Primary rental car insurance
• Free first checked bag and priority boarding
• Lounge access with annual United Club passes
• TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry/NEXUS credit

Redemption Options:

Redeem miles for United and partner flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and car rentals.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants typically need a good to excellent credit score (690–850) to qualify.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Free checked bag is limited to you and one companion; there are fewer redemption options compared to general travel cards.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It provides easy earning categories and useful travel benefits without complicated reward rules.

Earning Structure:

• 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent annually on travel and select business categories
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases (no limit)

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 90,000 bonus points after $8,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (worth $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel through Chase Travel℠).

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• APR: 20.24%–26.24% variable APR
• Zero Liability and 24/7 fraud monitoring
• Purchase Protection (up to $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account)
• Points don’t expire as long as the account is open

Key Benefits:

• Primary rental coverage for business rentals
• High value on travel redemptions through Chase
• Flexible points that can be used for cash back, gift cards, or transferred to partners

Redemption Options:

Redeem for travel, cash back, gift cards, or transfer to airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants typically need a good to excellent credit score (690–850) to qualify.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Rental car coverage applies only when the rental is for business purposes.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers clear earning categories and flexible redemption options, making it easy to use effectively from the start.

Earning Structure:

• 5x Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 per calendar year)
• 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®
• 1x Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

You may be eligible for up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after $8,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months (offer may vary).

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $695
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Multiple annual credits including a $200 Hotel Credit, $240 Digital Entertainment Credit, $200 Airline Fee Credit, $200 Uber Cash, $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit, and $100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit (enrollment required)
• Complimentary elite status with select hotel and rental car programs
• Access to the Global Lounge Collection and Global Dining Access by Resy

Key Benefits:

• Wide-ranging airport lounge network access
• Elite status with Marriott and Hilton hotels
• Complimentary membership in Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive
• Multiple lifestyle and travel statement credits

Redemption Options:

Redeem Membership Rewards® Points for travel, statement credits, gift cards, or transfer to airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants typically need a good to excellent credit score (690–850) to qualify.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

High annual fee may outweigh value if credits and benefits are underused; rental car coverage is secondary, not primary.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Best suited for those ready to explore premium travel benefits early, with high-value perks offsetting the fee when maximized.