The complete guide to Dollar Express Rewards
Editor's Note
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.
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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.
Related: Rental car loyalty needs a makeover: Here are the changes I'd like to see
Dollar Express partners
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.
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.
Related: How to never pay full price for a rental car
How to redeem Dollar Express points
You can redeem points for free daily, weekly or weekend rentals on compact, midsize, standard or full-size cars.
Redemptions start at 500 points, but you'll get the most value from your points with weekly rentals. Here are 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 |
However, there are blackout dates and you can only redeem points within the U.S. and Canada.
Points do not expire as long as you have activity in your account (either earning or redeeming points) at least once every 24 months.
Related: 11 common rental car mistakes — and how to avoid them
Which credit card to use on Dollar rentals
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 and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Related: Renting a car? These are the cards you need to get now
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.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees