Thrifty Car Rental - Philadelphia International Airport Introduce
For residents of Pennsylvania and travelers arriving at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), securing reliable and convenient ground transportation is the first step toward a successful journey. Thrifty Car Rental, conveniently located near the airport's main terminals, provides a vital service for those looking to explore the vibrant city of Philadelphia, commute through the surrounding suburbs, or embark on a scenic drive across the Commonwealth. This location operates as a key hub for all your travel needs, offering everything from fuel-efficient compact cars for city driving to spacious SUVs for family trips into the Poconos or the farmlands of Lancaster County.
The staff at the Thrifty PHL location are frequently commended for their professionalism and courtesy. As one customer noted, the process to pick up the car was "fairly easy," and the return was a "very simple process," involving leaving the keys in the car before boarding the shuttle. The commitment to customer service, exemplified by an employee named Carmen who swiftly resolved a minor car allocation issue, demonstrates a genuine focus on ensuring a positive experience for every renter. Their dedication means you can expect prompt and professional interactions, designed to get you out of the airport and onto the Pennsylvania roads as quickly as possible.
However, potential renters, particularly those considering newer vehicle technologies, should approach their reservation with care and awareness of certain limitations. While Thrifty is actively expanding its fleet, including Electric Vehicles (EVs) like the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, the reality of the charging infrastructure in the broader Philadelphia and Pennsylvania region, as well as the need for proprietary adapters (e.g., for Tesla stations), can pose significant challenges. A military customer's experience highlighted the difficulty in finding available, functional charging stations off-site, even when planning ahead. Thrifty's standard $35 Recharge Fee for returning an EV below a certain battery level exists, but travelers must consider the current infrastructure limitations if choosing an EV for extensive travel outside metropolitan areas, a vital consideration for local Pennsylvanians embarking on longer road trips. The team is professional, but renters must be proactive about ensuring the car type they receive meets their travel requirements and that they are fully informed about the specific logistical needs of specialized vehicles.
Despite the infrastructure challenges tied to EV rentals, the core of the Thrifty PHL service remains robust. This business also proudly identifies as women-owned, contributing to the local diversity of successful enterprises, and shows its commitment to the community by offering discounts for active military personnel. When choosing a car rental, Thrifty at PHL offers convenience, diverse fleet options, and a solid commitment to service excellence, making it a reliable choice for your Pennsylvania travel plans.
Thrifty Car Rental at Philadelphia International Airport is strategically positioned to serve the high volume of travelers passing through Pennsylvania's largest airport. While the office is not directly inside the terminal, its location is optimized for shuttle service, ensuring a quick and accessible transfer.
Physical Address: 1 Arrivals Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19153, USA
The rental facility is located off-site, which is common for major airport operations, and is easily reached via complimentary shuttle service.
- Airport Shuttle Access: Arriving passengers should proceed to Zone 2 on Arrivals Road outside baggage claim. Free and frequent shuttles transport renters directly to the consolidated rental car facility, where Thrifty is located alongside other major agencies.
- Onsite Services: The address at 1 Arrivals Rd refers to the dedicated facility, which provides onsite services for both vehicle pick-up and drop-off.
- Wheelchair Accessibility: The facility ensures compliance with accessibility standards, offering a Wheelchair accessible entrance and designated Wheelchair accessible parking lot spaces for ease of use by all customers.
- On-site Parking: Customers driving to the location for a pick-up have access to dedicated on-site parking at the rental car facility.
Thrifty Car Rental provides a full spectrum of car rental services tailored for the needs of Pennsylvania commuters and tourists:
- Diverse Vehicle Fleet: Offering a wide range of rental options including Economy, Compact, Mid-size, and Full-size sedans.
- SUV and Specialty Vehicles: A large selection of SUVs is available, which are popular for travel outside the city, along with Minivans and specialty vehicles to accommodate groups or specific cargo needs.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Rentals: Availability of electric vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, offering an alternative for environmentally conscious or local renters with access to reliable charging.
- Onsite Rental Services: All primary rental and return transactions are handled directly at the 1 Arrivals Rd facility, providing a centralized and efficient service location.
- Flexible Payment Methods: Accepting Credit cards, Debit cards (subject to specific rental policies), and NFC mobile payments for customer convenience.
- Optional Add-ons: Providing extras like GPS navigation systems, child seats, and other amenities (for an additional fee) to enhance safety and ease of travel across Pennsylvania's varied landscapes.
The Thrifty Car Rental location at PHL distinguishes itself through several key operational and community-focused features:
- Women-Owned Business: The agency proudly identifies as a women-owned business, supporting diversity in the business community of the Philadelphia region.
- Active Military Discounts: Offering special pricing and recognition for active military personnel, which is a significant highlight for military families and government travelers passing through PHL.
- Courtesy Shuttle Service: Complimentary and frequent shuttle service connects the PHL terminals to the rental facility, streamlining the transition for air travelers.
- Professional and Courteous Staff: Customer reviews consistently praise the professional, courteous, and efficient nature of the staff, noting the ease of the pick-up and drop-off procedures.
- Simplified Vehicle Return: The return process is designed for speed and convenience, allowing renters to quickly hand over the vehicle and board the shuttle for their departure flight.
- Wide Operating Hours: The airport location typically operates with extended hours (usually 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day), accommodating a vast majority of the day's flight schedule.
For current operating hours, to confirm a reservation, or to discuss specific vehicle needs, Pennsylvania residents and travelers are advised to contact the Thrifty Car Rental PHL office directly.
Address: 1 Arrivals Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19153, USA
Phone: (877) 283-0898
Mobile Phone: +1 877-283-0898
It is recommended to use the toll-free number for reservations and any inquiries regarding your rental, particularly if you are traveling on official military orders or require a specialty vehicle like a minivan or an EV.
Choosing Thrifty Car Rental at Philadelphia International Airport is a smart decision for local Pennsylvanians and out-of-state visitors seeking a blend of value, convenience, and attentive service. The location's primary strength lies in its excellent accessibility via the complimentary airport shuttle and the overall professionalism of its staff. The seamless process from landing at PHL to driving away, as noted by customers who found the entire experience "fairly easy" and efficient, saves valuable time, which is crucial for both business and leisure travel.
The agency’s commitment to service recovery, like the quick resolution of car allocation issues, highlights a customer-first approach. Furthermore, the women-owned business status and the provision of active military discounts reflect a valuable community and veteran-friendly spirit. While renters should exercise due diligence regarding the logistical demands of specialized vehicles like EVs, especially concerning adapter compatibility and charging infrastructure across Pennsylvania, the core offering—a wide, clean fleet and a professional team—makes Thrifty a highly recommended choice. For reliable, accessible, and courteously managed car rental services right at the gateway to the Keystone State, Thrifty at PHL provides a consistently reliable option.
Thrifty Car Rental - Philadelphia International Airport Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Onsite services
Highlights
- Active military discounts
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Parking
- On-site parking
Thrifty Car Rental - Philadelphia International Airport Photos










Thrifty Car Rental - Philadelphia International Airport Location
Thrifty Car Rental - Philadelphia International Airport
1 Arrivals Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19153, USA
Thrifty Car Rental - Philadelphia International Airport Reviews
electric carshuttlereceiptprepaidblue chipez passexpedialinenatural gas vehiclesmall suv
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Fairly easy process to pick up the car, we were looked after by , Carmen, a slight issue with allocated car but soon resolved with another. Returning the car was a very simple process, left the keys in the car and boarded the shuttle. All the staff we encountered were courteous and professional. Would recommend.
September 28 · Malcolm ThomasFirst of all..staff is great! This negative review is about thrifty itself. First they gave me an EV even though I didn’t reserve one. But I accepted since I’m familiar with them. They offered for 30 dollars, I could return it without any useful charge. But said plenty of stations around and I have no issue sitting at a Wawa for 30 min so I declined. I left five hours prior to my flight to charge vehicle. Went to four places charge point said was available but were not. I also couldn’t use any Tesla chargers as thrifty doesn’t provide an appropriate adapter for those stations. I e en went to a charging station at PHL in economy parking where the employee said I could charge and that charge point says was available, but it was blocked off by airport employees. It was the third stop in trying to charge. I finally went back off airport grounds to another location (even though charge point said was available for use) but was gated off since it was a Sunday. My first location had available charges but there was no adapter in the car. Thrifty is renting a vehicle without appropriate infrastructure to use. Even though the counter rep said there were plenty of places. In reality there is not. They charged me 58 dollars for bringing it back with a 20 percent battery charge. Honestly I don’t have to pay for it as I was on military orders. However, taxpayers will since thrifty would not reduce that charge even though I provided them five pictures of all locations unable to charge. I also discovered Narcan in the trunk. Two doses of it. I’ll never rent from thrifty again and I travel quite abit.
May 18 · Tony JenkinsThrifty Car Rental at PHL was excellent experience.Lowest price for small SUV. 30mpg. New vehicle (1,100 miles new). Quick rental process. Easy return. Will be my first call next time.
October 17 · Robert StrongWhen we arrived, we waited over twenty minutes for their shuttle, and then it drove right past us without even looking over or slowing down. We ended up taking a different shuttle and having to walk to the Thrifty lot. Then the line was almost an hour wait. When we finally got to the counter, they told us that all they had was an electric car or a full sized truck, and if we wanted a regular car it would be extra. We cancelled our car and walked back to another rental company and got a midsize vehicle for only $30 more than the original thrifty price without requiring a huge cost to upgrade. This was the worse experience I’ve ever had with a rental car agency. I will never go back.
September 14 · Amilla FrehnerI was happy with our recent rental vehicle and for whatever reason allowed the attendant checking us in to bill us for all the extras. One of those was a full tank of gas, approx. $50. We only drove the car 92 miles, using 1/4 tank of gas. Upon return of the vehicle, the attendant told us we should only be charged what we used. Not true. They charged us $50 for 1/4 tank of gas. I'll never make that mistake again. Bummed at the overall cost on this one.
August 01 · Melanie O'Dowd
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