Thrifty Car Hire
in Chicago

EASTER  45% OFF   

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Chicago, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes benefits that no other company can match:

• Free liability coverage starting at US$ 300,000 in case of an accident (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: recover up to 5% of the reservation's total value for toll charges incurred during your hire period
• Premium travel medical assistance providing up to US$ 150,000 in coverage for a maximum of 5 passengers in case of a medical emergency, excluding pre-existing conditions
• No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification

All of this comes at no extra cost, ensuring a fully protected car hire experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in Chicago.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Chicago are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.

On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter in Chicago charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the hire partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.

The only costs outside this guarantee are:

• Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
• Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)

At Chicago O'Hare Airport, Thrifty operates from the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) at 10255 W. Zemke Blvd. You do not go directly to a counter inside the terminal.

• After baggage claim, follow signs to the Airport Transit System (ATS).
• Ride the ATS train to the MMF / Rental Cars stop. The ATS runs 24/7, is free of charge, and the journey takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
• Inside the MMF, follow Thrifty signage to the brand counter. Vehicle collection levels are signed by brand.

Allow extra time during peak travel periods. Bring your booking confirmation, a physical major credit card in the main driver's name, your driving licence, and your passport if you hold a foreign licence. The Thrifty Chicago O'Hare location operates around the clock, in line with the MMF's 24/7 schedule.

The Thrifty facility at Chicago Midway Airport is located at 5150 W 55th St, Chicago, IL, adjacent to the terminal. Unlike O'Hare, Midway does not use a consolidated multi-brand hire car centre reached by train, so the counter is more directly accessible from the terminal.

When you arrive at Midway, follow hire car signage from baggage claim towards the Thrifty location. Because the facility is adjacent rather than off-site, the process from landing to driving away is generally quicker than at O'Hare.

Bring your booking confirmation, a physical major credit card in the main driver's name for the authorisation hold, your driving licence, and your passport if your licence is not in English or uses a non-Latin alphabet. Confirm counter hours in advance, as they may differ from O'Hare's 24/7 schedule.

Yes, Thrifty has walk-up counter locations in centre city Chicago, in addition to the airport facilities.

• 181 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602 (West Loop area)
• 401 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654 (State Street area)

These city centre locations do not require airport-style shuttles. You proceed directly to the counter after arriving on foot or by public transport, making them convenient if you are already staying in central Chicago and do not need to travel to O'Hare or Midway.

Centre city Thrifty counters in Chicago typically follow business hours rather than 24/7 airport schedules, so confirm availability before your planned collection time. Bring your booking confirmation, a physical major credit card in the main driver's name, your driving licence, and your passport if applicable.

Yes, the Chicago area has an extensive toll road network that will affect your Thrifty hire if you drive beyond the city centre.

Illinois toll roads are managed by the Illinois Tollway and use I-Pass and E-ZPass electronic transponders, as well as a cashless pay-by-plate system that photographs your licence plate automatically. There are no traditional cash booths on most modern gantries. Key routes and approximate costs include:

• Illinois Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80): US$2.35 to US$4.70 for the full length
• Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90, Chicago to Rockford): US$2.75 to US$5.50
• Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88, Chicago to Dixon): US$5.10 to US$10.20
• Chicago Skyway (I-90/I-94 to Indiana border): US$4.80 to US$47.60 depending on vehicle and time

Toll rates vary by time of day: daytime rates apply from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and overnight rates from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Your Thrifty vehicle in Chicago will include an electronic toll device. At the counter you can choose an unlimited daily toll package or pay per use, with actual tolls plus administrative fees billed to your card after the hire.

To collect your Thrifty hire in Chicago, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• Your original, unexpired driving licence in the main driver's name.
• A physical major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, for the security deposit hold.
• A valid passport (required for visitors with a foreign licence).
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher.
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad.

If your driving licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory alongside your original licence. For licences in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and is not valid without your original licence.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone are not accepted at the Thrifty Chicago counter. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit.

If you decline the optional toll package at the Thrifty counter in Chicago, you are automatically covered by Illinois's pay-by-plate system. Cameras at toll gantries photograph your licence plate and bill the toll to the vehicle's registration, which Thrifty then passes on to you.

This means tolls are never simply ignored. What happens instead:

• The Illinois Tollway records each toll at the standard plate rate, which is slightly higher than the discounted I-Pass or E-ZPass rate.
• Thrifty receives the bill and charges the toll amount to your credit card, typically with an administrative processing fee added.
• Toll charges often appear days or even weeks after you return the vehicle, because toll agencies process invoices in batches.

If you plan to use Chicago-area toll roads frequently, compare the daily toll package cost against your expected toll usage. For occasional toll use, pay-by-plate may cost less overall. Either way, keep a record of which toll roads you used during your Chicago Thrifty hire so you can verify any post-hire charges.

Yes, all bookings include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Chicago Thrifty hire.

Given that Chicago-area toll roads such as the Tri-State Tollway, the Jane Addams Tollway, and the Chicago Skyway can add up quickly, this benefit is worth claiming. To receive your cashback:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning your Thrifty vehicle.
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - followed by your reservation confirmation number.
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed hire agreement from Thrifty, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid.

The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit applies to toll charges only, not to traffic fines or administrative fees.

Yes, Thrifty applies a daily young driver surcharge in Chicago for renters under 25 years old.

In Illinois, the standard minimum age to hire without a surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will pay an additional daily underage fee. For Thrifty, the surcharge is US$13.50 per rental day plus applicable taxes, with a maximum cap of US$189 plus taxes for the hire period.

Additional considerations for young drivers at Chicago Thrifty locations:

• Certain vehicle classes are restricted to renters aged 25 and over, including full-size, premium, luxury, SUV, minivan, and convertible categories.
• The underage fee applies to each named driver under 25, including additional drivers.
• A physical major credit card in the main driver's name is still required for the security deposit.

If you are 21 to 24 and booking a Chicago Thrifty hire, select economy, compact, or intermediate vehicle classes to avoid class restrictions, and budget for the daily surcharge on top of your prepaid rate.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Thrifty hire in Chicago, but the driver must be present at the counter at collection with their own valid driving licence.

Whether the fee applies depends on your rate:

• If your booking confirmation states "Additional driver free of charge" or "Additional driver included," the first extra driver is covered at no cost.
• If not included, Thrifty charges US$13.50 per rental day plus taxes for each additional driver, with a maximum of US$189 plus taxes for the hire period.

All additional drivers must meet the same document requirements as the main driver. If an additional driver holds a foreign licence using a non-Latin alphabet, they must also present an International Driving Permit. Drivers under 25 may be subject to the young driver surcharge on top of the additional driver fee.

Only drivers listed on the Thrifty hire agreement in Chicago are covered by the vehicle's protections. Anyone who drives without being named on the contract may void cover.

Yes, Thrifty allows one-way hires within the United Kingdom, so you can pick up in Chicago and return the vehicle at a different location.

A one-way drop-off fee applies in addition to your hire rate. This fee varies by route, vehicle class, and availability, and is not included in the prepaid rate. You can see the exact drop-off fee during the booking process under the "To pay at destination" section before confirming your reservation.

Key points to bear in mind:

• The drop-off fee is a one-off charge, not a daily rate.
• Cross-border one-way hires (for example, Chicago to Canada) may be restricted or carry higher fees depending on Thrifty's partner rules.
• Changing your return location after booking may reprice the hire and recalculate the drop-off fee.
• If the counter charges a different fee than shown on your confirmation, keep all paperwork and contact support after the hire.

Confirm the drop-off fee for your specific Chicago Thrifty route before booking to avoid surprises at the counter.

Yes, Chicago operates an active speed camera enforcement programme that renters should be aware of when driving a Thrifty vehicle in the city.

As of 2025, speed cameras are deployed near schools and parks throughout Chicago. The fine structure is:

• Speeds 6 mph or more over the limit: US$35 fine
• Speeds 11 mph or more over the limit: US$100 fine

Cameras issue warnings initially before citations are issued. However, fines linked to the vehicle's licence plate are ultimately billed to Thrifty, which will then charge the amount to your credit card along with an administrative processing fee.

Chicago also has a distinctive one-way street system that can be disorienting for visitors. Major corridors such as Ohio/Ontario and Superior/Huron Streets are one-way, and some areas have recently been converted, so GPS navigation is strongly recommended for your Thrifty hire in Chicago. Speed camera fines are not covered by any hire protection or cashback benefit.

Thrifty uses a Full-to-Full fuel policy for Chicago hires. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

To avoid fuel charges on your Chicago Thrifty hire:

• At collection, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement.
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge.
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location, whether that is O'Hare, Midway, or a centre city address, so the gauge does not drop before you arrive.
• Keep the fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address.

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, Thrifty will charge you for the fuel shortfall at the partner's refuelling rate, which is typically higher than pump prices, plus a refuelling service fee. If you are charged for fuel despite returning the tank full, contact support with your receipt and dashboard photo as evidence.

Yes, most bookings include travel assistance through Terrawind Global Protection, which can help if you face a medical or travel emergency during your Thrifty hire in Chicago. However, this benefit does not apply to customers who are residents of the United States or Canada.

For eligible renters, the cover includes:

• Medical assistance for accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses, covering up to 5 passengers.
• Legal assistance in the event of an accident.
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline.
• Flight cancellation insurance.

If you need assistance while driving your Thrifty hire in the Chicago area, including on toll roads or motorways such as I-90 or I-294, contact the assistance line immediately:

• Phone (24/7, toll-free): +1 888 980 9992
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Provide your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your current location in Chicago, and a description of the situation. This cover does not replace CDW/LDW for vehicle damage or third-party liability insurance.