Thrifty Rental Car

[jmcross]

I just looked on Travelocity for my week and Thrifty is coming up $125 for the week and $165 with all taxes and fees for a full size car . Does this seem like a decent rate? I am renting in Tampa and driving to Orlando.

Anyone have any experience with Thrifty in either location??

Thanks,

Joanne

 

[MrsJ Henry]

That sounds quite good. I got about the same price for a compact through Dollar.

 

[jiminy14]

I think that this is a good rate. I have a full-size car booked with Thrifty for 17 days in August for $380 with taxes. I was able to get the car for $119.99/week. In comparison. I also have an intermediate booked with National EA for the same time and that total with taxes is $486.
I just had friends pick up a car at Thrifty on Friday night. They said that they had no problems and got a Ford Taurus as their full-size car.
One complaint, I have read about is the high pressure insurance pitch. My friends made a copy of their auto insurance card and took that with them. They were never asked about insurance and didn't even have to show their card.
BTW, if you haven't used it, you can get an additional 10% off by using a Walmart code (WMRT).

 

[debden]

IF you sign up for their Blue Chip program you get the red carpet treatment and no pressure for insurance...
Debbie

 

[luvabargain]

I just booked a mid-size car through Thrifty yesterday for 11 days at the end of July. I could kick myself but the night before when I went through side-step into Thrifty's website they had the rates for economy - $214 inc. tax/fees, Compact - $224 and mid-size $234. When I would go in to their website not through side-step it was much higher.

Well, I waited until yesterday and the rates were not good through side-step anymore, an economy was almost $300. I went through their site and using the AU11 code was able to book the mid-size for $253 incl. tax/fees, the economy and compact were more expensive!

I'm glad I booked because when I checked last night the rates were between $350 and $380 although I'm sure they'll come back down.

 

[luvabargain]

I have a question for those familiar with the Blue Chip membership. I signed up for the membership yesterday before I booked the reservation but when I tried reserving it wouldn't accept my member #, it didn't give me any instructions, It just wouldn't go to the next screen until I took the # out. Does anyone know if I can just call them with my number even though it's not on the reservation and have them add it so I can benefit when I check in?

 

[jmcross]

Thanks for all of the replies!!

jiminy14~ That WMRT code saved me another $15!! Thanks for mentioning it.

I would also like the answer to luvabargain's question about Blue Chip membership if anyone knows. I haven't signed up yet but I think I will since it's free perks!!

Joanne

 

[rsschneck]

We are flying into Tampa for our August trip and have an economy reserved for our family of 2 adults and (1) 7 year old. We usually have 2 suitcases and 1 carry on. I figure an economy should be fine.

Got a GREAT rate using AU02 @ $79.00 base price for the week. I was thinking about signing up for Blue chip in hopes that it makes checking in faster and easier. I get tired of all the run around with the extras they try to push on you.

How is the blue chip program? Is it worth signing up for?

 

[jmcross]

I am so angry today about this whole rental car thing!! I have been watching that Thrifty rate of $150-165 for days now and when I went to book it last night it jumped to $225!! I could scream that I didn't book it earlier. It was still $150 yesterday afternoon.

I tried that AU02 code and it wasn't available for my dates.

Oh well, I guess the watch for a good rate continues......

Joanne

 

[jmcross]

Anyone??

 

[dudspizza]

Watch rates at Thrifty.com closely. Their rates go up and down. We have 3 mid-size cars reserved for August at 103/wk plus fees for a total of 140 (used the wmrt code).

ONE MAJOR CONCERN
THe Better Business Bureau has Thrifty listed with an unsatisfactory rating due to many complaints about their business pracitces. I am at the point of not wanting to rent from them, even with the great rate....

Some positive comments about them in MCO would help ease my mind... I also have a ressie at National using EA and I think I will pay the additional cost to go EA and maybe get a larger vehicle.

Thaks

 

[dougsmom98]

We haven't used Thrifty yet, but I just reserved with them. We got a minivan 6/16-21 for $206 after taxes and fees. That saved us $40 over our existing Dollar reservation. We used the WMRT code. I signed up with their Blue Chip program and it gave me a number to use right away. Don't forget to put your memebership number and secret password in. My Blue Chip was activated right away, I didn't have the problems that the above poster had. One nice thing about Thrifty is that they don't charge the spouse as an extra driver. That saved us an additional $25 over Dollar, for a total savings of $65. I will post a review of our experience with them when we get back. Wish us luck!
-Amy