Rental car lines can drain the energy from any arrival, yet a little-known benefit on select premium credit cards now grants access to Avis President’s Club without the usual rental or spending hurdles. Primary cardholders on certain American Airlines and United co-branded cards can claim this top-tier status in the Avis Preferred program, which speeds up service and adds upgrades at participating locations. The newest option arrived with the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, where enrollment remains available through August 31, 2028. ([1])
What the Status Actually Provides
Avis President’s Club sits at the top of the published tiers in the free Avis Preferred loyalty program. Members already enjoy counter bypass at most locations, but the elite level layers on further advantages that matter during peak travel periods.
Key benefits include a complimentary upgrade of up to two car classes when reserving a midsize vehicle or larger, subject to availability. Cardholders also receive a guaranteed car up to full size with any reservation confirmed at least 24 hours ahead. A dedicated phone line for support rounds out the package, reducing friction when plans change or issues arise at the counter.
Cards That Include the Perk
Several premium travel cards currently extend complimentary President’s Club status to primary cardmembers. The benefit is not automatic and requires enrollment, yet it carries no extra cost beyond the card’s annual fee.
| Card | Notes |
|---|---|
| Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard | Enrollment open through August 31, 2028 |
| United Club Card | Available to primary cardmembers |
| United Club Business Card | Available to primary cardmembers |
| United Presidential Plus Card | No longer offered to new applicants |
| United Presidential Plus Business Card | No longer offered to new applicants |
American Airlines AAdvantage and United MileagePlus members can also qualify through loyalty program thresholds, such as 100,000 AAdvantage Loyalty Points or United Premier Platinum, 1K, or Global Services status. These routes operate separately from the credit card offers.
Steps to Activate the Benefit
Enrollment begins inside the linked airline loyalty account rather than the credit card portal. For Citi / AAdvantage Executive holders, the process routes through an AAdvantage profile under the Rewards or Status sections.
Cardholders link an existing Avis Preferred account or create one, then verify that names, email addresses, postal codes, and Wizard numbers match exactly. Once confirmed, the upgrade to President’s Club appears in the Avis account. United cardholders follow a comparable path through their MileagePlus profiles.
Verification failures often trace to minor data mismatches, so double-checking details before submission prevents delays. The entire sequence typically takes only a few minutes once the accounts are accessible.
Practical Value for Travelers
The status delivers the most impact for travelers who rent with Avis several times a year, where expedited service and upgrades compound into noticeable time savings. Occasional renters still gain a useful option without additional spend.
Annual fees on the participating cards remain substantial, so the perk alone rarely justifies opening a new account. Existing cardholders, however, lose nothing by completing the short enrollment and keeping the benefit ready for future trips.
Overall, the arrangement illustrates how credit card partnerships can convert routine spending into tangible travel conveniences that bypass traditional loyalty requirements.
