Thrifty Car Hire
in Tampa

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

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa International Airport is located at 5405 Airport Service Road, Tampa, GBP 33607. This is by far the most popular Thrifty location in Tampa, used by the vast majority of renters.

Thrifty also operates additional locations in Tampa if you prefer an off-airport pickup:

• Thrifty Tampa North: 1102 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, GBP 33612
• Thrifty Tampa Brandon: 9017 E Adamo Dr, Tampa, GBP 33619
• Thrifty Tampa West: 6037 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, GBP 33614
• Marriott Waterside Thrifty: 700 S Florida Ave, Tampa, GBP 33602

At the airport, follow the car hire signs after baggage claim. If you are unsure which terminal or building to head to, look for the hire car centre indicators or ask airport staff. Confirm your exact pickup location on your booking confirmation before you travel.

To pick up your Thrifty hire car in Tampa, 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 (debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the excess)
• A passport or valid 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, for example Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. For licences in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original licence.

All documents must be physical. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the Thrifty counter in Tampa.

It depends on your licence. When hiring from Thrifty in Tampa, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory if your driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic. If your licence is in a Latin-based script but not in English, an IDP is strongly recommended to avoid any issues at the counter.

The IDP is a translation document only. It is not a standalone licence and will not be accepted without your original driver’s licence. You must carry both together.

Important: obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling to Tampa. U.S. issuers such as AAA do not issue IDPs to holders of non-U.S. licences.

If you are unsure whether your licence qualifies, check with the Thrifty counter requirements or contact support before your trip.

Tampa has several cashless toll roads, including the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, and almost no cash toll booths. Your Thrifty hire car in Tampa will include an electronic toll device or a plate-based billing system, so you will pass through toll gantries automatically.

At the Thrifty counter in Tampa, you typically have two options:

• Unlimited toll package: approximately US$13.99 per day or US$69.95 per week, covering all tolls during your hire
• Pay per use: the actual toll amount plus daily or administrative processing fees billed to your credit card, sometimes weeks after you return the car

Estimated toll costs in the Tampa area run approximately US$3 to US$10 per day depending on which roads you use. If you prefer to manage tolls yourself, you can opt out of the Thrifty programme at pickup and use your own visitor toll pass. If you do this, ask the counter agent to deactivate the vehicle’s default device to avoid duplicate charges.

Toll charges may appear on your card days or even weeks after the hire ends, as toll agencies process invoices in batches.

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

The credit card is used to place a temporary authorisation hold, typically around US$300 to US$400 for standard vehicles in the United States. This is an authorisation, not a charge, but it reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the hire ends, which can take up to 15 business days.

• Debit cards are not accepted for the excess
• Prepaid or virtual cards are not accepted
• Digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay are not accepted at the counter for the deposit

Even if you prepaid your Thrifty Tampa booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at pickup. It is advisable to bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined.

When you pick up your Thrifty hire car in Tampa, a temporary authorisation is placed on your credit card as a security deposit. For standard vehicles in the United States, this is typically around US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount varies by vehicle class, location, and season.

A few things to keep in mind about the Thrifty Tampa deposit:

• The hold is an authorisation, not a charge, but it reduces your available credit while active
• Premium or speciality vehicles may carry a higher hold amount
• After you return the car, the hold is released, but your bank controls when it clears, which can take up to 15 business days
• Only a major credit card in the main driver’s name is accepted; debit and prepaid cards are not allowed

Before arriving at the Thrifty counter in Tampa, confirm with your bank that your card is enabled for in-person transactions and that you have sufficient available credit to cover both the hold and any expected charges.

Yes, Thrifty in Tampa charges a young-driver surcharge for renters under 25 years old. In fact, research indicates that drivers under 30 may be subject to an additional fee at the Thrifty Tampa Airport location at 5405 Airport Service Road.

In the United Kingdom generally, the standard minimum age to hire without a surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will pay a daily young-renter fee at the counter. Most vehicle classes are also restricted for under-25 renters, with economy, compact, and intermediate categories typically being the only options available.

• Thrifty young-driver surcharge: approximately US$13.50 per hire day plus taxes, with a maximum charge of US$189 plus taxes
• Vehicle class restrictions apply regardless of the surcharge
• The fee is paid at the Thrifty counter in Tampa, not prepaid online

If you are between 21 and 24, Budget for this surcharge when planning your Tampa hire. Contact support before booking if you have questions about eligibility or class restrictions.

Yes, all bookings made through Hola Car Rentals, including Thrifty hires in Tampa, include Tolls Cashback of up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire.

Tampa has cashless toll roads such as the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, so toll charges are common. Here is how to claim your cashback after your Thrifty Tampa hire:

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

Example: if your Tampa booking total is US$400, the cashback cap is US$20. If you paid US$14 in tolls on the Selmon Expressway, you receive US$14 back. If you paid US$30, you receive US$20 (the cap).

Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted.

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

To avoid fuel fees on your Tampa hire:

• Check the fuel gauge with the Thrifty agent at pickup and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the gauge and odometer
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
• Keep your final fuel receipt as proof

If you return the Thrifty car in Tampa 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 the pump price, plus a refuelling service fee.

Note that Tampa fuel prices are slightly above the Florida state average, so refuelling near the airport before return is the most cost-effective approach. Ask the Thrifty agent at pickup for the nearest petrol station to the return location.

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

Whether the fee is included depends on your rate. If your booking confirmation shows additional driver as included, the first extra driver is free. If it is not included, Thrifty charges approximately US$13.50 per hire day plus taxes, with a maximum of US$189 plus taxes for the Tampa hire period.

• The additional driver must meet the same age and document requirements as the main driver
• If the additional driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, they will also need an IDP
• For Thrifty in Tampa, additional drivers should generally be at least 25 years old; younger drivers may face a surcharge or be declined depending on location rules
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement

Only drivers listed on the Thrifty hire agreement in Tampa are covered by the hire protections. Anyone not named on the contract who drives the vehicle may void your coverage.

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

Here is what to expect when booking a one-way Thrifty hire from Tampa:

• Same-city returns, for example from Tampa Airport to a downtown Tampa Thrifty location, often carry no drop-off fee
• Returns to a different Florida city, such as Orlando or MIA, typically incur a one-way fee that varies by distance and vehicle class
• Cross-state or long-distance one-ways may carry higher fees or may not be permitted for certain vehicle classes

The drop-off fee, if applicable, is shown during the booking process under the section labelled to pay at destination. It cannot be prepaid and will be collected at the Thrifty counter in Tampa at pickup.

If you change your return location after booking, the fee may be recalculated. Always review your booking confirmation to confirm the exact drop-off fee for your Thrifty Tampa route before you travel.

The insurance coverage included with your Thrifty hire in Tampa depends on the rate plan you selected when booking. Most Hola Car Rentals rate plans for the United States include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), which reduces your financial liability for damage to the Thrifty vehicle itself.

Key points about coverage for your Tampa hire:

• CDW/LDW covers damage to the hire car from a collision, theft, or vandalism, subject to any excess shown on your confirmation
• CDW/LDW does not cover third-party liability, meaning damage or injury you cause to other people or their property
• Third-party liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) is a separate coverage; some UK states require a minimum, but not all do, so check your confirmation carefully
• Common exclusions include tyres, undercarriage, roof damage, and incidents involving unauthorised drivers

England does not mandate that hire companies include full liability coverage by default, so reviewing your Thrifty Tampa hire agreement at pickup is important. If third-party liability is not included in your rate, you can add it at the counter. Always confirm all named drivers are listed on the agreement before leaving the Tampa location.

Yes, most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals, including Thrifty hires in Tampa, include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection. This benefit is particularly useful if you experience a medical emergency or an incident while driving Tampa's highways, such as the I-275 or the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway.

Coverage typically includes:

• Travel insurance with medical cover for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in the event of an accident
• Compensation for luggage 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) or contact via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

Important: this travel assistance benefit does not apply to residents of the United Kingdom or Canada. It is designed for international visitors hiring in Tampa. It also does not cover damage to the Thrifty hire vehicle itself, which is handled by CDW/LDW, or third-party liability, which requires separate coverage. Always check your booking confirmation for the exact terms and limits that apply to your Thrifty Tampa reservation.