Who Is Thrifty Car Rental Affiliated With? What You Need to Know in 2024

• thrifty-car-rental-affiliation-overview
• who-owns-thrifty-car-rental-today
• how-affiliation-affects-thrifty-customers
• relationship-with-hertz-and-dollar
• real-stories-from-frequent-travelers
• brand-trust-and-service-impact
• better-alternatives-to-consider

1. Thrifty Car Rental Affiliation Overview

Thrifty Car Rental is one of the most recognized names in the budget car rental market in the U.S., especially known for its airport-based services. Many travelers ask: who is Thrifty Car Rental affiliated with? The answer to that reveals not only the company's ownership, but also its service structure and pricing philosophy.

2. Who Owns Thrifty Car Rental Today?

Thrifty is a subsidiary of The Hertz Corporation. In fact, it has been part of Hertz since 2012, when Hertz acquired both Thrifty and its sister brand Dollar Rent A Car. This affiliation means that while Thrifty continues to operate under its own branding, its fleet, reservation system, and policies are directly influenced by Hertz’s broader corporate operations.

3. How Affiliation Affects Thrifty Customers

Being affiliated with Hertz offers both benefits and drawbacks for Thrifty customers. On the plus side, travelers often get access to a wider selection of vehicles and airport locations thanks to shared infrastructure. However, this also means that any system-wide issues, such as delays or customer service concerns experienced with Hertz, may trickle down to Thrifty’s operations.

4. Relationship with Hertz and Dollar

The three brands—Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty—operate in a tiered structure under the same corporate umbrella. Hertz focuses on premium and corporate customers, Dollar sits in the mid-range, and Thrifty competes on price for economy-conscious travelers. They often share the same counter space at airport locations, and backend systems like insurance options or loyalty programs tend to overlap.

5. Real Stories from Frequent Travelers

Elena from Dallas shared, “I booked with Thrifty but ended up getting a Hertz vehicle at the counter. It was a smooth process, and I saved money compared to booking Hertz directly.” Meanwhile, Josh in Phoenix said, “The Thrifty line was long, but since they shared staff with Dollar, they opened another kiosk to help us out. That helped me make my flight on time.”

6. Brand Trust and Service Impact

The affiliation helps build a certain level of trust. Travelers know that even if they book with a budget brand like Thrifty, they’re still protected by Hertz’s policies and service standards. However, this can be a double-edged sword—service inconsistencies may still arise, particularly during peak travel periods when systems are overwhelmed.

7. Better Alternatives to Consider

If you're looking for a car rental experience that balances affordability, personalized support, and reliable availability, Carvel Car Rental might be a smarter choice. Unlike large conglomerates, Carvel focuses on customer satisfaction over sheer volume. Whether you're traveling in Texas or nationwide, they offer transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and easy modifications.