Beware: Thrifty Car Rental Credit Hold

[HeatherC]

Just wanted to give people a heads up that Thrifty Car Rental will put a big hold on your credit card when you rent a car.

I managed to get a minivan for $199 for President's Week out of West Palm Beach. Saved us a couple hundred dollars, but when you reserve there is a note under the terms and conditions that they will put a hold of either $250 or an additional 10% over the price of your rental on your credit card. Since we are renting for like 11 days, that is about $550!

I don't really care...have enough of a credit limit free, but if you only have a small credit limit that you plan on using while on vacation, this may be a big deal.

 

[kgle]

I thought most rental car companies do that. The one I rent through holds either the amount of the rental or $200, whichever is higher.

 

[Tissa]

Alamo/National do not put holds on. You have to read the fine print.

 

[mcraige]

I rented from Thrifty in San Diego, but thought they only put the hold on your Debit card, not Credit card.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Most rental companies reserve the right to do so, but it is hit or miss if they actually do.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hey, at least Thrifty informs you right on the confirmation page! I rented from Dollar or Budget in LA a few years ago, using the credit card for only the car rental, and didn't find out about the hold until I turned the car in!

In fairness to the rental agency, though, whatever they hold (if they do) is the only issue; they are ENTITLED to bill you the rental fee at the time the transaction is initiated.

 

[HeatherC]

You're right. At least they tell you. Just wanted to post it since it could really mess up someones vacation plans if they were planning on charging things and only had a small credit limit window and didn't know.

Like I said...doesn't bother me. Like another poster said....some of them don't and that's who I would normally use. But this saves a couple hundred dollars, so I'm using Thrifty.

Just giving people a heads up.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hear ya! I can already see someone coming back from Disney or another trip, having rented from Thrifty and gotten a confirmation worded exactly like yours, ranting that they couldn't (buy souvenirs / check into the hotel / get tickets / pay for food / fill-in-the-blank) because the danged car rental agency put a hold on their card!