Best path to free car rental?
Jan 9, 2001 | 8:17 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ATL, DL GM
Posts: 105
Best path to free car rental?
As a DL GM, the practically only thing I can do with my miles is tickets and/or upgrades. My problem with using FF miles for tix is that once you reach your "free" destination, they actually want money for things like car rentals, hotels, etc. 
Aside from changing primary FF loyalty (not easy to do for an ATL based traveler), what hotel/car rental loyalty programs give the best car rental awards?
I already do 90% of my car rentals with Hertz, and 40-50% of my hotel stays under the Hilton HHonors program. But I'll switch for a better deal.
Aside from changing primary FF loyalty (not easy to do for an ATL based traveler), what hotel/car rental loyalty programs give the best car rental awards?
I already do 90% of my car rentals with Hertz, and 40-50% of my hotel stays under the Hilton HHonors program. But I'll switch for a better deal.
Jan 9, 2001 | 10:02 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Don't know....
Programs: BA LTG, SQ TPPS, CX DMP, AA EXP, Bonvoy LTT, ALL PLT, Hilton DM
Posts: 4,037
Whenever you issue an UA awards (using UA miles), they send you 2 hotel and car certificates. Each car certificate is good for 1/2 day rental and you may combine 6 certs for 3 full days of rental.
There are some restrictions like it must be over a weekend, but the restrictions are different for each rental company.
There are some restrictions like it must be over a weekend, but the restrictions are different for each rental company.
Jan 9, 2001 | 10:29 am
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: St Petersburg, FL, USA
Posts: 2,275
Budget has a great loyalty program. Check out their website. The high points:
Besides the merchandise (which I don't want), you get 1 point for every dollar you spend, including taxes, fees, gas, insurance, etc. If you book online, you get double points, and if you redeem an award online, you get a 20% point rebate.
With double points and the 20% rebate, you get a free day for spending about $240 (a typical weekly rental), and a free week for spending about $600. Not too shabby.
On top of that, you can also save up for vacation packages, which include 2 or 3 nights at 5 tiers of hotels. They range from $1,200 to $8,000 spent (the high end being Ritz-Carltons).
Besides the merchandise (which I don't want), you get 1 point for every dollar you spend, including taxes, fees, gas, insurance, etc. If you book online, you get double points, and if you redeem an award online, you get a 20% point rebate.
With double points and the 20% rebate, you get a free day for spending about $240 (a typical weekly rental), and a free week for spending about $600. Not too shabby.
On top of that, you can also save up for vacation packages, which include 2 or 3 nights at 5 tiers of hotels. They range from $1,200 to $8,000 spent (the high end being Ritz-Carltons).
Jan 9, 2001 | 1:40 pm
#4
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 14,291
40,000 Hilton HHonors points may be redeemed for a week of free car rental in the US with National, Thrifty or Alamo
50,000 Hilton HHonors points may be redeemed for a free week in Hawaii with National or a free week in Europe with Alamo.
I have used the 50K award in Europe twice without any hassles.
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Addicted to airline miles? Check out: The Airline Mileage Workshop
50,000 Hilton HHonors points may be redeemed for a free week in Hawaii with National or a free week in Europe with Alamo.
I have used the 50K award in Europe twice without any hassles.
------------------
Addicted to airline miles? Check out: The Airline Mileage Workshop