Thrifty Car Hire
in Cleveland

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Cleveland, 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 Cleveland.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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)

The Thrifty hire counter at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is located at 19601 Maplewood Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44135. Thrifty operates a shuttle service connecting the terminal to this location, so after collecting your luggage, follow the signs for hire car shuttles and board the Thrifty shuttle to reach the counter.

The Cleveland airport Thrifty location operates on the following schedule:

• Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Plan your arrival accordingly, especially on weekends when the Cleveland Thrifty airport counter closes earlier. If your flight lands outside these hours, contact the location in advance to confirm whether after-hours arrangements are available.

To pick up your Thrifty hire car in Cleveland, you must bring the following physical documents:

• Your original, unexpired driver’s licence in the main driver’s name
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, used for the authorisation hold
• A valid passport or government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for international visitors)

If your driver’s licence is not in English and does not use a Latin (Roman) alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory at the Thrifty counter in Cleveland. For licences in English or a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted by Thrifty at the Cleveland counter. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold.

Yes, a major credit card is required to rent from Thrifty in Cleveland. The card must be in the main driver’s name, with the driver’s name physically printed on the card, and presented in person at the counter.

At the Cleveland Thrifty counter, a temporary authorisation hold is placed on your card at pickup. For standard vehicles in the United States, this hold is typically around US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount depends on the vehicle class and location policies.

Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or digital-only card numbers are not accepted for the security deposit at Thrifty in Cleveland. Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at the counter.

A few tips to avoid issues at the Cleveland Thrifty counter:

• Ensure your card has sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges
• Notify your bank of your travel plans to prevent fraud blocks on in-person authorisations
• Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined

Yes, Thrifty vehicles in Cleveland come equipped with an electronic toll device, which is important because the Ohio Turnpike (I-76, I-80, I-90) is a major toll road you may encounter when driving in or out of Cleveland.

The Ohio Turnpike is a 241-mile east-west route that accepts E-ZPass electronically as well as cash or credit card at toll plazas. Typical 2026 passenger vehicle tolls for the full route range from US$16 to US$27.75 depending on direction and payment method, with E-ZPass saving roughly 33% compared to cash or credit.

At the Thrifty counter in Cleveland, you have two options for handling tolls:

• Purchase an unlimited toll package, typically priced between US$11 and US$25 per rental day, which covers all tolls during your hire
• Opt out and pay tolls manually, either at toll plazas or through the Ohio Turnpike website, but be aware that any unpaid tolls will be billed to your card by Thrifty along with administrative processing fees

If you choose not to enrol in the Thrifty toll programme in Cleveland, make sure to pay all Ohio Turnpike tolls promptly to avoid penalty charges being passed on to your credit card after the hire ends.

Yes, one-way hires with Thrifty in Cleveland are generally possible, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your return location.

When booking a one-way hire from Cleveland, the drop-off fee is shown during checkout under the section labelled as charges due at the destination. This fee is set by Thrifty and varies based on the distance between Cleveland and your return city, the vehicle class, and the season.

Common patterns for one-way hires from Cleveland include:

• Returning to another location within the same city or metro area: often no drop-off fee
• Returning to a different Ohio city or neighbouring state: a drop-off fee typically applies
• Long-distance or cross-country returns: fees are usually higher and some routes may not be permitted

Cross-border one-way hires, such as returning a Cleveland Thrifty vehicle in Canada, may be restricted or require special authorisation. Always confirm cross-border rules on your booking confirmation before driving across any international border.

If you need to change your return location after booking, contact support promptly, as mid-hire route changes must be approved by Thrifty and may result in re-pricing or additional fees.

The minimum age to hire from Thrifty in Cleveland without a young-renter surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire from Thrifty in Cleveland but will be charged a daily young-renter surcharge in addition to the base hire rate.

For Thrifty in Cleveland, the young-renter surcharge is approximately US$13.50 per hire day plus applicable taxes, with a maximum cap of US$189 plus taxes for the hire period.

Drivers under 25 hiring from Thrifty in Cleveland should also be aware of vehicle class restrictions:

• Economy, compact, and intermediate sedans and SUVs are generally available to drivers aged 21 to 24
• Premium, luxury, full-size SUV, minivan, convertible, and speciality vehicle classes are typically restricted to drivers aged 25 and older

Ohio does not have a state law requiring hires to drivers under 21, so the minimum age at the Cleveland Thrifty location is 21 for most standard vehicle classes. All standard requirements still apply regardless of age, including a valid driver’s licence and a major credit card in the renter’s name for the security deposit.

All bookings made through Hola Car Rentals, including Thrifty hires in Cleveland, include a Tolls Cashback benefit that reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire.

This is especially useful in Cleveland because the Ohio Turnpike (I-76, I-80, I-90) passes directly through the region, and tolls for a full crossing can reach US$19 to US$27.75 per trip depending on your payment method and direction of travel.

To claim your Tolls Cashback after your Cleveland Thrifty hire, follow these steps:

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

The refund is calculated as the lesser of your actual toll costs or 5% of your total booking value. For example, if your Cleveland Thrifty booking totalled US$400, the maximum cashback would be US$20. Refunds are issued to the original payment method within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Thrifty hire in Cleveland, but the additional driver must be present at the counter at the time of pickup.

For Thrifty in Cleveland, the additional driver fee is approximately US$13.50 per hire day plus taxes, with a maximum charge of US$189 plus taxes for the hire period. If your booking confirmation explicitly states that an additional driver is included at no charge, no fee applies for the first extra driver.

To add an additional driver at the Cleveland Thrifty counter:

• The additional driver must appear in person at pickup with a valid driver’s licence
• If their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, they must also present an International Driving Permit
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement
• Verify the additional driver’s name appears on your printed contract before leaving the counter

Only drivers listed on the Thrifty hire agreement in Cleveland are covered by the vehicle’s protections. Anyone who drives the car without being named on the contract may void coverage and result in additional charges. If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a Thrifty branch to update the agreement.

Thrifty hires in Cleveland follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.

At the Cleveland Thrifty counter, before driving away:

• Confirm the fuel gauge reads full and that the starting level is recorded on your hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge
• Ask the agent for the nearest petrol stations to the return location

When returning your Thrifty vehicle in Cleveland, refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 kilometres of the return location so the tank does not drop below full before you arrive. Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address as proof in case of any dispute.

If you return the Cleveland Thrifty vehicle with less than a full tank, you may be charged for the fuel shortfall at the partner’s refuelling rate, which is typically higher than retail pump prices, plus a refuelling service fee. Returning the car full is always the most cost-effective option.

For after-hours returns at the Cleveland Thrifty location, leave your fuel receipt in the return envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge on your phone.

The insurance coverage included with your Thrifty hire in Cleveland depends on the rate plan selected at booking. It is important to review your booking confirmation carefully before arriving at the Cleveland Thrifty counter.

The two main types of coverage relevant to a Thrifty hire in Cleveland are:

• Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the hire vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation states zero deductible. CDW/LDW does not cover damage to other vehicles or injuries to other people.
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving the Thrifty vehicle in Cleveland. In Ohio, state-minimum liability is not automatically guaranteed on all hires, so adding supplementary liability coverage is strongly recommended.

CDW/LDW and LIS/ALI/SLI are separate protections. Having one does not replace the other. At the Cleveland Thrifty counter, review the hire agreement to confirm which coverages are active and note any deductible amounts before signing.

Coverage applies only to drivers listed on the Thrifty hire agreement in Cleveland. Any unlisted driver who operates the vehicle in Cleveland may void the protections entirely.

Yes, Thrifty has two hire locations in Cleveland: one at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and one in the city centre.

The details for each Cleveland Thrifty location are:

• Airport location: 19601 Maplewood Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44135, with shuttle service from the terminal. Hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and Saturday through Sunday 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• City centre location: 1701 East 12th Street, Cleveland. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

If you are arriving by plane at Cleveland Hopkins, the airport Thrifty location is the most convenient option. The city centre Thrifty location may suit travellers arriving by other means or those who prefer to pick up the vehicle closer to the city centre.

Note that the city centre Cleveland Thrifty location has more limited weekday hours and no Sunday service, so plan your pickup and return times accordingly. If you are unsure which location best fits your itinerary, confirm the details on your booking confirmation before travelling to either address.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory at the Thrifty counter in Cleveland if your driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script. Without an IDP in these cases, Thrifty in Cleveland may refuse to hand over the vehicle.

If your licence is in English or uses a Latin (Roman) alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required for hiring from Thrifty in Cleveland. However, carrying one can help avoid any ambiguity at the counter.

Important points about the IDP for your Cleveland Thrifty hire:

• The IDP is a translation document only and must always be carried alongside your original driver’s licence, never as a standalone document
• You must obtain the IDP in your home country before travelling to Cleveland, as it cannot be issued abroad
• All documents presented at the Thrifty counter in Cleveland must be physical originals; digital copies are not accepted

If you are unsure whether your licence requires an IDP for the Cleveland Thrifty counter, obtain one before your trip to avoid any risk of being refused the vehicle at pickup.

Yes, most bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be valuable if you experience an emergency during your Thrifty hire in Cleveland or while driving on Ohio roads such as the Ohio Turnpike.

The travel assistance benefit typically covers:

• Medical coverage for up to 5 passengers for accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident during your Cleveland Thrifty hire
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This coverage is designed for travellers hiring abroad and does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. If you are a US or Canadian resident hiring a Thrifty vehicle in Cleveland, this benefit is not available to you.

To use travel assistance during your Cleveland Thrifty hire, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

• Phone (toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Always check your booking confirmation to verify whether travel assistance is included in your specific rate and to review the exact coverage limits that apply to your Cleveland Thrifty hire.