Thrifty Thrift Rental Car New Scam: adding additional coverage without customer’s knowledge. Orlando Florida

Cautionary Tale: Beware of SHIFTY THRIFTY – A Company of Deceptive Practices and Unforeseen Charges. This company employs deceitful tactics and outright theft. If I could give 0 stars, I would.

Beware: if you can't locate Thrifty on Google Maps, it's the same as Dollar—a joint entity.

My harrowing encounter last Saturday deserves a cautionary tale. We rented through Priceline and reserved compact SUV with thrifty because of a decent price for this trip. We arrived through terminal C.

Keep in mind, I arrived later than anticipated due to delays because of the tropical storm coming up through the east coast so I’m tired as our flight was delayed by 6 hours.

This seemingly endless check-in line at terminal C, with a mind-boggling pace, and an agent hell-bent on upselling. While every other rental brand has gone through at least 2 times the amount of people in the time I have been standing in line.

Finally, 1 hour later, my turn arrived, and optimism waned. The agent, seemingly pleasant, presented options: prepaid tolls, an upgraded car, all while assuring the price consistency. This was all that was presented to us. I declined the tolls as we would be using the tollpass. The agent understood and stated that he would try to get us a Rogue as we would have 4 suitcases. This wasn’t an upgrade, it was part of my reservation. The agent was clicking around, said to sign and that was the end.

A mirage of smooth sailing shattered upon car pickup—a tank half full, no documentation, and a makeshift blockade of vans. Ive had this half-full tank scenario happen to me before with another company. So the employee working in the garage states “just return it back the same level”. I should’ve noted the red flags as this man had no iPad with him or anything to note the half tank of gas. The man moved his blockade of vans and off I went.

Fast forward to today, I'm hit with an absurd $354.70 charge—gas, uncommunicated fees that I didn’t sign up for.

Non-communicated fees: The initial agent at the counter had signed us up for the LIS insurance, and Premium Road Service. This was not even mentioned once during check in. Instead he was too busy chatting and stating the computer was slow.

Declined fees: We still were charged the Prepaid tolls despite us DECLINING them during check in.

The agent who returned the car states she charged me 5 gallons of gas at 11.00 the gallon. I explain to her the situation and she points to her iPad and states that “since it’s not in the system, then you’re responsible for it Mami”.

Contesting meant revisiting the line of my initial agony. Driven, I run in and speak with the agent at the counter. Luckily, no line this time. The agent, powerless, directed me to a distant manager located in another terminal or the elusive Customer Service. However before leaving the counter the agent was able to remove the gas charge in question.

We get through TSA, and I call immediately Customer Service, and explain the situation.

The agent on the other line stated they will reach out to the Location and will have an answer by tomorrow.

This ordeal stands as my worst car rental experience, emphasizing the need to approach Thrifty with extreme caution.

These are predatory practices that take advantage of the everyday customer. The agent might be racking up a lot of commission on these reservations and add-ons but Thrifty should be warned that he is doing them illegally. Thrifty, he is a man who is bald and light colored eyes. I know he’s Hispanic, possibly Puerto Rican (I’m Puerto Rican) and a chatterbox. He shouldn’t be difficult to find. I would definitely investigate his “sales” as I’m positive I am not the first victim to this scam. If he made these charges by mistake, then he should receieve additional training or  find another job because being the counter agent might not be his calling.

Not everyone will fight these charges but I will. Don’t fall victim to their dubious practices – choose a rental company that values transparency and customer satisfaction.