Rental company reviews
Thrifty car rental in South Africa
By CarRentalZA editorial team · 10 min read · Updated 29 September 2026
- Reservations
- +27 21 935 4800
- Website
- thrifty.co.za
- Airport desks
- Cape Town International, OR Tambo (Johannesburg), King Shaka (Durban), Lanseria, Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport (Port Elizabeth), King Phalo Airport (East London), George, Bloemfontein Airport (Bram Fischer), Kimberley, Kruger Mpumalanga International (KMI), Mthatha, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Upington
- Brand type
- Thrifty Car Rental South Africa trades with Hertz and Dollar under one banner since April 2025; the shared rental terms name Hertz, Hertz Ride, Firefly, Dollar and Thrifty and identify the lessor as a division of CFAO Mobility (Pty) Ltd, a Hertz International Franchisee
- Local structure
- Runs alongside Hertz and Dollar under one South African operation
- City presence
- Branches in Cape Town (De Waterkant), Pretoria (Hatfield), Centurion, Sandton (Sandton Eye) and Umhlanga Rocks, plus King Shaka Airport for Durban
- Fleet
- Cars in Groups A to R, for example Suzuki Swift (Group A), Toyota Starlet Cross (Group C1), Toyota Corolla Cross (Group E) and BMW X1 (Group F)
Thrifty is one of three brands that Hertz Rent A Car South Africa runs under one banner, alongside Hertz and Dollar, since April 2025. It still has its own website, thrifty.co.za. The shared rental terms identify the lessor as a division of CFAO Mobility (Pty) Ltd, a Hertz International Franchisee.
This page explains what Thrifty's rules mean for you: driver age, cards, the deposit hold, cross-border permits and one-way hire. We are an independent information site and take no bookings.
Terms vary by vehicle group and branch and they change, so check the rental agreement and confirm the details with Thrifty.
How Thrifty fits with Hertz and Dollar
Thrifty and Dollar were officially brought under the Hertz Rent A Car South Africa banner on 7 April 2025, under the line "three brands, one standard". Hertz SA's CEO said the change widens choice and pricing.
One set of rental terms covers Hertz, Hertz Ride, Firefly, Dollar and Thrifty. That means the age, card, deposit and cross-border rules are the same across the brands, and price is the main thing to compare. Our Hertz guide has a section on Dollar.
What to know about Thrifty in 2026
- Thrifty and Dollar were officially brought under the Hertz Rent A Car South Africa banner on 7 April 2025 ('Three Brands One Standard'); Thrifty still has its own website, thrifty.co.za. (hertz.co.za)
- Thrifty lists Group A to R vehicle pages; its footer highlights Suzuki Swift (Group A), Toyota Starlet Cross (Group C1), Toyota Corolla Cross (Group E) and BMW X1 (Group F) as popular vehicles. (thrifty.co.za)
- Thrifty pick-up locations in South Africa: 14 airports plus Cape Town Downtown (De Waterkant), Cape Town Cruise Terminal, Centurion, Pretoria (Hatfield), Sandton Eye, Umhlanga Rocks, Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Paarl, Potchefstroom and more. Thrifty's list has no central Durban branch (Durban is served from King Shaka Airport and Umhlanga Rocks). (thrifty.co.za)
- Thrifty's Smooth Drive bundle offers a free additional driver on rentals of 7 days or longer (check whether the offer is still running). (thrifty.co.za)
Thrifty contact numbers and booking
Checked on 29 September 2026 against Thrifty's official website. Numbers change, so confirm on the linked page before you call. A rental company will not ask you to pay a deposit into a new bank account by phone or WhatsApp; if anyone does, hang up and call the official number.
| What you need | How to reach Thrifty |
|---|---|
| Contact number shown in the site footer (no label given; the same number is Hertz SA's international central reservations line) | +27 21 935 4800 |
| Customer service centre named in the rental terms (shared Hertz group terms) | 0861 600 136 |
| Book online | thrifty.co.za |
Sources: thrifty.co.za, thrifty.co.za.
Thrifty rental rules: age, cards, deposit and borders
What Thrifty's own terms and FAQ pages said on 29 September 2026. Rules differ by vehicle group and branch, so check the terms for your booking.
| Rule | What Thrifty says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | Minimum age to rent is 18 (booking form shows 'Renter Age 18+'). | thrifty.co.za |
| Young drivers | No young-driver surcharge or years-licence-held rule is published on the Thrifty pages fetched. | thrifty.co.za |
| Credit card | Credit card in the main renter's name at collection; if prepaid, the same card. Credit check at the counter; two credit cards on selected categories. | thrifty.co.za |
| Debit card | Only credit card is listed as the collection requirement; no debit card acceptance is mentioned on the pages fetched. | thrifty.co.za |
| Deposit | R2000 deposit on credit-card rentals on top of the estimated rental, a fuel deposit and 100% of the damage responsibility; banks can take up to 21 working days to release it. | thrifty.co.za |
| Cross-border | Cross-border permit needed with 48 hours or 2 business days notice; crossing without one is a material breach; Hertz group may decline; extra charges apply. No country list or fee on Thrifty's site. | thrifty.co.za |
| One-way hire | A drop fee is charged when the car is returned to a different location than the renting location; amount quoted per route. | thrifty.co.za |
| Foreign licence | Thrifty's FAQ accepts a valid unendorsed local or international licence and asks international visitors for a passport; the shared rental terms say the licence must be issued in an official South African language. No IDP wording. | thrifty.co.za |
| Fuel | Delivered with a full tank; the renter can fill it or Thrifty fills it and charges for refuelling. | thrifty.co.za |
| Extra driver | Additional driver fee R500 per driver per rental including VAT. | thrifty.co.za |
| Also note | Thrifty says it does not charge cancellation fees (no-shows excluded), unlike the R300 online cancellation fee on Hertz's site. | thrifty.co.za |
| Also note | Airport surcharge is generally around 13% at ACSA airports; contract fee R120; accident admin fee R800; fine handling fee R400; valet R700; tourism levy 1%. | thrifty.co.za |
Where Thrifty operates
Thrifty lists 14 airports, from Cape Town International, OR Tambo and King Shaka to George, East London, Kimberley and Upington. The full list is in the Airport desks row at the top of this page.
City pick-up points include Cape Town Downtown (De Waterkant), Cape Town Cruise Terminal, Centurion, Pretoria (Hatfield), Sandton Eye and Umhlanga Rocks. It also lists Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Paarl and Potchefstroom.
Thrifty has no central Durban branch. Durban is served from King Shaka Airport and Umhlanga Rocks. The Pretoria branch is at Hatfield, not the city centre.
Thrifty at a glance
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Brand type | One of three brands, with Hertz and Dollar, under Hertz Rent A Car South Africa |
| Vehicles | Cars in Groups A to R |
| Airport presence | Desks at the airports in the Airport desks row |
| Deposit policy | R2000 plus the estimated rental, a fuel deposit and 100% of your damage responsibility, on a credit card |
| Minimum driver age | 18. Thrifty does not publish a young driver surcharge |
| Cross-border | A permit requested at least 48 hours (2 business days) before pick-up, which can be declined |
| One-way rentals | A drop fee applies, quoted per route |
Confirm the current rand amounts with Thrifty before you pay.
Cards, deposits and age
Thrifty asks for a credit card in the main renter's name at collection, and if you prepaid you bring the same card. There is a credit check at the counter, and some categories need two credit cards. Thrifty's pages list only credit card, and mention no debit card acceptance.
The deposit is R2000 on top of the estimated rental, a fuel deposit and 100% of the damage responsibility. Banks can take up to 21 working days to release the hold.
The minimum age is 18. Thrifty does not publish a young driver surcharge or a years-held licence rule, so ask before booking if you are under 25.
Cross-border, fees and licences
A cross-border permit must be requested at least 48 hours, or 2 business days, before pick-up. It can be declined, and crossing without one is a material breach. Thrifty does not publish its countries or fee online, so ask before you plan a route.
Thrifty accepts a valid unendorsed local or international licence and asks international visitors for a passport. The shared rental terms say the licence must be issued in an official South African language.
An additional driver costs R500 per rental including VAT. Thrifty says it does not charge cancellation fees, no-shows excluded. Airport surcharge is generally around 13% at ACSA airports, plus a 1% tourism levy and a R120 contract fee. Cars are delivered with a full tank, and you either fill it or Thrifty fills it and charges for refuelling.
Thrifty against the alternatives
Against Hertz, Thrifty runs under the same operator and the same rental terms, so compare the quote and nothing else. Against Budget, quote both for the same group and dates.
Against small independents, Thrifty offers airport desks, a national branch list and a drop fee for one-way rentals. If you need to leave the car in another city, ask for the route fee up front.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Thrifty contact number?
According to Thrifty's website (checked 29 September 2026), call +27 21 935 4800 for reservations. Confirm on the official site before calling, because numbers change.
Does Thrifty accept debit cards?
Only credit card is listed as the collection requirement; no debit card acceptance is mentioned on the pages fetched. (Thrifty's published terms, checked 29 September 2026.)
What is the minimum age to rent from Thrifty?
Minimum age to rent is 18 (booking form shows 'Renter Age 18+'). (Thrifty's published terms, checked 29 September 2026.)
Is Thrifty owned by Hertz?
Thrifty is one of three brands, with Hertz and Dollar, run under one banner by Hertz Rent A Car South Africa since 7 April 2025. Thrifty still has its own website.
Where is Thrifty car rental in South Africa?
Thrifty has desks at 14 airports, including Cape Town, OR Tambo, King Shaka, Lanseria, East London and George, plus city branches in Cape Town (De Waterkant), Pretoria (Hatfield), Sandton Eye and Umhlanga Rocks. It has no central Durban branch.
Is Thrifty cheaper than Hertz?
Hertz SA says bringing Thrifty and Dollar under one banner widens choice and pricing. The rules are shared, so compare Thrifty and Hertz quotes for your exact dates and group.
What deposit does Thrifty take?
R2000 plus the estimated rental, a fuel deposit and 100% of your damage responsibility, on a credit card. Banks can take up to 21 working days to release the hold.
Can I take a Thrifty car across the border?
Only with a permit requested at least 48 hours, or 2 business days, before pick-up. It can be declined. Thrifty does not publish its countries or fee online.
Does Thrifty charge a cancellation fee?
Thrifty says it does not charge cancellation fees, no-shows excluded. Hertz, by contrast, charges R300 for an online cancellation.
Is Dollar car rental the same as Thrifty?
Both are Hertz Southern Africa brands under the same banner and the same rental terms. Thrifty has its own website and branch list. Dollar has no separate South African website or branches that we could find.
