Thrifty Rental Experiences

[jbhaupt]

HI,

This Nov we are flying into TPA and wanted to rent from an airport agency. The rates so far are the best through Thrifty. We usually fly into MCO and use National or Alamo with no issues. I am a little nervous about Thrify. ie. heard so issues about insurance charges, etc. Can anyone share what I should watch for or be aware of???

Thanks,
Bonnie

 

[mamacatnv]

We rented thru Thrifty in Tampa with the return to MCO. They had a supply problem when we arrived and upgraded us, they had the wrong price and would have way overcharged me. I had my printed confirmation with me and they adjusted it and thru in the gasoline. We turned that car in on fumes! The shuttle to the airport was quick and the driver very accomodating to all the destinations. We do not take the excess insurance and it was no issue with the agent.

We are renting with them again in Dec. this time we are flying into MCO and renting in MCO.

 

[disneyldwjr]

Glad to hear something positive about them. I just booked at an exceptional rate. It is for 5 days at 99.93 total. I used SAMS as the promo code. I had a ressie with Avis for 127.00, but, I think the shuttle ride is worth the 27.00(approx) savings.
Do they only have Chrysler products?
TIA

 

[mamacatnv]

We were originally supposed to get a Jeep Grand Wagoneer and ended up with a Town & Country mini van which I think is Chrysler. Originally would have gotten the mini-van(this way my family & inlaws can go everywhere together) but was too cheap to pay as the Jeep was a steal at $200 for a week.

For coming up trip I secured a mini-van for $220 for 7 days, not bad for Holiday season, of course I reserved in January for a Dec 25 pick up date.

Happy trip planning

 

[scammermom]

Just remember that Thrifty is not at the Orlando terminal. You have to take a shuttle. For me with the kids and usually angry husband and luggage by this point in the journey, the savings aren't worth it.

Just wanted to remind!

 

[jbhaupt]

Thanks for the information....I looked at Thrifty because it was one of the few onsite at TPA..It just seems all the prices for mini's and even full-size cars are really high. It is not a Holiday week and I am paying $319 for a mini for 8 days and 2 hrs. That is the cheapest rate of all the companies...using every discount code in the world..from Mousesaver..Fatwallet..etc.
The cheapest full-size is $250 and we have to shuttle 3 miles to Alamo off-site if we take that.
I did print a copy of the price online...the email they send with confirmation does not have the price listed as someone suggested. Also I was told to bring an insurance card copy otherwise they would add and insurance fee. I hope the mini's have DVD like the ones from National....
Bonnie

 

[Devil_Dog99]

Just to give a fair warning - we returned a car 20 minutes late and they charged me a whole week (it was actually cheaper than the dialy rate). I protested and the guy said they could have rented teh car to someone else. Yeah right. I was the only customer in the building, the lot was full of cars, and what rental company turns a car around in 20 minutes?? The guy couldn't have cared less. I know rules are rules, but I never had a problem with Alamo or Avis.

 

[tracys2cents]

disneyldwjr : did you try the K817625 AWD code on that Avis booking?

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I hope the mini's have DVD like the ones from National....
Bonnie

For the most part Thrifty is pretty much a straight Chrysler fleet. Expect to see the Dodge Grand Caravan or Chrysler Town & Country, neither of which have a standard DVD player. The reason it seems that all National vans have DVD's is that they use GM vans, which all come standard with DVD players....

 

[Evil Queen]

I'm renting from my local Thrifty (2 blocks from my home) to take to WDW.

I just booked the economy, cause I'm cheap and it's only a 3 hour drive for us. 10 days @ $200.00.

Hopefully, I won't run into the being late problems, since I'm picking up a day before our trip and returning the day after we return from WDW.

I don't plan on taking out the insurance (usually between your own insurance and even many credit cards have a type of auto rental insurance) it's a waste of extra $$$.

Also, if time allows, I'd make the agent walk around the car with you to check for any dents or dings and to note them on your contract before signing it. My Mom didn't do this once, just dropped it off and they billed her for damages. It shouldn't add more than 5-10 minutes to the time you will be spending with the agent at the counter. If they refuse, make sure they note they refused prior inspection before you sign and drive.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I'm renting from my local Thrifty (2 blocks from my home) to take to WDW.

I just booked the economy, cause I'm cheap and it's only a 3 hour drive for us. 10 days @ $200.00.

Especially at "Local" branches, Economy cars are almost a garenteed upgrade to at least an intermediate. My local Hertz branch that I often rent from almost never has anything smaller then a Fullsize as this tends to be the most common size, i guess?

 

[disneyldwjr]

disneyldwjr : did you try the K817625 AWD code on that Avis booking?

No, I used the USAA code and coupon. Gave me a great rate.

 

[pouncingpluto]

Especially at "Local" branches, Economy cars are almost a garenteed upgrade to at least an intermediate. My local Hertz branch that I often rent from almost never has anything smaller then a Fullsize as this tends to be the most common size, i guess?

I've never been upgraded to an intermediate that I can recall, though I generally rent from airport agencies. The only thing I've found is that paying for a compact (one step up from economy for a lot of companies) is a scam, because economy and compact seem to be the exact same cars.

 

[disneyldwjr]

I've never been upgraded to an intermediate that I can recall, though I generally rent from airport agencies. The only thing I've found is that paying for a compact (one step up from economy for a lot of companies) is a scam, because economy and compact seem to be the exact same cars.

Oh, there is a big difference. You could not pay me to do an economy and you would have to pay me big dollars for a compact. It is a stretch for me to do an intermediate. They tell me my Accord is an intermediate, but, it seems MUCH larger than what they pass of as intermediates at the rental agencies.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Oh, there is a big difference. You could not pay me to do an economy and you would have to pay me big dollars for a compact. It is a stretch for me to do an intermediate. They tell me my Accord is an intermediate, but, it seems MUCH larger than what they pass of as intermediates at the rental agencies.

Thrifty would classify the Dodge Stratus as an Intermediate. I would say thats a pretty fair classification, Although the Intermediates at Hertz are often Corollas, which are nothing more then a compact...