Air Canada has significantly upgraded its partnership with Hertz, creating a scenario where renting a car can yield more loyalty rewards than actually flying. This strategic shift transforms a routine travel expense into a high-value opportunity for Aeroplan members, particularly those with elite status.
While car rentals are often viewed as a commodity purchase with little room for brand loyalty, this new agreement leverages points multipliers and status matching to create genuine stickiness. For frequent travelers, the implications are clear: spending on ground transportation can now outpace air travel in terms of point accumulation.
The New Points Multiplier Structure
The core of the deal lies in an aggressive points-earning structure that scales with Aeroplan elite status. Hertz rentals now earn points based on Canadian dollars spent, with rates that surprise many members by exceeding standard flight earnings.
Here is how the earning potential breaks down:
- General Members: 2 points per $1 CAD spent.
- Elite 25K, 35K, and 50K: 3 points per $1 CAD spent.
- Elite 75K: 4 points per $1 CAD spent.
- Super Elite: 5 points per $1 CAD spent.
It is important to note that these enhanced rates apply specifically to Hertz. Rentals booked through Hertz’s sister brands, Thrifty and Dollar, are capped at the base rate of 2 points per dollar, regardless of the member’s Aeroplan status.
Status Qualifying Credits: A Faster Path to Elite
Beyond simple point accumulation, the partnership accelerates progress toward Aeroplan elite status. Members earn one Status Qualifying Credit (SQC) for every 5 Aeroplan points earned.
This mechanic creates a powerful incentive for high-tier members:
* Super Elite members earn one SQC for every $1 CAD spent on Hertz rentals.
* General members require spending $2.50 CAD to earn one SQC.
For business travelers who frequently rent vehicles, this means that ground transportation expenses can contribute significantly to maintaining or achieving elite status, reducing the pressure to accumulate miles solely through flight tickets.
Automatic Hertz Status for Aeroplan Members
To further streamline the travel experience, Air Canada has integrated automatic status matching within the Hertz ecosystem. This removes the need for separate applications or enrollment forms for qualified members.
Presidents Club Status
The highest tier of Hertz loyalty, Presidents Club, is automatically granted to:
* Aeroplan 75K and Super Elite members.
* Holders of premium co-branded credit cards, including:
* American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve Card
* TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege Card
* CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege Card
* American Express® Aeroplan® Business Reserve Card
* American Express® Aeroplan® Corporate Reserve Card
Five Star Status
The mid-tier Five Star status is available to:
* Aeroplan 25K, 35K, and 50K members.
* Holders of standard co-branded cards, such as:
* TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card
* American Express® Aeroplan® Card
* CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card
* TD® Aeroplan® Visa Business Card
* CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Business Plus Card
* CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card
* American Express® Aeroplan® Corporate Card
* Chase Aeroplan® Card
Context: Why This Partnership Matters Now
The renewed vigor behind the Air Canada-Hertz alliance stands in contrast to previous industry attempts. In 2018, Hertz was touted as the “first non-airline partner” of the SkyTeam alliance, a move that ultimately fizzled without significant operational impact. By 2024, the focus had shifted to other non-air partners, such as Eurostar, leaving Hertz largely in the background.
However, the rental car industry has undergone a dramatic transformation since then. Hertz faced severe operational and reputational challenges, including high-profile issues with vehicle theft and customer disputes. Under the leadership of former Delta COO Gil West, and with technological assistance from Palantir to track fleet movements, Hertz has worked to stabilize its operations. The narrative has shifted from crisis management to competitive differentiation.
In the past, Hertz was synonymous with business travel—epitomized by pop culture references like Up in the Air, where rental cars were a staple of the corporate traveler’s life. Today, with the rise of rideshare services and a tough market landscape, Hertz needs every advantage to retain corporate clients. By tying deeply into the Aeroplan ecosystem, Hertz is not just selling cars; it is selling convenience and status, turning a transactional purchase into a loyalty-building exercise.
Conclusion
This partnership represents a strategic pivot for both Air Canada and Hertz, leveraging data and status matching to retain high-value customers. For travelers, it signals that loyalty programs are expanding beyond the sky, offering tangible rewards for ground transportation that can rival or exceed those earned in the air.
