What Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards gives you
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards is a loyalty program run by Thrifty Car Rental that lets you earn points on car rentals and redeem them for free rental days, upgrades, or other rewards. You earn one point per dollar spent on base rental rates — not taxes or fees — and points accumulate in your account until you use them. There is no annual fee to join or maintain membership.
The program is open to anyone who rents from Thrifty. You can enroll online at Thrifty's website, at a rental counter, or sometimes through a partner airline or hotel loyalty program. Once enrolled, your membership number appears on your confirmation every time you book, and points post to your account after the rental is complete.
Key Takeaways
- You earn one point per dollar on the base rental rate, which means taxes, fees, and insurance do not count toward points.
- Points never expire as long as your account remains active with at least one rental or login every 24 months.
- You can redeem points for free rental days, car class upgrades, or other rewards depending on your point balance and what Thrifty currently offers.
- Joining is free, and you can track your points balance online through your Thrifty account dashboard.
- Points post after your rental is complete, not when you book, so you will not see them until after you return the car.
How to enroll and start earning points
Go to Thrifty's website and look for the Blue Chip Rewards enrollment link, usually found in the top navigation or under a "Loyalty" section. You will need to provide your name, email address, phone number, and driver's license information. Thrifty will assign you a membership number when ready, which you can use right away on your next rental.
If you prefer to enroll in person, visit any Thrifty rental location and ask the agent to sign you up. They can do it at the counter while you are renting, and your membership will be active for that rental. You can also enroll through partner programs — some airlines and hotel chains let you link your Thrifty account to their loyalty program, which can earn you points in both places on the same transaction.
Once enrolled, always provide your membership number when you book a rental, either online or by phone. If you book without your number, you can still add it at the rental counter before you pick up the car, and the points will still post to your account.
What counts toward points and what does not
Points are earned only on the base rental rate — the daily or weekly charge for the car itself. This means the following do not earn points: taxes, airport fees, facility charges, insurance (if you purchase it), fuel charges, GPS rental fees, or any other add-on. If your rental costs $100 in base rate plus $30 in taxes and fees, you earn 100 points, not 130.
Promotional rates and discounts still count toward points. If you use a coupon code that lowers your base rate to $80, you earn 80 points. Some Thrifty promotions offer bonus points on top of your regular earning rate — for example, "earn 1.5 points per dollar" during a specific month — so check Thrifty's website or your email for these offers before you book.
Points post to your account after you complete the rental and return the car. You will not see them when ready after booking. It usually takes one to three business days for points to appear in your account, though this can vary depending on how the rental was processed.
Redeeming points for rewards
Log into your Thrifty account online or through the mobile app to see your current point balance and available rewards. The redemption options change based on how many points you have and what Thrifty is currently offering. Common redemptions include a free rental day (usually 25,000 to 50,000 points depending on car class), a one-class upgrade on your next rental, or discounts on future rentals.
To redeem, select the reward you want from your account dashboard and follow the prompts. Some rewards are applied as a certificate or code that you enter when you book your next rental. Others, like upgrades, are noted in your reservation and applied when you pick up the car. You do not need to contact Thrifty to redeem — the system handles it automatically once you confirm.
Points do not expire as long as you have at least one rental or account login within a 24-month period. If your account goes inactive for more than 24 months, Thrifty may close it and forfeit your points. To keep your account active without renting, you can log in to your account online, which counts as activity.
How points compare to other car rental loyalty programs
Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards earns at a straightforward rate: one point per dollar on base rental. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and Avis Preferred also earn one point per dollar, so the earning rate is similar across major chains. The real difference is in what you redeem points for and how many points each reward costs.
Some programs offer elite status tiers that give you bonus points or perks like free upgrades without using points. Thrifty Blue Chip does not have a tiered structure — all members earn and redeem at the same rate. If you rent frequently and want status benefits like may provide upgrades or late checkout, you may find more value in Hertz or Avis programs. If you rent occasionally and want a straightforward way to earn free rental days, Thrifty's program works well.
You can also earn Thrifty points through partner programs. Some credit cards offer bonus points on car rentals, and some hotel or airline loyalty programs let you transfer points to Thrifty or earn Thrifty points on bookings made through their platform. Check whether your existing loyalty memberships have a Thrifty partnership before you book.
Troubleshooting missing or delayed points
If you completed a rental but do not see points in your account after three business days, first check that you provided your membership number at the time of rental. If you booked without your number and added it at the counter, the agent should have updated your reservation. Log into your account and look at your rental history — if the rental appears there, the points should post soon.
If the rental does not appear in your history at all, contact Thrifty customer service with your confirmation number and rental dates. They can look up the transaction and manually add points if there was an error. Keep your rental agreement handy when you call, as it contains the confirmation number and details Thrifty will need.
Points may also be delayed if you paid with a different payment method than the one on file with your Thrifty account, or if the rental was booked through a third-party site like Costco Travel or a corporate travel program. In these cases, Thrifty may need extra time to match the transaction to your account, or the points may post under different terms. Contact Thrifty directly to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I earn points on insurance or add-ons?
No. Points are earned only on the base rental rate. Insurance, GPS, fuel pre-purchase, and other add-ons do not earn points. Taxes and facility fees also do not count. Only the daily or weekly car rental charge itself earns points.
What happens to my points if I do not rent for a while?
Points do not expire as long as your account stays active. You must have at least one rental or one login to your account within 24 months. If your account goes inactive for more than 24 months, Thrifty may close it and you will lose your points. You can keep your account active by logging in online without renting.
Can I transfer my points to someone else or combine accounts?
Thrifty does not allow you to transfer points between accounts or give points to another person. Each membership is tied to an individual. If you have multiple accounts, you cannot merge them into one account with a combined balance.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a free rental?
A free rental day typically costs 25,000 to 50,000 points depending on the car class and location. If you rent a car for $100 per day, you earn 100 points per day. A $2,500 rental would earn you 25,000 points — enough for one free day in a compact car. The exact number varies based on rental rates in your area and current Thrifty promotions.
Can I use points and a discount code on the same rental?
This depends on the specific promotion. Some discount codes cannot be combined with point redemptions, while others can. When you book, Thrifty will show you which options are available together. If you are unsure, contact Thrifty before you complete your booking to confirm.