Thrifty Car Rental - New York City - Laguardia Airport Introduce
Introduction / Overview: Your Gateway to New York Mobility
Whether you're visiting the Big Apple for a vacation, a business trip, or simply need a temporary replacement vehicle, having a reliable car rental service is essential for navigating the New York region and beyond. Thrifty Car Rental - New York City - Laguardia Airport, an established car rental agency, offers a budget-friendly option for travelers and local New Yorkers. Located conveniently off-site from LaGuardia Airport (LGA), this branch provides a variety of vehicles to suit almost any need, from zipping around the boroughs in an economy car to taking a spacious SUV out for a weekend getaway.
As a brand under the umbrella of Hertz Global Holdings, alongside sister company Dollar Car Rental, Thrifty is positioned to offer competitive rates, often catering to value-conscious customers. The Astoria location serves as a key access point for those arriving at LGA or for residents in Queens and the surrounding NYC area looking for accessible car rental options.
Location and Accessibility: Getting to Your Rental
The Thrifty Car Rental location serving the LaGuardia Airport area is situated at a convenient off-airport address in Queens, offering easy access for travelers and locals alike. The exact address is:
- Address: 45-01 20th Ave, Astoria, NY 11105, USA
While the location is not within the terminal itself, it is specifically designated to service the airport, indicating that a complimentary shuttle service is provided to and from the LGA terminals. Travelers arriving at LaGuardia can take the free Airport Shuttle Bus from their terminal to the Rental Car Shuttle Transfer Point (located in front of Terminal A, the Marine Air Terminal) to connect with the shuttle serving Thrifty and other rental facilities. This setup ensures that, despite being off-site, the transition from plane to rental car is coordinated and efficient, although travelers should factor in shuttle waiting and travel time to and from the rental lot. The drive from the branch allows for quick access to major roadways leading into Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, and upstate New York.
Services Offered
Thrifty Car Rental at this location provides the fundamental services expected of a full-service car rental agency, making the booking and pick-up process straightforward. These services and policies include:
- Vehicle Rentals: Offering a wide range of rental vehicles, including economy cars (e.g., Chevrolet Spark, Ford Focus, Nissan Versa), mid-size sedans (e.g., Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Malibu), SUVs (e.g., Nissan Pathfinder, Jeep Compass, Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4), vans, minivans (e.g., Chrysler Pacifica), and luxury cars.
- Reservation and Booking: Accepting pre-bookings, often accessible through various online travel agencies or the company's website, and accepting e-vouchers for digital check-in.
- Payment Flexibility: Accepting various payment methods for deposits and final rental charges.
- Onsite Services: Having staff available at the counter for processing paperwork and answering questions, though customers should be aware that self-check-in options are also available and sometimes recommended for a smoother experience based on customer feedback.
- Airport Shuttle Service: Providing transportation to and from the LaGuardia Airport terminals to the off-site rental facility.
- Additional Extras: Offering optional rentals for items like GPS navigation, child safety seats (infant, child, and booster seats), and allowing for the addition of authorized extra drivers (with an applicable daily fee).
- Insurance/Waivers: Providing optional protection products like Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) and Personal Protection Plan (P&P) for travelers looking for additional coverage (always check with your personal insurance or credit card provider first).
Features / Highlights
For New York-based users and visitors, the Thrifty LGA location offers several key features designed for convenience and value:
- Airport-Proximity Location: Strategically located to serve LaGuardia (LGA) travelers, making it a viable option for those flying in or out of this major New York hub.
- Diverse Vehicle Fleet: Access to a broad selection of vehicles, ensuring you can find a suitable car whether you need a fuel-efficient economy model for city driving or a larger SUV for family travel outside of the metro area.
- On-Site Parking: Providing a dedicated lot for their vehicles, which contributes to efficiency during pick-up and drop-off.
- Flexible Payment Methods: Accepting major Credit cards, Debit cards, and modern NFC mobile payments, offering multiple convenient options for finalizing the transaction and handling the required security deposit. Note that for debit card rentals, specific policies such as credit checks, proof of travel, and a temporary incidental hold may apply.
- Blue Chip Rewards Program: Frequent renters can benefit from the Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards Program, which offers perks like expedited service lines and opportunities to earn free rental days, potentially streamlining the experience further.
- Option for Self-Check-in: Customer reviews highlight that using the self-check-in option, where available, can bypass potential delays at the counter, which is a valuable feature for those prioritizing speed.
Contact Information
To reach the Thrifty Car Rental - New York City - Laguardia Airport branch for reservations, shuttle information, or any inquiries, please use the following details:
Address: 45-01 20th Ave, Astoria, NY 11105, USA
Phone: (718) 779-7456
What is Worth Choosing: Value and Selection for the NYC Traveler
Choosing Thrifty Car Rental in Astoria, near LGA, is worthwhile primarily for its competitive pricing and expansive fleet variety. As a major car rental agency, Thrifty is known for offering great price and value, providing travelers with well-maintained, relatively new vehicles at affordable rates, a critical factor for budget-conscious New York area residents and visitors. The ability to select from various vehicle classes, from the compact Chevrolet Spark for easier city parking to a full-size SUV like the Chevrolet Tahoe for longer road trips, ensures practical mobility solutions.
The strategic location near LaGuardia is a significant benefit, supported by an established system for shuttle transfers, making it a reliable first stop after flying into New York. Furthermore, for those looking to maximize efficiency, the availability of both on-site services and the option for a self-check-in process offers a degree of control over the rental experience. However, customers should be proactive and consider leveraging online reservations and self-service options to potentially mitigate risks associated with long counter waits or upselling attempts, which have been noted in some customer feedback. For renters prioritizing affordability alongside a full range of vehicle choices and a solid national company backing, Thrifty presents a compelling option for mobility needs in the New York City metropolitan area.
Final considerations should always include reviewing the final bill carefully, especially regarding any potential concession fees or unwanted upgrades, to ensure the excellent initial price point translates to excellent overall value.
Thrifty Car Rental - New York City - Laguardia Airport Details
Service options
- Onsite services
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Parking
- On-site parking
Thrifty Car Rental - New York City - Laguardia Airport Photos










Thrifty Car Rental - New York City - Laguardia Airport Location
Thrifty Car Rental - New York City - Laguardia Airport
45-01 20th Ave, Astoria, NY 11105, USA
Thrifty Car Rental - New York City - Laguardia Airport Reviews
electric carmanagershuttle30 minutesflightexpediabait and switchupsellmid-sizetoll
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Great price and value for the vehicle. No issues returning car, quick and easy.However, I had a very disappointing experience with the staff. I waited in front of the office clerk for about 10 minutes while she continued chatting with her coworkers, completely ignoring me. When she finally acknowledged me, she asked four times whether my rental was through Thrifty or Dollar—clearly distracted. After about 15 minutes, she realized she couldn’t assist me because I had mistakenly booked the wrong date. Rather than offering support, she quickly redirected her attention back to her coworkers. When I asked for help rebooking, she told me she couldn’t assist.Thankfully, I was able to correct my reservation myself and check in without further issues. However, the process to find my vehicle was unclear—I was vaguely pointed toward the lot with no further direction and no staff around to help.To make matters worse, a $27 concession fee was added to my bill—completely unacceptable considering the poor level of service. I strongly recommend using the self-check-in option instead to avoid this type of experience.
July 13 · Enrique BarajasWas hustled for an upgrade. I registered for a manager choice. When I arrived, I was told that I would be given an electric. I said ok. I guess they thought I would complain because next I was told there are no more vehicles … all the other vehicles are for reservations. We only have a 15 passenger van. When I said ok… she d the en miraculously could upgrade me after already telling all vehicles where already assigned. This was just pure greed to upgrade me. If I could have cancelled, I would have, but didn’t because of the cancellation would have cost me more. I will NEVER allow my hard earn money to rent at Thrifty. Integrity is an issue when money is a greed.
October 11 · Coretta MontsHorrible customer service. My family was jerked around be a rep refusing to rent them a car due to unclear policy, and after they pulled out their card, she still refused. Are you kidding me? The manager finally said okay, yeah, go ahead… then they go to find a completely reservation after they had confirmed a car and showed them their confirmation. They lied. I’m know I’ll never rent from this organization, and I’ll tell others the same thing. Get some class thifty… you’re not too thrifty with the way you handle your business.
August 08 · Celeste ShanahanDO NOT RENT if you have an evening flight! We ended up stranded at the airport! We rented a car with a 7:35pm pick up, our flight was delayed so we got in to LGA after 10pm & we had no rental car because Thrifty was closed. Impossible to get in touch with anyone & we were completely blindsided because I had received a text earlier in the day confirming my rental & stating “We'll hold it for 8 hours if your flight is delayed. No need to modify. Safe travels!” Absolutely insane to even offer evening rentals if you are not open late! Zero stars
July 03 · Alexandra MahlerThey were kind and professional. We rented a VW Jetta, with all the bells and whistles. It was a great car for NYC. Great milage, good parking size and comfortable for two people. The staff terminal Jitney drivers were excellent to in helping everyone get to an from the terminal.Would have rated five star if they had airport valet parking for departure passengers.
September 15 · W C
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