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Is Dollar Rent A Car legit?

Hertz's budget airport brand: often cheaper up front, but toll charges and extra fees are the usual complaints.

Lowest-rated branch at JFK
Rental car companyOwned by Hertz Global Holdings (Hertz brand; sister brand to Thrifty)dollar.comChecked October 16, 2026 by Nurullah GökdoğanHow we check
1 · Is it a real company that delivers?
Yes, it’s legit

Dollar is a real national brand owned by Hertz, renting from major US airports. Reviews are poor: Trustpilot scores it 1.7, and reviewers most often complain about billing and tolls.

2 · Will you pay what you were quoted?
Often not

Toll charges are a recurring surprise. A 2026 Trustpilot reviewer was charged a flat $13/day, and The Points Guy (2019) was billed the full weekly PlatePass rate for one toll. Reviewers also report double charges.

How fair is Dollar Rent A Car?

Five checks, 1–5 each. 3 is average for rental cars.

Price honestyIs the final bill close to the quote?Toll charges are a recurring surprise. A 2026 Trustpilot reviewer was charged a flat $13/day, and The Points Guy (2019) was billed the full weekly PlatePass rate for one toll. Reviewers also report double charges.Sources:uk.trustpilot.comthepointsguy.comupgradedpoints.com
2/5
Claims and refundsDo damage and cleaning bills arrive after return?Reviewers report a $100 cancellation charge and double billing. In the TPG case, Hertz admitted a toll refund was 'not processed appropriately'.Sources:uk.trustpilot.comthepointsguy.com
2/5
Pick-up and deliveryHow quick is pick-up, and can you skip the counter?Dollar EXPRESS lets members store payment details. We found no reliable counter-speed data, so this is scored as average.Sources:yourmileagemayvary.com
3/5
Fine printDeposits, debit cards, age rules and fuel termsDebit cards are accepted at airports with a matching return ticket, two IDs and a credit check. The debit hold is up to $500, versus $200 on credit. Premium cars and PayNow (prepaid) rates need a credit card.Sources:yourmileagemayvary.com
3/5
SupportHow do disputes end?The Trustpilot score is very low (1.7 from 3,545 reviews). Billing disputes often seem to need escalation, as in the TPG case where Hertz PR stepped in.Sources:uk.trustpilot.comthepointsguy.com
2/5

Fees to expect

Toll programme (PlatePass)As reported in Oct 2024. A 2026 reviewer reports a flat $13/day.Source:upgradedpoints.com
With the opt-in plan, a daily rate that varies by region and covers all tolls. Without it: the toll plus $15 per occurrence ($9.99 in Boston and Florida), up to $90 per rental
Deposit holdThe extra $500 debit hold is waived for EXPRESS members with a Visa card on file.Source:yourmileagemayvary.com
$200 on a credit card; up to $500 on a debit card, plus the estimated rental charges

Rules that cost renters money

Debit cards
Accepted at airports with a return travel ticket that matches the rental and two IDs; a credit check is usually run; not accepted for Premium and above, convertibles, or PayNow rentals
Deposit hold
$200 (credit) or up to $500 (debit) on top of the estimated rental
Skip the counter
Dollar EXPRESS (loyalty profile)

Common problems, and how to avoid them

1
Toll charges much higher than the tolls themselvesCommonAvoid it: Ask exactly how tolls are billed at the counter, bring your own transponder where allowed, or avoid toll roads.Source:thepointsguy.com
2
Double charges or cancellation feesSometimesAvoid it: Check your card statement and keep the confirmation. Dispute with your card issuer if Dollar does not reverse a charge.Source:uk.trustpilot.com

What customers say

“I asked for tolls by plate. Was never told I was getting a flat $13 a day toll charge.”
Adam Sheloski · Trustpilot · 2026
“I was charged twice for the exact same rental”
Bill CHAD CA · Trustpilot · 2026
“charged my $100 to cancel because I have the flu and can't go on my trip.”
Denny Coyne · Trustpilot · 2026

Short excerpts from public reviews, chosen because they describe the patterns above. They are examples, not a sample.

Alternatives worth comparing

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Highest J.D. Power score of the big rental brands; fees are standard, but damage-claim disputes are the recurring complaint.

#4 of 13 · 55/100National Car Rental

Business-traveller favourite: Emerald Club members pick any car in the Emerald Aisle and skip the counter.

#1 of 13 · 63/100Best overallAlamo Rent A Car

Enterprise group's leisure brand: usually cheaper, but reviewers report counter upsells and charges they say they declined.

#7 of 13 · 46/100

Questions people ask about Dollar Rent A Car

Is Dollar Rent A Car legit?

Yes. Dollar is a Hertz-owned national brand. Reviews are poor, though: 1.7 on Trustpilot, mostly over tolls and billing.

Who owns Dollar?

Hertz, which also owns Thrifty.

Does Dollar charge for tolls?

Yes. Its PlatePass programme either charges a daily all-tolls rate if you opt in, or the toll plus $15 per occurrence ($9.99 in Boston and Florida), up to $90 per rental (Oct 2024 reporting).

Can I rent from Dollar with a debit card?

At airports, yes. You need a matching return ticket and two IDs, and a credit check is usually run. Dollar holds up to $500 on top of the rental cost.

Sources

Last checked October 16, 2026. Fees and policies change, so confirm on dollar.com before you book. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it in the open. We are not affiliated with Dollar Rent A Car and earn nothing from it.