🏷️ Labor Day Sale - Get $50 off & Unlock Unbeatable Deals!
🏷️ Labor Day Sale - Get $50 off & Unlock Unbeatable Deals!
Sign Up Here!
This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.
If you rent cars often, you know the drill… daily fees add up, insurance costs can bite, and the “free upgrade” isn’t always free. But the right credit card can cover insurance, save you money on rentals, and even earn you bonus points while you’re on the road. Here’s your guide to the best credit cards for renting cars — plus some pro tips to maximize perks like elite status, insurance coverage, and flexible points.
If you rent cars often, you know the drill… daily fees add up, insurance costs can bite, and the “free upgrade” isn’t always free. But the right credit card can cover insurance, save you money on rentals, and even earn you bonus points while you’re on the road. Here’s your guide to the best credit cards for renting cars — plus some pro tips to maximize perks like elite status, insurance coverage, and flexible points.
🏆 Our Most Popular Card
Annual Fee:Â $95
🏆 Best for Travel Credits
Annual Fee:Â $795
🏆 Best for premium travel perks
🏆 Best for premium travel perks
Annual Fee:Â $395
🏆 Best for Luxury Benefits
🏆 Best for Luxury Benefits
Annual Fee:Â $895
🏆 Best for restaurants
Annual Fee:Â $325
🏆 Best for Gas Stations
Annual Fee:Â $95
🏆 Best for Frequent United flyers
$0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150
🏆 Best Mid-Tier United Card
$350 Annual Fee
🏆 Best for United Loyalists
$695 Annual Fee
🏆 Best for $0 Annual Fee and Intro APR
Annual Fee:Â $0
🏆 Best for Groceries and Streaming
🏆 Best for Groceries and Streaming
$0 intro annual fee the first year, then $95
🏆 Best Premium Chase Business Card
🏆 Best Premium Chase Business Card
🏆 Best Chase Welcome Offer
🏆 Best Chase Welcome Offer
Annual Fee:Â $95
🏆 Best for High Cash-Back Value
🏆 Best for High Cash-Back Value
Annual Fee:Â $195
🏆 Best for $0 Annual Fee and Intro APR
Annual Fee:Â $0
🏆 Best Intro United Business Card
‍
Annual Fee:Â $150
🏆 Best for Variety of Credits
🏆 Best for Variety of Credits
$695 Annual Fee
Not every rental looks the same, and not every person has the same needs. If you’re renting cars a few times a year for vacations, a card that covers primary rental car insurance is going to be your best friend. Frequent renters who want upgrades or discounts should look for cards that come with rental agency elite status or statement credits. And if you just want to earn the most points possible on travel, there are cards that turn every rental day into free flights or hotel stays. The bottom line is… the right card depends on whether you want protection, perks, or points — and the best cards below can give you a mix of all three.
You’re not limited to swiping at the rental counter. Tons of cards offer bonus points when you book through their travel portals (like Chase Travel or Amex Travel), or when you book directly with a rental company that’s categorized as “travel.” Transferable currencies (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Capital One miles) are especially powerful since you can earn big on the rental itself and then use those same points to cover hotels, flights, or even cover the rental charge from your statement.
Pro Tip: Some cards also partner directly with companies like Hertz, Avis, or National. Linking your card can automatically bump you to elite status, unlocking upgrades and shorter lines at pickup.
[.pro] Many premium cards include primary rental car insurance, which means you can skip the add-ons at the counter [.pro]
[.pro] Cards with travel credits can offset rental costs if booked through the right portals [.pro]
[.pro] Transferable points programs make it easy to cover not just your car, but your entire trip with one flexible currency [.pro]
[.pro] Some cards offer rental car loyalty program status, which can get you free upgrades and faster service [.pro]
‍
[.con] Coverage usually only applies to rentals under a certain number of days (often 31 or fewer) [.con]
[.con] Certain countries may be excluded from rental coverage [.con]
[.con] You typically need to decline the rental agency’s insurance to use your card’s protection [.con]
At Daily Drop, our editorial team is made up of seasoned travel and credit card experts who have spent years mastering travel rewards and testing the best strategies firsthand. Founder Nate Buchanan, of Kara and Nate, has personally earned and redeemed millions of points and miles over the past 10+ years, saving tens of thousands of dollars on travel. Our team shares similar hands-on experience, ensuring our recommendations are practical, tested, and built on real-world knowledge. After all, we wouldn’t be Daily Drop if we weren’t practicing what we preach.
‍
Our independent reviews break down rewards, perks, fees, and overall value to help you make informed decisions. We also analyze audience data, considering reader engagement and trends, so our recommendations reflect what actually matters to you.
While we may earn a commission if you apply for a card through our site, our opinions are our own — based solely on expert analysis and firsthand experience, not influenced by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Our goal is simple: helping you maximize your rewards and travel smarter.
‍
Read our full methodology for more information.
Content Specialist
‍
Writer &Â EditorÂ
‍
‍
‍
‍
