Thrifty Car Rental in Fort Lauderdale

Thrifty Car Rental Fort Lauderdale Airport

The Thrifty rental counter at FLL is located in the Rental Car Center, not inside the passenger terminals. The center is a separate building a short distance from all four terminals. Thrifty's counter is on Level 4.

• Counter location: Level 4, Rental Car Center, 600 Terminal Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

• Counter hours: 4 a.m. to 1 a.m. per Broward County; 5:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. per Thrifty’s booking site  

• Phone: +1 954-712-5200

• Shuttle: Free, every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day

• Cars: Economy through SUVs, vans, and luxury models

Thrifty and Dollar share a parent company, Hertz, but each keeps its own counter in the RCC.

Thrifty Car Rental Fort Lauderdale Airport Opening Hours

Broward County lists the counter as open from 4 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day. However, the official booking site shows 5:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. instead. Hours can change by season, so travelers on early or late flights should confirm them before arrival.

The FLL airport car rental shuttles run around the clock. However, shuttle availability does not mean that the Thrifty counter is staffed 24 hours a day. 

Thrifty Car Rental Fort Lauderdale Airport Directions

The route to the Rental Car Center depends on the renter’s arrival terminal.

1. Terminal 1: Follow the RCC signs to the Concourse B pedestrian bridge on Level 2, near the security checkpoint, and walk across.

2. Terminals 2, 3, and 4: Collect bags, then follow the RCC signs to the shuttle area on the lower arrivals level, outside baggage claim. Shuttles leave every 10 minutes.

3. Inside the RCC: Follow the signs to the Thrifty counter on Level 4.

Thrifty Rental Car Pickup at Fort Lauderdale Airport

Renters need a valid driver’s license and an accepted credit or debit card in their own name at the counter. International renters should bring a passport along with their license. Rental counters can become busy during peak arrival periods, so allow extra time to reach the counter and complete the pickup process. 

Thrifty holds a booked car for about 29 minutes after the scheduled pickup time. Renters with delayed flights should call the location.

Returning a Thrifty Rental at FLL Airport

Airport returns go to the Thrifty area of the Rental Car Center. Follow the signs for rental car return, then:

1. Drive to the designated Thrifty return area at the FLL Rental Car Center.

2. Park in a designated Thrifty space, lock the doors, and record the final mileage and fuel level.

3. If returning after hours, place the completed rental contract and the car keys into the designated drop box.

4. Walk to Terminal 1 across the Level 2 bridge, or take the free shuttle to Terminals 2, 3, and 4, to reach departures.

NOTE: If the vehicle is dropped off while the counter is closed, rental charges continue to accrue, and the renter remains financially responsible for the vehicle until the branch reopens and an employee officially checks it in.

Thrifty Rental Planner: Popular Cars and Average Prices by Day

Thrifty's location page for FLL includes a rental planner. It shows the cars renters pick most often and the average price for each day of the week. The figures change as demand changes, so the live planner is the best reference before booking.

Thrifty Rental Cars Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Fleet

Thrifty car rental Fort Lauderdale, Florida locations rent economy cars, sedans, SUVs, minivans, vans, convertibles, and luxury models. Sample deals in Fort Lauderdale include the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Nissan Pathfinder, and Chevrolet Equinox.

Some listings use a "Special" category. That guarantees a class of car, not a specific model. Moreover, the prices change daily for each category and car. Hence, check live rates before booking.

Travelers who need more room can compare SUV rentals in Fort Lauderdale.

Alternate Thrifty Locations in Fort Lauderdale

Thrifty operates at two other locations, near downtown and adjacent to FXE Airport.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale (Lake Ridge)

This location is situated just north of Downtown Fort Lauderdale in the neighborhood known as Lake Ridge. It sits right on East Sunrise Boulevard. 

• Counter location: 901 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.

• Counter hours: Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sunday: Closed.

• Phone: +1 954-760-4716

Fort Lauderdale Central (near FXE)

This location is in the northern commercial district of Fort Lauderdale, directly adjacent to the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE). 

• Counter location: 5601 Powerline Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309.

• Counter hours: Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
  Saturday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sunday: Closed.

• Phone: +1 954-771-3749

Returning a Thrifty Rental at the Downtown or FXE Locations

Returns at the Lake Ridge or FXE-area locations follow the same basic steps, with one key difference: these locations don’t connect directly to the airport.

1. Drive to the Thrifty counter at the applicable location (901 E Sunrise Blvd for downtown, or 5601 Powerline Rd for the FXE-area location).

2. Park in a designated Thrifty space, lock the doors, and record the final mileage and fuel level.

3. If returning after hours, place the completed rental contract and the car keys into the designated drop box.

4. Arrange a taxi, rideshare, or other transport from the return location to reach FLL Airport for a departing flight.

NOTE: As with the airport location, after-hours drop-offs still accrue charges until the branch reopens and the return is officially processed.

Thrifty Car Rental Policies in Fort Lauderdale

Policies for Thrifty car rental Fort Lauderdale pickups include age, licenses, payment, tolls, fuel, extensions, returns, and more. Terms can differ by location and car class, so renters should confirm each point at booking.

Minimum Age to Rent

A Thrifty Fort Lauderdale car rental generally goes to drivers aged 20 and older at this location. Renters from 20 to 24 pay a young-driver fee of roughly $25 per day. Some vehicle categories may be limited to renters aged 25 and up.

Driver's License Requirements

The main renter and every additional driver need a full, physical license. It must be free of major endorsements and held for at least one year.

International renters may have to bring the original license and a valid International Driving Permit. The counter does not accept photocopies or digital scans of either document.

Accepted Payment Methods

The counters of Thrifty car rental Fort Lauderdale accept American Express, MasterCard, Carte Blanche, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, and China UnionPay. Debit cards with a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover logo also work, but they come with extra conditions at pickup.

Security Deposit

Thrifty Fort Lauderdale counters place a hold on the renter's card at pickup. The hold covers the estimated rental cost plus up to $200 on a credit card or $500 on a debit card for charges that may come up during the rental. The renter cannot spend the held amount until the rental ends.

Adding Additional Drivers

Each extra driver must be present when the rental agreement is signed. The driver must show a valid license, be at least 20, and provide an accepted credit or debit card in their own name. Drivers paying by debit card may also need a current round-trip travel ticket.

Returning the Vehicle Late

A rental day runs for 24 hours from the pickup time. A car returned after the agreed time adds a charge for the extra hours. Renters should ask the agent at Thrifty Fort Lauderdale airport about the grace period and late fees at pickup.

Extending a Rental

Renters extending their Fort Lauderdale car rental should contact Thrifty before the return deadline. Extensions depend on vehicle availability. The daily rate may change to the current price when the extension is requested.

One-Way and Long-Term Rentals

Thrifty car rental at FLL Airport offers one-way and long term rentals in Fort Lauderdale. Drop-offs at other locations may carry extra charges.

Tolls and Fuel

Many Florida roads use electronic tolling. A Thrifty car rental Fort Lauderdale, Florida booking offers a toll option for a daily fee, and unpaid tolls can bring an administrative charge on top of the toll itself. Cars should come back with a full tank unless a fuel option was bought at pickup.

Cheap Thrifty Car Rentals Fort Lauderdale: Ways to Lower the Cost

A few tips can keep the final bill down for renters at Thrifty. 

• Book early, as rates often rise closer to the travel date.

• Choose economy or standard classes for city driving.

• Decline add-ons that the trip does not need. Reviews mention pressure to buy extras.

• Photograph the car at pickup so existing damage is documented and you avoid disputed charges. 

• Refill the tank before returning. There are plenty of Fort Lauderdale gas station options near the airport.

Thrifty car rental Fort Lauderdale airport pickup is simple once the Level 4 location is clear. As per the official Thrifty website, the counters open at 5 a.m. and close at 11:59 p.m., while Broward County’s website reflects 4 a.m. to 1 a.m. as operating hours. Renters can choose the other two locations as well, but those counters don’t open on Sundays. For most trips, an early booking and a photo of the car at pickup avoid the common problems.