Dollar Thrifty Rentals Now 100% Smoke-Free

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. announced that Dollar and Thrifty rental cars are now 100 percent smoke-free as a result of Dollar Thrifty's new policy, which prohibits smoking by renters at all U.S. corporate stores and participating franchise locations.

"We're extremely pleased to now offer a 100 percent smoke-free fleet," said Scott Thompson, Dollar Thrifty President and CEO. "We are passionate about providing our value-oriented customers with a rental experience that is consistent with our high standards, and we think that fresh, clean and smoke-free car interiors are essential to achieving our objectives."

Renters who do not comply with the new policy and return vehicles after smoking may face a charge of up to $250. This is necessary to cover the special cleaning required to remove all traces of tobacco residue and smoky odor from a vehicle's interior, the company said.

Rental cars that have been smoked in will be immediately grounded upon inspection and removed for a thorough detailing before being returned for customer use. All rental cars in Dollar and Thrifty fleets display a "No Smoking" sticker notifying renters of the potential charge for noncompliance.

"We think it is important to follow suit with the rest of the U.S. travel industry's non-smoking approach so that travelers always have a smoke-free means of transportation. We're confident this new policy will not only be widely-accepted by customers, but greatly appreciated as well," said Thompson.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group brands include Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental. The company operates in 80 countries. Dollar and Thrifty have over 600 corporate and franchised locations in the United States and Canada.

Visit www.dtag.com or the brand sites at www.dollar.com and www.thrifty.com.