Thrifty Reviews 3,699

Although collecting and dropping off the car was straightforward I was charged for fuel when returning it with a full tank. This was even after the staff checked the car and confirmed that it was a full tank. They said the payment was automatic and would be refunded in up to 10 days. I’ve not had a refund and no one responds to emails raising my concerns.

Thrifty added a $250 cleaning fee to my final bill without providing a single photo, inspection report, or itemized explanation. My receipt shows the car was returned with fuel at 100% out and 100% in, and there was no spill, damage, or unusual mess. Thrifty’s own public policy says extra cleaning charges range from $50 to $250, depending on the circumstances, yet they imposed the maximum amount without supplying any proof. This looks arbitrary, excessive, and unsupported. I am formally disputing the charge and would urge customers to review post-return charges very carefully.

God awful.

Waited 2 hours in line while the staff were boozing around, was told to wait 45 minutes in addition when we got to the counter

Then, the lady said they had a car available but only if we upgraded. We agreed, and after entering the garage, we realized they had plenty of cars available, but were manufacturing the apparent shortage and long wait queue to squeeze more money out of customers.

Absolute garbage behavior. I would pay more for the same car from a different company next time.

I picked up a rental car from Thrifty (booked via Booking.com) late Thursday night. The vehicle was in an appalling and unsanitary condition, with what appeared to be biological waste in the cup holders. This is a direct health hazard, especially when traveling with children.
I have spent two days of my vacation trying to resolve this. I attempted to call multiple support numbers with no answer, and I personally visited the local branch at 7471 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy. The staff there simply stated they had no replacement cars and could not help me.

It is now Saturday, and I am still stuck with a car that should never have been cleared for rental. The lack of hygiene and the total absence of customer support is shocking. I expected a professional service, but I have been left to deal with this health hazard on my own. Extremely disappointed.

If you are going to get a car rental, DO NOT use Thrifty Car Rental. We picked up the car from the detroit airport and drove to Tennessee over Thanksgiving. We used tickets at work, which is a third party company, to book the rental. We were charged $560 through tickets at work. When we picked up the car, we had to put a card on file which I figured would be for damage purposes. They then charged me $442. I figured the $442.00 was the hold as a just in case....

Unfortunately the charge of $442 never fell off our card. I filed a dispute with our credit card company. They ended up closing the dispute because Thrifty Car Rental NEVER RESPONDED TO THE DISPUTE INQUIRY AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OVER A 3+ MONTH PERIOD.

I received the notification of the dispute being closed and called Thrifty. After being on a merry go round of lies, I was able to get my case "escalated." I received an email a couple of hours later saying they were refunding $296. I proceeded to call again and demand for the full refund. My inner Grandpa Fisher came out, during both calls if im being honest, and the rep did tell me that I'm now getting the difference back too. Thankfully I have two emails stating what they are giving back to me. We shall see what happens as it will take 72 hours. 🙄

We paid double the initial amount after returning the car. No choice was given but apparently I “bought” extra insurance even though I already had full coverage through Ryanair when I booked the vehicle. I paid an additional 217,84 euro extra to my initial amount of euro 187,49. This is a scam for sure!

Rented from RDU. Confusing pick up desk layout as they share a building with Hertz etc but don’t make it clear that there’s one line for all rentals. Once I was seen, all was good except it wasn’t clear that if I accepted the prepaid fuel surcharge, I would be charged for a full tank of fuel, no matter what amount of fuel was left in the tank. Just cheaper to fill up before you get to the airport.

When we arrived at the car rental queue, there were 5 other sets people in front of me. I looked over at Cicar where 40 plus people were in the queue.. I thought at the time I'd made the right choice.... How wrong of me.... 35 minutes passed.... Cicar had an empty queue.... I still had 3 other sets of people in front of me... Finally after an hour it was my turn... The system set up it appears they literally have to manually input every detail again, stuff that should be there from the booking.... It was slow and arduous given the one finger typing method employed by the member of staff. Then the upselling starts... Do you want an upgrade for €20 a day.... No thanks... Are you sure... Yeah I'm positive... I later find out he's having to give me the upgrade as the type of car I booked they didn't have left... So trying to charge me extra for their mistake...he kept on making a point of this being a new car too... Then anyone who's hired a car before knows about the insurance upselling they try to do.... Once you've said no enough they finally listen. Finally have the keys.. described where to pick up car pretty badly after the go out the doors part ..
Found the car, then we did a video all around it, it was in great shape tbh. ... We had a lovely 6 days in FUE
Then the return..... We drove back around late afternoon, got to where we needed to be and parked up. The fella came over we waited for him to inspect it . Literally he went over the car about 3 times then says we have a problem... On the front end of the car the plastic at the bottom had the slightest of scuffs on it... I know I haven't caused it because where we were staying and everywhere we went, we literally have parallel parked... There's no other option.. he says can you prove it wasn't you. From our video we took . It's literally inconclusive either way.. as it's night time and dark, and it's dark plastic literally can't tell either way.. we got charged €99 euros for something so minor. Never again!

Rented from Nice airport. I needed snow chains as part of legal requirement, which on Thrifty site is shown as 8 euros a day. When I got the desk and asked for them (they had been contacted in advance) I was told the charge was 120 euros! I pointed out the website said different but the attendant wouldn't budge. In the end I had to agree to upgrade car with winter tyres for 60 euros as obviously cheaper, which is ridiculous. How can chains that just stay in boot cost 120 euros? Utter joke, feel conned into paying extra money. Don't trust Thrifty!

The worst car rental experience I’ve ever had. I paid for months in advance. I still had to wait in line. I would not use his car company. They are thrifty taking
your money!

Awful experience with Thrifty Lisbon Airport. When attempting to refuel rental car prior to return, the fuel flap wouldn't open. When returning the car, staff member checked and confirmed the fault with the fuel flap and included within notes. Received invoice including filling tank to full (which is fair), plus a service charge for returning the car without a full tank, despite the fault that was brought to the staff members attention.
Following numerous emails to Thrifty/Hertz customer services, they weren't willing to accept the liability.
I certainly won't be renting with Thrifty or Hertz again.

Rented a car at Memphis airport through Priceline/Thrifty. Arrived in Memphis, no car and only told "hopefully" one would become available "in a few hours". Alamo was more expensive but had a car. Never again will I use Priceline or Thrifty.

Certainly the worst car rental co I've used. Ended up paying triple the original rental cost. Complete scammers. Dont do it!

We had paid the rent and full insurance in advance through rentalcars.com but Thrifty charged us the double fee on the airport telling it was a guarantee, but they never returned it. Avoid using Thrifty Malaga.

Booked a car for pickup at Southhampton.
Due to cruise ship arrival day change i needed to talk to thrifty to verify if the reservation can be moved by 1 day.
First time I called I got advised that i can modify on the website which was not possible
Second time i called the agent said he will adjust for me
I only received a confirmation for the initial booking but no change and since then they do not pick up the phone anymore when i try to call.
Worst business practice ever.
Do not book a car on any Thrifty webpage!!!

What a scam! You Go through the booking and when u submit the order price increases by almost double. By canceling the order within 24 hours u already lost $100.

There were approximately 30 people waiting in line and only one employee working the counter, handling both Thrifty and Dollar reservations. The line was barely moving.

When I calmly asked if there was anyone else available to assist due to the excessive wait, the employee immediately and rudely told me to “get back in line.” No explanation. No courtesy. Just dismissive and disrespectful.

Long lines can happen. Poor staffing decisions can happen. But speaking to paying customers in that manner is inexcusable.

This location is severely understaffed and clearly does not value customer service. I strongly recommend booking elsewhere. It is not worth the frustration.

We got in late to Tampa Airport around 11:30. Mateen checked us in and was quick and very polite. Great service and fast.

Aggressive upsell. Fear tactics. Rude and dismissive behaviour at every point of contact. NEVER NEVER AGAIN!

I have been travelling to Málaga for over 30 years and have rented cars from many different companies. I have never experienced anything like this.

I booked a station wagon through Check24, including full insurance coverage. At the counter I clearly stated that I did not need any additional insurance, as everything was already covered. I speak Spanish fluently, so there was no language barrier or misunderstanding.

The vehicle provided was technically a station wagon, but it was a 7-seater model where the last two seats could not be fully folded into the floor, significantly reducing the trunk space. We were travelling with a small child, a dog and a lot of luggage, and our suitcases did not fit.

After a long journey and waiting twice in line, I requested a different vehicle purely for practical reasons. I asked several times whether the conditions would remain exactly the same and whether there would be any additional charges. I was clearly told that everything would stay the same and that there would be no extra costs.

One week after returning home, I received an additional charge of over €340 for extra insurance – even though the original rental including full coverage cost €112.

There is no logical reason why I would voluntarily purchase insurance that costs three times more than the rental itself when I was already fully insured.

From my perspective, this lacked transparency and feels like an intentional upsell during a stressful situation.

My advice to future customers: read every single document carefully before signing. Do not rely solely on verbal assurances, even if the staff appears friendly, your child is crying and you just want to continue your journey. Especially at this location, double-check everything in writing.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this branch.