Thrifty Car Rental Arvostelua 

Deceptive, untrustworthy, added extra fees without authority

I had a confirmed rental for my trip to Salt Lake City, Utah at the airport, which was a convenient location. However, when I went to pick up my car my car, they asked for a credit card and I gave them my banking card, which can be used as either a credit card or debit card. They did not allow that and said because it was a debit card that they needed to take a $500 security deposit vs. the $200 that I was told. It did not sit well, but whatever.

Then the rep told me that because I was using a debit card, they needed to run my credit to make sure I was credit worthy. I reminded them I was not buying the car but renting it. Strike 2 - that did not sit well either.

It gets better. Then they said that because I am using a debit card that they could only use a debit car on their higher end cars that cost $50 more per day. That makes little sense. They are worried about me having a higher security deposit, do a credit check because they do not think I am credit worth and their solution is to put me in a higher end and newer car. Not sure the genius that came up with that policy.

So, a 3-day rental that was supposed to be $300 total, ended up cost me $660. I called customer service to ask questions about their policies that are illogical at best, and I got rude attitude and arrogance that their policies will never change.

I figured I would give them a try because their lines are always empty...now I know why, and I won't be using them again.

I needed to hire two cars, I was very disappointed when I read the reviews but found a better car hire company Buggs after reading reviews. We had to book an overnight stay at a hotel at the airport after finding out the car hire place will be shut when we arrive at the airport. We arrived at 9:30 pm Saturday evening but the car hire place did not open until 4pm Sunday, the airport only has two flights arriving anyway it just doesn't make sense that you would not staff the car hire place to match the incoming and outgoing flights at the airport. Thrifty is also Hertz, the car was ok, I would have cancelled the car hire but I did not want to end up sustaining cancelation fees. for such a big company they could have been more accommodating it wouldn't take much.

very bad service not good cars they just dont care about there customers

Do not use them at all. Went to the Arncliffe branch in Sydney, the customer service representative was extremely rude. Cancelled my booking immediately because I had a slight issue with my debit card which WAS fixed 2 mins after. Booked my car for 12pm and representative tells me they shut at 12pm and was just giving me attitude.

Basically told me to F off to the airport branch if I wanted to hire a car. A very unpleasant experience and I will never be doing business with them again.

Stay Away!

Hired a ute through the Tullamarine Vic branch. Treated the car like gold, filled it up completely on the same road I was to return it. Was accused of damage i didn't do....employee hid in office and handballed me to another employee on the phone...both were rude and accusing me of damage I didn't do.
2 weeks later I receive a call saying damage was pre-existing and they are sorry for the inconvenience...they still debited me $60 even though I filled the tank 300 metres from drop off....will never ever go through them again. Just an appalling joint.

Do not use
They debited my credit card with repair charges, which by their own evidence, was fraudulent. Charging for existing damage. Fortunately English law came to the rescue
Crooks
I will keep posting as and when to warn others
If by chance your are stupid enough to use them, make sure you take extensive photos on pick up and drop off and get fully signed off by their staff !!!

I worked for thrifty in Milton Keynes ad hoc, as needed. Unfortunately, the company condone staff members verbally attacking other workers who have decided not to have the covid jab. I quote "people like you should die in hospital" when raised as a complaint, they remove the aggrieved from the company and supported the perpetrator. Rather than address the matter they decided to brush it under the carpet. This company has no integrity and the Milton Keynes branch manager is inept and unprofessional. If you are thinking about working for Thrifty, then I seriously recommend that you don't.

Hired a car from thrifty adelaide airport ,great customer service ,free upgrade and relatively new car.Easy hassle free drop off,highly recommend

DO NOT HIRE FROM THRIFTY BLACKTOWN, THEY LEND DEFECTIVE AND UNSERVICED TRUCKS TO CUSTOMERS.

I made a complaint 5 weeks ago, when I hired/returned the defective truck; and still yet to hear from them on final outcome even after numerous follow ups.

THRIFTY SAYS THEY PUT THE SAFETY OF THERE CUSTOMERS FIRST, THAT IS UNFORTUNATELY NOT TRUE FROM MY EXPERIENCE.

Happy to post the detailed letter online which I sent to Thrifty Blacktown 5 weeks ago; let me know.

During the hiring of a car and on returning the car the Thrifty Bundamba customer service representative informed me that any tolls incurred would be debited from my card by Thrifty. This was incorrect as the toll company debits the card. Due to being misinformed when a charge was added to my card from a toll operator in another state I reported this as a fraudulent transaction and my card was cancelled and replaced. I have tried everyday for 6 days to contact Thrifty to give them my new card number so my deposit can be returned. To date, not one person from Thrifty has contacted me to resolve the issue and I've even returned to point of hire twice to resolve the issue and emailed the manager as per their request as well and still no one has contacted me. As a result I have filed a complaint with Qld Office of Fair Trading and also AFIA Car Rental Conciliation Service to help get my deposit returned. I would not recommend anyone using Thrifty in Bundamba or Logan due to their treatment of customers.

Pity you can't give less than 1 star - booked through Rentalcars.com for trip Cairns to Townsville. Rentalcars took the rental charge and gave voucher for car to be picked up. After car picked up Thrifty deducted an extra $560 one way fee to drive 3hour trip. Most annoying part was car had NSW plates and no one raised one way fee when booked or when car picked up. Use another rental company as these guys are rip -offs.

Just had the most bizarre experience with rental car company Thrifty.
We drove a friends car to Coffs Harbour Airport, to meet them on their return from holidays. We grabbed our bags out of their car, they put theirs in, then off they went. We then went into the airport to the Thrifty desk, about five minutes early for our 8.30am booking.
The desk was deserted, but there was a notice to call a mobile number. It went to Thrifty’s Coffs Harbour ‘city’ office, where a woman said the airport guy had left because ‘we obviously weren’t on the flight’ (which had landed at 8.05). Never fear — she’d call him and get him to return. Time goes by; another call to the ‘city’ office; the woman asked why didn’t we book with them?
Why should we explain? The booking was for 8.30, specifically at the airport.
Eventually the (rude and bad tempered) guy shows up and finds his (by then also bad tempered) customers. He asked us if, when we weren’t on the flight, had we seriously expected him to stand around all day waiting for us? Seriously!!
Well, yes, the booking was for 8.30 and we had arrived at his desk about two minutes early.
Eventually he implied (although he didn’t say outright) that he would not give us a car if we wanted to argue with him.
Again, seriously!!
We now have the car, which we had always planned to drop off at Gold Coast Airport this afternoon so we can pick up another car from another company to use for the next few days as we continue to Brisbane and then the Sunshine Coast. That decision is now looking very good.
Never again, Thrifty.

Just do not use them
A very long story cut short
Hired a car from thrifty Perth Airport
Returned
Then charges made against my credit card for damages proven to be existing
Eventually through UK law was fully reimbursed
Conclusion
Thieving rip off nasty firm and Australia should be ashamed of. They need some form of formal investigation for fraud

Very poor customer service received by my wife daughter and friend Sat 4/1/20 Perth Airport 21:00 . Person on reception very rude and unhelpful

My Booking was with Rentalcsrs.com paid in full Sept 2019 .Was aware we had additional charges were for additional drivers, So why did we get charged a premium pick up(booked to pick up/return to airport) and admin fee.... Complained to Rentalcars.com who said issue is with Thrifty.

Well Thrifty lets see if you reply to this post. Opportunity to do the right thing and refund the premium pick up charge and admin fee approx $100....

This place is an absolute JOKE!! Never going back to Thrifty!
We hired a Fuso truck with hydraulic lifts but the remote wasnt working. The manager did not check the hydraulic lift when handing the truck to us and claims she had checked this before we had arrived to pick it.
Once we found out that the lift wasnt working, we called customer service who were even more useless.They couldnt provide us with a replacement truck as the Footscray branch had closed for the day.
So we couldnt complete moving houses as we HAD to return the truck as Stephanie had promised the faulty truck to another poor customer.

We are now at a financial loss and Thrifty will not even return our calls.
They have taken the money from our account but did not even have the courtesy to respond to our emails or multiple phonecalls since over a week.

Stephanie says she has escalated the issue to her manager Sharon at the Tullamarine Branch over a week ago and still have not received a call from anyone at Thrifty.

Very disappointing service and I would recommend you all to go elsewhere and not give your business to this lying cheating company.

Husband works for A LARGE construction firm and is in the process of convincing management to migrate over their business account to another rental company.

This whole event has p*ssed us right off to the extent that this is my longest review!!

Read the last review...

Got an email from an unknown Thrifty AU employee as Shikha is currently away ( They did not give their name via email ) .
I did ask was there a reason they did not give their name.
Very professional of Thrifty. Absolute joke.

I replied 25mins after I received their email from the unknown employee and still no contact, even though they said: "We shall await your reply" .

It's been two days.

I'm waiting Thrifty AU.

Thrifty reservation enquiry - MELA1366929RA8

I had a small car pre booked for 3 days but when I went to collect I was told all small and medium cars had been let out and was shown a large family hybrid that I was uncomfortable with so declined and got a taxi home. Later that day I was told a small car was available and I picked it up.
The car was great, the inconvenience in getting it was not so .
When I returned the car, I had filled tank before leaving my home and could see there was about $5.00 worth gone when I got to Thrifty yard. There was barely a change in level.
The girl dealing with me said their petrol costs were high and I would be up for around $$15-$18.00.
I did not wish to drive out to find a petrol station so accepted this huge mark up.
Inside the office she looked on the computer and informed me I would actually have to pay $23.60.
I was not happy, but agreed as I could not stand further hassle .
I have just been emailed my invoice and have been charged $36.00.
I accept a mark up but not downright dishonesty .
I would have taken the car and found a petrol station to top up if I had known I would be charged that.

Totally useless company . They charge for their own mistakes. Having hired a car , I returned it in a couple of hours . Then after a week they notified me to charge me for some scratches which I had not caused, I really would not go near them again.

Horrible experience with Thrifty renting a car for a holiday with my young family. Initial car left rear brake pads were completely worn out and deemed undriveable by RACT personnel on the 2nd day of having the car (puts my family including 3 year old and 8 month old at risk). Called and spoke to a guy named Rex who then pushed the blame to me not releasing the handbrake - this is without first checking the car. Then went on to say that they don't service the rear brakes as these are often fine. After a long back and forth, arranged for a replacement vehicle. Someone came with the replacement and drove off in the old vehicle when it should really be towed. Replacement vehicle was then unable to charge the GPS. Was then told to drop in at Hobart city to get fuse replaced but when I got there was told there was no mechanic and that we had to go back to Hobart Airport for this. Had to drive practically with no GPS for the rest of the trip. When I emailed my complaint to Thrifty head office, they offered 8 day refund of my GPS cost and $30 back on my child seats in the car as they were dirty. Really poor quality customer service, no respect for the customer and unwilling to make amends for the disservice. Will never go with thrifty again. Won't recommend them to anyone!