Thrifty Car Rental

Thrifty Car Rental ... NEVER AGAIN!!!

Upon retirement I wanted to visit Ireland again to just meander around and

play golf when the weather permitted in mid November. Prior to the trip, I

contacted my credit card company to make certain I had the same conditions

for insurance as the last time we went. Visa assured me I need not purchase

any insurance as by using the card I was covered. Visa actually snail

mailed a letter for me to take as proof of insurance.

Months before I had reserved a compact car for my sojourn around Ireland -

just large enough for a set of golf clubs and a satchel of clothes for the

great price of $99.00 for the week. Of course, the first thing the

counterman talked me into was a slightly larger vehicle for only $29.00 more

for the week. Why not? I took it.

Next came the question of insurance. So far my bill for the week was going

to be $128.00. Not bad for one week of transportation. When asked if I

needed insurance I proudly presented my letter from Visa indicating I was

covered. The counterman scanned the letter and with a slight degree of

one-up-manship stated, "We don't accept Visa insurance." Not a, "I'm sorry

sir, but" or "Unfortunately, sir," just, "We don't accept Visa insurance."

But. but, my letter. "It says I don't need to buy any other insurance."

Long story short - I'm in a foreign country and some pre-adult with pimples

is telling me, "Well, if you get in an accident, you will have to pay for

the entire cost." What do you do??? You buy their insurance (Now, this

insurance is to cover me if I get in an accident.) AND, "Do you also want

the insurance in case the windscreen is broken, vandalism to the car, the

car is stolen, the tires get shredded, and any other unforeseen problems

that may arise?" This is insurance for anything else that happens that is

not an accident with another vehicle. Again, I'm in a foreign country, it's

suggested I get it. I get it.

All told: the car rental was $128.00 for the week. The insurance I had to

buy was $351.00 for the week bringing my car rental to a grand total of

$479.00. Hell, my airfare from Chicago O'Hare to Dublin was only $455.00!!!

I walked away from the counter feeling screwed, totally screwed. But what

were the options?

Not being one to let things go easily, it took a few days to forget about

it.

UNTIL I got home. One of my first calls once I was in my own car was to

VISA to find out what the problem was only to find out the only problem was

with THEFTY, I mean Thrifty. I was covered. What I should have done was

to refuse the insurance, but at the time, I felt I was behind a rock and a

hard place.

I called customer service at Thefty, I mean Thrifty, to lodge a complaint

and attempt to get my insurance money back and was informed the fine print

indicated only MasterCard Gold and Platinum were accepted. Claim denied.

I called my VISA card again and was told my VISA insurance would have

covered any claim whether Thefty, I mean Thrifty, would take it or not.

I once had my car broken into a number of years ago and felt like many do

under the circumstances - violated. That's exactly how I felt when I found

out the truth. Thrifty undoubtedly owns the insurance company and makes

more off the insurance than they do in renting cars.

I will never, under any condition, ever rent another car from THEFTY, I mean

Thrifty. What they did borders on fraud and theft. Their representative at

the counter lied, out and out LIED to me; and to how many others?

What should have been a $128.00 transaction turned into $479.00.

I suggest you "STAY AWAY FROM THRIFTY CAR RENTAL!!!!!"

BW

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Just an FYI for you and everyone else on this site who has had problems with Thrifty Rent a Car (and there seem to be many), Thrifty is owned by Dollar Rent a Car who I've sadly learned from personal experience, are no better at customer service or being honest. So while boycotting Thrifty, you may also want to include Dollar.