Thrifty Car Hire
in Detroit

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

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

Thrifty operates an off-airport facility at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), located at 334 Lucas Drive, Romulus, MI 48242. The Thrifty counter is consolidated with Dollar Car Hire at this facility.

After landing at DTW and collecting your baggage, follow the signs to the hire car shuttle area inside the terminal. Board the Thrifty/Dollar shuttle, which will take you to the consolidated hire facility on Lucas Drive. The shuttle ride is approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

Once at the facility, proceed to the Thrifty counter for vehicle assignment and collection. Be aware that during peak travel periods, counter wait times at the Detroit Thrifty location can reach 45 minutes, so factor this into your arrival plans. There is no confirmed Thrifty counter in downtown Detroit; the DTW facility is the primary location serving the Detroit area.

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

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

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 all other non-English licences, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation document only and must be carried alongside your original licence.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies or photos on a phone are not accepted at the Thrifty counter in Detroit.

Yes, there are toll facilities in the Detroit area that Thrifty renters should plan for before driving.

Michigan does not use a statewide electronic toll system like E-ZPass or SunPass. The main toll facilities you may encounter include:

• Detroit-Windsor Tunnel (connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario): US$6.50 per crossing, or US$5.75 via the Nexpress app. This tunnel is cashless, so you cannot pay with cash at the booth.
• Mackinac Bridge (on I-75, if driving north): US$4.00 for a standard 2-axle vehicle. Cash is accepted here.
• Grosse Ile Toll Bridge (linking Riverview to Grosse Ile Township): US$3.00 to US$7.00 depending on payment method.

Thrifty vehicles at Detroit are typically pre-equipped with a PlatePass toll device. At collection, you can enrol in a pay-per-use plan (tolls billed at the maximum rate plus a daily processing fee) or an unlimited daily pass. If you do not enrol and drive through a cashless toll, the charge is captured by camera, billed to Thrifty, and then passed on to you with an administrative fee.

All Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Detroit hire. See FAQ below for details.

Yes, every Hola Car Rentals booking, including Thrifty hires in Detroit, includes Tolls Cashback. This benefit reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls you pay during your hire.

This is especially useful in Detroit, where toll facilities such as the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel (US$6.50 per crossing) and the Mackinac Bridge (US$4.00) can add up, particularly if you plan to cross into Windsor, Ontario or drive north towards the Upper Peninsula.

To claim your cashback after returning your Thrifty vehicle in Detroit:

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

Refunds are issued to the original payment method used for your reservation and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

Yes, a physical major credit card in the main driver’s name is required at the Thrifty counter in Detroit to cover the authorisation hold.

At collection, Thrifty will place a temporary authorisation on your card. 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. The hold reduces your available credit until it is released after you return the car.

• Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the deposit hold
• Virtual or single-use card numbers are not accepted; you must present the physical card
• The card must have the driver’s name printed on it and match the name on the hire agreement

Even if you prepaid your Detroit Thrifty booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at the counter. It is advisable to bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined. If your bank may flag an in-person authorisation in the United States, set a travel notice before your trip.

Yes, drivers under 25 can hire from Thrifty in Detroit, and Michigan state law is an important factor here.

Michigan's public-accommodation law prohibits age discrimination, which means Thrifty is required to hire to licensed drivers aged 18 and over in Detroit. However, a young-renter surcharge applies to drivers under 25. For Thrifty, this fee is US$13.50 per hire day plus applicable taxes, with a maximum cap of US$189 plus taxes for the hire period.

Additional rules for under-25 renters at the Detroit Thrifty location:

• Most premium and specialised vehicle classes are restricted to drivers aged 25 and over
• Economy, compact, and intermediate vehicle categories are generally available to younger renters
• A valid driver’s licence and a major credit card in the renter’s name are still required

If you are adding an under-25 driver as an additional driver to a Detroit Thrifty booking, note that additional driver age rules may differ. Confirm eligibility at the counter when adding the driver to the agreement.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Thrifty hire in Detroit, either as an included benefit or for a fee paid at the counter.

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

To add a driver at the Detroit Thrifty counter:

• The additional driver must be present at collection with a valid driver’s licence
• If their licence is not in English or uses a non-Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit is also required
• 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 are covered by the vehicle’s protections such as CDW/LDW. Anyone who drives the Detroit hire car without being named on the contract may void coverage and incur additional charges.

Thrifty hires in Detroit 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 collection, confirm the fuel level with the Thrifty agent and ensure the starting level is recorded on your hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the gauge and odometer before leaving the Detroit facility on Lucas Drive.

When returning your Thrifty vehicle at the DTW return location at 334 Lucas Drive, refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return site so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive. Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address.

• If you return the car below the recorded starting level, Thrifty will charge you for the fuel shortfall at their refuelling rate, which is typically higher than retail pump prices, plus a service fee
• Use the correct fuel type for your vehicle; wrong-fuel incidents are not covered by the fuel policy
• For after-hours returns at the DTW facility, leave your fuel receipt in the return envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge as evidence

Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings, including Thrifty hires in Detroit, include Travel Assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection. This benefit is particularly relevant if you experience a medical emergency or accident while driving in the Detroit metro area or on longer drives such as the I-75 corridor towards the Mackinac Bridge.

Core benefits typically include:

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

To reach assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free/collect) or contact WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

Important: This cover applies only to non-North American customers. Residents of the United States and Canada do not qualify for this benefit. Cover limits and exclusions are detailed in your booking confirmation and the Terrawind policy terms.

Thrifty vehicles at the Detroit DTW location are typically pre-equipped with a PlatePass toll device, which handles electronic toll billing automatically as you drive through cashless toll points.

At the Thrifty counter in Detroit, you will be offered the option to enrol in the PlatePass programme. You have two main choices:

• Pay-per-use: You are charged the actual toll amount at the maximum rate, plus a daily processing fee typically ranging from US$3.95 to US$10.99 per day
• Unlimited daily pass: A flat daily rate of approximately US$10.99 to US$25.99 regardless of how many tolls you use, which may be worthwhile if you plan to cross the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel multiple times or drive to the Mackinac Bridge

If you do not enrol in PlatePass and drive through a cashless toll such as the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, the toll agency captures your plate by camera, invoices Thrifty, and Thrifty then bills you with an additional administrative fee per toll event.

Review the PlatePass terms carefully before signing the Thrifty hire agreement in Detroit, and ask the agent to confirm whether the device is active in your assigned vehicle.

Yes, after-hours returns are generally supported at the Thrifty/Dollar consolidated facility at 334 Lucas Drive, Romulus, near Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

The return facility offers onsite services and shuttle availability that suggest after-hours drop-off is possible, though specific counter hours for the Detroit Thrifty location are not published. Before your hire begins, confirm after-hours return procedures directly with the Thrifty agent at collection.

For a smooth after-hours return at the Detroit facility:

• Refuel before arriving at 334 Lucas Drive so your tank is full per the Full-to-Full policy
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the fuel gauge and odometer at the return lot
• Use the key drop box at the facility and keep your receipt and photos as evidence of the return condition
• Note that liability for the vehicle may continue until Thrifty formally checks it in the next business day

If you have concerns about after-hours charges or procedures for your Detroit Thrifty booking, contact Hola Car Rentals support before your trip to clarify what is covered.

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

When booking a one-way hire from the Detroit Thrifty location, the drop-off fee is calculated based on the specific route, the distance between cities, the vehicle class, and the season. This fee is shown during the booking process under the "To pay at destination" section and will also appear on your booking confirmation.

• Returning to a different airport or city in Michigan or another state typically incurs a drop-off fee
• Cross-border one-way hires, such as returning the Detroit Thrifty vehicle in Canada, may be restricted or carry significantly higher fees; confirm this before booking
• Same-city returns between the DTW airport and a downtown location generally do not incur a drop-off fee, though there is no confirmed Thrifty city-centre location in Detroit

If the drop-off fee shown at the Thrifty counter in Detroit differs from what your confirmation states, keep all paperwork and contact Hola Car Rentals support after the hire. The No Extra Charges© guarantee may apply if the fee was not disclosed during booking.

The insurance cover included with your Thrifty hire in Detroit depends on the rate plan you selected when booking through Hola Car Rentals.

The two main protections to understand are:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): Reduces your financial liability for damage to the Thrifty hire vehicle itself from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. This 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 the Detroit Thrifty hire. In Michigan, state law requires a minimum level of liability cover, but Hola Car Rentals strongly recommends adding supplementary liability (up to US$300,000) for broader protection.

CDW/LDW does not cover tyres, the undercarriage, the roof, personal belongings, or incidents involving unauthorised drivers. Only drivers listed on the Thrifty hire agreement in Detroit are covered.

Review your Hola Car Rentals confirmation carefully to confirm which protections are included in your specific rate before arriving at the Detroit Thrifty counter.