Thrifty Car Rental
in Palm Springs

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental brands operating in Palm Springs, including Thrifty, 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 rental 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 Thrifty rental experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in Palm Springs.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your Thrifty booking in Palm Springs 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 Thrifty 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 Thrifty counter in Palm Springs 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 Thrifty 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 Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is located inside the arrivals terminal at 3400 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, directly opposite the baggage claim carousels. No shuttle or consolidated rental car center is involved.

After landing and collecting your bags, walk to the Thrifty counter to complete your paperwork and receive your keys. Your vehicle will be parked a short walk outside the arrivals area in the airport parking lot, so you can drive away without any additional transfer.

The Thrifty counter at Palm Springs operates daily from 08:00 to 20:00. If your flight arrives after 20:00, plan accordingly, as after-hours pickup options are not confirmed for this location. Arriving during counter hours ensures a smooth start to your Palm Springs rental.

To collect your Thrifty rental in Palm Springs, you must bring the following physical documents to the counter:

• Your original, unexpired driver's license in the main driver's name
• A major credit card 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 from outside the United States)

If your driver's license uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory alongside your original license. For licenses in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and cannot be used without your original license.

All documents presented at the Thrifty counter in Palm Springs must be physical originals. Digital copies or photos on your phone are not accepted. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit hold.

Most highways around Palm Springs are free of tolls. However, if you plan to drive beyond the immediate area, such as toward Los Angeles or Orange County, you may encounter California's statewide FasTrak electronic toll system.

Key points for Thrifty renters driving from Palm Springs:

• Express lanes on freeways such as I-10 (which connects Palm Springs to Los Angeles) use dynamic FasTrak pricing and are cashless
• Orange County toll roads (SR-73, SR-241, SR-261, SR-133) are fully cashless and require FasTrak or plate-based billing
• There are no cash toll booths on most California toll facilities

Your Thrifty rental vehicle includes an electronic toll device or plate-based billing system. At the Palm Springs pickup counter, you can choose an unlimited toll package (typically US$11 to US$25 per day, depending on the program) or pay per use. If you decline the package and drive a toll road, Thrifty will bill the toll plus administrative processing fees to your card after the rental ends, often weeks later.

To avoid surprise charges, you can also opt out at pickup and pay tolls directly through the toll agency's website within the required window.

Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which applies to your Thrifty rental in Palm Springs and any toll roads you use during your trip, including FasTrak express lanes on I-10 toward Los Angeles or Orange County toll roads.

How it works: Hola Car Rentals reimburses the lesser of the total tolls you paid or up to 5% of your total booking value. For example, if your booking total is US$500, the maximum cashback is US$25.

To claim your cashback after returning your Thrifty vehicle in Palm Springs:

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

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

Yes, a major credit card in the main driver's name with the driver's name printed on the card is required to pick up your Thrifty rental in Palm Springs. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or digital wallet cards are not accepted for the security deposit hold.

At the Thrifty counter in Palm Springs, a temporary authorization hold will be placed on your credit card. For standard vehicles in the United States, this hold is typically US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount is set by Thrifty at the counter and may vary by vehicle class or season.

Important tips to avoid issues at pickup:

• Ensure your card has sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges
• Notify your bank of international travel if your card is issued outside the United States, to prevent fraud blocks on the in-person authorization
• Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined

Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at the Thrifty counter in Palm Springs for the security hold.

The minimum age to rent from Thrifty in Palm Springs without a young-renter surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can rent but will be charged a daily underage fee on top of the base rental rate.

Key age rules for Thrifty rentals in Palm Springs, California:

• Drivers 25 and older: no age surcharge applies
• Drivers 21 to 24: a young-renter surcharge applies, charged daily at the counter (Thrifty charges US$13.50 per rental day plus taxes, up to a maximum of US$189 plus taxes)
• Drivers under 21: generally not permitted to rent in California

Vehicle class restrictions also apply for under-25 renters. Categories such as full-size, SUV, premium, luxury, convertible, and minivan are typically restricted to drivers aged 25 and older. Economy, compact, and intermediate classes are usually available to younger renters.

If you are 21 to 24 and traveling from Latin America or the Caribbean, check your Hola Car Rentals confirmation to see if the underage fee waiver applies for Thrifty's parent group at your Palm Springs pickup location.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Thrifty rental in Palm Springs, but the extra driver must be present at the counter at the time of pickup with their own valid driver's license.

Whether the additional driver fee is included depends on your booking rate. Check your Hola Car Rentals confirmation for the line that reads additional driver free of charge. If it is not included, Thrifty charges US$13.50 per rental day plus taxes for each additional driver, with a maximum cap of US$189 plus taxes for the rental period.

Requirements for adding a driver at the Palm Springs Thrifty counter:

• The additional driver must be physically present at pickup
• They must present a valid driver's license (and an IDP if their license uses a non-Latin alphabet)
• They must meet the minimum age requirements; drivers under 25 may incur a young-renter surcharge
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement

Only drivers listed on the Thrifty rental agreement in Palm Springs are covered by the vehicle's protections such as CDW and liability coverage. Anyone not named on the contract who drives the vehicle may void those protections.

Yes, one-way returns are possible with Thrifty in the Palm Springs area. A secondary Thrifty location exists in Cathedral City at 67777 E Palm Canyon Dr, Suite 6, Cathedral City, CA 92234, approximately 10 miles from Palm Springs International Airport. This is the main off-airport return option in the greater Palm Springs area.

If you plan to return your Thrifty rental to a completely different city or region, a one-way drop-off fee will likely apply. This fee is route-specific and varies by destination, vehicle class, and season. It is not included in your prepaid rate and is due at the counter.

How to check if a drop-off fee applies to your Palm Springs Thrifty booking:

• During the booking process on the Hola Car Rentals website, select your different return location
• The drop-off fee, if applicable, will appear under the To pay at destination section on the details page
• Your booking confirmation will also list this fee if it applies

Changing your return location after booking may reprice the rental and recalculate any drop-off fee. Contact support before making mid-rental route changes, as these must be approved by Thrifty directly.

Most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be valuable if something goes wrong during your Thrifty rental in Palm Springs or while driving on surrounding desert highways.

Coverage typically includes:

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

This benefit is particularly relevant for Palm Springs renters who may be driving on remote desert routes such as those leading toward Joshua Tree or the Coachella Valley, where medical facilities can be far away.

Important: this coverage applies only to non-North American customers. Residents of the United States and Canada do not qualify for this benefit.

If you need assistance during your Palm Springs rental, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day:

• 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. Always check your specific booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your Thrifty rental.

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

Steps to avoid fuel charges on your Palm Springs Thrifty rental:

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the rental agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the Palm Springs return location before dropping off the car
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address

If you return the Thrifty vehicle in Palm Springs with less than a full tank, you may be charged for the fuel shortfall at the partner's refueling rate, which is typically higher than retail pump prices, plus a refueling service fee.

Some Thrifty counter locations may offer an optional prepaid fuel plan. If you accept it, any unused fuel is generally non-refundable, so it is usually better value to refuel yourself near the Palm Springs airport before returning the car.

Palm Springs has a few road features that can catch first-time drivers off guard, especially if you are used to driving in other countries or larger U.S. cities.

Key things to know before driving your Thrifty rental in Palm Springs:

• Palm Canyon Drive has a one-way modified arterial section running from Alejo Road to Ramon Road. This is the only significant one-way stretch in the city, but it can be confusing if you are expecting to travel in both directions on the same road
• Several major intersections, including Palm Canyon Drive at Vista Chino, Sunrise Way at Vista Chino, and Farrell Drive at Vista Chino, feature complex multi-left-turn lane setups that differ from simpler layouts found in most other U.S. cities
• Road reconfiguration projects on South Palm Canyon and Racquet Club Road are planned for Spring and Summer 2026, which may cause unexpected lane shifts or temporary closures. Check current road conditions before driving in those areas

Access to Palm Springs via Interstate 10 is straightforward. The overall road network is manageable for visitors, but being aware of the one-way section on Palm Canyon Drive will help you navigate your Thrifty rental confidently from the start.

The insurance coverage included in your Thrifty rental in Palm Springs depends on the rate plan you selected when booking through Hola Car Rentals. Check your booking confirmation for the specific protections listed.

Common coverage types available for Thrifty rentals in Palm Springs:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the Thrifty rental vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation states zero excess
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to other people while driving. Some U.S. states require a minimum level of liability, but California renters are strongly encouraged to add supplemental liability coverage

CDW and LDW do not cover third-party liability, your personal injuries, or your belongings. These require separate coverage.

What is not covered under standard CDW for your Palm Springs Thrifty rental:

• Tires, wheels, undercarriage, and roof damage (unless a specific add-on is purchased)
• Damage caused by prohibited use such as off-road driving or driving under the influence
• Incidents involving drivers not listed on the Thrifty rental agreement

Always review the rental agreement at the Palm Springs Thrifty counter to confirm the exact deductible and any exclusions before driving away.

If your flight is delayed and you arrive later than your scheduled Thrifty pickup time in Palm Springs, your reservation will generally be held for up to 24 hours from the original pickup time, provided the counter is still open when you arrive.

The Thrifty counter at Palm Springs International Airport operates daily from 08:00 to 20:00. If your delay causes you to arrive after 20:00, the counter will be closed and you will not be able to pick up your vehicle that evening, regardless of the hold policy.

What to do if your flight to Palm Springs is delayed:

• If the delay is less than 24 hours and you will arrive during counter hours (08:00 to 20:00), proceed to the Thrifty counter at baggage claim upon arrival
• If the delay pushes your arrival beyond 24 hours from the original pickup time, contact Hola Car Rentals via WhatsApp at +1 (786) 999-8312 or by email at [email protected] as soon as possible
• If the delay is greater than 24 hours, changes to your Thrifty booking in Palm Springs are not guaranteed but the support team will assist where possible

Always monitor your booking confirmation for the counter hours and plan your arrival accordingly to avoid losing your reservation.