Yes, American Express is widely accepted by all major car rental companies in 2026, including Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt, and National. In fact, many rental agencies have specific "preferred partner" relationships with American Express. For instance, Amex Platinum cardholders often receive automatic elite status (such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards "Five Star" or Avis President's Club), which provides free upgrades and "skip the counter" privileges. Using an American Express card is often a "pro-move" for travelers because many Amex cards (like the Gold or Platinum) include secondary Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance as a standard benefit. Furthermore, Amex offers a unique "Premium Car Rental Protection" for a flat fee per rental (around $20–$25) that acts as primary coverage, allowing you to bypass the expensive "Collision Damage Waiver" (CDW) sold at the rental counter. While debit cards often face strict "deposit holds" or credit check requirements at the counter, a major credit card like American Express ensures a much smoother and faster checkout process globally.