Thrifty Car Hire
in Connecticut

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

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Connecticut 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 Connecticut 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 counter at Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Connecticut is located inside the terminal building at 180 Schoephoester Road, Windsor Locks. No shuttle is required: you can walk directly from the arrivals area to the hire counter.

Counter hours at the Thrifty BDL location are 00:00 to 01:00 and 05:00 to 23:59 daily, covering the vast majority of flight arrivals. If your flight lands during the brief early-morning closure window, plan accordingly or contact the location in advance.

When returning your vehicle, follow the hire car return signs within the airport complex. Customers report the drop-off process at this Connecticut location is quick and efficient. For returns outside counter hours, a key-drop option is standard practice at airport locations.

Yes, Thrifty has multiple locations across Connecticut beyond Bradley International Airport (BDL).

In addition to the BDL airport counter in Windsor Locks, Thrifty operates neighbourhood and city locations throughout Connecticut, including:

• Hartford area (1005 New Britain Ave and other locations)
• New Haven (1 George St)
• Danbury (1 Tooley Ln)
• Fairfield (720 Post Rd)
• Shelton (350 Bridgeport Ave, Suite 6)
• Stamford (197 N State St)
• West Hartford

Other Connecticut cities with Thrifty presence include Waterbury, Windsor, Meriden, Manchester, Southington, Wallingford, Middletown, Bridgeport, Norwalk, and others. Off-airport locations in Connecticut typically operate during standard business hours, which may differ from the extended hours at BDL. Always confirm the exact address and hours for your chosen Thrifty location before pickup.

No, Connecticut itself does not have state-operated toll roads. Driving within Connecticut in your Thrifty hire vehicle will not trigger any in-state toll charges.

However, if you drive from Connecticut into neighbouring states, you will encounter cashless toll systems. Common examples include:

• New York: the Mario Cuomo Bridge (formerly Tappan Zee), the New York Thruway, and I-95 corridors use E-ZPass and cashless plate-based billing
• Massachusetts: the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) uses E-ZPass
• Rhode Island: I-95 tolls use E-ZPass

Your Thrifty hire vehicle comes equipped with an electronic toll device. If you drive through a cashless toll plaza without enrolling in a toll programme, Thrifty will bill the toll amount at the cash rate plus an administrative processing fee per toll day. To avoid surprise charges, ask about the toll programme options at the Thrifty counter in Connecticut before you depart.

Since Connecticut has no in-state toll roads, your Thrifty hire will only encounter tolls when crossing into neighbouring states such as New York or Massachusetts.

All Thrifty vehicles in Connecticut come pre-equipped with an electronic toll device. At the counter you have two options:

• Enrol in a toll programme: a daily convenience fee (typically US$11 to US$25 per day, depending on the programme) covers toll transactions electronically. Some programmes apply only on days you actually use a toll road.
• Decline the programme and pay per use: if you drive through a cashless toll without enrolling, Thrifty will charge the toll at the cash or highest posted rate plus an administrative fee per toll day, which can exceed the cost of enrolling upfront.

Cash payment is not available at modern North-east toll plazas, so manual payment is not a practical alternative. If you plan to cross into New York or Massachusetts during your Connecticut hire, enrolling in the Thrifty toll programme at pickup is generally the more predictable option. Keep all toll receipts, as they may support a Tolls Cashback claim after your hire ends.

Yes, all bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, which lets you recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Thrifty hire in Connecticut or on nearby toll roads in neighbouring states.

Because Connecticut has no in-state toll roads, this benefit is most relevant if your Thrifty hire takes you into New York, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island, where cashless toll systems are active.

To claim your cashback:

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

The refund is capped at 5% of your booking total. For example, if your booking total is US$500, the maximum cashback is US$25. Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

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

• Your original, unexpired driver’s licence (physical card, not a digital copy)
• A major credit card in the main driver’s name, with the driver’s name printed on the card, for the security deposit hold
• A valid passport or government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors travelling internationally)

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. For licences in English or using a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required. The IDP is a translation document only and must be carried alongside your original licence.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital versions displayed on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the Thrifty counter in Connecticut or at any other hire location.

Yes, a physical major credit card in the main driver’s name is required to pick up your Thrifty hire in Connecticut.

At the counter, Thrifty will place a temporary authorisation hold on your card to cover potential incidentals. For standard vehicles in the United Kingdom, this hold is typically around US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount varies by vehicle class, location, and season.

Important points to bear in mind:

• The card must be a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.) with the driver’s name printed on it
• Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or single-use card numbers are not accepted for the deposit
• The card must have sufficient available credit to cover the hold in addition to any other charges
• Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at the Thrifty counter in Connecticut

The hold is released after you return the vehicle, but your bank controls how quickly the credit becomes available again, which can take up to 15 working days. Bringing a backup credit card is always a good precaution.

The minimum age to rent a Thrifty car in Connecticut without a young-renter surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can rent but will be charged an additional daily underage fee at the counter.

For Thrifty, the young-renter surcharge is US$13.50 per rental day plus applicable taxes, with a maximum charge of US$189 plus taxes for the rental period.

Drivers under 25 in Connecticut should also be aware of vehicle class restrictions. Categories such as full-size, SUV, minivan, luxury, premium, and convertible are typically reserved for renters aged 25 and older. Compact, economy, and intermediate classes are generally available to younger drivers.

Additional requirements that apply regardless of age:

• A valid driver’s licence in good standing
• A major credit card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit
• An International Driving Permit (IDP) if the licence uses a non-Latin alphabet

Connecticut does not fall under the New York or Michigan exceptions that require hire companies to serve drivers as young as 18. If you are between 21 and 24, budget for the daily surcharge when comparing Thrifty rates in Connecticut.

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

Steps to follow for a smooth fuel return:

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the Thrifty 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 so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
• For after-hours returns at the Connecticut location, leave the receipt in the key-drop envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, Thrifty will charge for the fuel shortfall at their refuelling rate, which is typically higher than retail pump prices, plus a refuelling service fee. Using the correct fuel type is also important: wrong-fuel incidents are not covered by the fuel policy and may generate additional charges.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Thrifty hire in Connecticut, but the extra driver must be present at the counter at pickup with their own valid driver’s licence.

If your booking confirmation does not include an additional driver at no charge, Thrifty charges US$13.50 per rental day plus taxes for each extra driver, with a maximum of US$189 plus taxes for the hire period.

Key requirements for adding a driver in Connecticut:

• The additional driver must appear in person at the Thrifty counter and sign the hire agreement
• They must hold a valid driver’s licence and meet the same minimum age requirements as the main driver
• If their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic), an IDP is also required
• Drivers aged 21 to 24 may be subject to a young-renter surcharge in addition to the additional driver fee

Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by the vehicle's protections. Anyone not named on the contract who drives the car may void cover and result in additional liability. Check your booking confirmation before arriving at the Connecticut counter to confirm whether an additional driver is already included in your rate.

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

Two main types of cover are relevant for Connecticut hires:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the Thrifty vehicle itself from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. CDW/LDW does not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving. Some UK states require a minimum level of liability to be included, but not all do. In Connecticut, we strongly recommend adding supplementary liability cover (up to US$300,000) to your Thrifty booking.

CDW/LDW and liability cover are separate protections. Having one does not replace the other. Review your Thrifty hire agreement at the Connecticut counter to confirm exactly what is active before you drive away.

Yes, most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, and this benefit applies during your Thrifty hire in Connecticut. However, this cover is available only to non-North American customers. Residents of the United States and Canada do not qualify for this benefit.

For eligible renters, the travel assistance package typically includes:

• Travel and medical cover for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This cover does not replace CDW/LDW for damage to your Thrifty vehicle, nor does it cover third-party liability. It is designed as a travel safety net for unexpected medical or travel disruptions during your Connecticut trip.

If you need assistance at any time during your hire, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

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

Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

Yes, one-way hires with Thrifty starting in Connecticut and ending in another state are possible, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on the route, vehicle class, and availability.

Key points to understand before booking a one-way Thrifty hire from Connecticut:

• The drop-off fee is route-specific and set by Thrifty. It varies by distance, destination state, and vehicle category.
• The fee is shown during the booking process under the "To pay at destination" section and will also appear on your confirmation. It cannot be prepaid.
• Cross-border one-ways (for example, Connecticut to Canada) may be restricted or require prior approval from Thrifty.
• Changing your return location after booking may reprice the hire and recalculate or add a drop-off fee.

If you are driving from Connecticut into neighbouring states such as New York or Massachusetts, remember that those states have active cashless toll roads. Your Thrifty vehicle will be equipped with an electronic toll device, and toll charges will apply in those states even though Connecticut itself has no toll roads. Review the toll programme options at the Thrifty counter before departure.