Thrifty Car Rental

Overview:
Thrifty Car Rental is a U.S. economy car rental company founded in 1958. Headquartered in Estero, Florida, it operates under the Hertz Global umbrella. Thrifty focuses on serving budget-conscious travelers with short-term rentals of compact and economy vehicles at airports and city locations. The brand emphasizes value pricing and basic service offerings.

Products and Services:
Thrifty offers daily and weekly rentals of passenger vehicles, primarily economy and compact cars, through its website and travel partners. It provides optional add-ons like GPS, child seats, and insurance coverage. Thrifty participates in Hertz’s Gold Plus Rewards program, allowing frequent renters to earn and redeem points. The company also offers Thrifty Blue Chip Express for expedited service at select locations.

Geography and Markets:
Thrifty operates in many countries via Hertz’s network. It is strong in North America and also present in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, often through franchise agreements. After merging with Dollar, its combined fleet expanded reach across hundreds of airport locations worldwide. The brand competes with other value rental providers and complements Hertz’s premium offerings.

Ownership and Corporate Structure:
Thrifty has been owned by Hertz Global Holdings since Hertz announced its $2.3 billion acquisition of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group in 2012. Prior to that, Thrifty was part of Chrysler’s portfolio and then spun off (with Dollar) into Dollar Thrifty in 1997. As a Hertz subsidiary, Thrifty’s corporate headquarters and strategy are managed alongside Dollar and Hertz brands.

Some Key Dates:
– 1958: Founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma
– 1997: Chrysler spun off its rental car subsidiaries (Dollar and Thrifty) into Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group
– 2012: Hertz announced acquisition of Dollar Thrifty (including Thrifty) for $2.3 billion
– 2021: Hertz emerged from bankruptcy; Thrifty continues operating globally under Hertz management