Thrifty Car Rental South Africa

DO NOT USE THIS RENTAL AGENCY, they put a deposit of $400 on our car. We returned the car full and in perfect shape but after 2 weeks they still hadn't refunded the deposit. It took 3 calls and hours on hold before I got a human being. She told me they would process the refund but they only gave part of it back. These people are crooks!

This is the most corrupt business ever. The Datsun Go we hired was serviced more than 21000 km ago. The sticker on the inside of the driver's door was due at 30000 and on the speedometer was 36608 km. They make a customer sign their document on picking up a vehicle with unanswered questions not explaining why the customer must pay extra fees because they don't understand why as well and when dropping off the vehicle, they don't want to write that there are no new marks or scratches or tick old marks. It's also stated that the vehicles are all Covid-19 safe but the staff sleep during working hours in the cars.

I booked my car rental from Thrifty Kruger International on 24/08/2020 for collection on 12/12/2020 for a rental of 8 days, which I then had to extend to 9 days. I booked the DH category of car, which at the time had the description of Toyota Hilux 4x4 or similar. I called both the Thrifty branch in Kruger International Airport as well as the head office, when I wanted to pay for my additional day, to confirm that we would be getting the Toyota Hilux. Both confirmed that we would be receiving this vehicle. When we arrived to collect the car on Saturday 12/12/2020 we were told that the vehicle that they wanted to give to us, a Mercedes, had not been brought back, so instead we were being given a Nissan NP300 which is definitely not equivalent to a Toyota Hilux 4x4!!!. The Nissan we received also had broken glass in the foot wells of both the driver and passenger side. Photos included. We stood and argued with the gentleman at the desk for ages regarding this as I pointed out that they also had my full 8 day payment since the 24/08/2020 and that two separate people from Thrifty had confirmed that we would be hiring the Toyota Hilux 4x4. In the end, we were told that they would come and exchange the car with us, when the Mercedes arrived back, which we were told would be Monday the 14/12/2020. As we were driving into Kruger, we arrange to make the exchange at Malene Gate on Monday. On that Monday, nobody from Thrifty called me, I had to call them several times, before someone finally got back to me in the late afternoon to tell me that the exchange would now only take place on Tuesday the 15/12/2020 after 7:30am when they opened. As we were leaving Berg en Dal camp at 4:30am on the Tuesday morning and driving to Lower Sabie, we had to make the exchange at Crocodile Bridge Gate. This was done and we carried on with our trip, finally returning the car on Monday 21/12/2020. We were only then told that WE were responsible and would be charged for the milage and petrol for them to exchange the car with us. Which I think is an absolute joke! As we were never made aware of this upfront. We thought they were switching the cars for us as a courtesy. Never ever again will I use Thrifty car rental. I will use one of the other car rental agencies as a principle even if I have to pay more because of the service we received from them. To top it all off when we got back, I was told that the balance would be refunded onto my credit card within 7 working days, well 7 working days came and went and it took them 9 days to refund me and I think it was only done in 9 days because I called to complain. To be fair Lebogang from the customer care department did try resolve the issue with Taffy from the Kruger International branch and all he could offer us was the R350 additional driver charge, which wasn’t even refunded to us when we received the other refund! What a joke!

They simply do not answer their phone, and shrug their shoulders when asked questions. Truly disappointed by the service rendered, decided to cancel our booking and move to a more reputable provider.

Yes this car hire is a scam I hired a car and two weeks my deposit is not back . Sadly so I hired again I’m scared I’m gonna loose my money. . I am seeing the same reviews now

These guys went above and beyond! They brought the car to me when I couldn't get to the airport to collect it. Tafy in particular was exceptional! He didn't have to be as helpful as he was. Not only was he helpful to me. I will saw him interacting with other customers helping one guy who had been to all the competition who were not able to give him what he needed. Tafy you are an asset to Thirfty!

5 star service goes out to Onke who went our of his way to give us the best service.

Best service you will get for any rental company. Thanks Taffy you are great and excellent service from you..

Worst customer service. More than a week after rental and still waiting for deposit to be paid back.

Affordable car rental and fast and friendly service