Dollar Rent A Car, known for catering to budget-conscious travelers, operates globally. If you’re considering renting from them, a key question might be: Does Dollar Rental Car Have A Loyalty Program? The answer is yes. It’s called Dollar Express Rewards, and it’s designed to add value to your rental experience. While Dollar is under the same ownership as Hertz, their loyalty programs function independently. Let’s dive into the details of Dollar Express Rewards to see how it works and if it’s beneficial for you.
Understanding Dollar Express Rewards
Dollar Express Rewards is the loyalty program from Dollar Rent A Car. It allows members to accumulate points redeemable for free rental days. Beyond earning rewards, members enjoy expedited service like bypassing the rental counter at select locations and priority counter service. A valuable perk is also the ability to add a spouse or domestic partner as a free additional driver. Like many car rental loyalty schemes, joining Dollar Express Rewards is free.
However, it’s important to note that Dollar Express Rewards differs from many competitors as it doesn’t offer elite status tiers. This means that unlike programs with tiered benefits, you won’t find complimentary upgrades through general Dollar Express Rewards membership. An exception to this is for U.S. military and government personnel, who may receive upgrades when renting for official or personal travel.
Alt text: Dollar Rent A Car location signage, indicating car rental services.
Partnering Programs: Airlines and Hotels
If you aren’t a frequent Dollar renter or prefer diversifying your rewards, Dollar provides options to earn airline miles or hotel points instead of Dollar Rewards points. Here are the partner programs you can choose from:
- 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 rental (29 days or less), 1,000 miles per rental (30+ days).
- Frontier Airlines: 50 miles per day (rentals up to 4 days), 500 miles per rental (5+ days).
- IHG Rewards: 125 points per qualifying rental day.
- 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 per rental (5+ days).
- United Airlines: 50 miles per day (rentals up to 4 days), 500 miles per rental (5+ days).
Opting for airline miles with U.S. carriers incurs a daily surcharge, ranging from $0.75 to $1.50, depending on the airline program. Despite choosing partner points or miles, you still retain Dollar Express benefits like counter bypass.
Alt text: Car keys and a toy airplane, symbolizing earning travel rewards with car rentals.
Earning Dollar Express Rewards Points
The reward earning structure for Dollar Express is straightforward. Without elite tiers, there are no bonus earning opportunities to track, simplifying the process.
You earn a flat rate of 1 Dollar Express point for every dollar spent on eligible Dollar rentals. According to Dollar’s FAQ, an eligible rental is defined as any “Dollar rental in the U.S. or Canada that is not prepaid.” To ensure you receive points, remember to include your Dollar Express Rewards member ID when making your reservation.
Although Dollar, Thrifty, and Hertz are under the same corporate umbrella, their loyalty programs remain separate. Points earned with Dollar Express cannot be earned or redeemed with Thrifty or Hertz.
Redeeming Your Dollar Express Points
Dollar Express points are redeemable for free rental days – daily, weekly, or weekend – on vehicle classes from compact to full-size cars.
Redemption starts at 500 points. However, weekly rentals often offer the best value per point. Here’s a breakdown of redemption values:
| 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 |
Keep in mind that blackout dates may apply, and point redemptions are 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.
Credit Card Strategies for Dollar Rentals
To maximize your Dollar car rentals, consider using a credit card that offers primary car rental insurance and bonus rewards on travel purchases. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are excellent choices.
Both cards provide primary rental car coverage, allowing you to decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver and still be protected. Since car rentals are typically categorized as travel purchases, you’ll also earn bonus points: 3 points per dollar with Chase Sapphire Reserve and 2 points per dollar with Chase Sapphire Preferred.
For fuel purchases, utilize a credit card that bonuses spending at gas stations. The Citi Premier® Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card are strong options in this category.
Alt text: Close-up of credit cards placed on a car rental agreement, highlighting payment options for car rentals.
Ways to Save Money on Dollar Rentals
Beyond the loyalty program, here are several strategies to reduce your Dollar rental costs:
Dollar Deals and Discount Codes
Dollar Rent A Car features deals and discount codes on their “specials” page. You can search for location-specific deals and find discounts for organizations like AAA and BJ’s Wholesale Club. It’s also wise to search online for additional discount codes before finalizing your booking, as not all discounts are always advertised on the specials page.
Leverage AutoSlash
AutoSlash is a valuable tool for finding the most competitive rental car rates. It automatically applies discounts and monitors price drops for your existing reservations. Their coupons page also lists discount codes that can be used directly on the Dollar website.
Dollar 4Business Program
For small business owners who rent cars for business purposes, the Dollar 4Business program offers significant benefits. Members receive a 7% discount on base rental rates for business rentals, waived young renter fees, complimentary additional drivers, unlimited mileage, and waived change fees. Importantly, Dollar 4Business members still accrue points within the Dollar Express Rewards program.
Final Thoughts on Dollar Express Rewards
Dollar Rent A Car, true to its name, focuses on providing value. The Dollar Express Rewards program is a straightforward way for occasional renters to enhance their rental experience and gain some rewards. The program offers time-saving benefits and free rentals. However, for frequent renters seeking recognition through elite status and upgrades, alternative programs might be more appealing. For the value-oriented traveler who occasionally rents a car, understanding “does Dollar rental car have a loyalty program” and how to use Dollar Express Rewards can lead to worthwhile savings and a smoother rental process.
