Cheap Thrifty Car Rental in Santa Barbara

Before booking, check for any promotional offers or discounts that may be available. Many rental companies provide seasonal deals or discounts for early bookings.

When Renting a car, especially if you’re arriving in Santa Barbara by flight, plan for extra time at pickup to accommodate any potential delays. Suppliers like Thrifty typically offer a grace period of 30-60 minutes. Providing your flight number can be helpful, but if you’re running late, be sure to call the supplier to inform them.

Choose car hire suppliers with high ratings, as these often indicate better service, newer cars, and more convenient pickup locations. For Santa Barbara, we have car hire deals from 8 suppliers. Among them, Thrifty has a rating of 4.3, Alamo has a rating of 4.6, National has a rating of 4.6 and Budget has a rating of 4.6.

When renting a car, understand the fuel policy. A 'Full-to-Full' policy means you return the car with a full tank, while 'Same-to-Same' means you return it with the same level of fuel. Full-to-Full is often more cost-effective.

Before finalizing your booking, check if the rental company offers free cancellation. This can provide peace of mind if your travel plans change unexpectedly.

Renting away from bustling areas can lower costs and ease parking difficulties.

Knowing local laws helps prevent fines and makes your driving experience smoother.

When renting a car in Santa Barbara, choose a car rental deal with a “Full-to-Full” or “Same-to-Same” fuel policy from suppliers like Thrifty. These policies ensure you only pay for the fuel you use, helping you avoid unnecessary costs. While a “Full-to-Empty” policy might seem convenient, it can often be more expensive if you don’t use all the fuel.