Dollar Car Rental is one of the most popular and affordable car rental companies in Canada and worldwide. With a large fleet of vehicles, including economy cars, SUVs, trucks, luxury vehicles, and more, Dollar aims to provide quality vehicles at cheap rental prices.
In this article, we will dive into the key things you need to know about Dollar Car Rental, including an overview of the company, the types of vehicles in their fleet, rental rates and fees, pickup and drop-off processes, loyalty program benefits, and tips for getting the best deal on your next Dollar rental. Whether you need a car for a road trip, business travel, or just getting around town, this guide will provide helpful information to make your Dollar rental experience smooth.
Overview of Dollar Car Rental
History and Company Info
Dollar Car Rental was founded in Los Angeles, California in 1965. The company aimed to provide affordable and convenient car rentals as an alternative to taxi cabs. Dollar became a wholly owned subsidiary of Chrysler Corporation in 1990 and was eventually acquired by Hertz Corporation in 2001.
Today, Dollar operates as a subsidiary brand of Hertz, sharing the same fleet of vehicles. However, Dollar positions itself as the value brand, offering lower rates and cheaper pricing than Hertz to remain an affordable option for customers.
Locations
With over 1,500 locations worldwide, Dollar has an extensive network of corporate-owned and franchise rental sites across the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe. This makes them one of the largest car rental companies globally in terms of locations.
Dollar has around 70 rental locations nationwide in Canada, including all major cities and airports. So whether you need to rent a car in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, or other cities, you can easily find a conveniently located Dollar rental office.
Fleet of Vehicles
Dollar offers a diverse lineup of rental vehicles to meet different needs and budgets. Here’s an overview of the types of cars available:
Economy Cars
Economy cars are ideal for budget-conscious travelers and offer excellent gas mileage and compact size for easy parking and city driving. Popular models include the Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, and similar vehicles. These are the cheapest cars to rent from Dollar.
Compact and Midsize Cars
Compact and midsize car rentals provide the perfect balance for families, couples, and business travelers needing more space and comfort. Examples include the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic, and similar 4-door sedans.
Full-size Cars
Full-size car rentals like the Chrysler 300, Chevrolet Impala, and Ford Fusion offer even more interior room while still getting decent fuel economy. Great for longer trips and group travel.
SUVs and Minivans
Dollar’s SUVs and minivans like the Ford Escape, Jeep Compass, Dodge Grand Caravan, and similar models are perfect when you need extra cargo and passenger capacity. From midsize to full-size SUV options are available.
Luxury Vehicles
For special occasions or indulgent trips, rent a luxury vehicle from Dollar. Choices include BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Infiniti, and other high-end imported vehicles.
Trucks and Vans
Businesses and adventure travelers can rent cargo vans, pickup trucks, box trucks, and other specialty vehicles from Dollar for ample cargo space and utility features.
So whether you need basic transportation or a memorable occasion ride, Dollar likely has a rental vehicle to meet your needs. You can reserve specific makes and models online during booking.
Rental Rates and Fees
Dollar prides itself on offering cheap daily, weekly, and monthly car rental rates. Exact pricing varies by location, dates, vehicle type, and other factors. Still, you can generally expect very affordable base rental fees starting as low as $15-20 CAD per day for economy-class bookings. Adding extras like GPS or car seats will increase your total rental cost.
Here are some other standard fees to be aware of from Dollar:
- Location surcharges for picking up or dropping off at airport or downtown locations
- Underage renter fees for drivers 21-24 years old
- Additional driver fees
- Fuel service fees if you don’t return the car in full
- Mileage overage charges if you exceed the free mileage allowance
- Late return fees if bringing the car back past the scheduled time
Tips for Getting Cheap Rates
- Book well in advance – last-minute rentals are the most expensive
- Opt for weekend or weekly rentals instead of daily
- Avoid renting at airports that have higher location fees
- Sign up for Dollar email promos and loyalty programs for discounts
- Use coupons and discount codes found online
- Rent economy or compact cars for the lowest base rates
Loyalty Program Benefits
Joining Dollar’s Express Loyalty Program is free and earns you perks like:
- Faster reservations and check-out
- Free membership upgrades
- Exclusive coupons and promotions
- Prize drawings and bonus points
- Priority lines during peak periods
- Free additional driver fees
You earn points each time you complete a Dollar rental that can be redeemed for future rental credits or other rewards. Their top membership tiers offer the most benefits, so rent frequently to elevate your status.
What is the cheapest way to rent a car from Dollar?
Booking well in advance, opting for airport shuttle service instead of airport pickup, renting economy or compact vehicles, and using coupons and loyalty discounts are some of the best ways to get Dollar’s cheapest rates. Avoiding extras like GPS and additional insurance will also minimize costs.
What is Dollar’s age requirement for renting a car?
You must be at least 20 years old to rent from Dollar. Drivers under 25 will be charged an underage fee.
Does Dollar offer one-way car rentals?
Yes, one-way rentals are available between certain cities and locations for an extra fee. Check Dollar’s website to see if a one-way rental is possible for your route.
Can I use a debit card to rent from Dollar?
Dollar accepts debit cards to reserve and pay for your rental if you meet their credit and ID requirements. Debit card renters may face slightly higher deposit hold amounts.
How can I avoid hidden fees from Dollar?
Awareness of all the possible fees like airport surcharges, underage renter fees, and fuel/mileage overage fees and proactively avoiding those you don’t need through your rental selections is critical to minimizing unexpected charges.
Tips for Renting with Dollar
Here are some final tips for unlocking the best rates and experience with Dollar Car Rentals:
- Avoid the counter lines by checking in online ahead of time
- Purchase Dollar’s prepaid fuel plans to avoid refueling fees
- Review all charges on your receipt before leaving the lot
- Book any add-ons like GPS or child seats in advance for lower rates
- Extend your rental with online self-service instead of waiting in line
- Please take advantage of their mobile app for reservations on the go
- Sign up for email and text offers sent to members only
- Enroll in their Express Rewards loyalty program for extra discounts
- Reserve larger vehicles well in advance since quantities are limited
Conclusion
For affordable rates across a wide selection of newer model rental cars, it’s hard to beat Dollar Car Rental. Their convenient neighborhood and airport locations network, loyalty perks, and frequent web-only deals make them a top choice for saving money on business and leisure car rentals. Review all options in your destination and consider any membership benefits to unlock Dollar’s lowest costs. With a smooth pickup and drop-off process and excellent customer service, Dollar aims to deliver quality vehicles without breaking your travel budget.