Best American Express Cards for Car Rentals in 2026
American Express cards ranked by earn rate on car rentals spending.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
Ranked by earn rate and redemption value, statement credits minus annual fees (weighted against a typical $30,000/year in total card spend), shopping portal bonuses when we recognize the merchant, matched benefits and promotional earn boosts. The ¢ per dollar column is the reward rate at Car Rentals. Order can differ from that column because ranking adds the adjustments above.
Top Pick
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
American Express
7x Hilton Honors on Car Rentals
7x × 0.4¢/pt = 2.8¢ per dollar
- +7x on Car Rentals — points worth 0.4¢ each
- +Annual fee $550. Other listed credits: $100 Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Credit (up to $100/stay). These amounts are not counted in estimated value or ranking: use, eligible purchases and any enrollment requirements have not been established.
- +Global Assist Hotline; Premium Global Assist Hotline; CLEAR Plus Statement Credit (up to $219/yr); Quarterly Flight Statement Credit (up to $200/yr); Annual Free Night Reward; Free Night Reward After $30,000 Spend; Second Free Night Reward After $60,000 Spend; Hilton Resort Statement Credit (up to $400/yr) — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
AMEXCore Rate
2.8¢
per dollar on car rentals
$550/yr
Welcome: 200,000 points
Runner-Up
TAP Miles&Go American Express®
Cardless
2x TAP Miles&Go on Car Rentals
- +2x on Car Rentals
- +Lounge passes; Preferred boarding — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
- +40,000 miles bonus (~$280 value)
AMEXCore Rate
2.0¢
per dollar on car rentals
$79/yr
Welcome: 40,000 miles
Also Great
Business Green Rewards
American Express
1x Membership Rewards on everything
1x × 1.5¢/pt = 1.5¢ per dollar
- +1x on everything — points worth 1.5¢ each
- +Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Secondary coverage for rental car damage or theft when you pay for rental with your card.
- +15,000 points bonus (~$225 value)
AMEX
1.5¢
per dollar on car rentals
$95/yr
Welcome: 15,000 points
Compare the Top Picks
Quick Comparison
Side-by-side view of the ranked picks.
| Card | Applicable Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire CardAmerican Express | 7x Hilton Honors Car Rentals | 2.8¢/$ | $550 | amex |
| TAP Miles&Go American Express®Cardless | 2x TAP Miles&Go Car Rentals | 2.0¢/$ | $79 | amex |
| Business Green RewardsAmerican Express | 1x Membership Rewards All Other | 1.5¢/$ | $95 | amex |
| Hilton Honors American Express CardAmerican Express | 3x Hilton Honors All Other | 1.2¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express CardAmerican Express | 2x Marriott Bonvoy All Other | 1.4¢/$ | $250 | amex |
| Rakuten American Express CardFirst Electronic Bank | 1% cash back All Other | 1.0¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express®USAA | 1% cash back All Other | 1.0¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| American Express Gold CardAmerican Express | 1x Membership Rewards All Other | 1.5¢/$ | $325 | amex |
| Blue Cash Everyday Card from American ExpressAmerican Express | 1% cash back All Other | 1.0¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express CardAmerican Express | 1x SkyMiles All Other | 1.0¢/$ | $0 | amex |
More Options
#4Hilton Honors American Express CardNo fee
1.2¢/$
#5Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card$250/yr
1.4¢/$
#6Rakuten American Express CardNo fee
1.0¢/$
#7USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express®No fee
1.0¢/$
#8American Express Gold Card$325/yr
1.5¢/$
#9Blue Cash Everyday Card from American ExpressNo fee
1.0¢/$
#10Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express CardNo fee
1.0¢/$
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Open in full search with filters →Guides for this category
- Card StrategyMonthly versus annual card credits: build a calendar that follows the termsMonthly, half-year, quarterly, anniversary-year, and four-year credits each reset on their own clock. Build a benefit calendar that follows the actual terms.
- Card StrategyCredit card statement credits: face value versus money you actually saveA $100 statement credit rarely saves you $100. How to measure a credit against the purchase you would have made anyway, and reconcile a year of them.
- Cash BackFlat-rate cash back versus category bonuses: a household spending comparisonA 3%/1% card beats a flat 2% card only when half your spending lands in its categories. Three households, the break-even formula, and how caps change it.
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