Car Hire Discounts from Partner Programs
Do you find yourself thinking that you have too many cards in your wallet, too many different loyalty programs and too many point schemes to consider? If so you probably feel you waste hours trying to understand the offers, when you would rather be planning the more enjoyable parts of your holiday.
Car hire is one such area, so we’ve taken a closer look at types of loyalty program tie-ups and point schemes you can find at Australia’s five major car hire providers – Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty.
There are two very different aims when considering programs and points associated with car hire. First is getting the best deal possible and second is getting the most out of that deal.
Getting the best deal possible
There are typically four types of discounts offered by car hire companies. These include:
- Coupon offers, which are the large majority of the offers and change frequently,
- Standing percentage discounts based on your membership to a particular organisation,
- Loyalty discounts which are provided only to the most loyal and high-use customers, and
- Corporate discounts, provided to companies and businesses.
Start your research by checking the available car hire coupons, which we’ve scoured each of their websites to compile for you, and in discount books such as the NRMA guide or Entertainment Book.
With your vouchers and codes ready, contact the car hire company. Mention to them any airline, auto club, hotel program and credit card group that you are associated with. Even if you are unable to get a discount, you can record the details for future point collection where applicable. Some providers only accept these details at the time of reservation.
Discounts may also be available as a result of membership with some international airline frequent flyer programs. All discounts are subject to providing proof on check-in.
| Discounts offered by selected Partner Programs | |||||
| Qantas FF | Virgin Blue FF | NRMA | Other Auto Clubs | Entertainment Book | |
| Avis | 5% | - | 2% | 5% | |
| Budget* | 0-10% discount depending on the rate available. Discounts are offered from Qantas, NRMA and Auto Clubs | Various offers | |||
| Europcar | - | 5% | 3% + excess and daily waiver fees are reduced | 5-20% | |
| Hertz | 3% | - | 4% + one day free on a seven day hire | 3% | |
| Thrifty | - | - | 10% | 5% | 7% |
| Updated August 2010; FF = Frequent Flyer; NRMA = National Roads and Motorists’ Association * Budget also allows Flybuy points to be redeemed and Westpac Altitude vouchers used for car hire |
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Earning new points or miles
Each car hire provider is partnered with a large number of airlines and other companies allowing you to earn points or miles as you drive.
Australian Frequent Flyer Programs
Qantas offer three points per dollar spent on time or kilometre expenses (excluding GST, insurance and other such costs) with Avis, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty. This is extended with Avis and Hertz to provide 700 points for any international hire you make through these companies.
Virgin Blue is connected with Europcar and Thrifty only, offering a number of points between three and five per dollar spent based on your Virgin Blue Frequent Flyer membership level.
Australian Banking Options
Through Westpac Altitude and Qantas American Express, points may be earned by renting your hire car through Budget.
International Airline Partners
Every airline is associated with at least one of the major Australian car hire providers. However, there are so many airlines with differing reward points options that it is recommended that you contact your airline and ask who their car hire partners in Australia are and how it works.
If you have multiple frequent flyer rewards cards, you may need to compare the deal you receive. Make sure that you check whether the number of points is provided per dollar spent (as both the main Australian airlines do), per day (e.g. AAdvantage, United Airlines and Air New Zealand) or per rental, which is provided by most of the other airlines including the Australian airlines for international rentals.
Getting the best out of your booking
- Check for discount car hire coupons.
- Ask about discounts based on airline program, auto program, hotel program and credit card programs.
- See if your international or local frequent flyer scheme is covered.
- Compare each of your frequent flyer program offers to determine which is best, as you are only able to select one per booking.
- If you are travelling on a corporate rate ask what points you are entitled to earn. Because the corporate rate is discounted, some hire companies do not provide any points or miles, while others provide a reduced number.
Hi Again,
A few comments …
Avis advised me today that the Auto Club discount is up to 5%, with no discount when the rates are low, exactly the same as for Qantas FF.
Europcar – I cannot find any reference to Auto Club discounts on either the Europcar website or the RACV website.
Hertz – Auto Club also includes significant reduction to excesses – $1,650 standard excess (reduced from $3,300) with $0 additional Single Vehicle Accident Excess (reduced from $2,200).
Thrifty – According to the NRMA website, the dscount is 10% for phone bookings and 15% for internet bookings. I cannot find any reference to the 5% discount for other Auto Clubs on either the RACV website or the Thrifty website, or in my RACV member documentation. FYI, the reason the NRMA discount is higher than others is that NRMA own Thrifty Australia.