Are you renting for the first time, or even for the first time in a while? We make the reservation and rental process fast, easy any convenient. Learn what steps to take from reserving your car to dropping it off.
A - Yes, you will be charged for each hour or part of an hour in excess of the time you were required to return the vehicle. In addition to the daily and hourly rate, some locations will charge you a one-time "early return" fee of $15.00 if you return the vehicle more than 24 hours prior to the return date and time on the rental agreement; and, you will be charged a $10.99 per/day "late return" fee if you return the vehicle more than 24 hours after the return date and time on the rental agreement.
A - The rates are based on a 24 hour rental day starting with the hour you pick up the vehicle.
A - Base rate is the total cost of rental not including the taxes, fees, surcharges, mandatory coverages, mileage (if applicable) and optional items (child seats, navigational systems, additional driver, coverages, etc.).
A - The renter must be at least 21 years of age, though there are a few areas in which those under 21 have the opportunity to rent. Renters under the age of 25 will be subject to a daily surcharge. Thrifty Car Rental will rent to government renters under the age of 21 who are on official business. Outside the U.S., Thrifty Car Rental operators impose a maximum rental age that varies by country. Thrifty Car Rental recommends that renters check with their travel agent or car rental company prior to traveling.
A - Thrifty guarantees that you will get our best rate online. You can book directly from our home page, or browse through our deals to see special offers. See our Best Rate Guarantee to learn more .
While it may cost less to rent a smaller car, be sure to rent a car adequate for your space and luggage requirements.See our listing of Thrifty vehicles to find the best vehicle for your needs. Your passengers will thank you for it!
Keep in mind, just like airlines, availability at promotional rates may be limited, so the sooner you call, the better your chances of receiving one of these rates.
A - The best policy is to know the answer before you leave home. Check with your insurance representatives or credit card company to see if your auto policy or credit card agreement covers any damage done to the rental vehicle, damage or injury to other people caused by you, injuries to passengers in your rental vehicle, and theft of personal belongings left in your rental car. Once you know these answers, you can make an informed decision about the options at the time of rental. The options you may choose from are:
Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) - If you accept LDW at the beginning of the rental (for an additional daily fee), your responsibility for loss of or damage to the vehicle is waived in full or in part (depending on the LDW plan accepted), provided the rental agreement is not violated. If declined, you will be fully responsible for all loss or damage to the vehicle, regardless of fault. Your personal automobile policy and some credit cards may provide coverage for these losses. LDW is not insurance or an insurance product.Some locations outside the U.S. require renters to purchase Theft coverage.
Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) - This optional coverage is available at many Thrifty locations. If available and accepted at the beginning of the rental, for an additional daily charge, the renter and any additional renter will be protected against third party auto liability at-fault claims for up to $1,000,000 if you are involved in an accident with other people. Unlike LDW, there are no credit card waivers for liability for a third party's injury or property damage. You should make sure you are adequately covered for claims by third parties either by your own personal or business automobile policy or by the car rental company.
Personal Passenger Protection (PPP) and Personal Effects Insurance (PEI) - PPP is optional coverage available at most Thrifty offices and covers accidental death and accidental medical expenses for the renter who signs electing to be covered under the policy. PEI is an optional coverage that will protect the personal effects of the renter while in the rental car. Both coverages have specific limits. Full details can be found at the rental counter. Check with your insurance agent regarding your own insurance policies on accidental death or medical expenses, or refer to your homeowner's policy regarding theft of your property.
Protection Plus (PP) - In Canada, where available, if you purchase PP, it will provide limited benefits to the authorized driver and passengers of the vehicle during the rental for accidental medical expenses, ambulance expenses and accidental death, repatriation, legal defense, emergency road service and mechanical breakdown towing benefits, and loss to personal belongings if certain conditions are met.
A - If the car is stolen or has been involved in an accident, first call the local police or appropriate law enforcement agency. Next, call the nearest office of the rental car company, give them your rental agreement or confirmation number and explain what has happened. If it's after hours, Thrifty customers always can call toll free to 1-800-THRIFTY (1-800-847-4389). You'll be led through the procedure to get you going again. Finally, call your own auto insurance company with information on the incident. Be sure to check with the rental company on their breakdown policy before you drive away.
Accidents and vehicle theft aren't something we like to think about, especially on a trip, but they can happen even to the most careful driver. Optional waivers (as outlined above) can be purchased to reduce or eliminate your financial exposure which could include the full value of the vehicle and lost rental revenue during its replacement period.
Be careful not to violate your car rental agreement by driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance, allowing an unauthorized personal to drive the vehicle, leaving the windows, doors or trunk unlocked, or leaving the keys in the ignition when parked. If the agreement if violated, it makes the waiver void. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all of the terms and conditions of the rental agreement.
Remember that, as the renter, you are liable for all parking and moving traffic violations, both domestic and international, so please drive safely and observe all ordinances.
A - In the U.S., before we will rent a vehicle to you and when you arrive at our location, you and any additional authorized drivers may be subject to a driving record and license check with the DMV. In the rare instance the driving record and license check fails to meet our criteria, we reserve the right to deny the rental based on the DMV report. A list of our criteria can be found in our General Policies .
A - Additional charges to your daily rental rate may include company imposed surcharges or city and state imposed taxes that are in addition to sales tax. Increasingly, city and state governments are taxing car rental customers so they can pay for sports stadiums in their cities without having to tax local residents for the money. The number of people you anticipate driving the car can also impact your cost. Only authorized drivers are allowed to drive the car. At most Thrifty locations, there is an additional daily charge for additional authorized drivers including spouses. If you are under the age of 25 you may also be charged an underage driver fee in addition to the rate that will increase your cost as well.
A - Yes. A Frequent Flyer Surcharge of $0.50/day up to $2.00 max per rental OR a Frequent Flyer Tax Recovery Surcharge of $0.06 per rental day may apply when frequent flyer miles are requested at time of rental.
A - The decision is yours. All states and several countries require children under a certain age to be secured in child seats. You can save time at check-in by placing a request for your child seat when you make an advance reservation. A few new vehicles, like the Chrysler minivan available through Thrifty, have child seats built in. You should know that we cannot guarantee the availability of child seats, so please make your decision accordingly.
A - Most car rental companies will take a deposit on your credit card at the time of pick up. The deposit may vary from location to location, but generally it is the estimated rental charges plus 15%. Some companies are changing their procedures to match the procedures at other retail establishments. Instead of taking a deposit, they will go ahead and charge the estimated cost of the rental onto your card. Should the car be returned earlier than originally agreed, a credit for the unused portion is issued upon return.
A - No, Thrifty does not accept the small credit cards issued by credit card companies that fit on a key ring. If you should present a key ring credit card at the time of rental, the rental location may ask you to present the standard size credit card or another form of payment.
A - As a general rule, a major credit card is required at the time of rental. However, when renting from many US locations, you may be allowed to use a debit or check card to rent. Debit cards may not be accepted in Canada except for payment at the end of rent. Some locations will perform a debit card check and credit inquiry screening on debit card holders. Please check our General Policies and the local policy of the location where you intend to rent for more specific information. A debit/check card is considered to be any non-credit card bearing the Visa or MasterCard logo. Any other non-credit card without the Visa or MasterCard logo is not accepted. Prepaid credit cards, gift cards and debit/check cards are accepted for payment at the end of the rental.
A - When making reservations, check on policies regarding crossing foreign borders in a rental car. Find out if your insurance company either limits the coverage amount or refuses coverage on international rentals. If you're planning on using the damage waiver coverage provided by your credit card company, confirm with them it will be available to you on an international rental. Many won't. Another tip for foreign travelers is to confirm which country's currency your rate is being guaranteed in and what credit cards will generally be accepted locally for gasoline and other purchases.
A - Sometimes the daily rate on a rental car with a mileage cap will be cheaper. If you are going to be driving fewer miles than the mileage cap allows (a typical cap is 150 miles per day), you may save from $3 to $7 per day on a rental car if you opt for a rental rate with a mileage cap.
On the other hand, unlimited mileage rates offer freedom from watching the odometer. Whatever your choice, it's best to calculate your costs ahead of time so you can take the least expensive approach that meets your needs.
A - Safety on the road, particularly in a city other than where you call home, is important. Thrifty has some traveling recommendations for you as well as some tips from other veteran travelers.
If you are new to the city, the Thrifty staff will be happy to assist you and provide directions or maps of the area.
Traveling in a new city or area can sometimes create anxiety because of the unfamiliarity with the locale. The following tips, obtained from the American Automobile Association and the American Car Rental Association, are meant as guidelines and Thrifty Car Rental urges you to use your best judgment in any particular situation.
A - Yes, some locations do offer one way rentals. Rates and vehicle availability for one-way rentals can be obtained via our website, through our Reservations Center by calling 1-800-THRIFTY (847-4389) within the U.S. and Canada, or 1-918-669-2168 outside the U.S. and Canada, or by contacting your local Travel Agent.
A - Convertibles, SUVs, trucks, and passenger vans are considered "call-back" vehicles. Rates and vehicle availability for call-back vehicles can be obtained via our website, through our Reservations Center by calling 1-800-THRIFTY (847-4389) within the U.S. and Canada, or 1-918-669-2168 outside the U.S. and Canada, or by contacting your local Travel Agent. Confirmation of call-back vehicles requires special handling by Thrifty.
A - If you are not in the U.S. or Canada, please contact us and we will try to answer your questions regarding your rentals. Or call +1 (918) 669-2168. (Use Worldwide Locations link to find local numbers for International locations.)
A - Thrifty accepts foreign-issued driver's licenses at most locations. An International Driving Permit is not acceptable without the driver's license of the issuing country.
A - The 1-800-THRIFTY (1-800-847-4389) toll free reservations number is available 24 hours a day. E-mail will be answered on a first come basis during regular business hours, Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00 central time.
