Dollar Rent A Car, known for catering to budget-conscious travelers, offers a loyalty program called Dollar Express Rewards. While it might not have the same name recognition as some of its competitors, the Dollar rewards program provides a straightforward way to earn free rental days and enjoy some perks. This guide will delve into everything you need to know about the Dollar Rent A Car Rewards Program, helping you determine if it aligns with your travel needs.
Understanding Dollar Express Rewards
Dollar Express Rewards is the loyalty program for Dollar Rent A Car. It’s designed to reward frequent renters with points that can be redeemed for free rental days. Unlike some programs that offer tiered elite statuses, Dollar Express Rewards keeps it simple with a single membership level. Being part of the program grants you benefits like skipping the counter at select locations and priority counter service, aiming to expedite your rental process. A notable perk is the ability to add a spouse or domestic partner as a free additional driver, adding potential value for couples or partners traveling together. Membership is free, making it accessible to anyone who rents from Dollar.
However, it’s crucial to understand the program’s limitations. One key difference from many competitor programs is the absence of elite status tiers. This means that benefits like complimentary upgrades are generally not offered through the standard Dollar Express Rewards program. An exception exists for U.S. military and government employees, who may receive upgrades on both business and leisure rentals. It’s also important to note that although Dollar is owned by Hertz, the Dollar Express Rewards program operates independently, with no reciprocal benefits with Hertz Gold Plus Rewards or Thrifty Rewards programs.
Partnering Programs: Earning Miles and Points with Dollar
If you don’t rent cars frequently enough to accumulate Dollar Express Rewards points quickly, or if you prefer airline miles or hotel points, Dollar offers partnerships with various airlines and hotel programs. By choosing to credit your rentals to these partners, you can earn miles or points in your preferred loyalty programs instead of Dollar Rewards points. Here’s a list of Dollar’s partner programs:
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: Earn 50 miles per qualifying rental day.
- All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club: Earn 300 miles per qualifying rental.
- American Airlines AAdvantage: Earn 50 miles per qualifying rental day.
- Avianca LifeMiles: Earn 50 miles per qualifying rental day.
- Delta Air Lines SkyMiles: Earn 500 miles per qualifying rental.
- Emirates Skywards: Earn 500 miles per qualifying rental of 29 days or less and 1,000 miles per rental over 30 days.
- Frontier Airlines Miles: Earn 50 miles per day on rentals up to four days and 500 miles on rentals of five days or more.
- IHG One Rewards: Earn 125 points per qualifying rental day.
- Japan Airlines (JAL) Mileage Bank: Earn 300 miles per qualifying rental.
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards: Earn 600 miles per qualifying rental.
- Spirit Airlines Free Spirit: Earn 50 miles per day on rentals up to four days and 500 miles on rentals of five days or more.
- United Airlines MileagePlus: Earn 50 miles per day on rentals up to four days and 500 miles on rentals of five days or more.
It’s important to note that choosing to earn frequent flyer miles with U.S. airlines instead of Dollar Rewards points typically involves a surcharge, ranging from $0.75 to $1.50 per day depending on the airline program. Despite this surcharge, you can still enjoy the basic Dollar Express perks like counter bypass even when earning partner miles or points. Consider if the miles or points earned outweigh the daily surcharge based on your valuation of those rewards.
Earning Dollar Express Rewards Points: A Simple Approach
The earning structure of Dollar Express Rewards is refreshingly simple. You earn a flat rate of 1 Dollar Rewards point for every dollar spent on qualifying rentals. This straightforward system removes the complexity of bonus categories or elite status multipliers. 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 you receive points, you must include your Dollar Express Rewards member ID when making your reservation.
Remember, while Dollar, Thrifty, and Hertz are under the same corporate umbrella, the rewards programs are separate. Points earned in Dollar Express Rewards cannot be earned or redeemed with Thrifty or Hertz, and vice versa. Therefore, ensure you are crediting your rentals to the correct program based on where you booked.
Redeeming Dollar Express Points: Free Rental Days
Dollar Express Rewards points are redeemed for free rental days. You can use your points for daily, weekly, or weekend rentals on a range of car classes, from compact to full-size vehicles. Redemption values start at 500 points for a free weekend rental day.
For maximizing point value, weekly rentals generally offer the best return. Here’s a breakdown of the redemption rates:
| 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 | 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 | 5,000 |
Keep in mind that blackout dates may apply to reward rentals, and redemptions are currently limited to rentals within the U.S. and Canada. Points remain active as long as you have account activity (earning or redeeming points) at least once every 24 months. This generous expiration policy makes it easier to maintain your points balance.
Credit Card Strategy for Dollar Car Rentals
To enhance your Dollar car rental experience, consider using a credit card that offers primary car rental insurance and earns bonus rewards on travel purchases. Certain credit cards provide valuable benefits for car rentals. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® are excellent choices.
Both Chase Sapphire cards offer primary rental car coverage, meaning you can decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver (CDW) and still be protected against damage or theft. Since car rentals are typically categorized as travel purchases, you’ll also earn bonus points. The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points per dollar on travel (and dining), while the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2x points per dollar on travel. These bonus categories accelerate your rewards earning on essential travel expenses like car rentals.
When refueling your rental car, consider using a credit card that provides bonus rewards on gas purchases. Cards like the Citi Premier® Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card often offer elevated rewards on gas spending, maximizing your overall return on your trip expenses.
Maximizing Savings on Dollar Rentals
Beyond the rewards program, several strategies can help you save money on Dollar car rentals:
Discount Codes and Deals
Dollar Rent A Car frequently publishes deals and discount codes on its specials page. This page allows you to search for location-specific deals and often lists discounts for various memberships like AAA and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Before booking directly, it’s always wise to check this page and perform a quick online search for additional Dollar discount codes, as not all available codes are always prominently displayed.
AutoSlash: Your Rental Car Rate Tracker
AutoSlash is a valuable tool for finding the lowest possible rental car rates. It automatically searches for the best discounts based on your rental criteria and continues to track your booking for price drops, rebooking you at a lower rate if one becomes available. AutoSlash also has a dedicated coupons page that compiles discount codes you can use when booking directly with Dollar or other rental companies.
Dollar 4Business for Small Business Owners
If you are a small business owner who frequently rents cars for work-related travel, consider enrolling in the free Dollar 4Business program. This program offers a 7% discount on the base rental rate for all business rentals, along with benefits like waived young renter fees, free additional drivers, unlimited mileage, and waived change fees. Importantly, Dollar 4Business members still earn points through the standard Dollar Express Rewards program, allowing you to double-dip on benefits.
Conclusion: Is the Dollar Rewards Program Right for You?
The Dollar Rent A Car rewards program, Dollar Express Rewards, is a solid option for travelers who prioritize value and simplicity. Its straightforward earning structure and easy-to-understand redemption chart make it user-friendly, especially for casual renters. The ability to earn partner miles or points adds flexibility, and the basic program perks offer some time-saving conveniences.
However, if you are a very frequent renter seeking elite status benefits like upgrades, the Dollar program might fall short. Programs from competitors may offer more robust elite benefits for loyal customers. Ultimately, the Dollar Express Rewards program is best suited for value-conscious travelers who rent cars occasionally to moderately and appreciate a no-frills, rewarding experience. By understanding how to earn and redeem points, utilize partnerships, and leverage discounts, you can maximize the value of the Dollar Rent A Car rewards program for your travel needs.
