Thrifty Car Rental Deposit: What You Need to Know Before You Rent
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You’re on holiday, and you’ve booked a car.
Guess what, you’re going to have to pay a car rental deposit!
This guide covers off on the Thrifty car rental deposit requirements for pick-up in the United States or Canada.
We set out all you need to know, deciphered from the Thrifty General Policies that most people never read!
What you need to know: Thrifty Car Rental Deposit
In order to rent a vehicle from Thrifty and most other car rental companies, you will need to present a valid major credit card or debit card with available credit or funds.
Gone are the days where you can use cash for anything!
Thrifty accepts a variety of credit and debit cards, including American Express, MasterCard, Carte Blanche, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, China Union Pay and some debit cards.
For those who like to travel light, digital wallet cards like Apple Pay and Google Pay are not accepted - you must present a physical card.
At the time of rental, an authorized hold will be placed on your card to cover the estimated rental charges, as well as an additional amount to cover any additional charges that may be incurred.
For credit cards, the additional amount is $200.00 USD and for debit cards, it is $500.00 USD.
In Canada, the additional amount is $350.00 CAD regardless of whether you use a credit or debit card.
These funds will not be available for use until the end of the rental after charges are applied.
So, make sure you have sufficient funds available!
Special requirements for debit cards in the US
For a debit card to qualify at time of rental in the United States, there are some additional requirements that must be met… i.e., a bunch of hoops to jump through to make sure you’re not going to disappear with the rental!
Here’s the gist of it:
The vehicle class reserved must be Compact through Fullsize only;
A credit check will be performed to determine credit worthiness at the time of rental. If Thrifty cannot secure credit approval and/or proper identification credentials are not supplied, Thrifty can decline your rental;
At Thrifty Airport locations, you’ll need to provide proof of a return travel ticket to coincide with the rental and present two (2) valid forms of identification; and
At Thrifty Off Airport locations (i.e., not at the airport), you’ll need to:
Have made your reservation at least one (1) day in advance
Be at least 25 years old
Present two (2) valid forms of identification and one of the following: (a) a Corporate Discount Plan (CDP) number or (b) proof of a return travel ticket to coincide with the rental (airline or cruise).
Sounds like a hassle if you’ve got a credit card… so just use it if you have one and have sufficient credit limit to cater for the deposit amount!
There are however some exceptions to these policies.
Debit cards can be used if it is already in your Blue Chip Rewards profile (can sign up for free here), regardless of vehicle type. If you really need to use a debit card and don’t want to deal with the above, make sure to register at the same time you make your booking.
Debit cards are not accepted on Premium vehicles and above, including Convertibles (except if your card is on you Blue Chip profile as above).
Debit cards are not accepted for PayNow rentals (where you’ve prepaid before your day of pick-up).
Getting your deposit back
When you return your rental car in good condition and on the agreed upon return date, Thrifty will release the deposit hold on your credit or debit card.
The length of time it takes for the deposit to be returned to your account can vary, but typically it takes between five and 10 days for the funds to be released, depending on the policies of your bank or credit card company.
Our experience is that it will often takes at least a week.
Just make sure you have enough on the card to pay for the remaining rental costs!
Our final top tips
Use a credit card instead of a debit card: Using a credit card will have fewer requirements and restrictions compared to using a debit card. Additionally, credit card companies may offer rental car insurance coverage, which could save you money in the event of an accident.
Register your debit card with the rental company's rewards program: Many rental companies, like Thrifty, offer rewards programs that can make the rental process easier for debit card users. Registering your debit card with the program can help you avoid additional requirements and restrictions.
Check if your credit card offers car rental insurance: Some credit card companies offer rental car insurance coverage, which can save you money in the event of an accident. Make sure to check with your car issuer, and read any T&Cs.
Summing Up
If you're planning on renting a car from Thrifty, make sure you’re aware of the deposit requirements, so you’re not caught by surprise.
A valid major credit or debit card with available credit or funds is needed at the time of rental, along with an authorized hold to cover the estimated rental charges and any additional charges that may be incurred.
The amount of the additional hold varies depending on whether you're using a credit or debit card and whether you're renting in the United States or Canada.
For debit card users in the United States, there are additional requirements that must be met, including a credit check, proof of return travel, and valid forms of identification.
These policies for debit card users may seem like a hassle, but they are in place to protect both the customer and the car rental company.
Remember, if you have a credit card with sufficient credit limit, it may be easier to use that instead of a debit card.
Additionally, you can register your debit card with the Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards program to make the rental process easier - which is exactly what these car rental company reward programs are designed for!
