Thrifty Hire Car at Rentalcars.com $236 vs Thrifty Direct $556

LMarty-69 on 10/02/2020 - 10:07
Last edited 10/02/2020 - 11:56

Is there a reason to be suspicious? How can Rentalcars.com be $385 cheaper for 4 days? (The Thrifty quote even includes Auto Club Membership discount).
Exactly the same booking, the only difference is excess, $5000 on Rental vs $4000 at Thrifty but I can cover that with extra insurance for $50.
I've used Rentalcars.com in the US and friends used them in the UK without any issues but this seems odd to me.

Does anyone have experience with Rentalcars.com in Australia? Are they so cheap because I miss something?

[edit] At checkout I noticed Rentalcars.com has $136 One-Way fee. Changed subject. It's now $263 compared to $556. Still $293 difference.

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Comments

  • ESEMCE on 10/02/2020 - 10:12

    I've used them a few times, but never seen anything like this price difference!

  • thatonethere on 10/02/2020 - 10:21
    +1

    Sometimes you can crazy good deals with rentalcars.com (however as you have checked sometimes the deals are just sans insurance, premium location, return fees etc).

    • sagrules on 11/02/2020 - 13:42

      Also could be in US$ vs $AUD

  • Wampus on 10/02/2020 - 10:33
    +1

    Yeah, I don't know why this happens, but the aggregator sites are always substantially cheaper. For Australian domestic car hire I use Airportrentals, the only price I get that comes close/beats it is if you have an Entertainment card and use their site. Hired a rental about six times in the last six months and this was the result every time.

    • ESEMCE on 10/02/2020 - 11:03
      +1

      Cheers, just checked my recent Rentalcars price against Airportrentals and it's ~$100 cheaper at Airportrentals for the same vehicle and provider.

      Interestingly, the Thrifty site itself says there's no cars available in the category I'm renting! (Probably explains their tendency to "upgrade" me to s SUV that's significantly smaller than that requested)

      Maybe this is the key? The Aggregators happily book you into a car that is not available, then the Rental Desk sell you an "upgrade" to a car that is actually a downgrade. The vast majority accept the "upgrade" without question.

  • sheepdog on 10/02/2020 - 10:48

    Had similar, just check the insurance included but otherwise, I've not had a problem with aggregators.

  • wiipantz on 10/02/2020 - 11:01

    Thread hijack a litte; has anyone got tips for car Hire in France and Italy including OP as you noticed such disparity? Namely south of France Marseille and in Sicily Palermo? I'm trying to get registered on Go-get also but would welcome suggestions. In the past I've used Intercar rental in Florence.

    • sheepdog on 10/02/2020 - 11:32

      Be mindful that renting a car in Florence means you have to pick it up from outside the main city and do not accidentally drive into the city as you need a special permit to do that. So, be comfortable with taking your luggage there.

      • wiipantz on 10/02/2020 - 11:57

        Not renting in Florence this time, had done previously in the past, NBD as had a shuttle then. I'm renting in South of France and Sicily now and after any input, thanks.

        • sheepdog on 11/02/2020 - 14:41
          +1

          Only thing I've heard from friends on driving through Sicily is to be mindful that its dodgey AF. So be vigilant on not leaving your luggage visible in the car whilst touring.

          • wiipantz on 11/02/2020 - 14:54

            @sheepdog: Yeah, that's a general rule even here in Melb. I hardly keep anything in the car. Also I travel extremely light, carry-on only ect. Sucks about hearing Sicily being dodge, spose individual results may vary.

            • sheepdog on 11/02/2020 - 15:03
              +1

              @wiipantz: I'm sure it'll be fine - I've heard the food is some of the best Italy has to offer.

  • Ocker on 10/02/2020 - 11:23

    For what model car is the cost of $556 at Thrifty. Seems a bit high for 4 days.

    • Marty-69 on 10/02/2020 - 11:33

      Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross $571
      Toyota Yaris $581
      But they now seem to be "sold out".

      • ESEMCE on 10/02/2020 - 11:36

        Yikes! Where are you renting?
        I'm renting from Perth Airport return, 8 days, Camry in school holidays and it's $550 on Rentalcars, $444 on AirportRentals

  • Marty-69 on 10/02/2020 - 11:58

    Airport Rentals: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross $127 + $136 one-way fee = $263 ($5000 excess and 800km included)
    Rentalcars: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross $127 + $136 one-way fee = $263 ($5000 excess and 800km included)

    The main differences I found to keep an eye on:
    - Excess
    - One-Way fee (none, $136 or $500 at Thrifty)
    - Km unlimited or 200 km per day included.

    • djkelly69 on 10/02/2020 - 12:39

      Assume you have checked it is AUD and not USD?

      • Marty-69 on 10/02/2020 - 13:10

        Good one! But yes, all in AUD.

  • SimbaGirl on 10/02/2020 - 18:05

    Thrifty's prices are absolutely ridiculous at the moment. I've used them for the last 5-6 years when travelling domestically as I always found they had the best prices of all the major car rental firms. My normal process has been to keep an eye on prices from a few months out, when they're still quite expensive, and watch them drop to a reasonable level about 4-6 weeks out, then book. Then I check prices regularly as they often drop considerably a couple of weeks (or even a week) before my departure date, cancel and rebook.

    I was checking prices for a trip to NSW in May, and they're still between $1000 and $1500 for two weeks, way too much. so checked prices over the next few weeks of February, and was surprised to find they're still extremely high, no sign of any drop at all. . I've rented with Thrifty probably a dozen times or more in recent years and have never seen anything like it. I've tried several aggregator sites and, like the OP, have found huge differences in their prices compared to Thrifty, sometimes less than half what Thrifty's charging (I always pick up/drop off at the same collection point, so don't have to take one-way fees into account).

    I've always booked directly with Thrifty, but doesn't look like I'll be doing so this time.

  • bym on 12/02/2020 - 14:49
    +1

    This thread prompted me to check my Thrifty NZ booking in July. Glad I did, it has gone from almost $500 down to $330. Thanks OP!

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