Rent a car today
Compare car hireThis summary is for illustrative purposes only and may not apply to all reservations. We try our best to keep it up to date and relevant, but we can't guarantee that it is accurate or error-free. If you have questions regarding a specific rental, please contact our customer care team.
Thrifty accepts credit cards, and Mastercard and Visa debit cards. Some Thrifty depots may accept cash, please check with the depot beforehand. Digital forms of payment are not accepted — a physical card must be presented.
Thrifty may levy an additional charge for any of the following (though not limited to) cases:
Additional drivers
Child seats
Additional roadside assistance coverage
Premium location fees
Thrifty allows additional drivers for a daily surcharge, and Thrifty will also include the renter’s spouse or a person living at the same home address as the renter at no additional charge (licence address must be the same as renters). Note that any additional nominated driver, as with the primary driver, must have a full drivers licence and be present when the vehicle is collected at the beginning of the rental period.
The minimum age for renting a hire car with Thrifty is 18 years old. Drivers under the age of 25 are not permitted to hire vehicles from Thrifty’s Adrenaline and Dream collections. Drivers under the age of 20 will be subject to a Young Driver Fee capped at seven days per 30 days of rental.
If you cancel your Thrifty booking through a no show, or even with prior notice, depending on the payment method selected, there may be a cancellation charge applied.
Thrifty can provide baby seats, and booster seats for a supplementary fee of $13 per day. These all conform to government standards, and as supplies are limited, please order a child seat at the time of your reservation, stating the age of your child so the correct type of child seat can be booked. It is the renter’s responsibility to ensure these seats are fitted correctly.
Thrifty charges a surcharge of 2.53% on credit cards.
In the unfortunate event of an accident:
If there are injured people, contact emergency services first.
Contact Thrifty with relevant information including the licence plate, make and model, colour (if known), nature of fault, precise location of vehicle, contact number, and whereabouts of keys.
Prepare a written accident/damage report
Submit the report to Thrifty.
Digital copies of your licence are accepted if they can be verified by the relevant government authority.
There are special restrictions that apply when driving a Thrifty vehicle in an alpine region. If these restrictions are not complied with you may be responsible for any and all damage arising from the use of the vehicle in an alpine region and cover purchased will not be applicable. If you are planning to travel to the snow, please check the Terms and Conditions and with your Thrifty location that the vehicle is fit for purpose and whether snow chains are required.
Thrifty requires that all drivers have held a provisional or full and unrestricted licence, and present a valid photo ID such as a passport or government-issued photo ID. Learner permits and licences with any restrictions are not accepted. The licence must have been held for at least 12 months. Digital copies of your licence are accepted if they can be verified by the relevant government authority.
All licences must be original — copies are not accepted.
If the driving licence is not in English, an International Driving Permit or approved English translation is required. Renters are advised to check whether local authorities require foreign drivers to present an International Driving Permit to avoid the risk of potential fines. Renters with licences from countries who are not part of the International Driving Permit Agreement should carry a certified translation of their licence.
Thrifty prohibits using its vehicles in ways that risk damage, violate the law, or breach safety standards. This includes reckless driving, driving under the influence, using the wrong fuel, or ignoring warning lights and signals. Causing damage to the roof, undercarriage, windscreen line, or from overloading, towing improperly, or attaching unauthorised items is not permitted and driving in a manner that causes these types of damage can impact on coverage. Off-road driving, driving through water, or entering car parks with low clearance is also banned.
Only authorised drivers may operate the vehicle, and it must not be used for racing, carrying passengers or cargo for payment, or committing unlawful acts. Smoking, fitting unauthorised equipment, or driving in restricted or unsafe areas such as beaches, and fire trails is not allowed. Where driving in snowy regions is permitted, snow chains must be fitted and adjusted properly, and hubcaps removed to avoid damage. Repairs require prior written approval from Thrifty.
Improper use may void coverage and loss damage waivers and leave the renter liable for the entire costs of any damage. Please see the Rental Agreement for detailed coverage on prohibited uses and driving restrictions for Thrifty rental vehicles.
Vehicles should not be driven at anytime on the following roads:
In Northland, 90 Mile Beach
In Queenstown, Skippers Canyon Road, the road to Macetown
Thrifty supplies EVs with up to a 90% charge. If the vehicle is returned with a charge level below this, you will be charged the EV Charging Fee to return it to the expected level.
Any underbody or battery damage caused by driving an EV over foreign objects is not covered by damage liability reduction or waiver products, and you will be liable for this damage.
EVs must not be driven through an automatic car wash. Any damage that occurs from driving an EV through a car wash is not covered by any damage liability reduction or waiver products, and you will be liable for all costs associated with damage caused from this prohibited use.
If you are unsure what fuel to use, please ask the station attendant or contact the Thrifty rental location for advice. Thrifty will supply the rental vehicle with a full tank of fuel, and expect the vehicle to be returned in the same condition. If you return the vehicle without a full tank of fuel, you will be charged the refuelling cost plus a service fee. If you have chosen a pre-paid fuel option then the above is not applicable.
Thrifty does not pay any infringement notices and it is the sole responsibility of the hirer to pay all fines in relation to infringement notices issued during the rental period. In the event that Thrifty receives an infringement notice for a speeding, parking, or other traffic infringement relating to the period the vehicle was on hire, the hirer will be charged an additional administration fee, and the liability for the fine.
If your driving licence is not in English, an International Driving Permit or an English translation is required. Renters with licences from countries who are not part of the International Driving Permit Agreement should carry a certified translation of their licence.
If you want to rent from a Thrifty location that is within 100km of your place of residence, then Thrifty may need to complete some additional checks, and you will also need to pay a bond of $500 ($1,000 for prestige and Andrealine vehicle) to secure the rental. You will need to provide a utility bill from your place of residence that is no more than 90 days old. Please see the Thrifty Terms and Conditions for further details.
To pick up a Thrifty rental car you need to satisfy both the licence and payment criteria:
You must present a valid and accepted credit card or bank issued Mastercard or Visa debit card (see Accepted Forms of Payment above).
You must meet the licence rules.
For security purposes, the owner of the credit card entered on the payment step when making a booking must be present to collect the vehicle and is required to sign the Rental Agreement.
If you are going to be late to pick up your car, please contact Thrifty as soon as possible.
Thrifty vehicles are covered by standard motor vehicle insurance; however, an excess may be charged for any loss or damage incurred during the hire period, regardless of fault. This coverage may not be applicable if the vehicle has been used in a manner in contravention of Thrifty Terms and Conditions.
The rental vehicle excess can be reduced through the purchase of collision damage waiver products. Thrifty offers a number of damage waiver products to reduce this financial exposure, in some cases to zero.
Excess insurance is also available through third party providers such as Prosura.
After hours pickup and drop off of Thrifty vehicles may be available — check with the depot concerned, likewise contact the rental location if you wish to extend your rental. In the event of an early return, no refund applies. Returns later than 59 minutes after the due time and date can attract additional fees.
Thrifty provides 24/7 emergency roadside assistance for breakdown and accidents. If a roadside assistance callout relates to something that is your fault (for example running out of fuel, losing the keys, locking the keys in the vehicle, or if a wheel needs to be changed due to a puncture), there is a callout fee associated with roadside assistance. For any mechanical breakdowns related to a vehicle fault, there is no charge.
The security deposit is a downpayment pre-authorised to your credit card at the commencement of your rental. The bond varies depending on the type of vehicle, please see the Thrifty Terms and Conditions for details.
In New Zealand there are a few toll roads, which must be prepaid for before you travel. In the event that Thrifty receives a notice for toll relating to the period the vehicle was on hire, the hirer will be charged an additional administration fee, and the liability for the toll
Thrifty applies a Young Driver surcharge for drivers under the age of 20 capped at seven days for every 30 days of rental.
Remember - this summary was prepared for illustrative purposes only - always refer to the rental provider's full rental agreement and terms and conditions for up-to-date and complete details.