Status match: Aeroplan elites, cardmembers can now enjoy key Avis benefits

There’s a new way for customers who rent cars with Avis to enjoy upgrades and higher earning rates through the company’s loyalty program. Beginning today, Avis is holding a status match opportunity for elite status members and some co-branded credit cardholders with Air Canada’s Aeroplan program.

Members of the three lowest Aeroplan elite status levels can get a status match for the Avis Preferred program’s Preferred Plus status, while high-level Aeroplan elites can access Avis President’s Club benefits, which is an invitation-only status level.

The arrangement is similar to what elite members and co-branded cardholders in the United MileagePlus program enjoy, at least as it pertains to the status match.

While we talk far more about elite status with airlines and hotel chains here at TPG, rental car status can be a great way to earn points at a faster rate and tap into a handful of other experience-enhancing benefits like car upgrades. Rental car status matches can help you leverage your status with another car company or an airline to enjoy those benefits.

This is a great way to leverage airline elite status to upgrade your car renting experience.

An Air Canada jet waits at the gate at Raleigh/Durham International Airport (RDU). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

Avis Preferred Plus match

As part of this status match opportunity, Avis will grant access to its elite status programs to Aeroplan status members and co-branded credit card holders. Aeroplan Silver 25k and 35k, along with Gold 50k members can match into Avis Preferred Plus.

In addition to enjoying line-skipping privileges at eligible locations, like all entry-level Avis Preferred members, those with Preferred Plus access can tap into car upgrades of one class level when available, as well as special reservation line access. Generally, to qualify for Avis Preferred Plus you’d have to rent at least a dozen times within a calendar year or spend $5,000 in a year.

Initially, Preferred Plus members earn 1.25 points per dollar on rental costs and 2.5 points per dollar on accessories, an improvement over entry-level Avis Preferred members.

Avis lot at O’Hare International Airport (ORD). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

Avis President’s Club match

Meanwhile, Aeroplan Gold 75k and Super Elite members can match into the Avis President’s Club. So, too, can certain Aeroplan Premium co-branded credit cardmembers, including two co-branded American Express cards: the American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve cardholders and American Express® Aeroplan® Business Reserve members, among a few other cards, listed here. It’s worth noting, the Chase Aeroplan Credit Card is not among the cards eligible for this status match opportunity.

Once elite status is matched with Avis’ President’s Club, members can enjoy car upgrades of two class levels when available, guaranteed availability and even greater earnings on rentals compared with Preferred Plus members.

The information for the American Express Aeroplan Reserve and American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

How to complete status match

Aeroplan members who want matched Avis Preferred elite status can fill out the online form here. You’ll have to make sure you’ve joined the Avis Preferred program before being able to complete a status match. It may take up to a week for the new status to hit your Avis profile, the company says.

If your Aeroplan elite status is what gets you your Avis Preferred status, you could lose the Avis status if your status drops on Air Canada. The same could go for eligible card members who close their card accounts after earning Avis Preferred status with the card.

Featured photo by Sean Cudahy/The Points Guy.