How to Use Points for Car Rentals

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026
The short answer: You can book rental cars with points through an issuer travel portal at a fixed rate, by transferring to a partner program, or by erasing the charge on cards that allow it. Value is usually modest (around a cent per point), so paying cash and earning rewards often wins unless you are clearing out a small balance.

Your options

Three paths exist. Book the car through your issuer travel portal and pay with points at a fixed rate; transfer points to a hotel or airline partner that includes car bookings; or pay with a card that lets you erase travel charges (some Capital One products) at a set value. All work, but none unlock the outsized value you get from premium-cabin flight redemptions.

Why the value is usually modest

Rental cars redeem at roughly a cent per point in most programs, the same as cash back, so you rarely beat simply paying cash. And paying with a rewards card earns points and may add rental car coverage, which a points booking can forfeit. Run the cents-per-point math before redeeming.

When it makes sense

Use points for a rental when you want to burn a small balance, when you have no better redemption planned, or when the portal price in points genuinely beats the cash rate. Otherwise pay cash on a card that covers rentals and save the points for flights or hotels. See cash vs points.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use credit card points for a rental car?
Yes, through an issuer travel portal, a transfer partner, or by erasing the charge on cards that allow it. Value is usually about a cent per point, so paying cash and earning rewards often wins.
Is it worth using points for car rentals?
Usually only modestly. Rentals redeem at roughly a cent per point, so unless the portal price beats the cash rate, you are often better paying cash, earning rewards, and keeping points for higher-value flights or hotels.

Related reading

Find your best card Read card reviews More articles
Bryce Casson

Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. Every card is ranked by what it actually returns, with all points valued at a flat 1 cent and offers verified against issuer sources. About the author.