Many premium travel cards include complimentary access to Hertz President’s Circle, the highest published tier in the company’s Gold+ Rewards program. A recent first-hand test at Denver International Airport showed how the benefit plays out in practice for a traveler heading into Rocky Mountain National Park. The experience highlighted both the straightforward advantages and the small steps required to make the status work smoothly. ([1])
What President’s Circle Status Provides
President’s Circle sits above the standard Gold and Five Star tiers in Hertz Gold+ Rewards. Members receive a guaranteed one-class upgrade at participating locations, capped at a full-size vehicle, along with access to the widest selection of cars in the dedicated President’s Circle section at Ultimate Choice sites. Additional benefits include earning 1.5 points per dollar on qualifying rentals, no extra-driver fee for a spouse or domestic partner, and a dedicated customer-service line.
These perks apply only when the reservation meets specific conditions, such as booking a midsize or larger vehicle at least 48 hours in advance at an eligible airport location. Ultimate Choice itself is limited to select airport facilities, so travelers should confirm availability before relying on the full range of choices.
Cards That Include the Status
Several well-known premium cards extend President’s Circle status to eligible cardholders. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Business card both provide the benefit after enrollment through the issuer’s website or app. American Express Platinum and Business Platinum cardmembers can also access it, though those who enrolled before July 2026 must re-enroll by the end of the year through their benefits portal.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express cards and certain Delta Medallion elites qualify through a separate enrollment process that links the Hertz account to the Delta profile. In each case, activation must occur through the card issuer rather than directly on the Hertz site for the status to register correctly.
Activating and Booking With the Perk
Enrollment begins with joining Hertz Gold+ at no cost, followed by completing the card-specific activation steps. Cardholders should verify that President’s Circle appears in their Hertz profile before making a reservation. Saving driver’s license details in advance allows smoother counter bypass at supported locations.
At pickup, travelers look for their name on the President’s Circle board and proceed to the dedicated Five Star and President’s Circle desk when available. First-time users may still need to complete a quick verification at the Gold desk before future rentals qualify for full counter-skipping privileges.
The Denver Test and What It Delivered
Using status from the Capital One Venture X card, the traveler arrived at Denver International Airport for a day exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. After an initial mix-up at the main counter, staff at the dedicated President’s Circle desk quickly confirmed the active status and directed the driver to the reserved section.
More than fifty vehicles waited in the President’s Circle lot. The choice settled on a nearly new 2026 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4WD, a noticeable step up from the originally reserved midsize sedan. The upgrade proved practical for the winding mountain roads ahead, and the 1.5-point earning rate applied as expected.
Practical Takeaways for Future Trips
The status turned an ordinary rental into a more enjoyable start to the day, particularly for a traveler who rents infrequently and values vehicle choice over the lowest price. Enrollment takes only a few minutes once the right card is in hand, and the benefits become most noticeable at larger airport locations with Ultimate Choice.
Travelers who already carry one of the qualifying cards can activate the perk well before their next trip. When the destination calls for flexibility on the road, the added selection and upgrade potential offer a quiet but tangible improvement to the overall journey.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.