When people think of The Platinum Card® from American Express, their mind usually goes straight to Centurion Lounges, Fine Hotels + Resorts, or the insanely long list of lifestyle credits. But the thing is… the Amex Platinum also quietly packs in valuable rental car perks.
As an Amex Platinum cardholder, you can enroll to receive Hertz President’s Circle status (Hertz’s top tier), along with Platinum-specific perks like upgrades, discounts, and even a four-hour grace period on returns. It may not sound super glamorous, but these benefits can save you hundreds of dollars and make your next rental way less stressful.
🌟 Don’t Miss: The Amex Platinum recently got a major refresh, including several new credits worth your attention.
What Hertz Presidents Circle Gets You
Hertz’s loyalty program, Gold Plus Rewards, offers two tiers of elite status: Five Star (earned after 10 rentals or $2,000 in spending) and President’s Circle (15 rentals or $3,000).
With the Amex Platinum, you can skip straight past Five Star and enroll in Hertz President’s Circle status, which includes:
Guaranteed one-class upgrades when available (this one is huge!)
Access to better car availability during peak times
Faster, priority service at the counter
A free additional driver
50% more Hertz points on rentals
That might mean driving away in a mid-size SUV instead of a compact without paying more, which is a perk that can make road trips or family vacations a whole lot more comfortable.
To activate this benefit, simply enroll through your Amex account’s benefits page.
The 4-Hour Grace Period Explained
One of the most underrated Amex Platinum rental perks is the extra four hours you get to return your car. Normally, car rental companies charge you an extra day if you’re even a little late returning your car.
How It Works (and When It Saves You Money)
Book using the Amex Corporate Discount Code (CDP) 211762.
Link your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number (enrolled through Amex).
Pick up and return directly with Hertz.
This perk means if your flight is delayed or you just want a more chill departure day, you won’t get stuck paying for an extra day if you’re under four hours late.
⚠️ Heads Up: The grace period is only for rentals in the U.S. and Canada, and can vary by location, so check your rental terms at pickup. And again, you need to book directly with Hertz and make sure your rewards number (enrolled through Amex) is attached to the reservation.
Other Amex Platinum Rental Benefits
Hertz isn’t the only player here. The Amex Platinum also partners with Avis and National, offering elite status and perks when you enroll. While the benefits are slightly different, they generally include upgrades, priority service, and discounts, which gives you flexibility depending on which rental company fits your trip best.
Coverage Protections
Beyond status perks, the Amex Platinum comes with strong travel protections:
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance (when you pay with your card and decline the rental company’s coverage)
Access to Amex’s Premium Car Rental Protection (an optional add-on for a flat fee per rental, instead of daily rates)
Together, these benefits can make renting a car with your Amex Platinum one of the most seamless (and cost-effective) ways to hit the road.
Bottom Line
The Amex Platinum is known for luxury travel perks, but its Hertz benefits deserve just as much love. With President’s Circle status, upgrades, discounts, and a generous 4-hour grace period, Amex Platinum cardholders can skip lines, drive nicer cars, and save some cash.
Even if you rent only once or twice a year, this single benefit can make the Amex Platinum’s annual fee feel a lot more manageable, which you’ll never catch me complaining about.
