(EXPIRED) Save 20%+ on rental cars with Avis & Budget Amex Offers (targeted)

Update 3/12/24: Amex has rolled these offers out to more cardholders. They still have the same expiry date of March 26 and so there’s not a lot of time left to take advantage of them, but it’s worth being aware of in case you need to rent a car in the next couple of weeks.

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There are new Amex Offers out for both Avis and Budget Car Rental; each one gives ~20% back when renting directly from the rental company and using an enrolled card.

Avis is giving targeted cardholders $75 back on $350 spend, while the Budget version is $50 back on $250. Each one allows the spending to be done in more than one transaction. These offers expire on 3/26/24, but are applicable to prepaid rentals later in the year, so long as you pay by that date.

The Deal

• There is a new Avis Amex Offer that gives a $75 statement credit for spending $350+ directly with Avis in one or more purchases.
  • Enrollment required

• There is another new Amex Offer that gives a $50 statement credit for spending $250+ directly with Budget in one or more purchases.
  • Enrollment required

Terms and Conditions (Avis – Budget is similar)

• Must first add offer to Card and then use same Card to redeem.
• Only U.S.-issued American Express® Cards are eligible.
• Eligible rentals must be paid by 3/26/2024 in order to qualify.
• Not valid for bookings made through travel agents, third parties, or affiliate booking sites. Excludes Budget & Payless brands, Chauffeur Drive, Car Sales, Scooter rentals, e-Toll and purchases with travel partners for lodging, airfare, ground transportation, or parking.
• Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.
• Valid only on purchases made in US dollars.
• Statement credit will appear on your billing statement within 90 days after 3/26/2024, provided that American Express receives information from the merchant about your qualifying purchase.

Quick Thoughts

These are decent offers, especially since you can trigger them with multiple purchases and they’re valid for prepaid reservations later in the year, as long is its paid for by 3/26. The terms don’t mention anything about not being able to use corporate or organizational discount codes, so those should stack.

One thing to keep in mind is rental car insurance. I put all of my car rentals on my Chase Sapphire Reserve or my wife’s Sapphire Preferred as they both provide very good primary rental car insurance (ie, it pays for damage to the car without it having to go to your personal policy first).

Amex’s coverage is secondary unless you purchase “premium” insurance for the card at ~$25/rental that then turns it into primary. Not a deal-killer, but many folks would want to pay the extra $25, turning this into a $25-50 win over using cards that already include primary rental car insurance.

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