Dollar Rent A Car, known for providing value-driven rental services, also offers a loyalty program designed to reward its customers. The Dollar Express Rewards program allows frequent renters to accumulate points towards free rentals and enjoy streamlined service benefits. While owned by Hertz, Dollar maintains its distinct identity, and its loyalty program operates independently without reciprocal benefits from Hertz Gold Rewards. This guide will delve into everything you need to know about the Dollar Rent A Car Loyalty Program, focusing on how to effectively earn and redeem points, and ultimately maximize your savings.
Understanding the Dollar Express Rewards Program
Dollar Rent A Car primarily caters to travelers seeking affordable car rental options. With a global presence spanning over 600 locations in approximately 65 countries, Dollar, along with its sister company Thrifty Car Rental, became part of the Hertz Corporation in 2012. Despite shared ownership, each brand maintains separate loyalty programs.
The Dollar Express Rewards program is structured to reward members with points redeemable for free rental days. Beyond points, members benefit from counter bypass and priority service at select locations, enhancing the rental experience. Additionally, Dollar extends complimentary additional driver benefits to spouses or domestic partners for loyalty members. Like many car rental loyalty initiatives, joining Dollar Express Rewards is free, making it accessible to all Dollar customers.
However, a key differentiator of Dollar Express Rewards is the absence of elite status tiers. Unlike programs that offer escalating benefits with increased rental frequency, Dollar Express Rewards provides a flat set of benefits to all members. The exception to upgrades within the program is for U.S. military personnel and government employees, who are eligible for upgrades on both business and leisure rentals.
Partner Programs: Diversifying Your Earning Potential
For those who may not frequently rent with Dollar, the program offers an alternative to accrue value through partnerships with various airline and hotel loyalty programs. By opting to earn partner points or miles, you can still benefit from your Dollar rentals while contributing to your preferred travel rewards accounts. Here’s a list of Dollar’s partner programs:
- Alaska Airlines: Earn 50 miles per qualifying rental day, boosting your Mileage Plan balance.
- All Nippon Airways (ANA): Accrue 300 miles per qualifying rental, enhancing your ANA Mileage Club account.
- American Airlines: Earn 50 AAdvantage miles per qualifying rental day, growing your American Airlines miles.
- Avianca Airlines: Collect 50 LifeMiles per qualifying rental day, adding to your Avianca rewards.
- Delta Air Lines: Earn a substantial 500 miles per qualifying rental, increasing your SkyMiles balance.
- Emirates: Accumulate 500 Skywards miles for rentals up to 29 days, and 1,000 miles for longer rentals exceeding 30 days.
- Frontier Airlines: Earn 50 miles per day on rentals up to four days, and a fixed 500 miles for rentals of five days or more with Frontier Miles.
- IHG Rewards: Gain 125 IHG Rewards points per qualifying rental day, enhancing your hotel rewards balance.
- Japan Airlines (JAL): Receive 300 JAL Mileage Bank miles per qualifying rental, contributing to your JAL rewards.
- Southwest Airlines: Earn a generous 600 Rapid Rewards points per qualifying rental, quickly boosting your Southwest points.
- Spirit Airlines: Collect 50 FREE SPIRIT miles per day on rentals up to four days, and 500 miles on rentals of five days or more.
- United Airlines: Earn 50 MileagePlus miles per day for rentals up to four days, and 500 miles for rentals of five days or more with United.
Opting for airline miles with U.S. carriers instead of Dollar Rewards points involves a daily surcharge ranging from $0.75 to $1.50, depending on the airline program. However, choosing partner rewards does not negate your Dollar Express perks like counter bypass, allowing you to enjoy convenience alongside airline or hotel points accrual.
Earning Dollar Express Rewards Points: A Simple Approach
The Dollar Express Rewards earning structure is straightforward, reflecting the program’s simplicity. With no elite status tiers, earning points is consistent for all members.
You earn a flat rate of 1 Dollar Express Rewards point for every dollar spent on qualifying Dollar rentals. According to Dollar’s FAQ, a qualifying rental is defined as any “Dollar rental in the U.S. or Canada that is not prepaid.” To ensure point accrual, it’s essential to include your Dollar Express Rewards member ID during the reservation process.
It’s important to note that despite the shared ownership structure with Thrifty and Hertz, Dollar Express Rewards points are exclusive to the Dollar program. Points cannot be earned or redeemed with Thrifty or Hertz, emphasizing the independent nature of each brand’s loyalty program.
Redeeming Dollar Express Points: Free Rentals Await
Dollar Express Rewards points can be redeemed for free rental days on a range of vehicle classes, including compact, midsize, standard, and full-size cars. Redemption options cover daily, weekly, and weekend rentals, providing flexibility in how you use your points.
Redemptions start at 500 points, with weekend rentals offering particularly good value. Here’s a breakdown of the point redemption chart:
| Reward Type | Points Required |
|---|---|
| One Free Weekend Rental Day | 500 |
| Two Free Weekend Rental Days | 1,000 |
| Three Free Weekend Rental Days | 1,500 |
| Four Free Weekend Rental Days (Maximum) | 2,000 |
| One Free Weekday Rental Day | 625 |
| Two Free Weekday Rental Days | 1,250 |
| Three Free Weekday Rental Days | 1,875 |
| Four Free Weekday Rental Days | 2,500 |
| One Free Weekly Rental | 2,550 |
| Two Free Weekly Rentals (14 Days Max) | 5,000 |
Redemptions are subject to blackout dates and are currently limited to rentals within the U.S. and Canada. To maintain point validity, account activity, through earning or redeeming points, is required at least once every 24 months. This generous expiration policy ensures that your hard-earned points remain accessible for future travel.
Strategic Credit Card Use for Dollar Rentals
To maximize your Dollar rental experience, consider using a credit card that offers primary car rental insurance and earns bonus rewards on travel purchases. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are excellent choices.
Both cards provide primary rental car coverage, allowing you to decline costly collision damage waiver (CDW) insurance offered by rental companies. Since car rentals are typically coded as travel expenses, you’ll also earn valuable bonus points on your spending. The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points on travel (a 6% return based on TPG valuations), while the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2x points (a 4% return).
For fuel purchases, using a credit card that rewards gas spending is advantageous. Options like the Citi Premier® Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card can further enhance your rewards earnings on the overall rental expense.
Smart Strategies to Save on Dollar Rentals
Beyond loyalty program benefits, several strategies can help reduce your Dollar rental costs.
Leverage Deals and Discount Codes
Dollar Rent A Car features a dedicated “Specials” page on their website, showcasing various deals and discount codes. This page includes a search function to find location-specific offers. Additionally, association discounts for members of organizations like AAA and BJ’s Wholesale Club are often listed.
However, the “Specials” page may not encompass all available discounts. A quick online search for “Dollar Rent A Car discount codes” before booking can uncover additional savings opportunities.
Utilize AutoSlash for Rate Optimization
AutoSlash is a powerful tool for securing the lowest possible rental car rates. This service automatically searches for the best available discounts based on your rental criteria and continuously tracks your booking for potential price drops. AutoSlash also maintains a coupons page with discount codes that can be applied when booking directly through Dollar.
Dollar 4Business for Small Business Owners
If you rent cars for business purposes, enrolling in the complimentary Dollar 4Business program offers significant advantages. Members receive a 7% discount on base rental rates for business rentals, waived young renter fees, complimentary additional driver privileges, unlimited mileage, and waived change fees. Crucially, Dollar 4Business members also retain the ability to earn points through the standard Dollar Express Rewards program, combining business travel savings with loyalty benefits.
Conclusion: Is the Dollar Express Rewards Program Right for You?
The Dollar Rent A Car loyalty program, Dollar Express Rewards, is tailored for value-conscious travelers seeking straightforward rewards and basic rental conveniences. The program’s simplicity, with its flat earning rate and easy-to-understand redemption structure, appeals to those who prioritize value over complex elite status benefits.
While Dollar Express Rewards may lack the premium perks of programs with elite tiers like complimentary upgrades, it provides tangible value through free rental day redemptions and time-saving benefits like counter bypass. For travelers who primarily choose Dollar for its competitive pricing and appreciate a no-frills loyalty experience, Dollar Express Rewards offers a worthwhile way to enhance their rental experience and unlock savings on future rentals.
