How to avoid long lines at rental car counters: 5 tips

In the summer time of 2021, rental automobile organizations appeared caught off guard by the sudden recovery in rental car or truck demand. Rental corporations had downsized their fleets and employees to make it as a result of the worst of the pandemic downturn. Then, rather all of a sudden, vacationers began using to the street once once again, and amazingly prolonged traces at rental motor vehicle centers became prevalent.

However, we are not rather through the worst crunch of the rental auto recovery. Hertz’s common American fleet dimension was even now 34{e3fa8c93bbc40c5a69d9feca38dfe7b99f2900dad9038a568cd0f4101441c3f9} more compact in fall 2021 than in tumble 2019, and Hertz cannot make up that 200,000-car or truck distinction overnight. Incorporate in staffing shortages and the upcoming holiday seasons, and disorders are ripe for lengthy wait instances to turn into a significant issue when all over again.

In point, on the web rental car or truck booking service AutoSlash noticed a 65{e3fa8c93bbc40c5a69d9feca38dfe7b99f2900dad9038a568cd0f4101441c3f9} maximize in its rental car bookings for Thanksgiving 2021 when compared with 2019. And rental autos in common vacationer places like Kauai, Hawaii, have been booked reliable forward of the 2021 holidays, according to AutoSlash.

No just one desires to delay the start off of their family vacation or journey to stop by friends and spouse and children by ready in line at a rental auto middle. Here are our leading recommendations for how to prevent very long strains at rental vehicle counters.

5 strategies to stay clear of very long strains when leasing a motor vehicle

If you want to be among the the numerous who cruise previous the examine-in counter to seize their keys and go, be positive to:

1. Indicator up for rental car loyalty applications

For some rental car companies, skipping the line is as effortless as signing up for the company’s loyalty method. For illustration, Hertz Gold Additionally Benefits users can skip the counter and pick their automobile from the good deal at most big airports.

AutoSlash gives a comprehensive list of courses that allow you to skip the counter just by signing up for the loyalty plan. On the other hand, not all important brands give users this solution. You are going to want to keep away from providers that need all renters to decide on up keys from the counter.

Note that it is not more than enough just to sign up for a plan. Make confident to total the vital phase of including your loyalty amount when you ebook your rental car or truck. Even when booking a rental car or truck via a 3rd get together like Priceline, you can enter your benefits variety. The additional effort is really worth the time saved at the counter.

2. Get rental motor vehicle elite status through credit cards or airline/lodge elite standing

An even greater way to skip the long lines at the airport rental car center is by obtaining elite standing with a rental auto firm. You might now have accessibility to rental automobile elite position by a credit rating card or leveraging your existing airline or hotel elite standing.

For example, cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Convey can enroll to get Avis Most well-liked, National Car Rental Emerald Club and distinctive elite-like perks when leasing by Hertz. Terms utilize.

IHG Rewards Spire Elite members can enroll to get Hertz Gold As well as Rewards 5 Star elite status. Five Star standing arrives with perks like free of charge upgrades, bonus factors and no additional driver cost for your partner or domestic husband or wife.

3. Check in on the internet ahead of arriving

Some rental automobile providers allow you to skip the counter by examining in on-line right before arriving at the rental area. For case in point, for pick Alamo spots, you can use the cost-free Skip the Counter alternative to verify in, submit your payment and accept the rental settlement, all online. The moment at the rental spot, you can pick up your car from the ton.

4. Lease at an off-airport site

It could seem counterintuitive as a time-conserving evaluate to rent from an off-airport locale. But leasing from these locales may well be in a position to help you save you the two revenue and time.

“You can steer clear of numerous of the taxes and expenses rental companies charge at the airport,” says Jonathan Weinberg, CEO and founder of AutoSlash. “And it can even be a extra practical option considering the fact that you can stay away from the lines and airport shuttle buses by getting a taxi or rideshare to a nearby neighborhood business office.”

Savvy renters can even help save time on the return by booking a 1-way rental at an off-airport web page and returning the motor vehicle to an airport site. Just make sure to element in the hold out time and the value of the additional transportation to the off-airport site.

5. Use a peer-to-peer auto rental company

An additional way to skip the lengthy rental car pickup strains is to not hire a car via a traditional rental car or truck firm. As an alternative, you can lease a car through a car rental different, like Turo, and organize to pick the automobile up from the airport.

Turo even has agreements with around a dozen airports to enable for seamless pickup and drop-off.

If you want to steer clear of prolonged strains when leasing a automobile

Most rental auto providers present so many means to keep away from lengthy lines at their check out-in counters that it’s a marvel there are strains at all. At numerous airports, rental vehicle firms allow loyalty method associates to skip the counter just by which include their amount in the reservation. Other rental providers enable renters test in on line to keep away from the counter.

Outside the house-the-box ways to avoid extensive lines at rental automobile facilities — and perhaps help you save funds — involve leasing from off-airport locations or from peer-to-peer rental automobile companies. Continue to keep this all in thoughts the upcoming time you book a rental car or truck and take pleasure in the worry-free of charge procedure.

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JT Genter writes for NerdWallet. Email: [email protected].

The posting How to Prevent Long Traces at Rental Automobile Counters originally appeared on NerdWallet.