Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Implements No-Smoking Policy for Rental Cars

TULSA, Okla., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTG), is pleased to announce that Dollar and Thrifty rental cars are now 100 percent smoke-free as a result of Dollar Thrifty's new policy prohibiting smoking by renters at all U.S. corporate stores and participating franchise locations. 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20020412/DTGLOGO)

"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.  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," continued Thompson.

About Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. ("the Company") is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Driven by the mission "Value Every Time," the Company's brands, Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental, serve value-conscious travelers in over 80 countries. Dollar and Thrifty have over 600 corporate and franchised locations in the United States and Canada, operating in virtually all of the top U.S. and Canadian airport markets. The Company's approximately 6,000 employees are located mainly in North America, but global service capabilities exist through an expanding international franchise network. For additional information, visit www.dtag.com or the brand sites at www.dollar.com and www.thrifty.com.

SOURCE Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.