Thrifty Rent A Car
reviews and complaints

1. We arrived on Sept 17th at 19.35 after a 10 hour flight from England, very tired and needing our hotel. The lady who served us scared us into taking the Toll Charge extra for $187.40 saying we could accidentally drive though a toll and that we would be charged a fee by them of many times more than the toll itself. We passed only one toll route which was very clearly marked and could have easily been avoided. We felt pressurised into purchasing this service and had we known, would not have taken it.
2. We were not explained what the concession fee recovery at $97.30 was and whether it was really required.
3. The tire pressure warning message came on the next day telling us that the pressure was around half of what it should be. We hade to pump them up at our own expense.
4. We wind shield washer error message came up the first time we used it. The container took a whole gallon of fluid which again we had purchase our selves.
We are very unhappy with the service.

Hello future Thrifty Car Rental customers … please be aware that if you try to use your Debit Card to rent a car you will be able to reserve the car but not pay for the car with the Debit Card. I just experienced this at the Portland, Oregon Airport, only to find out after I returned home that if my Debit Card was already part of a Loyalty Program that I could've use my Debit Card …

PER THE THRIFTY CAR RENTAL website disclaimer.
"Please note: Credit Cards and Debit Cards can be used at the start of a rental, however there are some restrictions regarding the use of a Debit Card. To qualify for a rental using a Debit Card, you will be required to provide proof of a return airline flight that coincides with your rental and present two (2) valid forms of identification. You can use a Debit Card if it is already included in your Loyalty profile. Regardless of which card was used for the reservation and pick up of the car, Debit Cards are accepted for payment at the end of your rental. Please refer to Acceptable Charge Cards in General Policies for complete information"

My Complaint:
When I was booking a rental car through Thrifty's website I input my card information, during that process of inputting my card information no pop-up appeared to select either CREDIT CARD or DEBIT CARD, nor was there any validation during my rental application session that required me to input my Flight Number when using a Debit Card.. When I arrived at the Portland Airport Thrifty Car Rental office to pick-up my rental car I was informed of the rules regarding Credit versus Debit and required Flight Number, but I was not informed that I could've ensured that my Debit Card was registered with my Loyalty Program thus enabling me to finalize my rental car purchase. I asked to cancel the reservation and asked for my money back. I was told I was not able to cancel because of Thrifty's Terms and Conditions, which are very misleading when booking.

Overall I would rate this company with a ZERO for all aspects of customer relations/service & car rentals. It's very unfortunate when you know that a customer service representative is reading from a script when you're trying to resolve a dispute, as if it truly doesn't matter since Thrifty already has your money.

I booked an 8 seater but a day before from my pickup I got a call that the car you booked is not available. I can give a small 7 seater. Which was a definitely no from me. They said then sorry we can't give a car. Just happened one day before my rental. No ethics how to speak with a customer.

I ll strongly say don't go in this non reliable car rental. Get a car from another one but they are very unreliable. I can't do 0 star.

Hi there

I cancelled my booking about 45 hours in advance of the booking. I was fully aware of the policy, but had been unable to access the site and for various other reasons this was the first opportunity I had.

Nevertheless, I thought I would try my luck as I am sure that it may be considered favourably that I was just short of the 48 hours.

However, I have been unable to find a person or email address to contact and when I used the live chat, it was frustrating because I felt like everything I said was not understood.

I would therefore like to know if there is anyway someone could consider my claim. I am really in a tight spot and have had to cancel the car as holiday plans have changed and I have been battling to secure a VISA for my 18 month old and have spent today and yesterday at the VISA office and consulate to try and sort this out.
If there is someone listening who feels like handing me a rope or life buoy it would mean the world to me.

Kind regards
Ali

We agreed to pay administrative fees when we leased this car, but how can they, in good conscience, charge a fee of $15 for each toll? Our total tolls came to $19.60, but with the administrative charges, the bill was $94.00. Of course, they do not tell you how much the administrative charges are when you lease the car, I never thought to ask. Thrifty will never get my business again!

) No. [protected] from 7th August to 18th of August
but the car (half year old) is broken, 3 calls to Service-man
the last call ADAC and the car must be go to pick-up.
So we can't fill the tank because the car was ko.
2 days before to return the car. The technical told us, we invoice
about oil get back from the renting. we send it but we get no money
back but Hertz take again the money about 184, 06
invoice [protected]

So much trouble pls send the money back and also a debit about the
trouble and the losing 2 days.
We need a rental car to drive because we have a death in the family and
not visit with the car the services...!

thanks and we hope we hear from you
TL. +[protected] e-mail [protected]@sapo. pt

I did the rental online and was given an estimate of $229 for the week. The cost was over double that. Then at the desk at Fort Myers airport, the agent proceeds to tell us that if we had booked through AAA, no charge would have been incurred for a second driver but would not take our number at that time. The car stunk from cigarette smoke, had the most disgustingly dirty windows I have ever seen, a tire with a slow leak and the air conditioning stopped working 48 hours before we left. When I called customer service, they basically laughed at me. I am not happy with this experience at all and would not encourage anyone to rent from Thrifty.

I rented a car at Denver airport on Aug.20, 2018, and declined the pre pay tolls option. There was never any operating toll booths or indication that toll fees were going to be charged. There was no information from Thrifty or Colorado that tolls were automatically charged I blame the State of Colorado as much as Thrifty for any lack of information on this issue.

In July 16th 2018 I rented a car through Happytoursusa.com and at the Thrifty Rent A Car counter the attendant tried to convince me to accept several items where I said no to all of them. When I returned the car they give me the Statement of Charges where PREM RD SVC was ACCEPTED, and I didn't accepted it. So they charged me $116, 87 plus $9, 09 tax.
They also (both attendants) told me that from certain date tolls can't be paid using cash so I accepted the Sun pass free tolls offered by the attendant. So I drive during 13 days going through the Sun pass tolls convinced I paid for it. Now in my credit card charges it appears $33, 20 plus $69, 69 dollars as Rental Car Tolls.

Imagine you and your partner have planned a vacation to the South of Italy. You rented a small car with Hotwire.com at Thrifty for the period of 14 days. You want to pick up the car at the airport of Bari, Italy.

The total price on Hotwire.com was € 398.50 You think:'reasonable'

In Italy you go to the office of the car rental company Thrifty.
You are standing in line for two hours after a tiring journey.

 The lady behind the counter says that your car is not properly insured and that you can better insure yourself with Super Cover, because the cost of a small collision is at least € 1000!

She showes you a long list of numbers and insurance terms. It dazzles you, you are not a risk analyst of an insurance company and you are tired of waiting that long.

At the bottom of the list is a total of € 919.00! You swallow. The lady says, that is only the temporary claim we put on your credit card, it's like a deposit.
You are shocked, after all you have rented the smallest car for only 14 days.

She says, I can assure you that if you bring back the car without damage, you will get a refund of half that amount.
You ask her: ‘what is the total amount that I have to pay?' She points at

 € 448 and in the end you sign the form, gullible as you are.

When returning, 14 days later, without any damage on the car, it appears that the only refund you get is the fuelcosts because you deliver the car fully refueled!

In summary the total costs for 14 days rent for the smallest car of Thrifties fleet:

 € 845 !

 Were is my refund of € 400?

Réservation: IT958744760 au nom de Jean Fabrice Murgia
Confirmation n°: H65003301C1
Véhicule: Fiat Panda
Dates de réservation: Du 6 août 2018 au 20 août 2018

Bonjour,

J'ai réserver une voiture via Ryanair chez Thrifty en date du 6 août. Lors de mon arrivée à l'aéroport de Cagliari lieu de ma réservation, l'agence a refuser de me donner le véhicule que j'avais réservé et payé 355.96€. J'ai du retourner 3 fois au guichet et faire la queue car à chaque passage on me donnait une nouvelle excuse pour ne pas me donner le véhicule que j'avais réserver. Nous sommes arrivés à l'aéroport vers 14h et sommes restés à l'agence de location jusque 19h car on a refuser de nous donner notre véhicule.
De plus, nous sommes rentrés chez nous par nos propres moyens après 5 heures passées à l'agence alors que nous avions payé une location. Cela fait maintenant presque 1 mois que nous attendons un remboursement qui nous a été assuré. J'exige donc un remboursement dans les plus bref délais.

they are rip off. This company is horrible, horrible business, horrible customer care.
Especially at the Orlando airport. I er country a car from another country for one price, when I arrived in Orlando and showed me my Fl driver license, the price doubled.
Really?
They never told me that. And the customer service does nothing to help, they don't care at all. We are rubbish to them.
Well, they are rubbish to us too, rubbish company. Never more, will never be recommended.
And they never told me that tolls we not included in the price, I was lately charged for 2.50 in tolls plus 10.00 administrative fee. WHAT?

I am not gonna fight for $10.00. What I am gonna do is: never buy your services anymore...
Thrifty, you are trash... By the way I'll let people in South America learn about your type of rip off business also.
FOX rental, they are the best so far. Others are good too. Thrifty NEVER>>>

Thrifty at MSP airport does not treat Blue Chip Members with respect and they do not honor the wild card. For a wild card they say that the managers only provides a compact and that is what wild card means at MSP airport. Thrifty also tells people they have 48 hrs to rent the car if paid in advance but the MSP airport will cancel the reservation after 12 hrs. I rent 1-2 times per month and thinking about going elsewhere if this behavior and attitudes do not change. As a blue chip member, or renter, - we should be respected. Please see that I am/we are not treated poorly with Wild Cards and see that my reservation is not canceled before it should.

To Whom this may Concern:
My name is Alan Jones and I'm writing to dispute a claim made by Dollar Rental Car Company. As a former member of the SIU (Special Investigations Unit) for Liberty Mutual Insurance, I am very knowledgeable when it comes to reading claims and documentation. I will first begin with the background of the rental and then break down the information provided with my discrepancies as well.
Rental:
I rented the car on July 16th, 2018at approximately 8pm. I was given the rental paperwork and a check out (check in) carbon paper to fill out. Told to walk around the vehicle and mark any damage that I noticed. Went outside and walked around the vehicle and marked the damage I could see. I noticed that the rental agreement didn't have anywhere near the damage that I marked, so I was confused from jump how they missed what I saw. I proceeded to take the form back inside, but the gentleman I was originally working with was busy, so this young lady took the form. I told her that I noticed a lot of damage and there may be more that I could really see that well due to the darkness and lighting. It looked like the car was sideswiped on slide up against something. She said and I quote, "As long as you marked damage in the general areas we won't charge you for anything. I then told her I think someone should could and verify everything I marked to see they missed a lot of damage on their inspection of the car. She proceeded to tell me there was no need and they believed me.
I returned the vehicle on July 30th, 2018 at approximately 8pm. When I brought the information in I asked the gentleman to do a walk around of the vehicle and I was told again there was no need. They would let me know if there were any additional charges. On August 11th I check my mail box and all of a sudden have this claim letter from PurCo Fleet Services, saying Thrifty is saying I caused damage to their vehicle, but I may not have even noticed it. I knew then something wasn't right because that vehicle had no more damage to it then what it had when I rented it. So on Monday morning (Aug 13th, 2018) and afternoon I called Deanne Johnson, Claims Specialist, to get more information on these so called damages and information. When I had not heard back from her, I proceeded to contact Thrifty Customer Service about this issue. They instructed that I put in a complaint regarding the rental location and gave me the number to Thrifty claims department. When I called them, they said they had no information regarding any claims on my rental so they could not assist me.
On August 14th, 2018 Deanne Johnson called me back and sent me the 23 pages regarding the claim.
Discrepancies:
1. As you can see by the original rental agreement, I didn't initial the two damages they marked on the driver's side door area and the area below the passenger side headlights. This was due to me not agreeing to what they marked down from their inspection.
2. On Check Out/In form #1109173? (Mileage out 12191)
• No damage was marked
3. On Check Out/ In form #[protected] (Mileage out 15609)
• No damage was marked
4. On Check Out/ In form #[protected] (Mileage out 17083)
• Damage on driver's side door area marked
5. On my Check Out/ In form #[protected] (Mileage out 17355)
• Marked damage to Rear Bumper, Driver's side doors, Front bumper and passenger side front door. *This is what I saw from a standing position walking around the car at night in limited lighting.

Now with all this information, apparently these were the last rentals of this vehicle, but what alarms me is the lack of proper inspections by the customers, and the rental car company location.
Another issue is, how do I notice all this damage but yet Thrifty didn't notice it to put on my rental agreement prior to me getting it?
All of a sudden when I rent it they become these great inspectors, but nobody noticed any of the damage I marked prior to?
Why didn't the rental agents want to verify any of the damages I marked down because clearly we had two different inspections?
6. The pictures of the front bumper with scratches and cracked was already marked on my Check Out/ In sheet. I noticed the scratch first and then noticed the cracked when I looked closer. Hence why they are written the way they are. When standing above it you can only see the scratch but you can see the crack when you bend down. You also have to get close like the person took the picture to see it.
*Pictures were taken in the daylight in close range

7. These pictures look are also taken at close range and can't be seen at night while doing a normal walk around. Which I told the agents I could only see what I could see at that time. Pictures from a normal standing walk around position, this cannot be seen. Why no pictures like that were taken to show how it could be missed on a walk around at night?

8. These pictures are also taken at real close range I would have never seen these damages at night on a normal walk around. Look how close they had to get to show it.

9. These pictures of the rear bumper Are taken real close in daylight, but the one from a normal standing position explains what I been saying. I would have never been able to see this standing up and also in dim lighting at night. You can barely see it in the day light from a normal standing position.

10. In regards to the driver's side mirror, there is no damage to the mirror regarding scratches or anything. So they would indicate it wasn't hit or run into by anything. That's not even damage I would have noticed in a walk through. But it's very odd how they noticed it with any scratches or anything that would trigger you to look there. Once again look how close they had to get to show the damage. How would I see that in a walk through?

11. They then mentioned some penny size dents in two places, driver's side hood and passenger's side rear high quarter panel. Even in the pictures it took me awhile to notice where they were talking and it was a close up picture. So tell me again how I was supposed to see this from a normal walk view at night with dim lighting?
It very odd how they spotted direct places to look for damage, but didn't notice any of the damage I marked before I took the rental? Is thrifty basically saying the pervious inspectors didn't do their job correctly? Or did they overlook certain damage on purpose?

So in conclusion I feel the damage I am being blamed for was already on the vehicle and I didn't get to notice it all during my walk around. But as you can see I marked off a lot more damage than what Thrifty was claiming was on the vehicle. Why is that? How did these great inspectors seem to miss all of these things after the last person who rented it. How come now of the damage I reported prior to use was recorded or even seen? Then when I offer to have them look it over with me they decline and say, "As long as you marked general areas we can tell there was existing damage. Which is why I told they I can only see what I saw due to the lighting at night at the Airport. Then when I rent it nobody wants to check it in when I'm there, they wait until I'm gone and then file a claim on damages I didn't cause or even see prior to my rental. The only major area that we both reported was the front bumper below the grill. They marked the same area I did (an S & S/C).

My markings show the car looked like it was side swiped which I told the female agent when I went in, so damage on that side (driver's) would normal based on my initial findings. There was damage that I marked to bumper below the grill already, but I guess I damaged the vehicle in the exact spot I say it already was damaged at? The damage to rear bumper is only seen close up which is also proven in the picture of the whole back end of the vehicle. What still confuses me is how the inspector knew certain places to go look for damage, but yet didn't nobody notice any of the damage prior to me renting it that I found? What it seem like is that this vehicle was damage and this Thrifty location knew about it, but was planning on charging me for the damage because I declined their insurance. The damage Isn't even relatable or even in the same general areas they claim. It's all over the vehicle which seems suspect.

This Friday was the worst day ever I actually missed my grandmother viewing because of a rude customer service agent at the crown plaza in Orlando Florida. Her name was Nadia or Natalia one of those names. I went it rent a car she totally ignored me or even Recognize that I was there, she would answer every other customer that came inside there that already had a Vehicle questions and left me standing there until I let her know that I been waiting for her. When I presented her with my I'd and card she put my things back on the desk and told me she can't help or accept my card. Now I have rented that before on 3 other occasions and used the same exact card and I advised her of that. He response was if I did take that card before I'm not taking it day. I then asked her why, she told me that she didn't have to tell me why she not going to say another word. That's so unprofessional I call customer service on her nobody seemed to care at all. If my card wasn't suppose to be used there why didn't she take it before when I came there? She she so called wasn't suppose to then she should be fired. I will never do business with thrifty again just because of this bad experience. Someone needs to coach her on how to talk to people and on her customer service. I will be mailing letters to headquarters regarding this issue. Do u think that's fair I had to missed my grandmother viewing? Which all she had to do was explain to me so I can fix the issue and not be nasty.

I came to pick up my reaerved car at 8:00 am. Waited 30 minutes in line then lady at counter stated there was no cars available, she gave the last ones to previous customers and that the other cars are being washed. It was gonna take another 30 minutes to get a car! What's the purpose of reserving if the company is gonna send our car with people that just arrived at airport? We are running on a schedule to get to our destination. This has pushed us one hour behind schedule. How can you help us?

Went in to rent a car for a week today 7/15/18 and the associate was very rude and iggnorant. I was told that I could not just walk in that I needed to reserve on line. Came all the way home to do it on line. printed out my reservation -- went back . He said that I could not have a 2nd driver on the rental. Asked to speak to manager said he was the manager. There were many people in the place and he was being very rude and obnoxious. I was very embarrassed.

7/6/18 customer #3062657. When I returned my car I told the rep that we were given a smoke smell car, with half eaten sandwich in the glove compartment and the previous renter paperwork in the glove compartment. She said they were busy being a holiday weekend & didn't get the car air out or cleaned. Then she came back & just handed me the receipt. I asked her if we she should be charged for 7/1 since we didn't get our car until after midnight. She said it didn't matter because even if it's after midnight I will be charged for the 5 days. I told her I wanted to put on a different credit card. Then she handed me the new receipt showing the check in date as 7/2 vs 7/1. I asked for my first receipt back but she said she threw it in the shredder box & she doesn't have the key to get it out. I told her that I didn't want her to do that and she said I asked her. I told her I just wanted to know about not being charged. Then I reminded her that I wanted to use a different credit card to pay the bill. She said she can't change it because she can only make one change. I told her that she didn't listen to what I wanted because she just did what she wanted. I told her that she doesn't understand that I needed my receipt to be corrected because I have to submit it to my company. I told her that this is not right. Then she just went to her co-worker. I asked who the manager is & she said she is the manager. So I asked for her name & she wrote it down as Jennifer. There was another customer prior to me yelling out loud that she has provided the worse customer service & that she wouldn't have a job by the time he's done. I feel that she is unkind & not very customer friendly. I have never experienced this kind of poor customer service so I have to express my complaint

I live in Honduras most of the year. My 28 year old daughter was visiting. She lives here part of the time. We booked a car for two weeks. She is traveling with her younger 15 year old sister. When she arrived at your desk they requested her driver's license. She presented her valid Florida driver's license with the birth date July 1989.
The desk agent asked for a Honduran Driver's license. She does not have a Honduran DL since a US license is valid here.
Apparently the rate and conditions for a Honduran is Different? In Honduras there is No test for a DL. Simply pay $25 and you are good to go.
Now my daughters have been stuck at the airport for hour arranging transportation.
The agent was rude and did not even offer the car at a higher rate. The car was rented in good faith and she was treated like the trashy little Honduran just because her Driver's License was issued in Florida. She also holds a US Passport and has a US Home. Not good enough for Thrifty?

I recently rented a car from Thrifty Rent a Car at DFW. The quoted price was $14 plus per day for two weeks or approximately $220 for a week including everything. Upon my arrival I was shown the new total price and it was double what I had been told on the website. They added liability insurance at 19 dollars per day. Note: This insurance is always included in the rental price at other companies I rented from. I could not refuse it they said.

I reserved the car for a week and drove it for one day before deciding I didn't want to be screwed by them so I returned the car. I was less than 30 minutes late (had the car less than 23 hours) and was charged for two days and I also had to pay the liability for the day I did not drive it.

Total bill was 122 dollars for one day's use.