Amex Offers Discounts for Avis and Budget Car Rentals
Amex has recently released two new offers for its cardholders, providing discounts for spending at Avis and Budget car rental agencies. These offers come hot on the heels of a similar offer for Alamo car rentals targeted specifically to Hilton co-branded cards. With these new deals, Amex is now running offers for spending at four major rental car agencies.
The first offer provides a $75 statement credit for spending a minimum of $350 at Avis Car Rental in-store or online by March 26, 2024. The second offer gives a $50 statement credit for spending at least $250 at Budget Car Rental corporate-owned US locations, either in-person or online, by the same deadline.
To take advantage of these offers, cardholders must first add the offer to their Amex card and then use the same card for the rental. Each card member can only enroll one card across all Amex offer channels. The offers are not valid for bookings made through travel agents, third parties, or affiliate booking sites. Eligible rentals must be paid by March 26, 2024, and reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. The offers are only valid for purchases made in US dollars, and each card member can only receive one statement credit.
Specific terms and conditions apply to each offer. For the Avis offer, rentals must be made directly with Avis Car Rental through the US website, mobile app, phone reservations, or at Avis locations in the US and US territories. The offer excludes Budget and Payless brands, chauffeur drive, car sales, scooter rentals, e-Toll, and purchases with travel partners for lodging, airfare, ground transportation, or parking.
For the Budget offer, rentals must be made directly with participating Budget Car Rental corporate-owned locations in the US. Rentals can be made through the US website, mobile app, phone reservations, or in-person at participating Budget locations. The offer excludes independently licensed or franchised Budget locations, Avis and Payless brands, chauffeur drive, scooter rentals, e-Toll, car sales, and purchases with travel partners for lodging, airfare, ground transportation, or parking.
These offers seem to be widely targeted and are available on various Amex cards. However, they may not be available on all cards, such as the Marriott Bonvoy card. It is important to note that the offers are only valid for rentals within the US and not in North America or the Caribbean.
When using these offers, it is crucial to choose the credit card that provides the best combination of rental car coverage and points earnings. For example, if the card_name provides primary rental car coverage and good points earning, it would be the ideal choice. However, if the American Express Green Card is targeted for these offers, cardholders must decide whether they prefer the savings on the rental or the primary rental car coverage and points earning offered by card_name. For short-term rentals, using the American Express Green Card and taking advantage of the savings may be a better option, while for longer rentals, the insurance coverage provided by card_name may outweigh the savings from the Amex offer.
In conclusion, Amex cardholders who need to book and pay for a rental car before March 26 should check if they have been targeted for the offers. Before booking, they should consider the savings, benefits, and insurance coverage provided by their chosen Amex card compared to their other cards. It’s always important to read the terms and conditions carefully before making any decisions.