For savvy travelers looking to maximize their budget without sacrificing convenience, loyalty programs offered by car rental companies can be a game-changer. Among these, the Dollar Rental Car Express Program stands out as a solid option for those who prioritize value. While Dollar Rent A Car is under the same ownership as Hertz, a premium brand, their Express Rewards program operates independently, focusing on providing straightforward benefits to its members.
Dollar Express Rewards Program: An Overview
Dollar Rent A Car caters to travelers who are looking for cost-effective solutions, operating across 600 locations in about 65 countries globally. Though Dollar and Thrifty Car Rental are sister companies under the Hertz umbrella since 2012, their loyalty programs remain distinct. The Dollar Express Rewards program is designed to reward frequent renters with points redeemable for free rentals. Membership comes with additional perks like bypassing the regular rental counter and accessing priority service at select locations. Furthermore, members can add a spouse or domestic partner as a complimentary additional driver. Like many other car rental loyalty programs, joining Dollar Express Rewards is completely free.
However, it’s important to note that Dollar Express Rewards differs from many competitors by not offering elite status tiers. This means that unlike programs with tiered benefits, there are no automatic upgrades available through general membership. An exception to this is for U.S. military and government personnel who may receive upgrades when renting for official or personal travel. This streamlined approach keeps the program simple and focused on core benefits for all members.
Partner Programs: Miles and Points Beyond Dollar
For renters who don’t frequently use Dollar, the program provides flexibility by allowing members to earn airline miles or hotel points instead of Dollar Rewards points. This is a valuable feature for those who are loyal to specific travel brands and want to consolidate their rewards. Dollar has partnered with a range of airlines and hotel chains, including:
- Alaska Airlines: 50 miles per qualifying rental day.
- All Nippon Airways: 300 miles per qualifying rental per 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 for rentals up to 29 days; 1,000 miles for rentals over 30 days.
- Frontier Airlines: 50 miles per day for rentals up to 4 days; 500 miles for rentals of 5+ days.
- IHG Rewards: 125 points per qualifying rental day.
- Japan Airlines: 300 miles per qualifying rental.
- Southwest Airlines: 600 miles per qualifying rental.
- Spirit Airlines: 50 miles per day for rentals up to 4 days; 500 miles for rentals of 5+ days.
- United Airlines: 50 miles per day for rentals up to 4 days; 500 miles for rentals of 5+ days.
It’s worth noting that choosing to earn frequent flyer miles with U.S. airlines instead of Dollar points typically incurs a daily surcharge, ranging from $0.75 to $1.50, depending on the airline program. Despite opting for partner rewards, members still retain their Dollar Express perks, such as counter bypass, enhancing the overall rental experience even when diversifying rewards.
Earning Dollar Express Rewards Points: Simple and Straightforward
The Dollar Express Rewards program boasts a straightforward earning structure, making it easy for members to understand and accumulate points. With no tiered status levels to complicate things, the earning process is consistent for all members.
Members earn a flat rate of 1 point for every dollar spent on qualifying Dollar rentals. According to Dollar’s official FAQ, a qualifying rental is defined as any “Dollar rental in the U.S. or Canada that is not prepaid.” To ensure points are credited, members must simply provide their Dollar Express Rewards member ID when making a reservation.
Although Dollar, Thrifty, and Hertz are part of the same corporate family, it is important to remember that the Dollar Express Rewards program is exclusive to Dollar. Points cannot be earned or redeemed with Thrifty or Hertz, emphasizing the program’s independent nature.
Redeeming Your Rewards: Free Rental Days and More
Dollar Express points can be redeemed for free rental days, spanning daily, weekly, or weekend rentals. These redemptions apply to a range of vehicle classes, from compact to full-size cars, providing flexibility in choosing a vehicle that suits your needs.
Point redemptions start at 500 points, with weekly rentals offering the most advantageous value for your points. 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 (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 |
It’s important to be aware of certain conditions when redeeming points. Blackout dates may apply, and redemptions are currently limited to rentals within the U.S. and Canada. To keep your points active, the Dollar Express Rewards program requires account activity (earning or redeeming points) at least once every 24 months. This generous policy ensures that points remain valid for active members.
Credit Card Strategies for Dollar Car Rentals: Maximize Your Benefits
To further enhance the value of your Dollar rentals, strategic credit card use is essential. Ideally, you should use a credit card that offers primary car rental insurance and earns bonus rewards on travel spending. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card are excellent choices in this regard.
Both of these Chase cards provide primary rental car coverage, allowing you to confidently decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver and still be protected should any incident occur. Since car rentals are typically categorized as travel purchases, these cards also enable you to earn bonus points – 3 points per dollar with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and 2 points per dollar with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. These bonus points can significantly increase the overall return on your rental spending.
When it comes to refueling your rental car, consider using a credit card that maximizes rewards on gas purchases. Cards such as the Citi Premier® Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card are strong contenders, offering elevated rewards on gas and helping you save even more on your travel expenses.
Smart Ways to Save Money on Dollar Rentals
Beyond the rewards program, Dollar provides several avenues for additional savings on your rentals:
Deals and Discount Codes
Dollar Rent A Car regularly features various deals and discount codes on their dedicated specials page. This page allows users to search for location-specific deals, ensuring relevance to their travel plans. Additionally, discount codes for association memberships like AAA and BJ’s Wholesale Club are often available at the bottom of the specials page, catering to members of these organizations.
However, it’s worth noting that not all available discount codes are always listed on Dollar’s specials page. A quick online search before booking can often reveal additional savings opportunities, ensuring you get the best possible rate.
AutoSlash
AutoSlash is a valuable online tool designed to find the lowest possible rates for rental cars. It automatically searches for and applies the best available discounts based on your search criteria. Furthermore, AutoSlash actively tracks your quoted price and will notify you if a lower price becomes available, even after you’ve booked. Their coupons page also compiles discount codes that can be used when booking directly through Dollar, providing another layer of potential savings.
Dollar 4Business
For small business owners who frequently rent cars for work-related travel, the Dollar 4Business program offers compelling benefits. This free program provides members with a 7% discount on the base rate of all business car rentals. Additional perks include waived young renter fees, complimentary additional drivers, unlimited mileage, and waived change fees. Importantly, business customers enrolled in Dollar 4Business can still earn points through the standard Dollar Express Rewards program, combining business savings with personal rewards accumulation.
Bottom Line
The Dollar Rental Car Express Program is aptly suited for travelers who prioritize value and are looking for a straightforward and rewarding rental experience. It allows casual renters to enhance their rentals with tangible rewards and enjoy time-saving benefits like counter bypass. However, for very frequent renters who seek elite status recognition and upgrade opportunities, other programs might be more appealing. For the majority of value-conscious travelers, the Dollar Rental Car Express program offers a practical way to make car rentals more rewarding and economical.
