The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Benji Stawski is a former reporter for the site, covering all things points, miles, credit cards, travel and aviation.
January 2, 2022 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This post has been updated with new information.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
Dollar Express Rewards is Dollar Rent A Car's loyalty program, offering points for qualifying rentals that can be redeemed for free rental days in the U.S. and Canada.
Members can skip the counter or access priority service at select locations and add a spouse or domestic partner as a free additional driver.
There is no elite status tier, so frequent renters do not receive upgrades, except for U.S. military and government employees on business or leisure rentals.
Points can also be exchanged for airline or hotel rewards with select partners, though a daily surcharge applies when earning frequent flyer miles with U.S. airlines.
What to consider
Redemptions are limited to U.S. and Canada locations and are subject to blackout dates.
Points remain valid with account activity at least once every 24 months; inactivity leads to expiration.
Discount codes, association deals and business program benefits can further reduce rental costs, but not all discounts are listed on Dollar's website.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of earning and redemption rates, partner program options and strategies to maximize value from Dollar Express Rewards.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Most major car rental companies offer a loyalty program of sorts. However, some are more rewarding than others.
Today, we're going to turn our attention to Dollar Rent A Car's program, Dollar Express Rewards. We're going to cover everything you need to know about earning and redeeming points, as well as how you can save on your rentals. Although Dollar is owned by Hertz, the rewards program, unfortunately, doesn't offer any reciprocal benefits with the other brand.
Program overview
Dollar Rent A Car is a global rental car company targeting value-oriented travelers. It operates more than 600 locations in approximately 65 countries around the world. Dollar and its sister company, Thrifty Car Rental, were acquired by Hertz in 2012, but the three programs still run independently.
The Dollar Express Rewards program allows you to earn points toward free rentals. In addition, you can skip the counter or access priority counter service (at select locations for both perks). Plus, you can add a spouse or domestic partner as an additional driver free of charge. Like other rental car loyalty programs, membership is free.
But unlike most other rental car rewards programs, Dollar Express Rewards does not offer any level of elite status. As a result, there's no way to get free upgrades with the program. The exception is for U.S. military and government employees, who get upgrades when renting for business or leisure.
If you don't rent cars from Dollar regularly, you can earn airline or hotel points instead of Dollar Rewards points. Here's a list of Dollar's partner programs:
Alaska Airlines: Earn 50 miles per qualifying rental day.
All Nippon Airways: Earn 300 miles per qualifying rental.
American Airlines: Earn 50 miles per qualifying rental day.
Avianca Airlines: Earn 50 miles per qualifying rental day.
Delta Air Lines: Earn 500 miles per qualifying rental.
Emirates: Earn 500 miles per qualifying rental of 29 days or less and 1,000 miles per rental over 30 days.
Frontier Airlines: Earn 50 miles per day on rentals up to four days in length and 500 miles on rentals of five days or more.
IHG Rewards: Earn 125 points per qualifying rental day.
Japan Airlines: Earn 300 miles per qualifying rental.
Southwest Airlines: Earn 600 miles per qualifying rental.
Spirit Airlines: Earn 50 miles per day on rentals up to four days in length and 500 miles on rentals of five days or more.
United Airlines: Earn 50 miles per day on rentals up to four days in length and 500 miles on rentals of five days or more.
If you choose to earn frequent flyer miles with a U.S. airline instead of points, you'll need to pay a surcharge of $0.75 to $1.50 per day, depending on the program. You'll still be able to enjoy Dollar Express perks, such as skipping the counter, if you choose to earn airline or hotel points instead of Dollar Rewards points.
You can earn airline miles with your car rental. (Photo by the_burtons/Getty Images)
How to earn rewards with Dollar Express
The earning scheme with Dollar Express is very straightforward. And since there's no elite status, there are no bonuses to keep track of.
You'll earn a flat 1 point per dollar spent on qualifying rentals with Dollar. Dollar's frequently asked questions page notes that a qualifying rental is any "Dollar rental in the U.S. or Canada that is not prepaid." To earn points, you must provide your Dollar Express Rewards member ID when you make your reservation.
Although Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are technically one company, you can't earn or redeem points with the other brands.
To maximize your Dollar rental, use a card that provides primary car rental insurance and earns bonus points on travel spending. Some of the best cards for car rentals include the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Both cards come with primary rental coverage, so you can decline collision insurance and be covered if anything goes wrong. Since car rentals code as travel, you'll also earn bonus points — 3 points per dollar spent with the Chase Sapphire Reserve (a 6% return based on TPG valuations) and 2 points per dollar spent with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (a 4% return).
When filling your tank, use a card that earns extra points on gas spending. Great options include the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees) and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
The right credit card will protect you when things go wrong. (Photo by Peter Stark/Getty Images)
How to save on Dollar rentals
Here are three ways you can save on Dollar rentals.
Deals and discount codes
Dollar Express publishes various deals and discount codes on its specials page. There's a search bar on the left-hand side so you can find location-specific deals. You'll also find various association discounts, such as for AAA and BJ's Wholesale Club members, at the bottom of the page.
However, Dollar doesn't post every discount code on this page. So you might also want to do a quick search online before booking.
AutoSlash
AutoSlash is an excellent tool for finding the lowest rates for rental cars. It will automatically find the best discount based on your search, as well as track if your quoted price drops. It also has a coupons page with discount codes you could use when booking directly through Dollar.
Dollar 4Business
If you're a small-business owner and rent cars for work, you'll want to join the free Dollar 4Business program. Members enjoy a 7% discount on the base rate of all business car rentals, waived young renter fees, free additional drivers, unlimited mileage and waived change fees. Plus, business customers still get to earn points through the rewards program.
Bottom line
As the name suggests, Dollar Rent A Car targets value-oriented travelers. The Dollar Express Rewards program allows casual travelers to make their rentals more rewarding and unlock some potentially timesaving benefits. However, with no elite status offerings, you'll want to look elsewhere if you're a frequent renter and want your loyalty recognized.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
