Help with your Thrifty rental

Paying with a debit card at Thrifty

• US: debit cards with a Visa, Mastercard or Discover logo are accepted. In most cases Thrifty runs a credit check, and declines the rental if it isn't approved.
• The hold is the estimated rental cost plus $500 on debit, or $200 on credit.
• Away from airports, you must be 25 or older to use a debit card.
• Canada: debit cards aren't accepted, neither to pick up nor to pay at the end. The hold there is the estimate plus CAD $350.
• Prepaid gift cards can only be used to pay when you return the car.

Extra drivers

At Thrifty, every extra driver pays the additional driver fee, spouses included.

Renting under 25

• New York and Michigan: from age 18, $52 a day.
• Alabama and Nebraska: from age 19, $52 a day.
• Other US states: from age 20, $25 a day.
• Canada: from age 20 (18 in Quebec), CAD $15 a day.

In Canada you have to be 25 to rent premium cars, luxury cars, convertibles, minivans, SUVs or trucks.

Cancelling a prepaid rental in Canada

Cancel more than 24 hours ahead and the fee is CAD $50. Cancel within 24 hours and it's CAD $100. If you don't turn up, you're charged the full prepaid amount. Cancellations have to be made online, not at the counter or by phone.

Booked in the US? The terms are different. Leave your number and we'll confirm it for your booking.

Thrifty, Dollar and Hertz

All three are run by the same company, but each brand has its own prices and rules.

Questions people ask

How much does Thrifty hold on a debit card?

In the US, the estimated rental cost plus $500. On a credit card it's the estimate plus $200.

Does Thrifty run a credit check for debit cards?

In most cases, yes. If the check isn't approved, the rental is declined.

Can I rent from Thrifty in Canada with a debit card?

No. Thrifty Canada doesn't accept debit cards at all, either at pickup or to pay at the end.

Does my spouse drive free at Thrifty?

No. Every extra driver, spouses included, pays the additional driver fee.

How much is Thrifty's young renter fee?

$25 a day in most US states, and $52 a day in New York, Michigan, Alabama and Nebraska.

When it doesn't go to plan

Card refused, credit check failed, or charged for a no-show? Leave your name and number, and one real person calls back and stays with it until it's sorted.

Figures from Thrifty's own website, checked October 2026. Thrifty policies can change, so always check your own rental agreement.

OneCall Rental is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thrifty. To contact Thrifty directly, use the details on Thrifty's official website.