Thrifty Rent A Car

Thrifty stranded my 2 year old daughter and I in the middle of the night as our plane was delayed and they were closed when we arrived in Tulsa. It was a very stressful and distressing situation. We had to pay for a hotel instead of being able to drive home. The next morning, I politely asked if there was anything they could do to make up for the money spent and the stress of the situation. I was told no no and pretty much «hell no» by Tia at the counter. It was seriously the rudest and most outrageously horrible I have ever been treated as a customer. The least they could’ve done was spoken kindly to myself and my daughter. And maybe an upgrade would be in order? They would not let me speak to a manager until I asked for Tia’s last name. I almost wish I didn’t speak to the manager, Brad Perring as he began yelling at us and my daughter started crying. They gave us the worst car possible with no cruise control or power anything. I think they all need a class on customer service and empathy.

Wish I could give zero stars. Rented a car to me with windshield wipers that didn’t work. I found out in a sudden downpour leaving me blinded on the freeway, a dangerous situation where I could have been seriously hurt or killed.
Manager was nice enough about it and gave me a small credit but was hilariously explaining to me that their safety inspections are a short drive between parking garages and that if they don’t notice it on that short drive they miss it. Sounds like a bad process implemented by the corporate office or that manager. Totally dismissive. Acted as though it was par for the course. No accountability whatsoever.
A rental car company that doesn’t bother to ensure you are safe shouldn’t get your consideration for your business, period.

Have used Thrifty occasionally since the 80’s, usually up front and good service. This time, meeting friends and adding one driver to rental, was terribly disappointed. At check in, was busy conversing with friends, did not notice the desk person downgraded me from a confirmed Ford Fusion to a Ford Fiesta, did not notice until checking out car. We fit, so decided not to complain. Friend drove around Tulsa for week end, Should have been forwarned when rear brake squeaked riding in back seat. Uneventful drives 10 miles to Owasso for week end with friend driving. When I drove Monday 100 miles to Pittsburg, Ks., was very unnerving at expressway speeds. Tires very noisy, whoma whoma whoma, like tires ready separate and throw tread, bent rims, bad wheel bearings, or transmission ready to shell out. In addition, Tach and Speedometer Screech, screech, screech in resonance with tires, kept my fingers crossed on expressway. Called on arrival, was told replacement car would have to come from Tulsa or Springfield, MO., and if nothing found wrong, would have to pay for Tow. Declined obvious scare tactic, tolerate jerking, bucking transmission shifts and had unnerving drive back to Tulsa, keeping speed down to 60 for less noise. Bottom line, if you are flying into Tulsa and have booked with Thrifty, keep a sharp eye and make sure they give you the car confirmed, and do not, repeat DO NOT accept a Babycrap metallic Green Ford Fiesta. Be aware that the fine print may state you, the renter, will have to pay for a tow back to the Airport if the car breaks down, even if you have not abused or hot rodded (if that’s possible with a Fiesta) it around town. Also be aware, if you are in an accident, your insurance may pay for repair, but will not cover days the car is in the shop, and you will be billed for all those days they cannot rent the car, guess they need to collect as much as they can to support the CEO bonuses.

I called in to make changes to my reservation. I was transferred three times before someone was actually able to assist me. I wanted to shorten the length of my reservation by a day and a half, but was going to be charged $ 100 more. That is a 50% increase for a shorter reservation, and no options were offered to keep my business.

Nakita tried to upgrade my son in law, who had never rented a car before, by altering his confirmed AMEX Travel reservation from a $ 432 two week rental to a total out the door of $ 1884!
Then, when the amount was declined as the card that he was using was over the limit, but would easily handled the lessor, original charge, she said that the card had been declined, and the reservation thereby lost. I spoke with AMEX, as I am the primary card holder, 30 years with AMEX, as this card was under my main account, and the fraud department indicated that this type of extortion type tactic is common during the busy rush hour holiday season, and particularly if someone appears as if they have never rented a car before, both of these the case in this instance.
I spoke with Nakita directly and she stated that my son in law had added the insurance coverage, (not needed with AMEX), gas, upgraded his car, etc. He did none of those things as it would have, and did, compromise his original reservation, which in and of itself makes no sense; a reservation number is still in the computer!
She lied, simple, and tried to cheat my young son in law out of his hard earned money! Saw the Platinum Card, younger renter, and, well, why not try to do him!
She upgraded without permission, thereby, so she says, losing the reservation, which makes no sense if you have a reservation number, it would not default if the card was declined, i.e., what if you had another card to put it on? This is an old bait and switch tactic;simple.
I have used Thrifty, Hertz and Dollar in the past, and given that are all affiliated with the same firm, and given her attitude, her bait and switch tactics, et al, I wouldn’t put a nickle in ANY of their pockets anymore. The Federal Trade Commission is my next contact due to the seemingly monopoly power that these firms in collusion wield in this, and likely other small airport communities.
Pay Less Car Rental took car of my son in law, great price, free upgrade, professionally, and the attendant there stated that he didn’t see how Nakita could possibly run that large of a total up for a two week sedan rental! Mike, Tulsa Airport Pay Less, is the guy to see to rent a car when in the area.
I dare these folks at Thrifty to challenge this as I have a copy of the attempted over the limit charge of $ 1884 from AMEX! Sedan for $ 1884 for two weeks? Really? Thrifty, shame on you!
Happy Holidays to all of you who have taken the time to read this.
No wonder all of the other ratings are 1 star

Just wanted to say that the owner Alex H. privately messaged me and will not help me or make the wrong right, in fact I can’t even get her to respond to me anymore– our conversation is below and it has been over a week and she refuses to help me or at least explain company policy in a way that is applicable to my case. I don’t see how all of my issues are summed up/​disregarded because I am under 25 but I have been evaded/​avoided. My last message sums up my issues with this company perfectly and she has nothing to say back bc she knows that they are in the wrong. $ 131.19 is worth more to this company then return business or loyal customers.-
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Alex H.
Owner
One week ago
Block & Report Owner
Mari,
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback on your recent rental. We are sorry to hear about the additional charges you have incurred and apologize for any inconvenience. If you would like to speak with customer service to answer any questions you may have with our policies, please contact our team at
.
Thank you.
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Mari L.
One week ago
Alex, I already have contacted your customer service team and they were unfriendly, un-​apologetic, and un-​willing to right the wrongs that have been done. After that I asked for a managers email address and received Rhonda Brook’s contact info–
. She did not even bother responding to my message so if you really want to help you could honor the quote that I still have in my inbox of what was promised to me. You all stole $ 131.19 from me, yes I had the choice to purchase the rental or not, but like I’ve mentioned before I was either going to loose money here or loose it in the hotels/​vacation plans I already set up/​paid for. I was hoping that I could talk to someone who would understand that what happened was wrong and then proceed to make the situation right.
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Alex H.
Owner
One week ago
Block & Report Owner
Mari,
We can understand your frustration and we are sorry to hear that you were not contacted again by our customer service team. Unfortunately, we are unable to credit the additional fees you incurred back to you as our underage fee policy is stated in our Terms & Conditions. However, we appreciate your feedback on our rental process for underage Blue Chip members as we are always looking for ways to improve our business. –AH
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Mari L.
One week ago
Alex, I understand your policy, but I think you are missing my point. I signed up to be a blue chip member, and when I did, I gave you all of my information off of my drivers licence. So when I got my quote from your website and your «under 25» charge was not on it, I assumed you did not have an under 25 policy. Your company should have all charges included on a quote that I even paid for online right there when I got it. Your company deceived me and then proceeded to change your word (my promised quote) because you knew that if I needed the car I would pay your excess fees (this is not to mention the airport fee that I know you all know about as well). Now you all are saying its my fault for not knowing about something that was not presented to meet the time of purchase. If this is common knowledge why would your system not include it in my quote even after knowing my age. PLUS my passenger was over 25, so if I would have known about your bs fee I would have had HIM MAKE THE RESERVATIONS. When I got to the front desk that day I was told even if I had him come in and set up a new reservation the pricing that you gave me would not be honored. Don’t worry I totally understand how your company lacks integrity in their business practices, for such a big company you would think that a measly $ 131 would be worth the return business, but since you are not willing to help and I’ve been treated like shit AND was given a dirty nasty vehicle, I will not be coming back. I travel all the time so this is a HUGE mistake on your end.

Did a short car rental from Thrifty at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Appeared smooth but soon after I hit home two bills arrived in a row, each citing multiple petty toll charges but accompanied by a $ 15 admin fee for each toll. Totally $ 6.65 toll charges plus $ 90 admin fee. Turns out Florida now host many completely unmanned electronic toll locations. And a little Internet search reveals Thrifty is one of the two car rentals famous for charging exorbitant per-​toll admin fees (the other is Dollar if you wonder. And interestingly, Thrifty is owned by Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group). Thrifty even used to charge $ 25 admin fee per toll. You guess why they are getting nicer. Filed a complaint via BBB for two requests:
* Proof of toll charges. All I got was Thrifty’s bills, no original proof of cashless tolls.
* A reduction of the ridiculous admin fees.
Turned out Thrifty did not budge at all. What still surprised me is Thrifty did not even provide original e-​toll proof! They claimed I declined the e-​toll coverage and provided a copy of signed rental agreement. But look at the contract, the cashless toll option is not in the list of what I declined at all, but in fine prints! DURING THE ENTIRE CAR RENTAL PROCESS NONE EVER REMINDED ME IN ANY WAY THE EXISTENCE OF E-​TOLL IN FLORIDA AND ESPECIALLY HOW THRIFTY WILL HANDLE THE E-​TOLL CHARGES! Yeah I should have read all the fine prints. This is a set-​up and thief-​like business practice!
Beware if you still plan to deal with Thrifty!

I would never rent from this company again– anywhere. First they didn’t mention that their drop off location was not at the airport. Second, I incurred a toll charge and they charged me a $ 25 fee for incurring the toll charge, with no opportunity to just pay the toll. Horrible service.