MIAMI -- Thrifty Car Rental has begun in-terminal operations inside Miami International Airport, with a rental counter in four of the airport's baggage claim areas.

"Our new in-terminal airport counters will simplify the rental process for our customers," said Dan Hardy, president of South Florida Transport Inc., Thrifty's franchise owner/operator in Miami. "Customers will see the Thrifty sign near every baggage claim area, which should prove especially convenient for customers unfamiliar with the airport."

Thrifty had previously served the airport from an off-airport location, but was awarded the in-terminal concession earlier this year after a successful bidding process. Vehicle pick-up and drop-off operations will continue at the off-airport location, with arriving and departing passengers boarding Thrifty shuttle buses.

The Miami location offers such specialty vehicles as the Ford Mustang GT convertible, Cadillac Escalade, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Mitsubishi Montero Limited, Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Corvette as well as Chrysler cars, trucks and vans.

Thrifty now operates 30 locations in Florida, including locations serving the Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Melbourne, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Key West, Pensacola, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Fort Myers and Naples airports.