Is Dollar Car Rental Any Good? (Top 5 Issues + Comparisons)
Dollar features lowly among major US car rentals in customer satisfaction.
That said, customers at some locations enjoy better services than others, depending on the counter personnel on duty. As long as customers know what they sign, there’s no reason to dismiss Dollar as its rates are affordable.
Is Dollar Car Rental Legit?
Dollar Car Rental came under the Hertz Corporation in 2012.
With 840 company-owned locations and another 1,500 franchise outlets in operation, Dollar is a legit car rental business; however, renter satisfaction towards it is one of the lowest among major rental companies in the United States.
Is Dollar Car Rental Owned by Hertz or Enterprise?
Hertz Corporation owns and operates Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty car rental brands, a major competitor to Enterprise Holdings that runs the Enterprise, Alamo, and National rental services.
Is Dollar Car Rental Reliable?
Customers want to rent from a reputable car rental they can rely on to provide a vehicle in good condition as reserved and not nickel and dime them.
However, Dollar car rental isn’t as reliable as its parent company’s brand, Hertz, although both performed below-average in JD Power’s satisfaction survey.
Check the various versus later in this post or the comparison between all major US car rentals to find out which company is more reliable.
Dollar Car Rental Problems & Complaints:
#1 Splitting Payments Between Cards
Overcharges and unauthorized extras are common complaints in the car rental industry.
Worse still, some customers at Dollar Car Rental (like at other rental companies) decided to split payments between two cards – two credit cards or one credit and one debit card.
The results were additional charges on both payment cards, where the customers had to endure a lengthy process to resolve the issue with the bank(s) and car rental agents.
Stick to one card bearing the Visa, MasterCard, or Amex logo to ensure acceptability at the counter; if it’s a lesser-known payment card, call to check before you pick up the rental car.
#2 Attractive Upgrades
Several customers opted for upgrades the Dollar agents offered.
Unfortunately, the credit card bills were, in some cases, several times higher than anticipated, leading to protracted disputes to substantiate and reverse those charges.
Thorough research before confirming your online reservation is crucial so you can confidently decline seemingly-appealing upgrades at the rental counter.
Queues at the rental locations are typically long during the holiday seasons, and customers will not have the luxury of time to assess the upgrades carefully.
#3 Refund and Cancellation Issues for Third-Party Bookings
Like many purchases, you want to eliminate the middleman where possible.
Customers who booked Dollar rental cars through third-party sites for their holiday travels either waited for long hours at the rental location before getting a car or couldn’t cancel with Dollar to process a refund or credit.
Most car rentals have cancellation policies that require cancellation directly with the party the renters booked with.
Still, canceling at the rental counter but dealing with a third party off-site can only mean a drawn-out process before you can be on your way.
#4 Exorbitant Charge for Change of Return Location
Although the customer called to ask before dropping off the car at a different location – which the agent stated would be free over the phone – the rental company still charged a hefty fee for the change.
It is best to ensure you know the fee (if any) to drop the car at a different location when you pick up the rental vehicle; plus, note on the rental contract which locations are free and which ones incur a fee, and how much.
Unforeseen changes are unavoidable. Still, renters could find out at or before pickup the common additional costs, like one-way drop-off, additional drivers, and toll charges.
#5 Charges for Insurance That Renters Did Not Buy
Browsing through the customer reviews, it is evident that more than a few customers received extra charges for insurance coverage they did not purchase.
These charges typically amount to hundreds of dollars.
As the details on the rental contract may differ by location, the renter must ask the counter representative to highlight the insurance clause to ensure that the contract doesn’t automatically include any such coverage – if that’s the intention.
Dollar vs. Other Car Rental Companies:
Dollar vs. Alamo Car Rental
| DOLLAR | ALAMO | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 786/1000 | 837/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Moderate to Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. | $300-$400 for credit and debit cards; debit cards accepted only if accompanied by a ticketed return itinerary. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. | Yes; charges apply and vary depending on the location. Higher rental rates may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. | Available in all vehicle classes. |
| Mileage Fee | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver. | $5-$15/day, location dependent. Free for spouse or domestic partner. |
| Under-25 Fee | Available at time of rental. | 21-24-year-olds pay approx. $25/day surcharge, location dependent. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99/day | $12/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. | Yes, crated. Service animals without carrier is OK. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. | Most US vehicles can travel into Canada. Exotics and vans may not travel outside the US. Most renting locations forbid travel into Mexico w/o additional insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 de-smoking fee. | No. |
Alamo betters Dollar car rental in overall renter satisfaction and pricing transparency on their website, making it a more reliable service.
Dollar vs. Avis Car Rental
| DOLLAR | AVIS | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 786/1000 | 826/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 if you prepaid with a debit card. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. | Yes; charges and higher rates apply, and they vary depending on the location. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. | Yes; standard for most vehicle classes and locations. |
| Mileage Fee | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver. | $3/day in New York, no max. $11/day in Nevada, max. $65/rental. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Qualifying family members drive for free. |
| Under-25 Fee | Available at time of rental. | 21-24-year-olds pay $28-$35/day surcharge, location dependent. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI pay $41-$84/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99/day | Up to $14/day, depending on rental length. Must return the seat to the same location, or pay a $50 fee. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. | Yes, but keep the car clean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. | Can travel into Canada w/ prior arrangement; a Canadian non-resident insurance may be necessary. Can drive into Mexico only when renting from select Avis locations, through a corporate account, and with special Avis insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 de-smoking fee. | No. $450 cleaning fee. |
The Avis vs. Dollar comparison tilts in favor of Avis, as it enjoys better customer satisfaction and has more locations to meet one-way rental needs.
Still, Dollar is worth considering if you desire low rates but beware of the pitfalls that typically drive costs higher.
Dollar vs. Budget Car Rental
| DOLLAR | BUDGET | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 786/1000 | 807/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. |
| Mileage Fee | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver. | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. |
| Under-25 Fee | Available at time of rental. | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99/day | $14/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 de-smoking fee. | No. |
Both offer reasonably affordable rental rates; however, Budget is the marginally better choice than Dollar, enjoying higher customer satisfaction (according to JD Power) and having more locations to meet one-way rental needs.
Dollar vs. Enterprise Car Rental
| DOLLAR | ENTERPRISE | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 786/1000 | 861/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. | $400-$850, depending on the vehicle class. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. | Yes, but only at participating outlets. A one-way drop charge applies but varies by location. Higher rates may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. | Yes for most car classes. |
| Mileage Fee | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. | $0.10-$0.25 per additional mile, if applicable. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver. | $5/day in New York. $15/day in other States. |
| Under-25 Fee | Available at time of rental. | $25/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99/day | $12/day; max $72/rental. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. | Yes, but crated. Cleaning fee may apply if unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | Generally, no. But allowed for select pickup trucks in Enterprise truck rental locations. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. | Yes; anywhere within the US and Canada, except for Exotics and large vans. Can drive into Mexico with Enterprise’s special insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 de-smoking fee. | No. |
Enterprise surpasses Dollar as the better car rental, enjoying higher customer trust, significantly more locations, and a greater selection of vehicles.
The higher overall satisfaction justifies Enterprise’s more expensive rates.
Dollar vs. Fox Car Rental
| DOLLAR | FOX | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 786/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Deposit | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. | Yes, all vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. | Nil. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver. | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. |
| Under-25 Fee | Available at time of rental. | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99/day | $10.99/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. | Restrictions vary by State. Check each State’s policy for details. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 de-smoking fee. | No. Cleaning fee applies. |
Dollar enjoys better consumer feedback than Fox, albeit by a small margin, and it has more locations and a great selection of vehicles, making it the car rental of choice over Fox.
Fox may offer very low rates, but many renters have complained that hidden fees and add-ons significantly inflate the final amount.
Dollar vs. Hertz Car Rental
| DOLLAR | HERTZ | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 786/1000 | 826/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Deposit | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. | Yes, for most vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver. | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | Available at time of rental. | $19/day per driver. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99/day | $13.99 |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. | Yes. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 de-smoking fee. | No. $400 cleaning fee. |
Hertz owns Dollar, and the former garnered more positive customer feedback than the latter, making Hertz the preferred car rental.
That said, Hertz’s rental rates are typically higher.
Dollar vs. National Car Rental
| DOLLAR | NATIONAL | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 786/1000 | 852/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Pricey to Exorbitant. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.0/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Deposit | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. | Yes. |
| Mileage Fee | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver. | $15/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | Available at time of rental. | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99/day | $12-$13.99/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 de-smoking fee. | No. |
Although National’s rates are decidedly pricier, it is a better and more reliable car rental than Dollar as it has received better consumer feedback across major review sites, including JD Power.
Dollar vs. Payless Car Rental
| DOLLAR | PAYLESS | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 786/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. | $250 for credit cards. $300 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. | Yes, depending on the rental location. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. | Yes for most vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver. | $13/day. |
| Under-25 Fee | Available at time of rental. | $25/day. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99/day | $14/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. | Yes. $250 cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. | Yes, but must notify the rental location first. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 de-smoking fee. | No. $450 cleaning fee. |
Although Payless offers some of the cheapest rates, its more deceptive practices with unauthorized add-ons and damage claims mean opting for Dollar car rental is a safer bet for a smoother rental experience.
Dollar vs. Sixt Car Rental
| DOLLAR | SIXT | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 786/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. | Minimum $200. $2,500 or more for the priciest vehicle group. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. | Yes. $0 between airport locations. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. | Yes for most vehicles, except for some sports and premium models. |
| Mileage Fee | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. | $0.55/mile or higher, vehicle-dependent. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver. | $15/day. Free for renter’s spouse and immediate family members. |
| Under-25 Fee | Available at time of rental. | Not disclosed. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99/day | $15/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. | Yes. Cleaning fee applies if returned unclean; no cleaning fee for rental w/ service animal. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. | Yes. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 de-smoking fee. | No. |
Dollar and Sixt are comparable car rentals on multiple fronts.
However, opt for Sixt over Dollar if you want lower car rental rates; Sixt also offers a better booking experience on its website.
Dollar vs. Thrifty Car Rental
| DOLLAR | THRIFTY | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 786/1000 | 768/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Deposit | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. | Yes, at select locations. One-way drop fee applies. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. | Yes, standard. |
| Mileage Fee | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver. | NA, rental location dependent. |
| Under-25 Fee | Available at time of rental. | Not disclosed. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99/day | $13.99/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. | Yes. But $50-$250 cleaning fee if returned with damage or unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. | Yes. Can cross into Mexico only with Mexico Insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 de-smoking fee. | No. $400 smoke cleaning fee will apply if evidence of smoking found. |
Both fill the bottom rungs of JD Power’s satisfaction survey, although Dollar edges Thrifty with marginally better ratings and a greater vehicle selection.
Better car rentals are available.
Dollar vs. Turo Car Rental
| DOLLAR | TURO | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 786/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Moderate. | Very low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 3.0/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. | No. |
| Mileage Fee | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver. | No. |
| Under-25 Fee | Available at time of rental. | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99/day | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent. Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 de-smoking fee. | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. |
Unlike most other rental companies, Dollar Car Rental does not reveal the extra charges for additional drivers and under-25 drivers at their online booking website.
Though a car-sharing network, Turo is better than Dollar for car renters, with plenty of vehicles, including uncommon ones, at thoroughly attractive daily rates.
Turo rentals may be mileage-limited, but the typical mileage allocation will suffice for most renters, and the additional mile rates are reasonable, depending on the vehicle type.
Dollar Car Rental FAQs:
Does Dollar Car Rental Have Unlimited Miles?
Most Dollar car rentals come with unlimited mileage, covering sedans, convertibles, SUVs, and minivans of various sizes in the economy and luxury classes.
Does Dollar Car Rental Charge for Mileage?
Some Dollar rental locations may impose geographic driving restrictions and mileage limitations, in which case, a mileage surcharge may apply.
Subject to the vehicle class, Dollar will determine the additional mileage rate at rental confirmation.
Still, most Dollar rental cars have unlimited miles, and this offer will likely apply to you too.
Does Dollar Car Rental Allow Pets?
Dollar Car Rental allows pets in their rental vehicles as long as you do not return the car with excessive pet hair, soiling, or damage to the interior.
It’s best to keep your pet crated or the seats covered.
Dollar’s cleaning fees range from $50 to $250, depending on the severity.
Does Dollar Car Rental Allow Towing?
Dollar does not allow towing with their rental cars, regardless of the vehicle class.
Does Dollar Car Rental Allow Out-Of-State Travel?
Dollar typically allows US rental cars to drive anywhere within the country and Canada, the latter with prior notice and consent at the rental counter.
US rental cars cannot enter Mexico unless the renter obtains prior authorization and Mexico Insurance at the rental counter.
This Mexico Insurance is only available at select rental locations in States bordering Mexico. Plus, the policy allows the renter to travel up to 250 miles south of the US/Mexico border.
Does Dollar Charge for Additional Drivers (incl. Spouse)?
These additional drivers can drive for free as long as they meet the age and license requirements:
- Renter’s spouse.
- Dollar Express Rewards members.
- Government rate renters.
- Corporate account renters.
- Companion(s) to disabled renters.
Plus, renters can add additional drivers at pickup or during the rental at any US Dollar corporate location.
An under-25 fee will apply for additional drivers in that age group.
Authorized additional drivers other than those listed above incur a fee which Dollar will determine when registering as Authorized Operators on the rental agreement.
What Is Dollar’s Cancellation Policy?
Renters can cancel “Pay Later” reservations at any time.
However, pre-paid rentals will incur the following cancellation fees:
- Cancel within 24 hours of booking: no fee.
- Cancel at least 24 hours before pickup: refund rental amount, minus a $100 cancellation fee.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before pickup: refund rental amount, minus a $200 cancellation fee.
- No cancellation and no-show: entire pre-paid amount forfeited.
References:
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/dollar.htm
