Landing at the airport, after a long flight, you’re probably tired and just ready to hit the road. The last thing you want is to stand in a long line at the airport car rental counter, filling out forms, answering the same questions again, and wasting precious time. Whether you’re heading to your next business meeting, going on vacation, or just need a car for a day, there’s got to be a quicker way to get on the road.
Ventures Car Rentals knows the drill. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to make your airport pickup as fast and easy as possible. There’s no reason you should be stuck at the counter, filling out paperwork, or trying to figure out where your rental car is. Let’s get you on your way in no time.
Book Your Airport Car Rental Early for a Smooth Pickup
The first step in speeding things up? Book your car rental ahead of time. It seems simple, but I can’t tell you how many people show up at the counter with no reservation and then wonder why it takes forever to get their car.
- Online Booking: When you book online, you’ve already done the heavy lifting. You’ve selected your car, entered your details, and all that’s left is to sign a quick form and grab the keys when you arrive. No waiting around for paperwork. If you’re on business travel, you probably don’t have time to waste—booking ahead means you’re in and out of the airport without missing a beat.
- Choose Your Vehicle: One of the perks of booking in advance is that you get to pick the car you want. If you need a small sedan for your meetings or a larger SUV for the family, you don’t have to worry about them being out of stock or offering you something that doesn’t fit your needs. You get exactly what you want.
Skip the Counter with a Loyalty Program and Save Time
If you travel often, you’ll really appreciate this tip. A loyalty program with your car rental company can save you a lot of time. Ventures Car Rentals has an express service for frequent customers, and if you’re a member, you can skip the counter entirely.
- No Line, No Wait: Signing up for a loyalty program means you can bypass the line at the counter. With priority service, you can head straight to a kiosk or directly to your car. That means no waiting for your paperwork to be processed. For business travel, this is a lifesaver—especially when you’ve got a packed agenda and can’t afford to be wasting time.
- Faster Access to Cars: Membership programs often give you access to express lots, so you can go straight to your car and hit the road. It’s all about minimizing downtime, and if you’re a frequent traveler, this can really make a difference.
Know Where to Go for Your Airport Car Rental Pickup
If you’ve ever been lost in a massive airport trying to find your rental car, you know it can eat up a lot of time. Let’s be honest—you just want to get to the car and get out of there.
- Do Your Research: Before you even get on the plane, check out the airport’s map. Find out if the airport car rental desk is inside the terminal or if you need to catch a shuttle to the lot. Some airports make it easy with everything on-site, but others might have their car rental offices off-site. Knowing this ahead of time will save you from wasting time walking around the airport looking for signs. If you’re on business travel, you don’t have time to waste wandering around the airport.
- Shuttle Services: If you need a shuttle, make sure you know how often it runs. Some airports have frequent shuttles, while others run less often. Understanding the schedule helps you avoid waiting longer than you have to. Being prepared means less waiting around and more time on the road.
Speed Up Airport Pickup with Direct Rental Services
Not all rental agencies are the same. Some airport car rentals offer services that can make your pickup even faster. If you’re looking for on-site pickup, that’s even better. With Ventures Car Rentals, we make it simple by having on-site offices at many airports.
- On-Site Rental Locations: When your rental office is in the terminal, there’s no need for a shuttle or trying to find the lot. You walk in, show your ID, pick up your keys, and go. For business travel, this can be a huge time-saver. No waiting for a shuttle or wandering around the airport trying to find the car lot.
- Shuttle Pickup: In cases where the car rental lot isn’t on-site, you’ll likely need to take a shuttle. Knowing the shuttle schedule can save you time, so you’re not stuck waiting. Check out the shuttle times in advance and plan accordingly, so you’re not running into delays.
Be Prepared for the Insurance Talk
One of the biggest holdups at the counter is often the insurance discussion. It can feel like an endless back-and-forth, but there’s a way to make it quicker.
- Know What’s Covered: Before you even leave home, check if your credit card or personal car insurance covers airport car rentals. Many credit cards offer rental car insurance, which means you won’t need to buy additional coverage at the counter. When you’re booking for business travel, you don’t want to waste time figuring out insurance options at the counter—be prepared in advance, and it’ll save you time.
- Check Rental Coverage: When you book your car, make sure you understand what’s already included in the rental agreement. If you need any additional coverage, you’ll already know what’s necessary.
Watch Out for Extra Fees
Nobody likes surprise fees. It’s always better to know about extra charges ahead of time to avoid wasting time at the counter.
- Airport Surcharges: If you’re picking up at an airport, be aware of the airport surcharge. Many airport car rental services add this fee on top of the regular rental charges. Check the total price when you book online, so there are no surprises when you pick up your car.
- Fuel Policy: Double-check the fuel policy—some companies require you to return the car with a full tank, while others charge a high premium if you don’t. Avoid any confusion by knowing the fuel rules before you arrive. For business travel, this can help you stay on schedule without having to search for a gas station before you drop the car off.
Returning Your Car
While picking up the car is important, returning it on time and without any issues is just as crucial.
- Know the Return Process: Some rental companies have a return lot separate from the pickup area. Make sure you know exactly where you need to go, especially at larger airports where the rental lots are spread out. For business travel, you want to be quick about dropping the car off so you can catch your flight or make it to your next meeting.
- Return on Time: Avoid the stress of late fees by making sure you return the car on time. This is especially important if you’ve got a tight schedule to stick to.
Reach out to Ventures Car Rentals today at (905) 800-0150, email us at iinfo@venturescarrentals.com, or click here to get in touch online.
