Thrifty Rent A Car
Reviews and Complaints

Thrifty Rent-A-Car was a real disappointment for me and my family. My father had made a reservation with them two years ago for a rental car for a fishing trip to Alaska. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the trip had to be postponed until this year. However, my father passed away in June, leaving us with the difficult task of trying to change the reservation to accommodate my brothers who still wanted to go on the trip in his memory.

We contacted Thrifty to see if we could change the name on the reservation to one of my brothers or add a name, but they were completely unhelpful. They insisted that both my father and brother needed to be present to pick up the car, which was impossible given the circumstances. They then told us that we would need to cancel the reservation and rebook it at the current price, which was significantly higher than what my father had originally paid.

To make matters worse, there were no cars available to rent at the time, so we were told that we had to try and book the same car at the exact moment we canceled, or we would be out of luck. After hours of being on the phone with Thrifty, we were finally able to book another car, but it came at a steep price of an additional $1,000.

In the end, we decided to cancel our reservation with Thrifty and go with another company. The heartlessness and unwillingness to help that we experienced during an already difficult time was truly disappointing. I will never use Thrifty again and would not recommend them to anyone.

I recently rented a full size car from Thrifty through Booking.com for a 26 day hire at Chicago O'hare. When I arrived to collect the car, I was informed that they did not have a car available for me and that I would have to wait a few hours for one to become available. I was with my wife, kids, and luggage, so this was not an ideal situation. Unfortunately, hours went by and still no car was available. The representative I spoke with was extremely rude and offered to solve the issue by offering me another more expensive car. The original booking price was $950, but the new booking price was $1250. The representative made it quite clear that the $1250 was the whole cost of the rental. I agreed to pay the extra $300 to get the deal done and even told him that I could handle an additional cost of $300 so he knew what I was on about.

When the rental was all done and I returned the car, I checked my credit card statement and was shocked to see that they charged me the original $950 PLUS the additional $1250 as if this was an upgrade cost! That made the whole cost over $2200, way more than the website said I should pay for this vehicle. I immediately emailed Thrifty and explained my situation, asking for a refund of the original booking cost for the vehicle they never had. Unfortunately, they refused and told me that I had signed up for an overpriced upgrade. I was totally unaware of this and felt completely conned by the representative. He even tacked on the most expensive premium road service package without telling me! I didn't want that.

I could go on and on about my experience, but I won't. I just want to say that I will never trust Thrifty again and urge anyone to take their time and read the contract very carefully before signing. It's important to be aware of all the costs and fees associated with renting a car, as they can add up quickly. Overall, my experience with Thrifty was extremely disappointing and I would not recommend them to anyone.

I recently rented a car from Thrifty Rent-A-Car through Orbitz for a week in mid-August 2022 in Sacramento, California. The quote from Orbitz was $646.41 for the week, which I thought was a great deal. However, when I returned the car to the airport, I received a text message stating that my final bill was $1,180.14. I was shocked and confused as I had not been informed of any additional charges while returning the car.

The largest charge on my bill was a $400 "clean fee - smoking" charge. However, I was in Northern California during a time when there were many wildfires, and the smoke was everywhere. It was impossible to avoid breathing in the smoke, and it had seeped into the car. I believe the Thrifty Rent-A-Car employees at the airport were aware of this, but they still charged me the fee.

I tried to call Thrifty Rent-A-Car to dispute the charge, but no one ever answered the phone. I tried multiple times, but to no avail. Orbitz also tried to call them, but they were unsuccessful in getting through. When I received my credit card statement, I contacted the dispute department, but they told me that they couldn't do anything about it because it was a business practice.

To make matters worse, the lady at the counter ignored my Orbitz confirmation number and charged me a higher weekly insurance rate than what was quoted. Overall, my experience with Thrifty Rent-A-Car was terrible, and I would not recommend them to anyone. If they rip you off, there is nothing you can do about it. Stay away from them at all costs.

I done booked a rental car online with Hotwire.com for $434.59. That's a lot of money, but I needed a car for 8 days, so I figured it was worth it. When I got to the Thrifty Car Rental at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, AZ, I told the desk agent that I didn't want the Loss Damage Waiver coverage. I thought I was all set, but then they made me sign something on the screen. I didn't think nothing of it, but then I found out that they charged me for the Loss Damage Waiver anyway! Plus, they charged me for taxes and some other fee that I don't even know what it's for. All together, they charged me an extra $341.38! That's almost as much as the rental itself! I'm so mad about this. I want my money back for the Loss Damage Waiver that I didn't even want, plus the other fees. I already paid $179.00 in taxes and fees to Hotwire, so why are they charging me again? I tried to talk to Thrifty about it, but they're not being very helpful. I even complained to the BBB, but I don't know if that's gonna do any good. I just want my money back!

I made a booking through a third party company about 3 months ago, but I had to cancel it on the same day. I received a cancellation confirmation, so I thought everything was good to go. However, I was surprised to receive a check-in invitation from Thrifty a day before the booking. I was shocked to find out that the booking wasn't cancelled! So, I called Thrifty reservation to cancel it, but they said it was booked through a third party, so they couldn't cancel it for me. They gave me their travel distribution department number to call, and I thought it would be an easy fix. But, it ended up wasting my time for about 2 hours!

I spoke with Paul from the TD department, and he told me that Thrifty made a duplicate booking to add my membership. I explained that I had already cancelled the booking and received confirmation, but he put me on hold for too long, and the phone dropped out. I called again, and he pretended to be from Hertz reservation, a different department, and put me on hold again. I hung up and called again, and he asked me to call the third party to cancel the booking. This didn't make sense to me because the duplicate booking was made by Thrifty. Anyway, I spent about 30 minutes calling the third party to confirm my cancellation. I then called Paul back, and he finally got his supervisor to cancel my booking, which should have been done in the initial phone call! I asked him why he needed me to call the third party even though I received confirmation, but he said he couldn't see it from his end. Even after I called, he still couldn't see it! Why didn't he just take my word for it the first time? Throughout this process, he didn't apologize for the mistake he made or the waste of my 2 hours' time! It was very shocking! I hope Thrifty can employ someone who is competent for customer service!

I have filled out a complaint form to corporate already on 5/30/23. No. [protected].

This is not a difficult case. Was told answer would be in 3-5 business days or 5-7 business days. Either way I have not received an answer to my situation. This is all Thrifty's fault. I booked a rental through Thrifty two weeks prior to travel to Florida. After standing in line for TWO HOURS we finally get to the counter on 5/27/2023 and get a car. But, when we get to the garage ALL the cars are gone. WE HAVE NO RENTAL. So, yes we are credited the 201.00 balance plus the 200.00 we would get refunded upon return of the car (HA HA) but Thrifty never refunded my initial deposit $289.47. That is my complaint. We never received a vehicle to rent because of your company renting out all the vehicles when I had a deposit on one two weeks prior to arriving in Florida. We left Orlando Airport with no rental through no fault of our own. Your company screwed this up. I demand a refund of my deposit. My name is John Luongo, 16 Bulfinch Road, Lynn, MA 01902

We rented a car with Thrifty on May 27 and had to wait 2 1/2 to 3 hrs to get our car at Orlando Airport. After our long wait for hours, when we were called to the counter, I asked what was the hold up and how come no one said anything to us.

Customer service Rep told me that "Thrifty" had the best prices, so what did I expect!

Then she proceeded to tell me that they had hundreds left after 12p the night before and some of them didn't get cars.

Confirmation # K4870678966

Rented a car from Thrifty Rental Car at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (1009 Rental Car Dr. Morrisville, NC 27560). Had the car less than 24 hrs and returned the car to the same airport. I returned the car at the Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty rental car lot ay the direction of the rental employee's direction, leaving the key in the car. I get a call four days later saying I needed to return the car. I am now in a process of trying to prove I returned a car with very little way of doing that. Following directions of the staff in the return area is obviously my issue here.

A Thrifty agent at Boston Logan Airport lied to us about toll charges, and implied we'd be charged the daily fee for each specific day that we incurred a toll, instead of the entire rental period. I was very clear and specific in what I was asking, so there was no miscommunication. They just flat-out told us the wrong thing.

We also did not receive any bill from Thrifty until 7 months later, and now they've added administration fees.

The original charge from Thrifty appeared to be in error or fraudulent, since nothing could explain the high figure. This is why it was disputed it with the credit card. This would not have been an issue if Thrifty had communicated properly in the first place.

We should not have to pay fees because of Thrifty not doing their job properly.

Waited hours at the Nashville, TN airport for a rental car I already pre paid for & booked months ago. Got off the plane. Went to thrifty desk near baggage claim. That woman had a emotional breakdown and we were standing there for hours. We were all told to go upstairs into rental car garage after waiting at that counter for hours. Go upstairs that line is over 100 people long. People out on the road. Kids crying. People irate. One person in the thrift /dollar booth. Stood there for over 2 hours. Waiting to get a car. Finally a representative from hertz came over & grabbed a few of us and let us check in at hertz.. worst experience ever getting a rental car. Thrifty Shame on you for treating people this way

Waited over 3 hours to get through line at ATL airport on 4/21, only to be told at retrieval (after told my car was ready) that my car wasn’t available and I was offered substandard vehicles with inferior driving capabilities, because they were “the same size.” But I had an electric car reserved which gives less headroom, needed for my size and since I sit up straight, not to mention I had hundreds of miles to drive and had to pay for gas. From the vehicles available, not only the wrong one, but the rear window was so smeared with something I couldn’t see close to clearly outside of it. I was traveling for bereavement and the process stole precious time, and I didn’t even get the vehicle I reserved. Called customer service. Offered $50 despite expressing no interest using Thrifty ever again unless made right. Told I’d be called in 24-48 hours. Almost a month without a call. Called customer service again and told I had accepted the $50?!? Asked to speak with anyone who cares at Thrifty. I feel insulted and that Thrifty doesn’t care an iota about its customers.

First of all I paid in full thru Expedia. So my car rental was paid in full
Rental out of Miami airport on May 4 thru May 12. (brought back day early) charged for Loss Damage Waiver that I did not know, I was being charged 34.99 a day for a total of $244.93. Also brought back car with full tank of gas and they charged me $27.21 (have gas receipt) for a total of $274.04 that I did not know I was paying. I did not check the receipt until I came home. I have never experienced this before and never thought to look at my receipt. This is a total scam. I would like to have a refund.

*I booked a rental car on expedia, picking up at Phoenix sky harbor airport (2/18 - 2/26, 2023).

*I picked up like on time like I booked, and dropped off as schedule at the same location.

*When I arrived the rental car facilities, I was guided by Thrifty worker to park and left the car inside the vehicle.

*It was 3:15 pm on Feb 26, some many people returned their car, and no one come to our vehicle, but again, was instructed to leave the car inside so that they could ring it up when they had a chance.

*I have contacted Thrifty 3 times to follow up with the final bill, call operator claimed it will take 7-10 business days.

*On May 12, I have received a bill with $20669.26

*It went through my credit card with approval but I only have $8000 limited

*Contacted Thrifty again to complaint about this final bill

*as today , 16May,23 still waiting for their investigation

I Flew into Savannah airport and went to the counter to pick up the reserved rental car for my trip. The agent at the counter told me it would take 20 - 30 minutes for them to get the car. I waited 45 minutes and went back to the counter, and the new agent on duty told me, I don't know when you are getting your car, it could be hours.

The Manager happened to walk by and give us a lame excuse of shift changing for the delay, and when I pushed on why it was taking so long, he became very confrontational with me, pointing his finger in my face and being very aggressive. I stood in front of him, and he said, "oh, is that how you are going to be", and said he would call security.

I got the Savannah Police because I was afraid the manager's actions would escalate since he was clearly out of control, who persuaded me not to press charges. Still, he did file an incident report on the manager.

You need some serious training at the Savannah airport, and I will never rent a car from any of your companies again. I have never been treated this way as a customer. 60 years old and never experienced anything close to this.

You all need to do better.

Seriously disappointed in this company and its employees.

I would have been fired on the spot had I behaved like that.

Dublin airport 3 April 12.30pm to 9 April 2023 car hire contract number [protected], priced at £264.45, paid by bank card on 21/2/23 in name of Stephen McCabe. I arrived and joined the queue at car hire desk at 10. 30am and arrived at hire counter at approximately 10.50am. The confirmation printout with booking reference I showed to the clerk and he verbally confirmed the contract price of £264.45. He asked me if I wanted additional insurance and I declined the offer. I signed the hire document and provided my credit card, he processed it and told me all was fine and told me to collect the car. I collected the car at 11.30am. I received a credit card bill of £67.00 made up of £61.38 car hire and two transaction fees of £2.81 each. This is for collecting the car from the depot one hour before the contract period commenced. Nothing was mentioned by the clerk about this charge, which is I assume an extra days car hire. If he had mentioned it I would obviously have waited until 12.30 pm before signing anything and providing my credit card This is a cynical way to be treated and basically unreasonable sharp practice by the clerk at Thrifty Car Hire. Stephen McCabe

I rented a car from Thrifty Car Rental from the Tampa Airport on 4/22/23-4/25/23. I returned the car on 4/25/23 and was charged a $400 cleaning fee. There was never any smoking in the vehicle. Before I returned the car I was at the beach. The rep was saying the sand from my feet were ashes. They refused to remove the fee even though there was never any smoking. How can one not tell the difference from sand and ashes.

On April 21 at 15:00, in the JFK Thrifty station, during our requests for a rental car (which we booked 6 weeks in advance) the lady at the counter was extremely rude.

We had not done anything and not even said a word, but her attitude and her demeanor was so arrogant and condescending, that we decided to cancel our reservation and book with another car rental agency.

We are sincerely disappointed in Thrifty employees and wouldn't recommend anybody to book a car with them.

January 25 2023, kahului Maui. Additional charges added to credit card without disclosure or opportunity to decline. Was not aware until after signing card machine at rental counter. Company absolutely refuses to remove these charges, saying by signing the card machine I accepted the charges. These charges were not discussed or disclosed prior to obtaining my signature.

I had reservation confirmation # k39237069D2 for a "mystery car" pick-up on 2/4/22 for a month rental pick-up/drop-off at Fort Myers Airport. Upon arriving to the desk last night, I was told I would have to wait for the car and I signed the agreement that stating the amount ($890.58) that I had made with the reservation. Twenty minutes later another person came out and told me all they could give me was an electric car! (not a hybrid) I told him I would have no means of charging an electric car. He then came back and gave me another car. Upon looking at the paperwork this morning given to me at the garage, the amount on the rental record changed to $1129.65 (this does not include deposit)! I did not sign authorization for this amount. This was not an "upgrade"; I was given what was available.

While driving in Colorado with our Thrifty Rental car on 8/23/2022 we allegedly passed through four different toll booths without paying.
Our Thrifty Rental agreement number was: [protected]
Rental was from 08/23/2022 to 08/27/2022
The toll issuer is E470 Public Hwy Authority
Aurora, CO 80018
The missed tolls amount to $15.10 plus $60.00 in administrative fees.
The bill comes from THRIFTYRENTALFINES.com with a Tempe, AZ address. Ref ID: [protected]

Two things. They turned this matter over to collections without ever contacting us to resolve it. When I refused the collection agency's bill without knowing the details of the fine or fees, I was sent some info on the matter from Thrifty that showed a due date of 11/17/22. Notice number [protected].
The fines were attributed to four separate toll violation from a Colorado highway we traveled in the rental car. But the date and times don't make any sense. All four violations are dated 08/23/2023, the first day of rental. But the times of each violation read like this: 5:25 PM, 5:55 PM, 5:19 PM, & 5:50 PM, in this order. Each fine has a different amount: $4.60, $4.20, $4.25, $2.05. (Total: $15.10)

Two of the fines are 6 minutes apart and two are 5 minutes apart. These booths are miles apart and can't be violated in the times that are alleged.
Also where does Thrifty come up with a $60.00 administration fee? Do they just make it up?
Lastly, why not contact me directly regarding this matter and turn it over to collections as if I'm a deadbeat customer.