Dollar Rent A Car, known for catering to budget-conscious travelers, offers a loyalty program called Dollar Express Rewards. While part of the Hertz family, Dollar maintains its own distinct program, separate from Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. This guide dives deep into the Dollar Rental Car Points Program, outlining how to earn and redeem points, and ultimately maximize your savings.
Understanding the Dollar Express Rewards Program
Dollar Rent A Car operates across 600 locations in approximately 65 countries, focusing on providing value-driven car rental services. Acquired by Hertz in 2012 along with Thrifty Car Rental, Dollar has retained its independent rewards structure.
The Dollar Express Rewards program is designed to reward frequent renters with points redeemable for free rentals. Members also benefit from counter bypass and priority service at select locations, along with the perk of adding a spouse or domestic partner as a free additional driver. Like many car rental loyalty programs, enrollment is complimentary.
A key differentiator of the Dollar Express program is the absence of elite status tiers. Unlike programs that offer upgrades through elite levels, Dollar Express provides consistent benefits to all members without status levels, except for U.S. military and government personnel who are eligible for upgrades on both business and leisure rentals.
Related: Is Rental Car Loyalty Broken? Examining the Need for Program Revamps
Partnering for Points: Dollar Express and Travel Brands
For renters who may not frequently use Dollar, the program offers an alternative: earning airline miles or hotel points through partnerships. Here’s a breakdown of Dollar’s partner programs:
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: 50 miles per qualifying rental day.
- All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club: 300 miles per qualifying rental.
- American Airlines AAdvantage: 50 miles per qualifying rental day.
- Avianca LifeMiles: 50 miles per qualifying rental day.
- Delta Air Lines SkyMiles: 500 miles per qualifying rental.
- Emirates Skywards: 500 miles per rental (29 days or less), 1,000 miles per rental (30+ days).
- Frontier Miles: 50 miles per day (rentals up to 4 days), 500 miles (rentals of 5+ days).
- IHG One Rewards: 125 points per qualifying rental day.
- Japan Airlines (JAL) Mileage Bank: 300 miles per qualifying rental.
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards: 600 miles per qualifying rental.
- Spirit Airlines Free Spirit: 50 miles per day (rentals up to 4 days), 500 miles (rentals of 5+ days).
- United Airlines MileagePlus: 50 miles per day (rentals up to 4 days), 500 miles (rentals of 5+ days).
It’s important to note that opting for airline miles with U.S. carriers usually incurs a daily surcharge, ranging from $0.75 to $1.50, depending on the airline program. However, choosing to earn partner points does not forfeit Dollar Express perks like counter bypass.
Earning Dollar Express Rewards Points: A Simple Approach
The Dollar Express earning structure is straightforward: members earn 1 point for every qualifying dollar spent on rentals. According to Dollar’s FAQ, a qualifying rental is defined as any rental in the U.S. or Canada that is not prepaid. To ensure points are credited, members must include their Dollar Express Rewards member ID during the booking process.
Despite the shared ownership with Thrifty and Hertz, points are not transferable or combinable across these brands. The Dollar rental car points program operates independently.
Related: Rental Car Savings Guide: Strategies to Avoid Overpaying
Redeeming Dollar Express Points for Free Rentals
Dollar Express points can be redeemed for free daily, weekly, or weekend rentals, applicable to compact through full-size vehicles.
Redemption starts at 500 points, with weekly rentals offering the most advantageous redemption rates. Here’s the points breakdown:
| 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 (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 |
Redemptions are subject to blackout dates and are currently limited to rentals within the U.S. and Canada.
Point expiration is not a concern as long as there is account activity (earning or redemption) at least once every 24 months. This makes the dollar rental car points program user-friendly for occasional renters as well.
Related: Common Rental Car Pitfalls and How to Steer Clear
Credit Card Strategies for Dollar Rent A Car
To enhance your Dollar rental experience, consider using a credit card that offers primary car rental insurance and bonus rewards on travel spending. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® are excellent choices.
Both cards provide primary rental car coverage, allowing you to decline costly collision damage waiver (CDW) insurance offered at the rental counter. Since car rentals are typically categorized as travel purchases, you’ll also earn bonus points: 3 points per dollar with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (a 6% value based on TPG valuations) and 2 points per dollar with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® (a 4% value).
For fuel purchases, utilizing a credit card that maximizes rewards on gas, such as the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees) or the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, can further amplify your rewards.
Related: Top Credit Cards for Car Rentals: Maximize Rewards and Insurance Coverage
Smart Ways to Save on Dollar Car Rentals
Beyond the points program, several strategies can help reduce your Dollar rental expenses:
Leverage Deals and Discount Codes
Dollar Rent A Car features a dedicated specials page showcasing various deals and discount codes. The page includes a search tool for location-specific offers, alongside association discounts for members of organizations like AAA and BJ’s Wholesale Club.
It’s also prudent to perform a quick online search for additional discount codes before finalizing your booking, as not all available codes may be listed on the Dollar specials page.
Utilize AutoSlash for Rate Optimization
AutoSlash is a valuable tool for securing the lowest possible rental car rates. It automatically identifies the best available discounts and monitors price drops post-booking. AutoSlash also maintains a coupons page with discount codes applicable for direct bookings with Dollar.
Dollar 4Business for Small Business Renters
Small business owners who rent cars for business purposes should consider enrolling in the Dollar 4Business program. This free program provides benefits like a 7% discount on base rental rates for business rentals, waived young renter fees, complimentary additional drivers, unlimited mileage, and waived change fees. Crucially, Dollar 4Business members still accrue points within the Dollar Express Rewards program.
Final Verdict: Is the Dollar Rental Car Points Program Right for You?
The Dollar Express Rewards program effectively caters to travelers prioritizing value and simplicity in a car rental loyalty program. It offers straightforward earning and redemption, coupled with practical benefits like counter bypass. However, for renters seeking elite status perks and upgrade opportunities, alternative programs might be more appealing. For the value-conscious consumer, the dollar rental car points program provides a solid avenue to enhance rental experiences and unlock savings over time.
