Best Credit Card for Car Rentals
Compare the top credit cards for car rental agencies and find which one earns the most rewards.
Car rental charges typically code as travel, earning elevated rates on travel cards. Many premium travel cards also include auto rental collision damage waiver as a benefit — potentially saving $30–$50/day in insurance fees.
Top Pick
Chase Freedom Flex
5x on Chase Travel (Q2 2026) - Purchases through the Chase Travel portal. Freedom Flex earns 4x on Chase Travel year-round, so this quarter effectively earns 9x.
Note: This card has a combined $1,500 spending cap across ALL rotating categories this period. Earnings above this amount will be at the base rate. Remember to activate between 3/1/2026 - 6/14/2026.
More Good Options
Credit One Bank Cash BackCredit One Bank Wander American Express Card10xpts/dollar10.0%return10x on Rental Cars
Learn more →
U.S. Bank FlexPerksU.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite10xpts/dollar10.0%return10x on Car Rentals (Travel Center)
Learn more →
Target CircleTarget Circle Credit Card5xpts/dollar5.0%return5x base rate (no bonus for Car Rentals)
Rewards Calculator
Enter a monthly spend amount above to see estimated annual rewards per card.
Common Questions
What is the best credit card for Car Rentals?
The Chase Freedom Flex is currently the top pick for car rental agencies, earning 5x points per dollar — an effective 10.0% return.
How many points do you earn on Car Rentals purchases?
The top-rated card for car rental agencies, the Chase Freedom Flex, earns 5x per dollar — an effective return of 10.0%.
Is there a no-annual-fee card that earns rewards on Car Rentals?
Yes — the Chase Freedom Flex earns 5x on car rental agencies with no annual fee (10.0% effective return).
Is a premium card worth the annual fee for Car Rentals spending?
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite ($400/yr) earns 10x on car rental agencies. If you spend $333/month or more on car rentals, the rewards offset the annual fee — before counting travel credits and other perks.
Which card earns the most if I spend $500 per month on Car Rentals?
Chase Freedom Flex: $600/yr, Credit One Bank Wander American Express Card: $600/yr, U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite: $600/yr. The Chase Freedom Flex earns the most at $500/month.
Do rotating category cards earn on Car Rentals?
Some cards — like Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it — occasionally feature car rentals as a 5% bonus category for one quarter per year. Year-round, a dedicated car rentals card typically outperforms rotating category cards since you can't always count on the bonus.