Landing at your destination is exciting, but the anticipation can quickly fade when you’re faced with the seemingly endless car rental pick-up line. Imagine waiting for hours, only to find out your reserved car isn’t even available. This scenario is all too common, but fortunately, many car rental companies offer skip-the-line programs to expedite the process and get you on the road faster.
Long lines at car rental counters are a notorious travel headache. Budget car rental companies are often cited for the longest waits, sometimes stretching to one or two hours. However, even major brands like Hertz frequently have substantial queues, particularly at busy airport locations. These delays can be incredibly frustrating, especially after a long flight, eating into your valuable travel time.
So, which car rental company has a skip-the-line program? The good news is that several major players in the car rental industry offer programs designed to bypass these lengthy waits. One of the most well-known and effective is the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program. By joining Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, which is free to enroll in, you can often skip the traditional counter and head directly to the Hertz Gold Choice aisle or designated parking bay. At major airports, signs will direct you to the specific area for Gold members, President’s Circle, or Five Star members. Hertz also allows you to use their mobile app to check in, further streamlining the process and minimizing interaction at the counter. In many cases, your keys will already be inside the car, requiring only a quick ID check with the gate attendant to finalize your rental agreement and be on your way.
The advantage of these programs extends beyond just saving time. At locations with a Gold Choice aisle, you often have the opportunity to select your preferred vehicle from a range of available cars in your booked class. This can be a significant perk, allowing you to choose a newer model or one with lower mileage. For instance, you might find yourself choosing between a car with 30,000 miles and another, just a few spaces away, with only a couple thousand miles on the odometer.
Beyond Hertz, other major car rental companies also offer similar skip-the-line programs. Enterprise has its Enterprise Plus program, and Avis offers Avis Preferred. Joining these loyalty programs before your rental is crucial to take advantage of the skip-the-line benefits. Ensure all your necessary information, including your driver’s license and payment details, are completed in your profile to ensure a smooth pick-up experience.
Furthermore, certain credit cards can grant you elite status with car rental companies, often automatically enrolling you in their expedited programs. These cards can provide benefits like Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status or similar perks with other companies. However, enrollment through the credit card benefit portal is usually required to activate this status; simply being a cardholder isn’t always enough.
To maximize your chances of a quick car rental pick-up, it’s generally advisable to book directly with the car rental company rather than through third-party websites. While third-party sites might sometimes offer slightly lower prices, they can complicate adding your loyalty program membership number to your reservation. This omission could negate your skip-the-line benefits and lead to unnecessary delays. The slight cost saving might not be worth the potential time lost waiting in line.
However, it’s worth noting that even with skip-the-line programs, certain situations might still require a visit to the rental desk. For example, if you require special equipment like child safety seats, you may need to interact with staff, potentially leading to some wait time. In such cases, consider bringing your own child car seat to potentially avoid these delays.
In conclusion, joining a car rental rewards program is a smart strategy to save time and enhance your travel experience. These programs, offered by companies like Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis, provide a streamlined pick-up process, often allowing you to bypass long lines and get your rental car quickly. By prioritizing direct bookings and utilizing loyalty programs, you can significantly increase your chances of a fast and efficient car rental experience, leaving you more time to enjoy your trip.
