Thrifty Car Rental - Philadelphia International Airport Photos










Thrifty Car Rental - Philadelphia International Airport Introduce
For anyone traveling to or from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or even local residents needing a temporary vehicle, car rental services are often a necessity. Among the numerous options available, Thrifty Car Rental at Philadelphia International Airport stands as a prominent choice, offering a range of vehicles to suit various travel needs. Whether you're planning a historical tour of Philadelphia's iconic landmarks, a business trip in the bustling city, or an escape to the scenic countryside of Pennsylvania, having a reliable car at your disposal is key to a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Thrifty, a well-known name in the car rental industry, aims to provide an affordable and convenient solution for travelers. This article will delve into the specifics of the Thrifty Car Rental location serving Philadelphia International Airport, outlining its accessibility, the types of services and vehicles offered, and important features to consider. While customer experiences can vary, understanding the general operations and offerings of this location will help Pennsylvanians and visitors alike make informed decisions for their transportation needs in the Keystone State.
Thrifty Car Rental at Philadelphia International Airport is located at 1 Arrivals Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19153, USA. Although the address might suggest it's directly within the terminal, car rental facilities at PHL, including Thrifty, are generally off-site. However, the airport provides a highly convenient and efficient shuttle service to bridge this gap.
Upon arriving at Philadelphia International Airport, customers can proceed to Zone 2 on Arrivals Road to catch the complimentary Thrifty shuttle bus. These shuttles run frequently, typically every 5-10 minutes, ensuring minimal waiting time and a quick transfer to the rental car facility. This shuttle service operates 24/7, accommodating all flight schedules. The proximity of the rental center to the airport, combined with the dedicated shuttle service, makes it highly accessible for air travelers. Once you have your rental car, the location provides direct access to major highways like I-95, making it simple to navigate into downtown Philadelphia, explore the surrounding suburbs, or connect to other parts of Pennsylvania and beyond. This strategic placement is designed to offer a hassle-free start to your journey in the region.
Thrifty Car Rental at Philadelphia International Airport offers a comprehensive range of vehicle types and services to cater to diverse customer preferences and requirements.
- Standard Car Rentals: A broad selection of vehicles from compact and economy cars (e.g., Chevrolet Spark, Ford Focus) for budget-conscious travelers and city driving, to midsize (e.g., Toyota Corolla) and full-size sedans (e.g., Chevrolet Malibu) offering more comfort and space.
- SUV Rentals: Various sizes of SUVs are available, including small SUVs (e.g., Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Nissan Rogue), and larger SUVs for families or those needing extra cargo capacity. The Chevrolet Bolt EUV is noted as a most popular car type for this location, indicating a demand for electric options.
- Minivan Rentals: For larger groups or families, minivans such as the Chrysler Pacifica are available, providing ample seating and luggage space.
- Specialty and Luxury Vehicles: While not always guaranteed, Thrifty, as part of the Hertz family, may offer access to premium or specialty vehicles for those looking for an upgraded experience.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Rentals: Thrifty offers electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Bolt EUV and Kia EV6. Customers should be aware of specific policies regarding EV charging and adapters, as detailed in some customer reviews.
- Add-on Services: Customers can opt for additional services such as GPS navigation systems, child car seats, SiriusXM® satellite radio, and PlatePass® for convenient toll management.
- Protection Options: Various insurance and protection plans like Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS), and Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) are available for purchase to provide peace of mind.
- One-Way Rentals: The flexibility to pick up a vehicle at PHL and return it to another Thrifty location, convenient for multi-city trips or relocations within Pennsylvania or to other states.
- Extended Rentals: Options for long-term rentals (weekly, monthly) for those needing a vehicle for an extended period.
Thrifty Car Rental strives to provide certain features and highlights that contribute to its service offering at the Philadelphia International Airport location.
- Frequent Airport Shuttles: The continuous shuttle service from Zone 2 of PHL to the rental facility ensures quick and efficient pick-up and drop-off, a crucial convenience for air travelers.
- Competitive Pricing: Thrifty often aims to offer competitive rates, and customers may find good deals, especially when booking in advance or utilizing loyalty programs.
- Variety of Vehicle Classes: The ability to choose from a wide range of car types means customers can select a vehicle that best suits their budget, passenger count, and specific travel plans.
- Customer Service Focus: While individual experiences vary, Thrifty locations generally aim for competent staff. Some customer reviews mention "great staff" and "polite and helpful" employees.
- Flexible Fuel/Charging Options: For traditional vehicles, customers can choose to refuel themselves, opt for a fuel purchase option, or allow Thrifty to refuel with an associated service charge. For EVs, Thrifty offers an EV Purchase Option (EVPO) or an EV Service Charge (EVSC) if the vehicle is not returned with sufficient charge, typically 75% or higher.
- 24/7 Roadside Assistance: Standard Thrifty rentals include access to 24-hour roadside assistance for unexpected issues during the rental period.
- Hertz Affiliation: As part of the Hertz Corporation, Thrifty benefits from a broader network and shared resources, which can contribute to overall service quality.
- Accessibility Features: Thrifty offers services for customers with disabilities, including vehicles equipped with hand controls (with advance notice) and Easy Access buses for wheelchair users on their shuttle routes.
For direct communication with Thrifty Car Rental at Philadelphia International Airport, please use the following contact information:
Address: 1 Arrivals Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19153, USA
Phone: (877) 283-0898
Mobile Phone: +1 877-283-0898
Hours of Operation: This location is generally open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week. However, it's always advisable to verify the current operating hours directly with the branch or on the official Thrifty website, especially during holidays or for specific services like vehicle delivery.
For residents and visitors to Pennsylvania, Thrifty Car Rental at Philadelphia International Airport offers a generally suitable and convenient option for their transportation needs. Its most significant advantage is its direct connection to PHL via frequent shuttle services, making it an ideal choice for air travelers seeking a seamless transition from their flight to their vehicle. The wide array of car types available, from economical sedans to spacious SUVs and even electric vehicles, means that whether you're traveling solo, with family, or for business, there's likely a car that fits your specific requirements for exploring Pennsylvania's diverse regions.
While some past customer feedback points to potential challenges, particularly with unexpected EV charging policies or occasional issues with specific staff interactions, the overall brand presence and the convenience of its airport location remain strong draws. For those who prioritize affordability and direct airport access from a recognized brand, Thrifty provides a viable solution. It is always recommended for customers to thoroughly review their rental agreement, especially when renting an EV, and to communicate any specific needs or concerns clearly with the staff upon pick-up to ensure a smooth and satisfying rental experience as they embark on their Pennsylvania adventures.
Thrifty Car Rental - Philadelphia International Airport Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Onsite services
Highlights
- Active military discounts
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Thrifty Car Rental - Philadelphia International Airport Location
Thrifty Car Rental - Philadelphia International Airport
1 Arrivals Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19153, USA
Thrifty Car Rental - Philadelphia International Airport Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1First of all..staff is great! This negative review is about thrifty itself. First they gave me an EV even though I didn’t reserve one. But I accepted since I’m familiar with them. They offered for 30 dollars, I could return it without any useful charge. But said plenty of stations around and I have no issue sitting at a Wawa for 30 min so I declined. I left five hours prior to my flight to charge vehicle. Went to four places charge point said was available but were not. I also couldn’t use any Tesla chargers as thrifty doesn’t provide an appropriate adapter for those stations. I e en went to a charging station at PHL in economy parking where the employee said I could charge and that charge point says was available, but it was blocked off by airport employees. It was the third stop in trying to charge. I finally went back off airport grounds to another location (even though charge point said was available for use) but was gated off since it was a Sunday. My first location had available charges but there was no adapter in the car. Thrifty is renting a vehicle without appropriate infrastructure to use. Even though the counter rep said there were plenty of places. In reality there is not. They charged me 58 dollars for bringing it back with a 20 percent battery charge. Honestly I don’t have to pay for it as I was on military orders. However, taxpayers will since thrifty would not reduce that charge even though I provided them five pictures of all locations unable to charge. I also discovered Narcan in the trunk. Two doses of it. I’ll never rent from thrifty again and I travel quite abit.
May 18, 2025 · Tony JenkinsThe shuttles run pretty frequently and they've always taken good care of us.The front desk lobby is dirty and dingy and the door is very difficult to navigate with wheelchairs and wagons due to the narrow sidewalk and swinging, non-powered door.I once had a female employee refuse to talk to me unless I said good morning. As I was exhausted, fresh out of hospital, autistic, and traveling with an autistic child... Well, she should have been nice to anybody, but I guess she woke up wanting to change the world by rudely demanding politeness. 🤷Other employees have been polite and helpful. All have been competent so far.
Mar 05, 2025 · Rachel DavisA complete joke of an organization. Booked a rental 12 passenger van and upon arrival at the airport rental facility, was told they didn't have my vehicle, despite it was reserved 6 months in advance. I had received multiple text & emails leading up to my rental reminding me of check-in and time of rental. Upon being dropped off and shuttled to the rental building, I was told that they did not have a 12 passenger van available, but they manger looked at me and said I can offer you two 7 passenger vans. I asked him, are you serious ? Do you see I am one person? He said yes, but maybe you can find someone to drive the other van, but you would need them to come to the airport to pick it up. He also offered me no assistance to attempt to contact other rental companies other than to point out the window and said you can see the signs for other companies down the road here. Now stranded and no vehicle, I had to rent a 7 passenger van and make other arrangements (non-rental) to accommodate the transport of my group. Do not use this company. This should have ZERO stars, but I have to leave 1 star in order to submit.
Jul 14, 2025 · Glenn AriziniBe careful if you rent a car from Thrifty via Expedia. I did so, expecting a typical compact or midsize gas-powered vehicle. When I arrived at the rental site, the agent told me I either had to rent an electric vehicle (I have never driven an electric car before and was reluctant to learn via a rental), or I would be charged a $120 "upgrade" fee to get a gas-powered car. I didn't see that I had any choice but to accept the added fee because I needed to make an appointment. I have emailed Thrifty requesting a refund and will update my rating based on whether they honor my request. Except for this unexpected fee, I would have given a 5-star rating because everything else was fine with the rental. But I felt cheated by the extra fee and would never had rented the car had I known in advance that I would happen.
Jul 07, 2025 · News Editor5 stars for Dana, our friendly, professional, and incredibly helpful driver. What is typically a quiet, boring service from airport to rental car agency, Dana literally made my day with his positivity and humanity. He was a genuinely lovely human being who seemed to love his job and care about his customers. I hope Thrifty/Dollar is aware of this stellar employer!
Jun 28, 2025 · Lauren Breton
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