Thrifty Car Rental Reviews

Arrived in Reno and went to get my Thrifty Rent a Car, Only to find over 20 people waiting and only one representative working. I'm about 1/2 way to representative as I write this and it's been an hour.

Rented for ten days at Thrifty Newark Airport. Said not to use their way too expensive EZ pass toll box. (26,- USD/day!) I used my own EZ pass New York Temporary Travel account using the license plate of the rental car. All the toll was payed directly from my credit card. But over a week after I gave the car back to Thrifty I got an e-mail from Thrifty with an invoice for the toll, 45,- USD. Above this a "convenience" fee from Thrifty at 44,- USD! Also no proof from EZ pass that this toll is actually billed in this period on this license plate to Thrifty. This all in an e-mail on which you can't reply. So no defense against this illegal bill.

Beware, they will take advantage of you and their parent company Hertz will try to shake you down! I rented a car here at the Thrifty at the airport through my credit card travel portal because they had a great rate. Went to pick up the car, there was damage to the trunk (several small dents). I took several pictures of the dents and of the car while it was parked in the stall. The pictures clearly show the damage and the pictures clearly show the car in the numbered stall in the Thrifty Rental Car pick-up area in the garage (I made sure to capture the sign & stall number in the picture as well). I took several pictures from multiple angles. I reported it at that time and was told the damage was already noted. I returned the car a few days later. When I returned it, there was nobody in the return area (at least when I arrived). Waited like 10 minutes, still nobody.

(Boise, Idaho, 1/10/2025) I wish I'd read these reviews before I rented a car from Thrifty. The process was easy, the guy behind the counter was very pleasant, the car was clean and in excellent condition and returning the vehicle was a breeze. It was my first time renting a car and I was sure I was going to be a Thrifty repeat customer. I'd have given a five-star rating until I checked my credit card statement. What was supposed to be a $34.15 charge was $357.00. WTAF??! After almost an hour on hold then dealing with an associate who struggled with English then calling the counter where I picked up the car, I found out that they place funds on hold in case of damage. But they don't tell you that when you pick up the car. So my credit card has been over the limit and frozen for days while I wait for the charge to be reversed, which could take up to a week. Not cool Thrifty, Next time I'm going with Enterprise. And yes, I've read the reviews.

Thrifty Rental car has to be one of the worse companies I have had the mispleasure of dealing with registered for skip the counter. Line of 20 people at Fort Lauderdale airport and one person working. Skip the counter apparently doesn't work unless someone from thrifty actually assigns a vehicle. Needless to say didn't happen. The person working the counter had the customer service skills of a zoo animal. In addition was not provided vehicle reserved or a similar vehicle. Customer phone service outsourced to Central American company and still awaiting for call back from Oscar.

Employees of Thrifty Car Rental in Detroit (289 Lucas Dr. location) participate in a “bait-and-switch” scam, to which I fell victim yesterday (12/23/25), mid-afternoon. After securing a rental reservation with a third-party booking site with a $200 deposit more than 6 months ago, two women on duty at Thrifty informed me they could not accept my PayPal Mastercard as valid payment. I have used this card frequently for months online and in person with no problem. The present available credit on it stands around $18,000, my credit is Very Good, and I have a new, enhanced WA state driver's license.

RDU Thrifty adds untrue charges after the rental experience. Two separate rentals they have charged me for gas when I returned it full, added an additional hour of rental when I returned it on time. This leads me to believe this is normal operating for this location. When I called, provided proof of filling the tank they remove the charges, but what a pain and I wonder how many people don't bother to call.

This is the worst rental car experience I’ve had in my entire life, and when I first arrived to the counter to pick up my vehicle. I was notified of additional charges that was not mentioned to me a month ago when I set up the rental agreement. This company invade your privacy. While you’re driving the vehicle tells you how far and how fast you can drive. Tracks your whereabouts and speed. I most definitely did not agree to invasion of my privacy. Charge extra fees on top of fees, unexpected fees. Just ridiculous company. Do not rent from this stupid ridiculous invasion of privacy company. You would surely be disappointed. Make sure you take a copy of your contract if they want you to give it back to them when you return the vehicle. They should change their name from thrifty to pricey! Nothing but scammers.

I have never had such a bad experience with a rental car company! The customer service rep at the Atlanta airport was the most disrespectful person I have ever had to deal with. Her name is Tammy and she told me it was not her problem that I had already paid my fee for the car rental. I told her I didn’t want to get double charged! We were double charged and we are currently trying to fight with my credit card company. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!

I received a car (Ford Puma) with electronic problems (apparently I am not the only one) when I rented a rental car in Alicante. It just stopped working while we were on the beach. Not only did it ruin us an evening, instead of taking responsibility and potentially thinking about compensation of such a disaster they made us pay for road assistance and the upgrade to a (defective) automatic car. Scam, I will try to take legal action.