The Complete Guide to Enterprise Plus

Look, rental car loyalty programs aren't exactly thrilling. But if you're going to rent cars anyway, you might as well get something back. Enterprise Plus is free to join, and if you rent with any regularity, the perks actually add up.

How to earn points with Enterprise Plus

It's straightforward: spend $1, get 1 point. That's it. Like hotel loyalty programs, you must book directly with Enterprise to qualify for benefits.

A few things won't count toward your points:

• Bookings through third-party sites like Expedia or Orbitz (book directly with Enterprise).

• Rentals using pre-negotiated corporate discounts.

• Tour package rentals.

• CarShare locations.

» Learn more: Which rental car company has the lowest prices?

Limited time: Win a car during this summer's World Cup

Through July 19, Enterprise is running a sweepstakes called #OnEveryCorner, timed to the World Cup.

During any corner kick in the tournament, post #OnEveryCorner and #Sweepstakes and tag @Enterprise on X. If that corner kick leads to a corner-kick goal, one entrant is drawn to win a car. With more than 1,000 corner kicks expected across 104 matches, there's a near-constant stream of chances.

You also don't have to live-post matches to play. There's a separate free entry at OnEveryCorner.com that puts you in a drawing without the hashtag scramble. It's open to fans in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Germany, Spain and France.

Plus, for every qualifying corner-kick goal, Enterprise is putting up to $500,000 total toward grants for nonprofits — so even if you don't win, the prize hype at least routes into something real.

What is Enterprise Plus elite status?

Enterprise Plus has three tiers: Silver, Gold and Platinum. The perks are modest but not nothing.

How do you redeem Enterprise Plus points?

Free rentals start at 600 points, which means you need to spend $600 to get your first freebie (or $300 if you register for that double points promo).

Points expire after 36 months of inactivity, but any rental or points-earning activity (including that Plus Your Points promotion) resets the clock. If points go missing after a rental, you have six months to file a claim online.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Alternative: Earn airline miles instead

If you don’t rent cars often and prefer not to earn Enterprise Plus points, the program can still deliver solid value. Enterprise Plus members can choose to earn frequent flyer miles instead. Enterprise’s four travel partners are:

1. Air France-KLM: Earn 4 miles per qualifying euro.

2. Lufthansa: Earn 500 miles per rental.

3. Turkish Airlines: Earn up to 1,000 miles per rental.

4. Virgin Atlantic: Earn up to 1,200 points per rental.

Should you purchase Enterprise Plus’ insurance plan?

Rental car insurance can be an expensive addition, especially over multiple days. But if you have a credit card that offers primary car rental insurance, you may not need to pay even more. Review the fine print of your card because you may already have insurance included if you use that card to pay for the rental.

If you rent cars often, consider adding one of the best credit cards for rental cars to your wallet.

Enterprise Plus vs. National's Emerald Club

Both programs are free, and since Enterprise owns National, there's overlap. Here's the deal:

Enterprise Plus is simpler—you earn points, you spend points.

Emerald Club has better perks (free additional drivers, automatic upgrades in Europe, faster counter bypass) but uses a credit system that's slightly more confusing.

If you have the American Express Platinum Card®, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can enjoy elite status in Emerald Club as a perk of your card. Enrollment required. Terms apply. In that case, use Emerald Club for National rentals and link your Enterprise Plus number to collect points there too.

Honestly? Just sign up for both. They're free, and you'll maximize whatever benefits are available.

» Learn more: What to know before joining Emerald Club

Enterprise Plus, recapped

Enterprise Plus costs you nothing and takes two minutes to sign up. If you rent cars more than once or twice a year, you'll eventually earn a free rental day.

With the double points promotion running until late February, now's actually a decent time to register—especially if you have holiday travel coming up.

Minimum age is 21. Sign up at enterprise.com or plusyourpoints.enterprise.com if you want to register for the current promotion.