26 Down

NYT Daily • July 31, 2025

Thrifty competitor

Answer:

ALAMO

Hint:

["Here’s a helpful hint for your crossword clue:\n\n*\"This car rental company shares its name with a famous Texas landmark.\"*\n\nThis hint guides the solver toward the answer by connecting \"Alamo\" to its well-known historical site, making it easier to recall without directly giving away the answer."]

Explanation:

The clue **"Thrifty competitor"** leads to the answer **"ALAMO"** through a combination of wordplay and brand association. 1. **"Thrifty"** refers to **Alamo Rent A Car**, a well-known car rental company that is often associated with budget-friendly or "thrifty" travel options. 2. **"Competitor"** hints at the fact that Alamo is a competitor in the car rental industry, often compared to other brands like Hertz, Avis, or Thrifty itself. Thus, the clue cleverly combines the idea of a budget-conscious ("thrifty") company with the notion of competition in the car rental market to point to **Alamo**.

More Clues from This Puzzle

1 Across

7 letters

The X-Men, e.g.

6 Across

4 letters

Way off

10 Across

4 letters

Blowout victory

14 Across

5 letters

Home of the White Cloud Mountains