Airport rental car counters have gotten complicated with all the loyalty tiers, pre-registration options, and counter bypass programs flying around. As someone who’s rented cars at airports across the country, I learned everything there is to know about which companies move fastest and how to skip lines entirely. Today, I will share it all with you.
Rental Counter Speed Rankings
National Car Rental: The Emerald Club program provides the fastest airport car rental experience available. That’s what makes this program endearing to us frequent renters—members walk directly to the lot, choose any car in their section, and drive out. Counter interaction: zero. For frequent renters, this speed advantage justifies loyalty even at slight price premiums.
Enterprise: Shares ownership with National and offers similar speed for Enterprise Plus members. Standard renters face typical counter waits, but the company’s staffing levels and training generally produce faster service than competitors.
Hertz: Gold Plus Rewards members skip counters at many locations. Standard renters experience variable wait times depending on location and staffing. Some airports feature excellent service; others show chronic understaffing.
Budget and Avis: Owned by the same parent company with similar service levels. Preferred member programs help, but counter service varies significantly by location. Airport locations often suffer from long lines during peak periods.
Strategies for Faster Rental Pickup
Join loyalty programs: Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Every major rental company offers free loyalty membership. These programs provide counter bypass options, faster paperwork, and often free upgrades. There’s no reason not to join before your first rental.
Complete paperwork online: Pre-registration reduces counter time significantly. Enter license information, payment details, and preferences before arriving. Many companies then require only key pickup.
Choose off-airport locations: Rental facilities outside airport property often show shorter lines and lower prices. The inconvenience of shuttle rides to off-site lots may be offset by significant time and cost savings.
Hidden Rental Counter Time Sinks
Insurance upsells: Counter agents are trained to sell additional insurance coverage. Know your existing coverage before arriving. Your personal auto insurance and credit card benefits often provide adequate protection, allowing quick decline of costly add-ons.
Fuel options: Prepaid fuel programs rarely save money and require time to explain. Decline unless you’re certain you’ll return the car empty—usually a poor decision financially.
GPS and accessories: High-margin add-ons get pushed aggressively. Decline if you have a smartphone with navigation capabilities.
Alternative Rental Options
Turo and similar peer-to-peer platforms offer airport delivery in some markets. Meet the owner at designated airport areas, skip rental counters entirely, and often find better vehicle variety at competitive prices.
Costco Travel and other booking aggregators sometimes include expedited pickup benefits. Compare total packages including service level, not just daily rate.
