Thanks for all the feedback here. Very useful. I don't rent cars a lot. The only way I've been able to actually accrue one free rental was from the Covid extension I think. But 6-10 a year I think is probably about what I will do. I rely on Lyft a lot on work trips now - great earnings on CSR and let someone else do the work.

I don't think I would ever earn a good rental car status on my own. So just the CSR giving me National status.

I definitely had a shabby rental from Budget and Alamo before, but my National and Avis picks have all been pretty decent. Hertz isn't available on Costco travel, which has reliably provided cheaper rental options than other outlets for me. But I love hearing a loyalist tout their brand that much so I will have to check it out.

One other thing is that I feel like there are more EXP than ever right now. Or maybe it is something else, but I've not gotten as many upgrades recently and have seen my name further down the list than in previous years. I am confident I will renew AA EXP as long as I am still working. But every Loyalty Point also moves me up in the 12 month rolling average of Loyalty Point that determines where I will sit in the upgrade queue. And upgrades on flights are 100% the most important perk for me personally. I am a big dude, and I have benefited multiple times from being first off the plane for things like customs and getting in line to rebook a missed connection, etc. I redeem maybe 1 or 2 flights with miles per year. Maybe I need to find another way to use them. I know they will devalue undoubtedly. But I don't travel too much for personal reasons right now.

The last chance I had to use a National free day was last month, and it would have cost $10 for the taxes. But the one day rental from avis on Costco was only $50. So it didn't seem like I should burn that for $40.

For some of the feedback above I'd love to know how frequently you rent cars for fun or pleasure. Maybe I just don't do it enough so it isn't as valuable. Also for work a lot of times if I am traveling with someone, they rent the car, which I prefer because then I can get work done on the drives. I could be the one to do the renting but then I'd have to do the driving.