Dollar Rent A Car, a brand recognized for its value-driven approach to car rentals, offers a loyalty program known as Dollar Express Rewards. For travelers seeking straightforward savings and a simplified rental process, understanding this program is key. While part of the Hertz Corporation, alongside Thrifty Car Rental, Dollar operates its rewards program independently, focusing on delivering benefits to its customer base. Let’s delve into the specifics of the Dollar Express Rewards program to evaluate its worth for frequent renters and occasional travelers alike.
Understanding Dollar Express Rewards: Basics and Benefits
The Dollar Express Rewards program is designed for ease of use and accessibility. Membership is free, opening the door to earning points towards complimentary rentals. Beyond point accumulation, members can also benefit from time-saving perks like bypassing the rental counter at select locations and accessing priority counter service. An additional advantage is the inclusion of a spouse or domestic partner as a free additional driver, enhancing the value for couples and families traveling together.
However, it’s important to note a key difference compared to many other car rental loyalty programs: Dollar Express Rewards does not feature elite status tiers. This means that standard program members do not have a pathway to earn perks like complimentary vehicle upgrades. An exception to this is made for U.S. military personnel and government employees, who may receive upgrades when renting for both business and leisure purposes. For the average consumer, the program focuses on point-based rewards and streamlined service rather than status-driven benefits.
Earning Rewards with Dollar Express: Points and Partners
The reward earning structure within Dollar Express is refreshingly simple. Members accrue points based on their spending, making it easy to understand and track rewards.
Point Accrual: You earn a flat rate of 1 Dollar Express Rewards point for every dollar spent on qualifying Dollar rentals. According to Dollar’s official FAQs, a qualifying rental is defined as any rental within the U.S. or Canada that is not prepaid. To ensure you receive points, it’s crucial to include your Dollar Express Rewards member ID when making your reservation.
Partner Programs: For renters who may not frequently use Dollar, or who prefer airline miles or hotel points, Dollar Express offers partnerships with a variety of travel programs. Instead of earning Dollar Rewards points, you can opt to collect miles or points with the following partners:
- Airline Partners:
- Alaska Airlines: 50 miles per qualifying rental day
- All Nippon Airways (ANA): 300 miles per qualifying rental
- American Airlines: 50 miles per qualifying rental day
- Avianca Airlines: 50 miles per qualifying rental day
- Delta Air Lines: 500 miles per qualifying rental
- Emirates: 500 miles per qualifying rental (29 days or less), 1,000 miles (30+ days)
- Frontier Airlines: 50 miles per day (rentals up to 4 days), 500 miles (5+ days)
- Japan Airlines (JAL): 300 miles per qualifying rental
- Southwest Airlines: 600 miles per qualifying rental
- Spirit Airlines: 50 miles per day (rentals up to 4 days), 500 miles (5+ days)
- United Airlines: 50 miles per day (rentals up to 4 days), 500 miles (5+ days)
- Hotel Partners:
- IHG Rewards (InterContinental Hotels Group): 125 points per qualifying rental day
Important Note on Partner Earnings: When choosing to earn frequent flyer miles with U.S. airlines instead of Dollar Rewards points, a surcharge ranging from $0.75 to $1.50 per day may apply, varying by program. Despite opting for partner rewards, you will still retain Dollar Express benefits like counter bypass.
Redeeming Dollar Express Rewards Points: Free Rental Days
The primary redemption option for Dollar Express Rewards points is for free car rentals. Points can be exchanged for daily, weekly, or weekend rentals on a range of vehicle classes, from compact to full-size cars.
Redemption Costs:
| Reward | 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 (Max) | 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 |
Redemption Details:
- Redemptions are subject to blackout dates and are currently limited to rentals within the United States and Canada.
- Point expiration is not a concern as long as there is account activity (earning or redeeming points) at least once every 24 months.
Weekly rentals generally offer the best point value when redeeming Dollar Express Rewards.
Maximizing Your Savings and Benefits with Dollar
Beyond the loyalty program itself, several strategies can help you save money and enhance your Dollar rental experience.
1. Leverage Deals and Discount Codes:
Dollar Rent A Car maintains a dedicated specials page on their website, listing various deals and discount codes. This page includes a search function to filter location-specific offers. You can also find discounts for association memberships like AAA and BJ’s Wholesale Club. It’s always wise to perform a quick online search for “Dollar Rent A Car discount codes” before booking, as not all available codes are always listed on the specials page.
2. Utilize AutoSlash for Rate Tracking:
AutoSlash is a valuable tool for securing the lowest possible rental car rates. It automatically searches for and applies discounts and continues to track your booked rental for price drops, potentially saving you even more post-booking. AutoSlash also features a coupons page with discount codes that can be used when booking directly through Dollar.
3. Dollar 4Business for Small Business Owners:
Small business owners who frequently rent cars for work should consider joining the Dollar 4Business program. This free program offers a range of benefits tailored to business rentals, including:
- 7% discount on the base rental rate for all business rentals
- Waived young renter fees
- Free additional drivers
- Unlimited mileage
- Waived change fees
Crucially, Dollar 4Business members still earn points through the standard Dollar Express Rewards program, allowing for dual benefits.
4. Strategic Credit Card Use:
Choosing the right credit card for your Dollar rental can provide significant benefits, particularly in terms of insurance coverage and rewards points.
- Primary Car Rental Insurance: Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® offer primary car rental insurance. This allows you to decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW) and still be covered for damage or theft.
- Bonus Points on Travel and Gas: These same Chase cards, and others like the Citi Premier® Card and Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, earn bonus points on travel and/or gas purchases. Since car rentals are typically coded as travel, you can maximize your points earning. Using a card that also rewards gas purchases is beneficial when refueling your rental car.
Pros and Cons of Dollar Express Rewards
Pros:
- Simplicity: The program is easy to understand with a straightforward earning and redemption structure.
- Free Membership: Joining is free, making it accessible to all renters.
- Counter Bypass and Priority Service: Saves time and hassle at the rental counter.
- Partner Options: Flexibility to earn airline miles or hotel points instead of Dollar Rewards.
- Value for Budget Travelers: Aligns with Dollar’s focus on value-conscious customers.
Cons:
- No Elite Status: Lack of status tiers means no upgrades or enhanced perks for frequent renters beyond basic program benefits.
- Limited Redemption Options: Primarily focused on free rentals within the US and Canada.
- Blackout Dates: Redemptions are subject to blackout dates, potentially limiting flexibility.
Conclusion: Is Dollar Express Rewards Right for You?
Dollar Express Rewards serves as a solid, no-frills loyalty program for individuals who prioritize value and a streamlined rental experience. It’s particularly well-suited for travelers who rent cars occasionally and are primarily interested in earning free rental days over time. While it lacks the elite status benefits offered by some competitors, the simplicity and straightforward rewards of Dollar Express can be appealing, especially for budget-conscious renters. If you frequently rent cars from Dollar, or are planning a trip where Dollar rentals are readily available and cost-effective, joining Dollar Express Rewards is a sensible step to unlock savings and enhance your rental process.
