Thinking about booking with Dollar Car Rental? The base rates look great — but there’s a lot more going on under the hood. This post breaks down exactly what you’re getting into, from hidden fees to real customer reviews, so you can decide if Dollar’s worth it before you hand over your credit card.
What Is Dollar Car Rental, Actually?
Dollar Car Rental started in 1965 in Los Angeles, built on a simple idea: affordable cars for everyday travelers. Fast forward to today, and it’s a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, operating in 61 countries with around 570 locations. It sits firmly in the “budget” tier — think low sticker price, lots of fine print.
Hertz acquired Dollar (via the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group purchase) for $2.3 billion in 2012, consolidating the industry’s value segment. That move was strategic. Dollar now feeds off Hertz’s infrastructure while maintaining its own “cheap and cheerful” branding.
The short answer to “is Dollar car rental good?” It depends entirely on how prepared you are walking into that counter.
How Does Dollar Stack Up Against the Competition?
The U.S. car rental market is worth $65.3 billion, and it’s dominated by three major players. Here’s where Dollar fits within that landscape:
| Company/Group | 2025 Est. Revenue | Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Holdings | $12.0 Billion | 18.4% |
| Avis Budget Group | $8.7 Billion | 13.4% |
| Hertz Global Holdings | $7.7 Billion | 11.7% |
Dollar contributes to Hertz’s slice of that pie, primarily through high-volume airport locations. In fact, airport rentals account for 64.48% of on-airport market revenue in 2025. That’s Dollar’s bread and butter — and also where most of its problems tend to surface.
What Do Customer Reviews Actually Say?
This is where things get uncomfortable. Dollar consistently sits at or near the bottom of every major satisfaction ranking.
J.D. Power Rankings
The J.D. Power North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study measures things like pickup process, vehicle quality, and value. Dollar doesn’t do well here:
| Brand | J.D. Power Score (2024/2025) | Standing |
|---|---|---|
| National | 736 | Top tier |
| Enterprise | 729 | Strong performer |
| SIXT | 708 | Rising competitor |
| Alamo | Top Tier | Family favorite |
| Dollar | Bottom Tier | Consistent low rank |
Premium brands like National and Enterprise lead by a wide margin. Dollar sits at the opposite end — and it’s been that way for years.
BBB and Trustpilot Scores
Dollar holds an average rating of 1.04 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau, based on 456 reviews. That’s not a typo. Over the last three years, Dollar has racked up 1,564 total BBB complaints, with 279 closed just in the past 12 months.
On Trustpilot, more than 3,344 reviews use words like “fraudulent,” “scam,” and “deeply disappointing.” These aren’t isolated incidents. The pattern repeats across locations and rental types.
The “Signature Scam” — What’s Going On at the Counter?
This is one of the most serious issues surrounding Dollar, and it’s backed by actual legal action. A federal class-action lawsuit involving Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group alleged that counter agents manipulated electronic signing pads. Customers thought they were declining extra services. Instead, their signature was transferred to contracts showing they’d accepted add-ons like Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) insurance.
Why would agents do this? Counter reps can reportedly earn up to 12% commission on insurance product sales — potentially adding $6,000 per month to their pay. That’s a powerful incentive to push hard during busy airport rushes.
The lesson here: never sign anything at the counter without reading every line. Say “no” out loud and clearly to every add-on. If something feels off, ask for a printed copy of your full contract before you drive away.
Hidden Fees That Can Blow Your Budget
Dollar’s low base rate is the headline. The fees are the story. Here’s where budget travelers often get caught off guard:
Toll Charges and PlatePass
Dollar offers a PlatePass All-Inclusive tolling service for a daily flat fee. Sounds convenient — but declining it while accidentally using a toll lane triggers per-toll administrative fees of up to $15.00 each.
One customer reported a post-rental bill exceeding $300 for tolls that totaled just $1.15 each, thanks to repeated $15 admin fees. These charges appear weeks after your rental, often labeled as “Hertz Toll Charge – ATS.”
| Fee Type | What It Costs | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| PlatePass Daily Rate | Variable by state | Unlimited tolls |
| Admin Fee (Per Toll) | Up to $15.00 | Turns $1 tolls into $16 charges |
| Undiscounted Toll Rate | Maximum rate | No commuter discounts applied |
| Late Processing | 1–3 weeks post-rental | Surprise charges on your card |
Quick tip: Bring your own toll transponder if you have one. Use cash lanes where available.
Cleaning and Smoking Fees
Dollar’s non-smoking policy carries a mandatory $400 cleaning fee for any vehicle returned smelling of smoke. Some customers report this fee applied even when no smoking occurred. Always photograph and video the interior before driving away.
AI Damage Inspection Charges
Newer locations use automated camera systems to scan returned vehicles. Customers have been charged $445 for damage flagged by these cameras — even after a counter rep said the car looked fine. Without a joint physical inspection, you’re on your own to prove the damage wasn’t your fault.
Do this every time: Record a 360-degree video walkthrough of the vehicle at pickup AND return. Timestamp it.
Young Drivers and Debit Card Users: Extra Watch Out
Dollar rents to drivers as young as 20 in most states, and as young as 18 in New York and Michigan. That’s broader access than many competitors. But the surcharges hit hard:
| Driver Age | Policy | Daily Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 | NY and MI only | Up to $65/day |
| 21–24 | Broad availability | $25–$52/day |
| 25+ | Standard rates | No surcharge |
For debit card users, the restrictions are equally frustrating. Dollar requires a return travel ticket and may run a credit check at airport locations. Certain major cities — including New York, Atlanta, and Philadelphia — don’t accept debit cards at the start of a rental at all. Show up with only a debit card in NYC and your confirmed reservation might mean nothing.
Dollar Express Rewards: Does It Help?
Honestly? Yes — but only if you use it correctly. The Dollar Express Rewards program is free to join and earns 1 point per $1 spent. Redemption thresholds are low compared to competitors:
- Free Weekend Day: From 500 points
- Free Weekday Day: From 625 points
- Spouse/Partner Driver: Free for members (saves $13–$16/day)
- Skip the Counter: Go straight to your car at participating locations
That last one is arguably the most valuable benefit. Skipping the counter means skipping the upsell pressure entirely. If you’re going to book Dollar, join this program first. The Dollar Express FAQ page has the full details.
Fair warning: the program’s website is notoriously glitchy. Many members report being forced to call in — with hold times exceeding 15 minutes. Points also only apply to the base rate, not taxes or location fees.
The 2025 Data Breach: Your Personal Info at Risk
This one’s serious. Between October and December 2024, Hertz Global Holdings (which includes Dollar and Thrifty) suffered a major data breach through a vulnerability in Cleo Communications’ file transfer system. The breach exposed:
- Full names and dates of birth
- Physical and email addresses
- Driver’s license and Social Security numbers
- Credit and debit card details
- Passport numbers and Medicare/Medicaid identifiers
The Clop ransomware group claimed responsibility. Multiple class-action investigations followed. If you’ve rented with Dollar recently, check your credit and consider placing a fraud alert with the major bureaus.
Hub-Specific Issues: LAX, MCO, and JFK
Dollar’s problems aren’t uniform — some locations are worse than others. Here’s a snapshot of known issues at major airports:
- LAX: Customers face heavy pressure to add insurance, even on pre-paid bookings
- MCO (Orlando): Reports of agents using scare tactics with elderly customers — claiming their reserved vehicle is an electric car that’s “hard to charge” — to push them into gas-option upsells
- JFK: Understaffed counters during peak hours, leaving customers stranded with no service
If you’re renting at any of these hubs, show up with your Dollar Express membership active, every add-on decision already made, and your phone charged for documentation.
So, Is Dollar Car Rental Good? Here’s the Bottom Line
Dollar car rental is good only if you go in fully prepared. It’s a budget brand in the truest sense — low entry price, high friction, and a business model that depends on ancillary revenue. For the prepared traveler, it can deliver real savings. For the average traveler who just wants a simple, stress-free rental? The data says look elsewhere.
Dollar works for you if:
- You’re enrolled in Dollar Express Rewards and skip the counter
- You have your own auto or credit card insurance coverage ready to decline all add-ons
- You document the car’s condition with video at pickup and return
- You bring your own toll transponder or use cash lanes
Consider alternatives if:
- You want transparent, all-in pricing from the start
- You don’t want to fight for refunds on mystery charges
- You’re a first-time renter or unfamiliar with rental contract tactics
- You’re using a debit card in a major metro area
Brands like Enterprise and National consistently outperform Dollar in service quality, even if their base rates run slightly higher. In many cases, the peace of mind is worth the extra $10 a day — especially when Dollar’s hidden fees can easily exceed that before you’ve left the parking lot.
