How to Claim Free Car Seats in Rental Cars for AAA Members

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How to Claim Free Car Seats in Rental Cars for AAA Members

Getting a car rental upgrade for free is always great, but sometimes it's absolutely essential. and the safest way to transport your little ones. Did you know that there is an AAA rental car promotional coupon that covers ?

Unfortunately, many customers (including AAA members) don't know how to request upgrades on a Thrifty car rental. No worries: you'll never miss out on any if you've got DoNotPay on your side!

How to Get a Car Seat Upgrade on Your Thrifty Car Rental

In order to get any Thrifty upgrade, you need to have an active reservation. To get one, follow these steps:

  1. Visit Thrifty online, or call 1-800-334-1705.
  2. Select your pick-up location, pick-up date, return date, and the type of car you need.
  3. If you have a promo code or loyalty number, you can provide it before you pay the final fee.
  4. Pay for your vehicle and pick it up at one of Thrifty's 300 nationwide locations.

Take Advantage of Thrifty Car Rental Blue Chip Rewards

In addition to honoring coupon codes from AAA, Thrifty has its own rewards program. When you sign up with Blue Chip, you receive:

  • Exclusive discounts for each booking
  • Points for free rentals
  • Expedited pick-ups and returns
  • Line skipping privileges at the reservation counter
  • One free authorized spouse as a co-driver

Although it's free to enroll in Blue Chip, it's difficult to get a membership because there are several requirements. You need to provide a major credit card and details about your employment. You can't enroll in Blue Chip rewards if you only have a debit card.

Additionally, the form is tedious to complete because it has a lot of extra questions. You'll be asked if you want to add additional insurance to your membership, which will cost extra.

Thrifty doesn't specify any special benefits for holders of any specific credit cards. However, Blue Chip members can still earn rewards with six travel company partners.

When you travel with Thrifty, you'll receive points that you can use with these partners or for future car rentals. However, those points will expire if your account is inactive for 24 months.

Even after you go through all that trouble to sign up, Thrifty has blackout dates for certain states and events. You may not be able to access any of your benefits at this time, even the ones provided by AAA!

How to Get a Thrifty Car Rental Upgrade on Your Own

According to AAA, members are entitled to one free infant, child, or booster seat per ride. Up to four additional drivers can also ride for free with your membership!

However, even with a valid discount code, Thrifty says that an advance reservation is required to get a car seat upgrade. What happens if you forget to ask for a car seat when you book your vehicle?

In that case, we recommend explaining the situation to a Thrifty attendant. You can reach out either over the phone, in-person, or on social media (the company's Twitter or Facebook page).

Depending on your situation, you may need to ask about the following:

Finding a Coupon Code After Your Reservation

When you speak to the attendant, give them the exact number of the code you'd like to use. Be sure to stress that it is still valid and that you would appreciate them applying it to your reservation.

Getting a Coupon Code When You're Not a Rewards Member

You don't always have to be a rewards member to get rental perks! Associates are often more than happy to hand out free upgrades if you mention special occasions, like birthdays or honeymoons.

In this situation, it's also essential to be courteous and flexible. Take whatever is offered to you and be open to renting other types of vehicles besides your usual choice.

Mentioning Your Blue Chip Status to Get an Upgrade

Although car seats aren't mentioned in the Blue Chip perks list, members are oftentimes still prioritized for upgrades. It never hurts to ask, even if you didn't provide advance notice that you needed an upgrade.

Getting a Thrifty Car Rental Upgrade In Seconds With DoNotPay

Signing for rewards programs requires a good bit of time, research, and possibly a membership fee. Even if you skip the memberships, you'll have to negotiate with Thrifty attendants yourself for upgrades. Why not skip the hassle altogether with DoNotPay?

If you want to get a free car seat upgrade on your car rental but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 4 easy steps:

  1. Choose which rental company you booked with.

  2. Enter your reservation confirmation number.

  3. Tell us the details of your reservation, such as the pick-up date, pick-up location, car model, etc.

  4. Indicate whether you are a rewards member or special credit card holder.

DoNotPay makes travel easier because our services are:

  • Fast: we'll look for your upgrades after a few clicks!
  • Accessible: you don't have to sign up for multiple memberships!
  • Reliable: DoNotPay knows exactly who to contact to get the best upgrades!

DoNotPay Unlocks Perks for Every Car Rental Company

Have another car rental company in mind? We can also find upgrades from:

Avis Car Rental Upgrade GuideBudget Car Rental Upgrade Guide
Alamo Car Rental Upgrade GuideEnterprise Car Rental Upgrade Guide
Dollar Car Rental Upgrade GuideHertz Car Rental Upgrade Guide
Thrifty Car Rental Upgrade GuideNational Car Rental Upgrade Guide

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