Most people traveling on official orders know they can get government rates when they rent a car. You book through DTS, use your GTC, show up at the counter, done. But there’s a whole separate rewards program that most travelers have no idea exists – the U.S. Government Frequent Renter Program – and it’s honestly a game changer for earning government rental car rewards.

What Makes Government Rental Car Rewards Different from Just Booking Government Rates?

Here’s the thing: when you book through DTS or just call up Enterprise asking for the government rate, you get discounted pricing and basic coverage. That’s great. But you’re still standing in line at the counter, you’re still getting the sales pitch for insurance you don’t need, and you’re not earning any rewards for all that travel you’re doing.

The Government Frequent Renter Program is layered ON TOP of the regular DoD rental car rates. You still get all the standard government benefits (no extra driver fees, insurance included, unlimited mileage, etc.), but NOW you also get:

• Skip the counter at many locations – just grab your keys and go
• No sales pitches – counter agents already know you have government coverage
• Earn government rental car rewards – free rental days, upgrades, priority service
• Faster pickups – your info is already in the system

Think of it like this: regular government booking = flying economy with a military discount. Government rental car rewards program = same discount but you’re in the TSA PreCheck line and earning miles.

The Official Rules

Let’s get the boring-but-important stuff out of the way:

You should ONLY use your Government Frequent Renter account when traveling on official orders. This is separate from any personal rental rewards programs you might have. When you’re traveling TDY, PCS, or any other official business – use the government account. It will automatically add the corporate discount code for your DOD rate. You don’t want to be trying to use that discount on your personal travels though.

The government and the rental companies are very clear: this program exists to make official government travel more efficient, not to give you personal perks on the government’s dime. Don’t mix them up.

However – and this is where it gets good – the government rental car rewards you EARN from your official travel can absolutely be used for personal rentals later. More on that in a minute.

What Actually Happens When You Register

You have to register separately with each rental company. Yeah, I know – there’s no universal sign-up that covers everyone. Each company (Enterprise/National, Hertz, Budget, etc.) runs their own government rental car rewards program with their own perks and requirements.

My advice: Start with whichever company you use most often. If you’re stationed near an Army base and Enterprise is everywhere, start there. If you travel through major airports where Hertz dominates, go with them. You don’t have to register with all of them on day one.

The registration takes maybe 10 minutes per company. You’ll need:

• Your basic info (name, government email, agency)
• Possibly your GTC card number (depending on the company)
• To verify you’re eligible for government travel

Once you’re registered, you’ll get a government frequent renter number for that company. Link this number to your reservations going forward, and you’re set to start earning government rental car rewards.

Using Government Rental Car Rewards on Official Travel

When you book your next official rental:

1. Make your reservation through DTS or directly with the rental company
2. Add your government frequent renter number to the reservation
3. Use your GTC to pay
4. Show up and skip the line (at participating locations)

Some locations have dedicated government/frequent renter counters or kiosks. At National, for example, you can walk straight to the Emerald Aisle, pick your car, and leave. No counter interaction needed. Your rental agreement prints in the car or gets emailed to you.

Even at locations without bypass options, having your frequent renter profile speeds things up. The agent already knows you’re government, what coverage you have, and that you don’t need the sales pitch. You’re in and out faster while earning rewards.

How Government Rental Car Rewards Actually Work

Here’s what people really want to know: what do you actually get, and can you use it for yourself?

Government rental car rewards vary by company, but generally you earn points or credits based on rental days. After enough official travel, you might earn:

• Free rental days
• Upgrades to larger vehicles
• Priority service
• Expedited pickup/return

The good part: Those free rental days and upgrades you earned from official travel? You can absolutely use them for personal rentals. You earned them by doing your job and traveling on orders – they’re yours.

How it works in practice:

Let’s say you’ve been TDYing for 6 weeks for a training, using your government rental car rewards account, you rack up enough points for a free weekend rental. When you want to take a personal trip, you:

1. Book a PERSONAL rental (not using government rates)
2. Use your personal credit card (not your GTC)
3. Apply your free rental day reward at checkout

The rental company doesn’t care that you earned those government rental car rewards through official travel – you earned them, they’re yours to use. Just make sure you’re booking the personal rental through the regular consumer channels, not trying to mix government rates with personal use.

Common Questions About Government Rental Car Rewards

“I travel every few months for work. Is it worth it?”

Yes. Even if you only travel 2 weeks a year, you’ll appreciate skipping the counter hassles. The rewards are a bonus.

“I already have a personal Enterprise account. Do I need a separate one for government rental car rewards?”

Yes. You’ll need to create a new account for the Frequent Travelers Program. There isn’t a way to link it to an existing account.

“What if I forget to add my frequent renter number to my reservation?”

You can usually add it at the counter when you pick up, or sometimes even after your rental through the rental company’s website or customer service. It’s easier to add it up front, but it’s not the end of the world if you forget.

“Can I use government rental car rewards I earned to upgrade on my next official travel?”

This gets into a gray area. Some agencies might be fine with it since it doesn’t cost the government anything extra. Others might see it as mixing personal benefits with official travel. Check with your authorizing official or travel office to see what your agency’s policy is.

“Do government rental car rewards expire?”

Depends on the company. Some have expiration dates, others don’t. Check the specific terms for each program you join. This is a good reason to actually use the rewards you earn instead of just hoarding them.

“I’m about to retire/separate. What happens to my government rental car rewards?”

You should use them before you separate, or check with the rental company about transferring them to a personal account. Don’t just let them disappear.

“Does this work with one-way rentals?”

Yes! It work with one-way rentals too. You’ll still earn rewards even if you’re dropping the car off in a different city.

Maximizing Your Rental Car Rewards

Here are some pro tips for getting the most out of your government rental car rewards:

Be consistent with one or two companies. If you spread your rentals across five different companies, you’ll never accumulate enough rewards with any single one to actually use them. Pick your top two and stick with them when you have a choice.

Always add your frequent renter number. It’s easy to forget, but that’s literally leaving money on the table. Make it a habit to double-check your reservation confirmation.

Know what you’ve earned. Log into your accounts every few months to see your balance. You might have a free rental day waiting that you didn’t even know about.

Use them while they’re fresh. Some programs have expiration dates. Don’t let your hard-earned rewards disappear because you forgot about them.

Plan ahead for personal trips. Got a family vacation coming up? Check your rental car rewards balance first – you might be able to score a free rental.

The Bottom Line on Government Rental Car Rewards

Look, you’re already dealing with enough when you’re away from home on orders. Standing in rental car lines, dealing with pushy sales tactics, and feeling nickel-and-dimed isn’t how you should spend your energy.

The Program exists to make your official travel smoother while letting you earn government rental car rewards you can actually use for yourself later. It takes maybe 30 minutes total to set up with the companies you use most, and then it’s just easier every time you travel.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Pick the rental company you use most often – check your past travel if you’re not sure
2. Register for their government rental car rewards program – 10 minutes, tops
3. Add your new frequent renter number to your next DTS reservation
4. Keep it separate from personal travel – don’t mix government and personal accounts
5. Actually use the rewards you earn – take your family on a road trip with that free rental day

This isn’t some complicated hack or loophole. It’s a legitimate program designed specifically for government travelers, and you’re leaving perks on the table if you’re not using it.

Travel smarter, not harder. You’ve earned it.

Want to register? Each rental company has their government program info on their website – just search for “[Company name] government frequent renter program” or check travel.dod.mil for direct links. And if you have questions about what your agency allows, ask your travel office before you travel, not after.