The Budget Friendly Thrifty Car Rental: My Reviews!
- Angie - Your Guide
- Jul 9
- 9 min read
For many travelers, renting a car is more than just finding a vehicle to get from point A to point B—it can shape the entire travel experience. Thrifty Car Rental has, for decades, been a standout name for budget-conscious renters, offering reliable service at prices that compete with some of the top rental car companies in the industry. From its rich history to its strategic locations (including the prominent spot it holds at LGA airport), Thrifty has carved out a strong niche in an increasingly crowded market. Today, we’ll take a deep drive into Thrifty’s evolution, pricing, locations, reputation, and how it stacks up to competitors and concluding with my personal experience in Charlotte NC.
Thrifty's Roadmap: From Humble Beginnings to a Travel Mainstay
When the first Thrifty Car Rental location opened its doors in 1958, its mission was clear: offer affordable, accessible car rental options to everyday travelers. Founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Thrifty quickly gained traction for its commitment to budget travelers without skimping on service quality.
Acquired by the Chrysler Corporation in the 1980s and operating under the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group for many years, the brand was synonymous with dependability and value. Eventually, both the Thrifty and Dollar brands were acquired by The Hertz Corporation in 2012. This merger positioned Thrifty as a great low-cost alternative within a broader portfolio designed to cater to different customer segments.
Throughout its history, Thrifty has adapted to changing traveler preferences. Whether by rolling out eco-friendly vehicle options or focusing on user-friendly digital platforms for reservations, the company has shown resilience and adaptability. It sits comfortably between being a reliable choice for budget-minded road warriors and a player with enough history to have earned customer trust.
I personally did not realize any of this when booking my car rentals with Thrifty. I was always concerned about not using Hertz or Enterprise because they are more widely known and have good ratings. But those 2 in particular seemed to be so much more expensive when using Expedia than using Thrifty or even Dollar Car Rental. I knew I was going to have to try it out.
Pricing Wars: How Thrifty Compares to Competitors
Car rental pricing can feel like a mixed bag. Fees for insurance, mileage, and upgrades can pile up so quickly that what initially seemed like a bargain becomes more daunting. With that said, Thrifty remains true to its name by consistently pricing itself as one of the most affordable options in the rental market.
Price Comparison Example
For trips spanning three days in a mid-size sedan, here’s how Thrifty stacks up against competitors:
Thrifty Car Rental - $150 (economy model; no add-ons)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car - $180 (comparable model)
Hertz Rental - $195
Avis - $200
Budget Car Rental - $190
While the above figures can vary based on location, dates, and specific promotions, Thrifty remains aggressively focused on those seeking value for money. Additionally, they provide a variety of budget-friendly payment options while often running enticing discounts or free-day promotions. Also, it should be noted that additional fees can be added to rental car purchases. For example, depending on who you use, your credit card might be charged $9 an hour if you deliver your rental back late, or there could be additional charges of around $30 a day if you need an extra day.
There are options to make the price less. Delivering the car back with a gas tank that is full is an example, you will be charged less by doing this. If you pay them to fill the car up it will always be more costly. Extra charges can add up also if you rent a car seat for your child, need a GPS or even add an additional driver to the rental agreement. Prices of these extras will be added onto the original price you paid.
Beyond base pricing, travelers can unlock even deeper savings by joining Thrifty's Blue Chip Rewards Program. Being a Blue Chip Member not only facilitates faster rental processes (hello, no long check-in lines!) but also comes with perks like free rental days and bonus points accrual.
Location Spotlight: Convenience Across the Globe
Thrifty has expanded its global footprint dramatically over the years, with locations in over 90 countries and more than 1,000 branch outlets worldwide. Their locations are situated with traveler convenience in mind—primarily hubs like airports, city centers, and other high-foot-traffic zones. This wide network means you’re rarely far from a Thrifty outpost during your travels.
Laguardia Airport Thrifty Car Rental
Situated in Queens, New York, LaGuardia Airport (or LGA) is one of the busiest airports in the United States, making it a crucial place for car rental companies to cater to arriving travelers. LGA can be tricky, especially when booking. I ran into issues with this myself once. Many Rental Brands have many different locations that seem to be nearby. But truly they are not. One time when I rented an AVIS car rental it tried to tell me the pickup location was in Manhattan. I knew that this was not correct, as there was not going to be any shuttle from the airport heading to Manhattan for me to pick up a car. So always before booking double check that it is at the airport or within shuttle distance to the airport. Thrifty's branch at LGA stands out for a variety of reasons:
Proximity and Access - Located conveniently close to the main airport terminal, it’s a short (and stress-free!) shuttle ride to the rental counter.
Queue Efficiency - The Thrifty desk has streamlined its check-in process for LGA customers by offering fast-track options to Blue Chip members.
Vehicle Options - From compact eco-friendly cars to SUVs suitable for city rain-and-snow commutes, there’s no shortage of vehicles to match your travel needs.
Whether you're in conversation with locals or checking online reviews, Thrifty at LGA consistently earns praise for its affordability and highly accessible location.
Reputation Checkpoint: What the Customers Are Saying
Curious about what people think of the Thrifty experience? That’s where customer reviews step in to paint the full picture! Compared to competitors, Thrifty’s reviews reflect a positive balance between price-conscious offerings and sufficient customer service.
Here’s a breakdown of general sentiments:
Strengths
Pricing Wins - This is where Thrifty shines the brightest. Customers rave about consistent affordability compared to other big-name alternatives, especially for longer rental periods.
Range of Cars - Travelers appreciate the variety in vehicle models, ranging from compact cars to larger family-friendly options like minivans and SUVs.
Speedy Services - Customers who book online and pre-register using the rewards program report seamless pick-ups and drop-offs.
Weaknesses
Counter Waits at Peak Times - While LGA's branch runs efficiently most of the time (when I was there it was great), branches at holiday-heavy destinations see occasional complaints about wait times.
Unexpected Fees - Some reviews indicate dissatisfaction when being charged unexpected deposit holds—a frustration many companies share.
There are a number of bad reviews out there, talking about poor customer service, long wait times, a long line, or issues with the car itself. The official rating is 2 out of 5 stars. I never expected it to be that bad when first researching the company. One review talked about a stinky car with roaches inside. I was shocked to see this, but it did not stop me from trying it out. Honestly, I was glad I did.
Comparisons with Competitors
When comparing to the likes of Hertz, Avis, and Enterprise, Thrifty might not always match the luxury or premium feel of upscale brands. However, for budget-friendly needs and basic travel (with a sprinkle of convenience), it not only competes but often leads. This is considered a good value for what you get.
Enterprise may edge ahead with customer service prompts, while Avis performs solidly in providing a seamless car-return process—but neither can consistently outmatch Thrifty in pricing perks.
Thrifty Car Rental Reviews of LGA
After years of experiences ranging from frustratingly long waits to unexpectedly pricey service from other car rental firms, I decided to give Thrifty a whirl on a trip to New York. Since LGA is my go-to airport, I found the proximity of their LaGuardia location immensely helpful. This trip was 2 years ago, so my review will be brief. Back then I did not think I would be a travel blogger and agent.
Booking my rental online wasn’t just simple; it was delightfully straightforward. I managed to snag a compact car at an incredibly affordable rate—all without mandatory “up-sells” that other companies sometimes push. Checking into the LGA branch went smoothly, with helpful staff walking me through everything quickly and efficiently. There were many people in line waiting behind me, I must have timed it perfectly when walking up to the counter, as there was only 2 in front of me when I got there. Within 40 minutes, I was off on my adventure, cruising in a clean and well-maintained vehicle.
On returning the car, the process was just as seamless. What struck me most here versus experiences with competitors was the absence of surprise charges and the overall transparency of the transaction. From fees to mileage usage, everything was correctly reflected in my final bill.
Would I recommend Thrifty? Absolutely. From pricing to process, it’s a hassle-free experience that doesn’t drain your wallet.
My Recent Review of a Rental in Charlotte NC
Since my rental at LGA, I needed a car near where I live in Charlotte NC. My car's air conditioner was out and could not get fixed before my next road trip to West Virginia. As a travel agent I looked it up with my account, looking for a deal, assuming it would be picked up at Charlotte's airport location. I was wrong. The best price was a Thrifty at 9218 South Blvd in Charlotte, which was close to my house. The booking process was easy just name address, telephone, and credit card information. When arriving I did not see a Thrifty sign anywhere, only Hertz. I was slightly worried I was at the wrong place and pulled up my email to confirm the address. Then I remembered what I mentioned earlier in this blog. Hertz and Thrifty are affiliated. I booked this rental 2 days before my trip, which was occurring during the 4th of July week. I assumed prices would be extremely high. I was priced a Intermediate Car (Nissan Sentra) for $244, for July 3rd-8th. This was an amazing deal in my opinion.
There were not any unexpected charges and I did not need additional insurance. I could have picked one less expensive but it was a compact and I did not want something that small. Just one word of warning. Drop your car off at the time you gave them, extra time will be charged for. I saw they charge if it is a half hour late. You can always request additional hours or days while in the middle of your rental service, it will just cost you an additional fee. I was looking at the cars listed as available while the representative was getting everything ready. They have an economy car, compact car, intermediate car, and luxury vehicle available on this lot. I did not see an electric car though.
My pickup was at 8 AM, and I arrived 10 minutes late. The wait time was not a long time at all; one couple was finishing up as I walked in. I handed the representative or live agent at the Thrifty Counter my valid driver license and credit card that I originally booked with. He found my reservation with ease, but then his computer messed up, so he had to move to another computer. Just a 5-minute delay. He asked me to take a seat as he went to pull the car around for me, which took a few minutes. When he arrived back, he handed me the keys and said he noted that the gas was only at half a tank, so when I return the rental, just fill it up to half a tank. The Hertz/ Thrift location is not open 24 hours like many rental car services at the airports around the country. Regular working hours of 8AM to 6PM for this office.
By 8:30 AM I was in the Nissan Sentra, trying to figure out how to turn the radio on so I could get this road trip underway. I glanced at the paperwork inside the car, which showed what I paid and gave some basic info about the rental. It also gave a phone number for roadside assistance if it was needed. The car was perfect, no dents or damage to the outside and the inside was very clean. It even had a new car smell, even though it had 25,000 miles on it. Throughout my road trip, it took me everywhere I needed and handled perfectly. I did not travel through or on any toll roads. I was very close to some but never used them. So, I do not know what the charges would have been if I had gone through the toll booth.
On July 8th my drop off time was 3 PM, I arrived a little early, and it was simple, just parked the car out front, walked inside and handed the man at the rental desk my keys. Easy and quick. I would definitely use Thrifty car rental again. Now I know I am just one of many who have used Thrifty, and many online complaints talk about their customer service lack of help, or even going as far as to say it was their worst experience, but I think that my overall experience was great.
Wrapping It Up
Thrifty Car Rental has long cemented itself as a dependable choice for travelers who prioritize affordability without skimping on the basics of quality service. Its competitive pricing, convenient locations (especially highlights like LGA and in Charlotte NC), and my Thrifty Car Rental reviews are a testament to why it continues to stand firm despite heavy competition. I will be using Thrifty for any future rental experience I need as long as the price is right.
If you’re seeking a rental company that delivers value and consistency—whether you're getting in and out of New York or embarking on an epic cross-country road trip—Thrifty might just be your go-to. Give it a spin, and you might find yourself driving into a less stressful and more affordable future!
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