Sixt Rentals Now Earn You 5,000 Bonus I Prefer Points – Here's How to Grab Them

If you're like me, you probably have a mental list of car rental loyalty programs that actually pay off. Sixt might not be the first name that comes to mind, but a quiet partnership with Preferred Hotels has been flying under the radar for over two years – and it's worth a second look, especially if you're booking a cheap one-day rental.

The Deal That's Been Hiding in Plain Sight

Preferred Hotels and Sixt have been partners for at least two and a half years, yet most travelers have never heard of this perk. The gist: book a qualifying Sixt rental using the Preferred Hotels corporate code, and you'll pocket 5,000 bonus I Prefer points. That's roughly $25 in hotel value, which is a sweet return on a budget rental.

The catch? Your rental needs to cost at least €25 (or the equivalent in your local currency) before taxes and fees. So if you're grabbing a sub-$20 special, it won't count. But for a typical one-day rental, this is easy money.

What You Need to Know Before You Book

First, you have to use the specific corporate code tied to Preferred Hotels – just walking up to the counter won't trigger the bonus. Second, not every rental qualifies. Vans, trucks, insurance replacements, long-term rentals (28 days or more), and bookings made through partner sites like auto clubs are all excluded. Also, if you prepay online (except in the US and Canada), you're out of luck.

The points are awarded per rental, not per day, so even a multi-day trip earns the same 5,000. And if you forget to add your I Prefer number at booking, you can claim retroactively within six months of returning the car – as long as the promotion was active during your rental period.

• Use the Preferred Hotels corporate code when booking on Sixt's site.
• Ensure the rental is at least €25 before taxes and fees.
• Avoid excluded categories: vans, trucks, insurance replacements, long-term, vouchers, prepaid (outside US/Canada), partner bookings.
• Add your I Prefer number to the contract – the rental must be in your name.
• You can claim points retroactively up to 6 months after return.

Stacking Strategies: Make It Even Sweeter

The official terms say you can't combine this with other promotional programs, but that usually refers to other mileage or points promos. In practice, you can still stack card-linked offers. For example, if you have an Amex Offer for $100 back on $500 at Sixt, or a Citi Offer for 10% off, those should work alongside the 5,000-point bonus.

Shopping portals are a bit murkier – the terms might block them, but it's worth a try if you're feeling adventurous. Just don't count on it until you see the points land.

Bottom Line

• Earn 5,000 I Prefer points (≈$25) on each qualifying Sixt rental.
• Must use the Preferred Hotels corporate code and meet the €25 minimum.
• Exclusions apply – avoid vans, long-term, prepaid (outside US/Canada), and partner bookings.
• Stack with Amex/Citi offers for extra savings, but not with other point promos.
• Claim retroactively up to 6 months if you forget to add your number.

Common Questions