Thrifty South Africa Reviews 

I got great service from a gentleman called Nathi in Sandton. He gave great service. He gave me the right information for me to make a wise decision. I even got my deposit in time when I returned the vehicle. I would definitely recommend Dollar Thrifty Sandton.

I have to share the Excellent 5 Star Service that I received by "Sisipho" from the Sandton Branch opposite the Gautrain in Johannesburg.

I requested a certain vehicle to surprise my daughter for her Matric Dance. And none were available on the day I called, but Sisipho assured me that we still had time to find a car. I was kept updated along the way and then was told that I may have go with a similar vehicle in that class just to be safe, which I agreed to.

On the day of collection, loan behold, I was pleasantly surprised that the dream vehicle was found and ready for collection.

My daughter was in her element as she felt like a Queen!

THANK U so much Sisipho for going that extra mile for us, and making my daughter feel so special as well as your constant updates, which I knew all will be great as I was in capable hands.

All the staff members that I interacted on the day of collection 22nd September and on the return, 23rd September where just phenomenal!

Thank u again and especially Sisipho 🌹

Regards
Avril

This is the worst car rental service ever! They completely ruined our day with their unclear requirements and unbelievably slow check out. We waited of an HOUR just to get the keys. We missed the event we were supposed to drive to - forfeiting 600 rands worth of tickets. Will NEVER again rent a car from this company!!!!!!!!!!!

It deserves a minus if possible because a zero or one ain't worth it. Its my 3Rd time using Thrifty Car rental. The first one was a breeze and the last two were the worst. I am yet to receive my deposit which is now over 6 weeks past since I dropped the car by their OR Tambo depot. If you are an International traveller coming to SA, save yourself the heartache by going some where else. They are a scam.

Worst experience ever. If you don't want to say goodbye to your deposit — go to another rental.

They said that my deposit will be unholded in 14 working days (which is actually 3 weeks, too long, but ok). Today is the 17th day and they are doing nothing about it. I've tried to reach them via email and they just don't answer until you fill up with dozens of letters on all their email addresses. After that you can receive 1-2 replies and on the next day they will just ignore you. I've chatted to ~10 support agents, what they are doing is they are providing contradictory information without any proof. When you are trying to ask them for some documents from their bank or transaction id — they just disappear.

So, if you are not the South African citizen — don't event try to rent a car here.

do not deal with this company. worst company I have ever dealt with. there was an incident with me, another car scratched the left side of the car that I rented. I called the police, recorded in a police report. but I had to pay for it, I paid the maximum (they estimated the damage was at the maximum price), but before that I paid for the super cover, respectively, it turned out 4000 zar and they provided me with documents for all costs, so after that, they continued to write to me that I have to pay them the amount of 12000 zar, if I had not chosen the super cover option. there are frauds and lies. do not do business with this company!!!

They are the worst they have no sort of proper communication they rude to their customers they are frauds and are liars please do not use them you will regret it lousy service and very very bad everything else they dont keep to their agreements and u will waste your time and money as well as effort

I rented a car in South Africa for 10 days and it was the worst experience. I had trouble picking up the car and delivering it, they are robbed me R8000 and do not answer any email.
Thrifty was literally the worst service I ever paid for in my life.
Do not fall for the same trap.

Terrible terrible terrible service, too bad

Rented as car at George Airport from 21 to 23 May 2022. Returned the car in good condition and with a full tank. Received invoice stating the same. Now to get my R8000 deposit back is another story...... Instead of a holding deposit on your card as stipulated in their T&C's, they actually physically deducted the amount off the card into their bank account...and suddenly without warning one must hear that it will take between 7 and 14 days to refund this amount. Why is this not stipulated in the terms and conditions? Why hiding it and only reveal this after I enquire about this. Now after I contractually conformed to all their requirements, I have to wait till doomsday to get my deposit back....I will NEVER EVER rent a car from these guys again in my life!

While visiting South Africa in Feb/Mar 2022, we booked 3 vehicles consecutively in Cape Town, East London and Johannesburg, over a period of almost 4 weeks. In each case we paid a R2000 deposit. 4 weeks since the end of the last rental, and 4 e-mails to customercare, we still have not received any refund. Due to a series of administrative errors on their side, were were also incorrectly charged an extra day's rental, retrospectively, which also has not been refunded. Strange that they were quick to charge the extra, but not refund the deposits. Today, the response to my latest e-mail to Customer Care, quoting their ticket number, asked me to repeat all the details for the 3rd time! Absolute incompetence! I certainly won't be going anywhere near them again, no matter how desperate I am!

if you feel like having the most awful experience and be robbed but without the gun, then this is the car rental company for you. JUST don't, YOU WILL not RECEIVE YOUR DEPOSIT BACK

This is the most dishonest fraudulent company ever. I rented a car from them that stank and returned it with a full tank of fuel and after 2 months the deposit had still not been returned. Based on other reviews it never will . Which I could give them zero stars. Stay away from this company at all costs. Walking is better.

You Guys are joke of a compony Putting Fraudulent Transaction on clients Credit Cards and Refuse to answer clients emails or calls regarding refunding them 3 month trying to get my money out of you guys. Guys don't do business with this Company Check Hello Peter and they own face book page with the complaints from Clients on how they operate and they just don't give dam disgusting

Have booked and paid in full online, for a car to be collected at Cape Town International on Friday 4 March 2022 @18:00

We queued for 30mins! Unreal as we were no. 2 in the line from stepping through the doors.

Then assisted by a guy with little enthusiasm. After keeping us busy for at least 15 mins. I asked him politely if there is a problem as we are running late for our meeting.
He apologized that our car was currently not there yet and that he is still waiting for the keys. This explained everything.

How is it possible to book a car for 18:00 and pay 100% upfront and then by 18:45 the car is not available ?

We opted for ANY car and was down graded but received a car @19:00 (an hour later!).

Not again!!

This is my second review on a 2nd rental.
I got a nice new vehicle with no problems at all accept that I waited almost an hour to the vehicle notwithstanding that I booked and paid ahead of time.
I returned the vehicle on time in good condition.
It's been almost a month now and I still haven't received my initial deposit paid.
When I got the car they said I'd get my deposit after 7 days but when I returned the car, they said after 21 days.
Their price is good but their service is horrendous!

BEWARE OF THRIFTY-SANI CAR RENTAL IN SOUTH AFRICA
First, I notice from other reviews that other people are also not being paid the refunds by this company.

I was recently on holiday in South Africa (January 2022) and hired a car from Thrifty-Sani at Lanseria airport (Johannesburg) on 19/01/22 and initially requested to have the vehicle for 7 days. The staff member who served me at Lanseria was very polite and professional.

Thrifty required upfront payment of the full amount for 7 days plus a deposit to cover insurance excess. However, due to my unhappiness with the vehicle concerned, I decided to change my travel plans and returned the vehicle to OR Tambo Airport (also Johannesburg) just one day later. Honestly the staff at OR Tambo were also polite and professional so no problems there. However, when returning the vehicle, I was informed that the refund would take 7-14 business days to be in my account. Honestly, 14 business days is tantamount to theft if you ask me but would you believe that Thrifty still owes me over R9000 (about A$870) more than 5 weeks later.
My advice to car renters is to be aware of this practice by Thrifty-Sani Car Rental and gain clarity on their policies regarding repayment of deposits and any outstanding moneys owed prior to payments. In addition, consider hiring for a shorter period (and you’ll pay less) even if you intend to keep the vehicle for longer, as you can extend the rental.

Please don’t use them, please, especially the Cape Town Centre shop.

Don't be tempted with Thrifty prices, you will pay. I hired a Renault KWID. Within 2 hours the car was broken into and emptied of 26 Kg of bags. Leaving me strand and my wife devastated. The car has NO basic security, not even an alarm. The car can be opened by a woman with a small screw drive. The break in took less than a minute at lunch time on a Saturday in front of car guards. There is no basic cover! Only terms and conditions, you are liable for anything and everything that could happen to the car. On returning to Thrifty we where treated very poorly by all staff who offered no empathy, suport or options other than to debit us another deposit. Long story short the KWID has been identified by criminals who target tourists and business people. Thrifty is aware and offers no warnings or cautions to customers.
On line they great, as soon as you request suport and have to deal with their people you will feel the pain and come short. Pay a little more use Avis or Hertz they car about their customers. Never ever hire a Renauld KWID you will come short. I was fortunate in being able to get hold of the branch manager who helped. I've escalated and at a local leave they do not care.

Rented a car returned it 24/11/2021 to date no deposit refund called their head office no help, called nelspruit branch where I rented the car no help it’s 3 months no communication whatsoever, never rent a car from them, fraud in broad daylight