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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
How to skip long rental car pick-up lines for free
Summer Hull has been covering (and using) travel tips, rewards credit cards and loyalty programs for over a decade. She has flown close to a million miles, often on points and miles and with her family in tow.
July 19, 2024 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Long lines at airport car rental counters are common, especially with budget companies, sometimes resulting in waits of one to two hours.
Joining a rental car loyalty program, such as Hertz's free Gold Plus Rewards, can allow you to skip the main counter and head directly to your vehicle at many locations.
Some loyalty programs let you choose your own car from a designated aisle, offering flexibility and potentially newer vehicles.
Certain credit cards provide automatic elite status with car rental companies, which can further streamline the pick-up process if you enroll in advance.
What to consider
Renting through third-party sites may prevent you from adding your loyalty program number, increasing the risk of longer waits.
Even with elite status, special requests like child safety seats may still require you to visit the rental desk.
Ensure your loyalty program profile is complete and your membership number is attached to your reservation to maximize benefits.
What you'll miss from the article
Step-by-step guidance on enrolling in rental car loyalty programs and tips for avoiding common pick-up delays.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
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The last thing you want after your flight is to see a long car rental pick-up line — or worse, to be told there’s no car for you left at all.
A while ago, I booked a car with Hertz from the Orlando International Airport (MCO) for a weekend at Disney World. When we went to the airport’s rental car pick-up area, I was immediately grateful I did not have to wait in a shockingly long line, thanks to our free membership with Hertz’s Gold Plus Rewards program. I spoke with folks near the front of some lines, who said they had spent nearly two hours waiting to (hopefully) pick up a car.
The longest lines, lasting one to two hours, were for budget car rental companies such as Dollar Rent A Car and Sixt. Still, most of the car rental companies at the airport had significant lines, including my company of choice, Hertz.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
We often rent with Hertz because of the four-hour grace period we receive with The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required). However, skipping the car rental pick-up line is another major plus, and one you don't need any particular credit card to be eligible for.
To skip the counter, join Hertz’s free Gold Plus Rewards program and pick up your car at one of the many locations with a Gold Choice aisle. In major pick-up locations, a board will direct you to a certain parking stall or aisle (Gold, President’s Circle or Five Star). You can also use the Hertz app to check in and skip the line.
I’ve occasionally received the dreaded “see desk” message when a credit card on the account has expired or similar. Luckily, though, the desk in the garage often has a much shorter wait than the primary line inside.
The keys should be waiting inside the car, so you only need to show your ID to the gate attendant on the way out of the garage. They will typically print your rental car agreement for you there, and you’ll be on your way.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
You may be able to choose your own car
An added perk of picking the car from an aisle is looking at the cars and selecting one of the nicer, newer options in the row.
On the previously mentioned Orlando trip, the first car we considered smelled awful and had more than 30,000 miles on it. However, just two cars over, we saw a newer option with only a couple thousand miles logged.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Even if the Hertz location you are using isn’t one with a dedicated aisle, you can still use a shorter check-in line simply by being a member of its Gold Plus Rewards program. That’s how I saved an hour picking up a car rental in Honolulu a few years ago, even though that location didn’t have dedicated aisles in the car rental garage.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Joining a rental car rewards program
Most car rental companies, like Enterprise and Avis, have similar programs. To increase your odds of skipping the line, be sure to join the membership programs for the car companies you rent from and enter all necessary information in advance.
TPG has a full guide to rental car rewards programs, including information on how to sign up and the perks you'll enjoy as a member.
Credit cards that offer elite status for car rentals
There are a handful of credit cards that can help you skip the long line at the car rental counter with automatic elite status. You do have to enroll for this benefit, so if you have one of these cards, be sure to complete enrollment before your next car rental.
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Complimentary, optional enrollment with Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, and/or National Car Rental Emerald Club
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Special car rental privileges with National Car Rental, Avis and Silvercar
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle* or Five Star status
United Club℠ Card: Avis President's Club enrollment
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply
Car rental skip-the-line tips
Be careful if you rent via a third-party site. You may not always be able to add your car rental membership number, which could result in a long pick-up line. Sure, you may save a few dollars, but you need to weigh the savings against the time you might spend waiting in line to pick up your car.
Avis' lot at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
For these reasons, it usually makes more sense to rent directly, even if it costs you a little more. Ensure you sign up for a relevant car rental program, fully complete your profile and double-check to see if your car rental member number is attached to your reservation.
If you need something special, like child safety seats, you may end up in some line with a rental car company regardless of your status. For that and other reasons, it might be a good idea to travel with your child’s car seat.
Bottom line
Joining a rental car rewards program can save you time, help you make progress toward a free rental and increase the odds that a car will be available when you’re ready to start your trip.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
