Terms & Conditions

Important Note for UAE Residents

A valid UAE driving license is a must. Please note that driving without a valid UAE driving license when on residence or employment visa is a violation of the UAE Law.

N.B. (Please read carefully)

A. The vehicle image shown is for illustration purpose only. Color and features of the actual vehicle may vary.

B. Thrifty reserves the right to provide a similar vehicle from the same group/category in case the vehicle booked is not available.

Age Restrictions

When renting vehicles from Thrifty, the following age limits are observed: 

Concurrent Rentals

The hirer is not allowed to rent more than 1 vehicle at the same time. If the hirer has an existing active rental that coincides with a new booking’s scheduled pick-up, Thrifty may have the right to refuse the new booking.

Required Documents

The hirer is required to provide the following original, valid documents when renting a vehicle from Thrifty. All documents have to be under the hirer's name:

UAE Residents:

• UAE Driving License
• Emirates ID
• Credit card with a minimum validity of next 3 months for Security Deposit
• A Security Deposit between AED 1000 to AED 5000 based on the vehicle rented, will be blocked on the Credit Card.
• Passport with Residence visa

Non-UAE Residents:

• International Driving Permit / GCC driving license / valid driving license from their country of origin (refer to Driving License Exemptions list)
• Passport with entry stamp
• Credit card with a minimum validity of next 3 months for Security Deposit
• A Security Deposit between AED 1000 to AED 5000 based on the vehicle rented, will be blocked on the Credit Card.

* The same credit card is not allowed to be used on 2 or more concurrent rentals.

Security Deposit

Thrifty provides two options:

Option 1 – With Security Deposit: You can choose to pay the Security Deposit either by placing a block on your Credit Card or by making a purchase on your Debit Card. The rental agent shall confirm the amount of security block at the time of vehicle pick-up.

Option 2 - No Security Deposit: This option is exclusively available for UAE Residents applicable only for Monthly Rentals. If you opt for this choice, a non-refundable one time 10% surcharge will be applied based on the total rental amount for the first month only. No Security Deposit is restricted to certain car groups only. Please note that a Credit Card is mandatory when selecting the No Deposit Monthly Rental.

Driving License Exemptions

Tourists from all GCC countries and countries listed below are permitted to drive in the UAE with their respective local driving licenses:

International or Local Driving license in any other language other than Arabic and English should be translated into Arabic or English. The translation should be attested by the Embassy.

Please note that in case the hirer’s Visit or Tourist visa in UAE is changed to a Residence visa, you will need to obtain an UAE driving license. This together with a copy of your passport with Residence visa page has to be submitted to Thrifty Immediately.

Booking and Rental

Minimum Rental Period and Increments

The minimum rental period is 1 day (24 hours). Prorated hourly rental is not allowed.

A rental with less than 24-hour duration will be considered as a 1-day rental. Similarly, any excess rental period that is less than 24 hours is considered as an additional 1-day rental.

Types of Short-Term Rental Based on Duration

Bookings/rentals are categorized based on the duration of the rental.

Making A Booking

The hirer may reserve their booking via the following options:

• Creating a booking online via Thrifty UAE website
• Getting in touch with the contact centre
• Visiting any Thrifty rental desk

The hirer should then present the corresponding electronic/paper voucher at Thrifty Car rental counter if booking was made through the website. 

Booking Modification

The hirer may modify their prepaid booking online if done at least 24 hours prior to pick-up date and time, and will be charged with the corresponding fee(s). The total payable amount will be recalculated if the rates have changed between the dates the original and amended bookings are made. In which case, the latter prices will apply.

If the hirer needs to change the primary name and/or credit card details, they need to cancel the existing booking (see "Booking Cancellation" under Booking and Rental) and make a new one with the correct details.

Booking Cancellation

The hirer may cancel their prepaid booking online and will be charged with the corresponding fee(s). Refunds, where applicable, will be made to the credit card used on the original prepaid booking within 30 calendar days.

No Show

AED 100 fee will be charged if the customer fails to show up for a prepaid booking that has not been cancelled prior to the pick-up schedule.

Late Arrival

If a client makes a prepaid booking but fails to arrive at the specified pick-up location within 2 working hours of the pick-up schedule (or if the location closes before then, by the location’s closing time), the vehicle may still be provided subject to availability. The pick-up and drop-off timings per the voucher will be adhered to.

Rental Extension

For rentals booked in the Thrifty UAE website, the hirer may extend their active rental by creating a new booking with pick-up date and time matching their current rental’s off-hire date and time. The website rates at the time of new booking shall apply on the rental extension.

If the hirer fails to do so, they may request for the rental extension at any Thrifty rental desk, and the local rates and policies will apply on the rental extension.

Early Return

There will be no refund for unused car rental days once a Daily or Weekly rental has started.

Fixed monthly rate will apply for hire periods between 22-30 days; pro-rata is not applicable.  Early car return will automatically cancel the monthly plan, and the corresponding weekly or daily charge will apply.

Late Return

Only 1-hour grace period for late return is allowed. Beyond this, rental charges will apply per local rates and policies.

Payment and Fees

Value-Added Tax (Vat)

Effective January 2018, Thrifty Car Rental reserves the right to add value-added tax (VAT) on all services and rates, as confirmed and implemented by the UAE Government. This is applicable on all bookings for pick-up from 01-Jan-2018.

Rates Validity

Thrifty Car Rental reserves the right to change the prices of its products and services.

Payment

All prices are payable in UAE Dirhams (AED). Cash and all major credit cards are accepted as means of payment. Advance payment for the whole rental is required prior to collecting the vehicle from the counter. For bookings made on the Thrifty UAE website, the credit card used online must be presented at the time of pick up.

Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) 

Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) charges apply on all rentals.

One-Way Rental Fee (OWR)

If the hirer returns the rented vehicle to any Thrifty location other than the original pick-up location, One-Way Rental fees (OWR) shall apply.

Airport Fee (PRK)

If the hirer picks up and/or drops off the vehicle at any airport location, Airport Fees (PRK) shall apply.

Toll Fee

Toll gate crossing (Salik & DARB) is charged at [actual price + 25% administration fee] + VAT.

Traffic Fines

Any traffic fine incurred by the hirer is their liability and is charged at actual fine amount + (10% administration fee + VAT).

Impounding Fee

If the vehicle is impounded, the customer is liable to compensate Thrifty for both the impounding fee and loss of rental.

Parking Fee

The hirer is responsible for registering their vehicle for paid parking and for all parking charges in relation to the vehicle whilst on hire.

Fuel Policy

The hirer is required to return the vehicle with the same fuel level that it has when it was hired. Otherwise, a locally-determined refuelling charge will apply.

Abu Dhabi Accident Report

Abu Dhabi traffic department/police charges an additional fee for accident reports which is to be paid by renter. These charges are over and above the Insurance Excess charge.

Insurance and Protection

Personal Accident Insurance

The hirer may purchase the Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) for added security for the vehicle occupants. This provides for compensation in the unfortunate event of an accident involving the rented vehicle that results to physical injury or death of the occupant(s). Note that PAI does not cover hospitalizations.

Additional Insurance/ Protection Options

The hirer may purchase additional vehicle insurance for their rental to reduce their financial liability for damage to the Thrifty vehicle, its parts and accessories, provided the vehicle is used in accordance with the terms and conditions of the hire agreement.

• Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW)

Insurance Excess 

In the event of an accident involving the rented vehicle that results in vehicle damage, the payable insurance excess is based on the result of the police report and type of additional vehicle insurance availed by the hirer at the time of booking or hiring the vehicle.

Things to Remember:

• Basic Insurance (IXS) is already included in the basic rental rate.
• The hirer’s driving license should be at least 6 months old in order to avail the SCDW.
• The hirer is responsible in obtaining the corresponding police report for any vehicle damage. Full repair fees will be charged to the client in the absence of police report.
• Personal belongings or luggage are not insured.
• Thrifty is not responsible for any personal belongings/luggage left inside the vehicle upon off-hire.

*“Hit-and-run” refers to accidents wherein the fault cannot be attributed to a third party.

On the Road

Driving Restrictions

The hirer is prohibited to use the vehicle under below conditions and activities:

• When the hirer is under the influence of alcohol/drugs
• Racing, towing other vehicles, or off-road driving
• Any other activity considered against the UAE law

The vehicle insurance does not cover any accident/damage resulting from any of the above scenarios. Any such violation would make the hirer liable to pay for the total damages to the vehicle and/or any ancillary damages caused.

Kilometres Limits

(Dubai & Northern Emirates)

Daily and Weekly Rentals:

Unlimited Kilometres is applicable on daily & weekly rentals except for the vehicles listed below.

• BMW 520 (350KM per day; 2,100KM per week), AED1.00 per excess KM charge
• BMW 730Li (350KM per day; 2,100KM per week), AED1.00 per excess KM charge

Monthly Rentals:

All monthly rentals (22 days and above) are subject to Kilometres limits and extra Kilometres charges (EMC).

Kilometres Limits

(Abu Dhabi)

Daily and Weekly Rentals (Abu Dhabi locations):

Unlimited Kilometres is applicable on daily & weekly rentals for all vehicles except the ones listed below.

• BMW 520 (250KM per day; 1,500KM per week)
• BMW 730Li (350KM per day; 2,100KM per week)
• Dodge Charger 3.6L (350KM per day; 2,100KM per week)
• Audi A6 (350KM per day; 2,100KM per week)
• Polestar 2 (200KM per day; 1,750KM per week)
• Mercedes C Class (350KM per day; 2,100KM per week)

Daily and Weekly Rentals (Al Ain and Ruwais locations):

All daily and weekly rentals are subject to Kilometres limits and extra Kilometres charges (EMC).

• Daily: 350 KM per day
• Weekly: 1,750 KM per week

Monthly Rentals (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain & Ruwais locations):

All monthly rentals are subject to Kilometres limits and extra Kilometres charges (EMC).

Roadside Assistance

For any breakdown or roadside issue, the hirer may contact our customer care team.

Value-Added Services

Delivery and Collection

Delivery and collection services may be provided upon request, and will be charged accordingly.

Additional Driver

A second driver may be added at an extra cost. In addition to the main hirer’s documents, they shall also provide the passport copy and driving license of the second driver.

Child Seat

Child seats for age bracket of 1-4 years old are available on request at an extra cost, and are subject to availability.

Oman Insurance

Oman travel NOC can be provided upon request from Abu Dhabi only on certain car groups at an additional cost.

Once you have entered Oman, in case of any breakdown, mechanical failure or accident it is the hirer’s responsibility to have the car brought or recovered to the border at their own cost, for any replacement or further recovery.

Chauffeur Service

(currently not available)