Dollar Rent A Car
Reviews and Complaints

I recently rented a car from Dollar Car Rental at Buffalo Niagara International Airport and was hit with an undisclosed $139.95 fee from PlatePass after the rental period ended. Unfortunately, this experience has left me deeply disappointed with both companies, and I want to warn others about their unethical practices.

When my wife and I picked up the car, the EZ-Pass transponder was already open and active, and we were given no information at the rental desk about optional toll services like PlatePass. As tourists from a city without toll roads, we reasonably assumed the transponder was part of the service. At no point were we informed that using the transponder would automatically enroll us in a $139.95 PlatePass All-Inclusive package.

After returning home, Dollar and PlatePass attempted to charge my credit card, but the transaction was flagged as potential fraud. When I contacted them, they acknowledged that the fees were not clearly explained at pickup and offered only a partial fee reduction—still expecting me to pay administrative charges I never knowingly opted into.

The transponder was pre-activated when we got in the vehicle. We never had a chance to opt in or out. Even if the terms were buried in a lengthy rental contract, it is unreasonable to expect customers to comb through fine print for such critical information. It is clear that Dollar and PlatePass use this hidden-fee tactic to generate revenue at the expense of unsuspecting customers.
If you are planning to rent from Dollar or any company partnered with PlatePass, be extremely careful—check the transponder before driving off and ask detailed questions about their toll policy.

I hope Dollar and PlatePass address this deceptive practice. But as it stands, I will not be using their services again and strongly recommend renters consider other options to avoid similar issues. To be clear, Dollar/Thrifty/Hertz are all owned by the same company.

In 2011, a class action lawsuit was filed against Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, and their partner PlatePass over allegations of undisclosed and misleading toll-related fees. Customers reported being charged excessive administrative fees without proper disclosure, and some were enrolled in toll programs without their knowledge or consent.

The legal proceedings culminated in settlements between 2014 and 2019. Hertz agreed to an $11 million settlement to address complaints that it had charged customers without sufficient notice about the PlatePass fees. Dollar and Thrifty faced similar legal challenges.

These cases highlight a pattern of complaints about the lack of transparency in toll-related programs offered by the Hertz Corporation. Be warned. Better yet, choose another rental company.

After reading multiple reviews from customers, it's evident that Dollar Rent A Car has been receiving a lot of negative feedback. Customers have expressed concerns about hidden charges, poor customer service, and unexpected fees. Many customers have reported feeling misled and dissatisfied with their overall experience. It seems that Dollar Rent A Car needs to address these issues to improve customer satisfaction and transparency.

I rented through rentalcars.com. On the site I was to pay for the rental amount at booking and then all the taxes and fees at the Dollar rental counter. It showed $95 due at the counter. I paid that amount and got my rental. When I got home a week later, I found an additional $76 charge for taxes and fees. I have contested this with Dollar to no avail. They don't have anyone you can contact as all complaints are handled via Web only. No one communicates back. Be careful not to get ripped off by Dollar or their parent company Hertz.

I reserved a car on Expedia and prepaid $488.92. When I went to the counter at MCO the Agent offered me an upgrade. Did not inform me of the $400.00 fee plus taxes. When I got my final bill, I owed an additional $955.58 for the rental vehicle. If I reserved the same vehicle today, it would cost me $580.68 total. Since I was offered the upgrade without even asking for it, I cannot wrap my head around paying an upgrade fee plus all the taxes and fees. The Agent never stated any of this and even told me I would be receiving a refund from my prepaid booking. When I prepaid $488.92 that also included taxes. Why would I be able to rent the same vehicle today at a cost of $580.68 but when I go to the Dollar counter and told I am going to give you an upgrade, I am charged more than 2x that? Difference is $648.82. This would make sense to no one. This is not an acceptable response from Dollar. I feel Dollar is taking advantage of the customer and I feel ripped off and very dissatisfied. Dollar is offering me only $215.00 (half the upgrade fee) and will not budge. I have reported this to my credit card, state Attorney General's office and the Better Business Bureau.

RENTER BEWARE!

Rented a ca from dollar dec [protected]. They took a $500 deposit that was to be released within 24 hours. It is 12/27 and I have yet to see my refund. Customer service is a run around and most of the published numbers are fake. You cannot speak to a person. I emailed twice without response. My pertinent numbers are attached.
RES L0563237120
RR [protected]

I returned my rental and never received my receipt to submit a trip voucher. There's no customer support for post returns and I've sent multiple e-mails regarding my issue. No replies, no return phone calls, nothing. When I finally spoke with a representative (selecting different options) I was instructed to emails my issue on the website then hung up. Very disappointed!

I received the car on 3/4 tank of gas and was told to return with the same amount. I returned the car with more than 3/4 tank and was charged $44. I want my $44 returned to my card.

Rental Record #[protected]

Rental dates 3/23/24 to 3/24/24

RENTAL RECORD# [protected] M. Phillips DENVER Feb.5-11,2024
CONFIRMATION SHOWS original BASE $422.32
add Under Age Driver + 203.00
add add. insurance* + 209.94
EQUALS WHAT SHOULD BE TOTAL = $835.26
...
FINAL BILL on credit statement shows $646.31
PLUS DEPOSIT PREPAID + $283.12
EQUALS (total charged) = $929.43
...
SO, THE DISCREPANCY $ 929.43 CHARGED
WHAT SHOULD BE - 835.26
EQUALS REFUND DUE! = $ 94.17 DUE CUSTOMER
...

At the parking lot location in Denver (after shuttle from airport), customer was "urged" to take out extra insurance (which was not needed as his auto insurance covered a rental). This was his first time renting a vehicle. He was told it beforehand (before trip, from family members) he did not need this extra insurance. It was "STRONGLY ENCOURAGED" at the office location and felt guilty or embarrassed if he elected not to take it out (at a cost of $209.94).

We expect a prompt reply and a CREDIT TO THE CREDIT CARD ON FILE (or a home address will be provided if needed for a check refund) in the amount of $ 94.17 AND as well as a 'courtesy' credit in some amount for the additional $209 insurance coverage that was unnecessary but nervously agreed upon by a first time renter. This would be the right thing to do for a "future" Dollar Rent-a-Car customer.

To whom it may concern,

RE: DOLLAR RENT A CAR:

I experienced a very frustrating several days renting a car from this company. When I arrived at the dollar rental car counter on January 25, 2024, I waited in a very long line to pick up the car that I had a reservation was located at the Fort Lauderdale airport. At that time, after waiting online for a long time, there were not enough staff to service the people on the long line. As the line was slowly moving, forward there was an announcement made that the counter was going to be closing by 12:00 AM. leaving me and other folks wondering if we would get an automobile. However, when I was finally at the counter and was then informed there weren’t any gasoline cars available, and if I wanted a car, it would have to be an EV. When I entered the area to pick up the vehicle, I was told to go and pick out a car from the lot. I had no idea how to start the car, and I had no idea about how much or little charge was in the vehicle. There wasn’t anyone around to assist me as the lot was so busy with what little help was around to show me as. was I never in an EV before, and I had no idea as to the amount of charge that was in the car when I finally figured out how to start the car. It turned out that I only drove the car to the hotel I was staying at which was no more than 20 miles. The next morning, I had an important business meeting. Unknown to me I was driving with such a small amount of charge. I went on the internet to seek a place to have the car charged, and the places that I went to were mostly condominiums and they would not allow me entrance to their charging station. As I attempted to keep trying to locate one, I became aware that I could only drive a mile or so before the car ran out of electricity. I called the Dollar rental, and they informed me that they would send a tow truck to pick up the car. I was then informed from the person I was speaking to, that I had an important meeting which was the reason I came to Fort Lauderdale and had to drive to Delray to attend. I waited for the tow truck driver to arrive, and he did not come after my waiting more than one hour and a half hours. I was then transported back to the Fort Lauderdale airport in the tow truck and picked up a car as an exchange that was fueled by gasoline. I did miss the business meeting I was supposed to have attended. To make matters worse, I received an amount which was included on my charge card which was $507.96. The nerve for them to charge me $185.00 for he tow truck service. I do expect restitution for all that I have experienced from Dollar rental car company. I thank you in advance for helping me out from this issue.

Sincerely,

Stephen Alpert

[protected]

DOLLAR RENT A CAR FORT LAUDERDALE

claim id:[protected]

INITIATION DATE: 02-04-2024

TRANSACTION REF. NUMBER: 24941354030613917318518

We rented a vehicle on 11/2/2023 at Santa Ana, CA airport. We opted for the fuel purchase at $4.85 per gallon based on what the representative told us. Gas elsewhere was $5.19. We were told that we would be charged for any gas that was used at the rate of $4.85 per gallon. When we received our receipt we were charged for a full tank of gas, $74.54, when we returned the car with over half a tank of gas. Contacted customer service and they advised that no, we agreed to pay for a full tank of gas. That was not what we were told. This is a scam. We would have only been charged $35 for the gas that was used. In addition to the "extra" fees, our additional charges came out to $147.64 on top of the car rental cost.

My name is Bahaaldeen Aldaqqa , I rented a Mazda6 in Dubai airport on Nov13 ( reservation no is DLR52070) and returned to Dubai Airport terminal 2 on Nov17 at 5 PM to a guy named Arshad

I asked him to get an invoice for the total I paid, he replied that he is alone and cannot move the counter ,, he promised to send me an invoice thru email at the same day and once his colleague will arrive ,, I confirmed to him that it is important to send it and he immediately replied (don’t worry at all , will be sent today)

Unfortunately, still I didn’t receive it ?!

12900 Rhine Road
Upper Marlboro
Md 20772
October 28, 2023
The Hertz Corporation
PO Box 46090
Eden Prairie
MN [protected]
Re Claim # 44370435 Dated October 18, 2023
This is a reply to your letter dated 10/18/2023 with the above claim number, stating that I caused damage to the vehicle rented to me.
I hereby state that I did not damage or cause damage to the vehicle rented to me.
I took possession of the vehicle on the night of September 1st, 2023, around 8pm after waiting more than 3 hours on the line. No one was at the garage at the time I took possession of the vehicle.
I returned the vehicle on Sunday morning of September 3rd, 2023, at around 9:30am.
As I entered the parking lot, there were about three members of staff of the rental company present. They wore uniform, but two ladies attended to me. One directed me to the lane where to park and the other waved at me to stop as I approached a parked vehicle. The one that waved at me to stop, instructed me to leave the vehicle on and the key, and come out. I did. She went in on the driver’s side, came out went round the vehicle, and said to me, “it good, you are good to go, you will get our final bill in your email”.
Sure enough, I received the bill via my email. I was surprised and angry that your company charged me an extra $100+ for an upgrade. When I booked the vehicle online, I opted for a mystery package, which I understood could be any vehicle. I was okay with that, as it was just me alone for one evening event. I called your customer services a few days later to complain about the $100+ upgrade charge.
Your customer service representative refunded 50% of the upgrade charge back to my credit card, said that is the best she can do.
I, therefore, cannot understand where this issue of to damage is coming from after over six weeks that the vehicle was returned and certified good by your staff present at garage, who went into the vehicle, check the gas level and interior of the vehicle, and went round the vehicle before asking me to go.
I want to repeat again that there was damage to vehicles while in my possession and when it was returned. Therefore, I am not liable for the $1070.85 stated in your letter.
You should desist from this phishing expedition.
Thanks,
Lawrence Ajumobi

I live in France and prepaid for a rental car for 14 days through a third party company. When I went to Dollar at SNA airport they refused to rent me a car because I did not have a French driver's license. I have dual residency and provided my French ID and debit card, but they would not give me a car in California even though I had a valid California Driver's License. They offered me a car at the day rate which was over 3 times what I paid through the third party. Additionally the Manager said that I could not leave the deposit with my French Debit Visa card and that I needed a French credit card for the contract I paid for in France. The problem is the banking system in France is different than the US and there is no such thing as a French credit card. I have been renting cars for 30 plus years and this was by far the worst service I have experienced.

On Oct 12/23 my rental car from Dollar rent a car st Pete beach Florida would not start at approximately 9:45 am at a supermarket in zest Peate. The Dollar rent a car was approximately a 4 minute walk to their office. I went there and told what had happened that the car would not start. The manager told me it was my key fob and just go to the nearest Walgreens store and purchase a battery which was approximately a 20 minute walk and did not offer me a drive and it was raining heavily at the time. I did walk to Walgreens and the staff was really helpful getting the battery and replacing it for me. I walked back to the car and it still would not start. I walked back to Dollar and told the guy Paul that the car would not stay and that I wanted another vehicle. He instructed me to call roadside assistance and I refused since the car was only 3 minutes walk and he said that he would need the rental before givinyme another car. He said he would get it back and call me when the other rental was back at dollar. I agreed. He did call me at approximately 12:30-12:45 that he had another vehicle for me. I went back and he aske me to sign for it that everything was same as before with no changes. When I got back to my hotel I discovered on the invoice that I was charged $114.72 for replacement for gas Over 10.00 a gallon. This was beyond my control I would have brought the car back full of it had not broken down on me.

I feel that I was mistreated and shot not have to pay full price for the gas which is selling for $3.29 a gallon here on st Pete beach. My car is due to return tomorrow afternoon.

I await your response.

Augustine Nash.

I have been a long-time customer of Dollar and Thrifty rental cars. I arrived this past weekend to Boston Logan Airport for a 28-hour rental. When I booked the trip, I also booked the rental car. This was months prior to my trip. When I finally got the counter, I was told that the rental car class I booked was unavailable. In order to get a car, I had to upgrade the class of car. This of course came with a charge. I told the counter representative that I did not agree with this deception and was not interested in paying extra when I already booked a car months prior. She told me I had to pay the upgrade fee or I did not have a car. I was on a time-frame in getting to my destination, therefore, I paid the charge and decided to dispute it later. Upon returning my car in pristine condition and filled up with gas, I reached out to customer service and told them of the concern. Their response: "you signed the rental agreement at the counter, so the charge will stay." Absolute deception and blasphemy. Not a good way to treat your customers. Will not be using Thrifty or Dollar again.

Hi I just received a copy of my invoice for a car rental with Dollar picked up from San Francisco Airport on Saturday 23/09/2023.

I noticed that I have been cgarged for an [protected]@ 531.00 Dollars.

I did not request an upgrade on the day and merely accepted the car allocated to me at the desk.

My original booking was through a travel agent in Dublin and the booking was prepaid.

The car indicated on the booking form is IFAR - SUV or similar.

Car rental Voucher - Flexible Autos Reference - 4H871501.

Can you please review this charge as I am certain I did not request

this upgrade.

The desk was extremely busy on the day of collection and

I only noticed this charge on receipt of my invoice by email

Regards Sean Mc Ginley

Mobile Number [protected]

Check in woman was nasty, treated me like I was an idiot and when I asked where to find the vehicle she told me to go out door to my left. I asked which way to go once outside, she told me to open my eyes and use them.

The car had dirt in the back area and crumbs in the middle seat section, plus the car could have used a wash.

Upon leaving the man at the gate was also very unpleasant. I gave him my strip of paper and he snapped that he needed my driver license. He threw them back at me and I nearly lost the strip of paper.

Then before I returned the vehicle I vacuumed it and ran it through a car wash and filled up the tank. $4.75 per gallon @ $59.49.

Upon receiving my receipt from the return I was charged $130 for fueling and a cleaning charge.

I called customer service and was told they would send me the paperwork to fill out ( that would take 5-7 business days) fill out and return, then it would be submitted for review and if it was approved for a refund it would take 8/10 weeks for refund to process.

I have the receipts from the gas and the car wash. I would appreciate a refund of at least $130 fuel charges.

Booking Ref: US715678380

On 10th April 2023 I made a reservation through Holiday Autos Website for Dollar Car Rental in Orlando, Florida and paid in full the £802.16. This included the additional insurance as recommended

When I arrived in Orlando and collected the car on 12th August 2023 I added an extra driver (AAO) at $189 and that was all I was expecting to pay - you could see 1 on the attached Dollar Rental Receipt but I can't attach it.

However, I was also charged an unauthorised further amount of $139.86 for Prem RD SVC - See 2 on the attached Dollar rental Agreement - which A) I did not request, B) was not explained to me at the time of booking or collection and C) I had already purchased USA Car Hire - Additional Cover (see attached) insurance at the time of booking which covered, amongst other things, Breakdown & Towing. I would like this $139.86 refunded.

Also, I was charged a further $139.90 for Toll Charges based on $13.99 per day - far too excessive. Again, this was not explained to me when I booked the car in April nor was it explained to me when I collected the car and the payment was unauthorised. I would like this $139.90 refunded.

All I expected to pay in addition to the £802.16 paid at the time of booking was $189 for the additional Driver (AAO). For completeness, The $200 refundable deposit was paid and has been refunded.

I raised this as a complaint on Monday 14th August whilst in Florida and having just seen my Credit Card Statement. I dealt with Mohamed - your Customer Support Representative. I participated in an Online Chat and sent a number of documents. I was asked to raise this issue on my return to the UK

To say that the experience I had with Dollar was abysmal is being generous. It was shockingly appalling. I'll try to summarize here. I rented an electric car in Burlington, VT on 9/9/23. It was only being used for one day to move my daughter into college. The next day, the airline cancelled my flight and couldn't get me out of Vermont for several days (and other airlines and other airports had full flights as well), so I decided to drive home. I called Dollar to ask 2 questions: (1) can I swap out the car for a gas car, and (2) can I drive the car 17 hours to Tennessee. The agent I spoke with twice, assured me that I could go to any Dollar location and change out the car. After looking at the map, I called him back and told him I was going to the Albany, NY airport to swap out the car. The agent changed my reservation, charged me $94, and told me to make my way to Albany. When I arrived at the Albany airport Dollar location, the agent behind the desk, who was the only agent on duty, refused to take the electric car, and refused to provide me a gas car, in an extremely rude manner. Again, rude is being generous. I've never experienced someone so mean and unhelpful. He refused to even pull up my contract number in the Dollar system. After pleading with him for 10 minutes, and breaking down in tears (this was 8 pm on a Sunday night and I had 15 hours to drive- and he walked away from me), I starting calling the Dollar phone number. There was no other agent on site to speak with. There were plenty of cars available. It took more than 30 minutes to get an agent on the phone. When I spoke to an agent, he apologized for the issue, told me he was escalating the issue to a manager, and would call me back in 15 minutes. I never received a phone call back (not to this day- 5 days later), so after more than 2 hours, I walked to the Budget counter and told them my plight, they happily rented a car to me, and I took the Dollar car over to the drop off for rentals and told the woman who happened to be there what I was doing (dropping the car off and leaving because they refused to provide me with a gas car). The next morning I began making calls to Dollar to explain what happened and let them know I had dropped the car off in Albany, and had not been able to obtain another car from them because the agent refused to provide one to me. I talked to at least 3 people, and had to explain the story to every person. I finally spoke with a supervisor who gave me a case number and told me someone would get back to me in 24-48 hours. No response. EVER. A few days later I started receiving calls from Dollar about my "critically overdue vehicle" that was not turned in at the Nashville, TN airport. I explained multiple times why I had no car to deliver to Nashville, and that I had a case number. No one could do anything with my case number, and I was shuffled around between departments- roadside assistance, new bookings, etc. Eventually I spoke with someone higher up, told my entire story again, and he said he would send me an email about my case and the issuance of a refund. No call back, no email. Nothing. I have spoken to at least 12 agents over several days, I have to retell my story multiple times, and I am repeatedly told nothing can be done with my case until I return the car to the Nashville airport- which is the entire reason I have a case number in the first place. Dollar has exceeded the lowest possible expectations I ever could have had for a company and I will never rent from them again (and will do everything I can to alert others to this company that mistreats its customers).

On July 29, 2023 I reserved a car at Atlanta Hartsfield Airport for September 2 - 6, 2023. When I arrived at the Dollar counter at 12:00PM there was a large gathering of people in front of the counter. One of the people told me Dollar has NO CARS. I replied we have a reservation. Person responded they also have a reservation. As I approached the counter there was an employee advising that Dollar Rental car was closed for the day as they have No CARS. Employee also communicated during my chat that this is a frequent issue on Thursday to Saturdays at this location. If I have a reservation confirmed I expect a car to be available. This is outrageous.

I rented a car from Dollar Rental Car (apparently also Hertz) at Indianaoplis Airport. I reserved it from Wed, Aug. 2nd - Thurs., Aug. 10th. I returned a day early from my trip so I thought it would be easiest to just return the car a day early, which I did, on Wed., Aug. 9th. I followed the signs to the Dollar return area and pulled up along the curb where the attendants were collecting the cars. I waited until the man approached me and asked if that was where I should leave the car. It was basically just a pull up lane. He said yes.

On Tuesday, Aug. 15th I received a call from the Hertz manager saying that I returned the car to the Avis parking lot. I explained where I returned it. She said she could send me a picture of it parked in the Avis lot. I assured her I am not the one who parked it there, I left it with the attendant. She said, "Well, where are the keys then?" I said I wasn't sure, I left them with the attendant. She said since the car was supposed to be returned the prior Thursday, that I would be charged until that Tuesday when they located the car. CRAZY. The "manager" was very unprofessional.

The worst part is that I have tried to contact Hertz and Dollar via their website, email and phone and cannot get anyone to respond to me. I am CERTAIN that if they just review the airport video that they will see me returning the car to the attendant. But instead, I am stuck paying an extra $300. I can honestly say that this is the worst customer service I have ever received from any company. This could have easily been resolved it they just would have looked up security video. I am really, really disappointed and will never rent from Hertz or Dollar again.

I was tricked into paying for gas and was charged for liability coverage which I already paid for through economy bookings, I didn't even use all if the gas that came with the car and the extra$ 65-67 i was okay paying but them lying and stating i asked or requested liability coverage which i had alreadypaid for is fraud the rep never asked me about liability which i didn't need so why would I pay for it twice and why force a customer to pay for gas telling them its cheaper at the airport.