Dollar & Thrifty car rental....bad or good?

doggie750

Got any reviews about this company? I just reserved a 12car passenger under them and later after several surfing online, they are rated the worst customer service. Got my whole family going to Disney World (on red eye flight) and I just wanna make sure everything will run smooth. Any 2cents here?

Here's the link
http://www.frommers.com/community/forum.cfm?plckForumPage=ForumDiscussion&plckDiscussionId=Cat%3AUnited+StatesForum%3A0EE6B386Discussion%3A0EF4C0E0&plckCategoryCurrentPage=0

Disc Jockey

I have rented from Dollar/Thrifty several times as well as Hertz and Avis. I almost always reserve a compact and they allow me an upgrade to a better car of at no charge. None of them have given me any trouble or charged me extra except for one time. Hertz charged me for a fillup when I returned the car full, but they promptly refunded my money when i called.

It also may help if you're a member of their customer club so if you aren't one, sign up and get a membership number before you go. They will probably think you're more willing to contact corporate if something goes wrong and you are not satisfied.

I suspect that, like a lot of franchises, their quality may vary greatly according to the owner. Have a great trip!

AudioGenics

watch out for the fine print.
and document every little mark / scratch.
and check the gas tank level when you return it.

we had better luck with rent-a-wreck but they may not be a nationwide franchise.

Kex

I have used them before on several occasions. It probably depends on what airport or location you are using, but this has been my experience:

- Very slow pickup procedure, if the line is long. I don't know if signing up for their loyalty program would help with this.
- Cars easily as good, and often better (in my experience) than Hertz or Avis.
- Cars were easily as clean, and often cleaner (in my experience) than Hertz or Avis.
- No difficulties returning the car promptly whatsoever. Certainly as good as Hertz or Avis.
- Staff frequently friendlier (in my experience) than Hertz or Avis.

I would definitely use them again. However, of the budget renters, my best experience was with Alamo in Denver, since they allowed me to use an automated check-in, similar to what the airlines provide, so I skipped past the entire line waiting. I much preferred this self service pick up system to all of the others. My worst customer service experience to date was with Avis in Denver, but I may just have been unlucky on that day.

joeparaski

Disc Jockey wrote: »

I have rented from Dollar/Thrifty several times as well as Hertz and Avis. I almost always reserve a compact and they allow me an upgrade to a better car of at no charge. None of them have given me any trouble or charged me extra except for one time. Hertz charged me for a fillup when I returned the car full, but they promptly refunded my money when i called.

It also may help if you're a member of their customer club so if you aren't one, sign up and get a membership number before you go. They will probably think you're more willing to contact corporate if something goes wrong and you are not satisfied.

I suspect that, like a lot of franchises, their quality may vary greatly according to the owner. Have a great trip!

It's always a good idea to rent a compact because most of the time all the compacts are already rented and they have no choice but to give you an upgrade at no extra cost.

Joe

Gadabout

I usually rent from Hertz as long as their price is in line with the others. Just nice to bypass the counter and walk straight to your car and load the luggage and be on your way. (I have a premium membership with Hertz and National)

I have never had any issues with Dollar or Thrifty. They are sometimes a bit cheaper and almost always off airport (at the smaller airports). In Orlando, always prepare for a wait to get your car. Seems every time I have been, the lines are long for picking up the car.

As a strategy, perhaps the wife could watch the kids and grab the luggage, you could head over to get the car and just head back to the airport to pick them up. I always hate loading everything onto the bus, to just off load it to get a car. (or you do the luggage and she gets the car).

Have fun on the trip,
Scott

Knucklehead

Im sure everything will be fine, for the most part from my experience, Orlando Intl is an OK place to rent from. Have Fun!