who owns dollar rent a car

[PaulRose]

Dollar Rent A Car is owned by The Hertz Corporation. Hertz, a major global vehicle rental company, acquired Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group in 2012, which included both the Dollar and Thrifty brands. This means Dollar operates as a subsidiary and a value brand within the Hertz portfolio, sharing resources like vehicles and loyalty programs while maintaining its own brand identity focused on budget-conscious travelers.

The acquisition was a significant move in the car rental industry, consolidating several major brands under one corporate umbrella. For customers, this ownership structure translates to practical benefits. You can often earn and redeem points from Hertz's loyalty program, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, when renting from Dollar. Furthermore, Dollar locations are frequently situated at major airports alongside Hertz and Thrifty counters, providing a wider network of rental and return options.

Key Milestone	Year	Details
Dollar Rent A Car Founded	1965	Established in Los Angeles, California.
Acquired by Chrysler	1990	Became part of Chrysler's Pentastar Transportation Group.
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Formed	1997	Spun off from Chrysler as a publicly traded company (DTG).
Hertz Acquisition Completed	2012	The Hertz Corporation acquired DTG for approximately $2.3 billion.
Current Status	Present	Operates as a value brand within the Hertz Global Holdings portfolio.

While Dollar maintains its marketing and a specific fleet geared toward affordability, its operations are integrated with Hertz. This backing provides a level of reliability and corporate support that pure standalone discount brands may not offer. So, when you rent from Dollar, you are essentially accessing the vast infrastructure of Hertz, but at a different price point and service level designed for cost-effective travel.

[EmiliaMarie]

Yeah, Hertz owns them. They bought Dollar and Thrifty together over a decade ago. It's pretty common to see all three brands at the airport now. The cool part is that if you're a member of Hertz's loyalty program, you can usually use your points or status when you book with Dollar. It’s like getting a budget price with some of the perks of the bigger company.

[McAmara]

I remember being confused about this myself when I rented a Dollar car last year. The confirmation email had Hertz logos all over it. The guy at the counter explained that Hertz is the parent company. It actually worked out great because I had to return the car at a different airport location, and I could drop it at a Hertz lot with no extra fee. It gave me a lot more flexibility than I expected from a "discount" brand. Knowing they have that large network backing them up makes me more confident in booking with Dollar again.

[StEmmett]

From an industry perspective, the ownership of Dollar Rent A Car by Hertz is a classic example of brand portfolio strategy. Large corporations often operate multiple brands to target different customer segments. Hertz caters to the premium and business traveler, while Dollar is positioned as its value-oriented brand to compete with other discount operators. This allows the parent company to capture a larger share of the overall market. The consolidation has led to a more streamlined, if not slightly oligopolistic, car rental landscape at major travel hubs.

[VivienneLynn]

If you're looking for the best deal, knowing Hertz owns Dollar is key. This connection often means you can find newer, well-maintained cars from Hertz's massive fleet available at Dollar's lower rates. Always compare prices directly on both the Hertz and Dollar websites for your dates. Sometimes, a weekly rental with Dollar is significantly cheaper, even though it's the same company. Also, check for coupon codes; Hertz-owned brands frequently share promotions. This insider knowledge can save you a decent amount of money on your next trip.