For travelers looking for affordable car rental options, Dollar Rent A Car often comes to mind. But beyond just budget-friendly rates, many savvy renters wonder, “Does Dollar Rental Car Have A Loyalty Program?” The answer is yes! Dollar Rent A Car offers Dollar Express Rewards, a program designed to add extra value to your rentals. This guide will explore everything you need to know about Dollar Express Rewards, helping you understand how to earn and redeem points, and ultimately, maximize your savings and convenience with Dollar.
Understanding Dollar Express Rewards: Is It Worth It?
Dollar Rent A Car, operating over 600 locations across approximately 65 countries, caters to travelers who prioritize value. While Dollar is under the Hertz umbrella, along with Thrifty Car Rental, it’s important to note that Dollar Express Rewards operates independently from Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and Thrifty Rewards. This means benefits are not transferable between these programs.
Dollar Express Rewards is a free loyalty program that allows members to accumulate points redeemable for free rental days. Beyond points, membership offers tangible perks such as bypassing the regular rental counter and enjoying priority service at select locations. A notable advantage is the complimentary addition of a spouse or domestic partner as a second driver. Like many car rental loyalty programs, joining Dollar Express Rewards is free, making it accessible to all Dollar customers.
However, Dollar Express Rewards distinguishes itself from many competitors by not featuring elite status tiers. This means that unlike programs that offer upgrades and enhanced benefits to frequent renters, Dollar Express Rewards maintains a flat structure for all members. An exception to this is made for U.S. military personnel and government employees who are eligible for upgrades when renting for both business and leisure purposes.
Partnering Up: Earning Airline Miles and Hotel Points with Dollar
If you don’t rent cars frequently enough to prioritize Dollar Rewards points, you have the option to earn airline miles or hotel points through Dollar’s partnerships. This flexibility allows you to bolster your existing travel rewards balances. Here’s a list of Dollar’s partner programs:
- 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 (rentals 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 (rentals 5+ days)
- United Airlines: 50 miles per day (rentals up to 4 days), 500 miles (rentals 5+ days)
Opting to earn frequent flyer miles with U.S. airlines instead of Dollar Rewards points incurs a daily surcharge, ranging from $0.75 to $1.50, depending on the airline program. Despite choosing airline or hotel points, you still retain Dollar Express perks like counter bypass.
How to Accumulate Dollar Express Rewards Points
The Dollar Express Rewards earning structure is refreshingly simple. With no tiered elite statuses to complicate things, everyone earns at the same straightforward rate.
For every dollar spent on eligible Dollar rentals, you’ll earn 1 Dollar Express Rewards point. According to Dollar’s FAQ, a “qualifying rental” is defined as any “Dollar rental within the U.S. or Canada that is not prepaid.” To ensure you receive your points, remember to include your Dollar Express Rewards member ID when making your reservation.
It’s worth reiterating that while Dollar, Thrifty, and Hertz are under the same corporate umbrella, their loyalty programs remain distinct. Points earned with Dollar Express Rewards cannot be earned or redeemed with Thrifty or Hertz.
Redeeming Your Dollar Express Rewards Points
Dollar Express Rewards points can be redeemed for free rentals, offering a direct path to savings. You can redeem points for daily, weekly, or weekend rentals on a range of car classes, from compact to full-size vehicles.
Redemption starts at 500 points, with weekly rentals generally providing the best point value. Here’s a breakdown of the points required for various rewards:
| 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 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.
Smart Payment: Credit Cards to Maximize Dollar Rentals
To further enhance your Dollar rental experience, strategic credit card usage is key. Ideally, use a credit card that offers primary car rental insurance and generous rewards on travel purchases. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are excellent choices.
Both Chase Sapphire cards provide primary rental car coverage, allowing you to confidently 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 rewards: 3 points per dollar with the Chase Sapphire Reserve (an impressive 6% return based on TPG valuations) and 2 points per dollar with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (a solid 4% return).
For fuel purchases, utilize a credit card that excels in gas rewards, such as the Citi Premier® Card or the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Unlocking Additional Savings on Dollar Rentals
Beyond loyalty programs and credit card rewards, several avenues exist to reduce your Dollar rental costs:
Dollar Deals and Discount Codes
Dollar Rent A Car features a dedicated “specials page” where they publish various deals and discount codes. This page allows you to search for location-specific offers. Additionally, you’ll often find association discounts for groups like AAA and BJ’s Wholesale Club members listed at the bottom of the specials page.
It’s important to note that not all available discount codes are always advertised on Dollar’s specials page. A quick online search before finalizing your booking can sometimes uncover additional savings opportunities.
Leverage AutoSlash
AutoSlash is a powerful online tool designed to find the lowest possible rental car rates. It automatically applies the best available discounts to your search and continues to track your reservation for price drops, rebooking you at a lower rate if found. AutoSlash also maintains a coupons page that compiles discount codes that can be directly used when booking through Dollar’s website.
Dollar 4Business for Small Business Owners
If you frequently rent cars for business purposes, the free Dollar 4Business program is worth exploring. Members of this program receive a 7% discount on the base rate of all business rentals, along with benefits like waived young renter fees, complimentary additional drivers, unlimited mileage, and waived change fees. Importantly, Dollar 4Business members still earn points through the standard Dollar Express Rewards program.
Final Thoughts: Is Dollar Express Rewards Right for You?
Dollar Express Rewards is a straightforward loyalty program that aligns well with Dollar Rent A Car’s value proposition. For budget-conscious travelers who rent cars occasionally, it offers a simple way to earn rewards towards free rental days and enjoy some time-saving benefits like skipping the counter. However, for frequent renters who prioritize elite status perks such as vehicle upgrades, programs offered by other rental companies might be more appealing. Ultimately, Dollar Express Rewards provides a solid foundation of value and convenience for the occasional renter seeking affordable car rental options.
