Rent a car at the airport without flying
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Rent a car at the airport without flying
I would like to rent a car from a nearby airport location, but I'm not flying anywhere. Has anyone ever tried this? Are there any issues or problems I could run into renting without a plane ticket?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Shouldn't be a problem. I've done it. it's more expensive than non-airport locations however.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I’ve done it many times. No problem at all. They don’t care if you’re flying.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
You definitely can rent at the airport, but you will definitely pay much higher prices than might be available from off-airport rental sites, even from the same rental company. Renter beware!
Tom D.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Why not find the nearby location and avoid the airport franchise fee and higher rates charged for renting at the airport. Typically the company will have a non-airport location within 10 miles or so. If your not flying this seems like an easy way to save a few bucks.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I've had to do it a couple of times but it's defn more expensive over off airport location....
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Apart from paying more?MaskelyneW wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:11 pm I would like to rent a car from a nearby airport location, but I'm not flying anywhere. Has anyone ever tried this? Are there any issues or problems I could run into renting without a plane ticket?
Thanks!
Nope.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
It is not just the rental car company charging more, there are often special taxes and fees for airport car rentals.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Yes, multiple times, but that was pre-pandemic, so it's like saying I rented at an airport on the moon: not relevant to rentals on earth today.MaskelyneW wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:11 pm I would like to rent a car from a nearby airport location, but I'm not flying anywhere. Has anyone ever tried this? Are there any issues or problems I could run into renting without a plane ticket?
Thanks!
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I have rented a car for long weekend trips a couple of times, best deals consistently offered at the local airport (BOS).
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Or course you can rent a car at the airport without flying.
I’ve done it late at night when other local rental locations are closed. I’ll pay the “airport surcharge” when needed.
I’ve done it late at night when other local rental locations are closed. I’ll pay the “airport surcharge” when needed.
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Renting a car at the airport may be more expensive, but you're more likely to get the car you want than at one of the smaller off-airport locations. I live five blocks from a major brand rental car "city" location. I'm lucky to get any car from them.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Airport locations have vastly better service, selection, and at least for some carriers are more likely to offer unlimited miles.
Off-airport locations can be very sketchy.
Off-airport locations can be very sketchy.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I've rented from the airport plenty of times without flying. No issues at all. Most of the time you will pay more though or could pay more because anything at the airport tend to have added transportation taxes for the local area which might not be added when renting from neighborhood locations.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
OP, are you using a credit card for the rental?
I ask because I have seen/heard of some rental agencies that required showing a ticket when renting a car without a credit card.
I ask because I have seen/heard of some rental agencies that required showing a ticket when renting a car without a credit card.
https://www.budget.com/en/help/usa-faqs ... debit-card
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Debit Cards at Airport Locations
In addition to a credit or debit card, you might need to show a ticket or boarding pass as well as proof of a return flight to pick up at airport locations.
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https://www.dollar.com/Car_Rental_Infor ... _Card.aspx
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If the reservation was not made 24 hours prior to vehicle pick-up OR you are renting a luxury, premium or convertible car class, a debit card may still be used where the following two (2) requirements are met:
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Show proof of a return travel ticket to coincide with the rental (airline or cruise).
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https://www.enterprise.com/en/help/faqs ... yment.html
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Renters without a ticketed return travel itinerary will need to provide a credit card with sufficient funds to cover the cost of the rental plus an additional amount between $200-$400 based on rental location.
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https://www.thrifty.com/TravelCenter/Tr ... olicy.aspx
... Car Rental Debit Card Policy ...
Thrifty Airport locations, the renter is required to provide proof of a return travel ticket to coincide with the rental and present two (2) valid forms of identification...
Last edited by JoMoney on Sat Nov 27, 2021 7:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I've had good luck w airport locations, better availability and less hassle/issues at p/u and drop off. Prob just many more employees to handle customers.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Yes, I've done it, on an occasion when I needed a rental locally and none of the local non-airport Enterprise places had any cars available. Neither that time nor the hundreds of times I've rented cars when actually flying somewhere have they ever asked me for flight information to verify that I came in on a plane. I almost always use Enterprise/National or Budget. 98% of my airport car rental experiences were pre-COVID so I don't know if anything has changed due to the tight availability for rental cars currently.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Thanks all very much!
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I've done this literally dozens of times as its cheaper to rent from the airport.MaskelyneW wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:11 pm I would like to rent a car from a nearby airport location, but I'm not flying anywhere. Has anyone ever tried this? Are there any issues or problems I could run into renting without a plane ticket?
Thanks!
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
As mentioned several times in this thread, renting from airport locations is USUALLY more expensive.
Some of the airports themselves impose additional taxes/fees onto businesses like car rentals operating there.
"To achieve satisfactory investment results is easier than most people realize; to achieve superior results is harder than it looks." - Benjamin Graham
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Interesting. I've typically found them much cheaper than suburban locations but I live in the west coast.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Really? I find airport car rental prices usually 15-20% higher than non-airport pick up options. I'll agree the airport locations usually are open more hours / days so that can come into decision making, but I can't remember ever doing a cost comparison and getting a better deal renting from the airport.MrCheapo wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 7:27 pmI've done this literally dozens of times as its cheaper to rent from the airport.MaskelyneW wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:11 pm I would like to rent a car from a nearby airport location, but I'm not flying anywhere. Has anyone ever tried this? Are there any issues or problems I could run into renting without a plane ticket?
Thanks!
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Contrary to what many posters have suggested here, renting at the airport is not always more expensive. It can be, of course, but that's why you always want do your comparison shopping on a site like Kayak. Even when it's significantly cheaper to rent from a non-airport location, check the cost of dropping off at the same (non-airport) location against the cost of dropping off at the airport. More often than not it will not cost any more to drop off the car at the airport at the end of the rental, and doing so will of course save time and the cost of one trip. I've even rented a car in the city and driven to the airport when the rental was cheaper than taking an Uber to the airport - in one case I drove from Washington DC to Newark airport as it was faster (by eliminating one connection) and cheaper than taking the taxi to Dulles!
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I too am on the west coast, it was LAX in particular I was thinking of with regard to having additional taxes/fees when getting a rental car at the airport locations:MrCheapo wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 7:36 pmInteresting. I've typically found them much cheaper than suburban locations but I live in the west coast.
https://blog.autoslash.com/the-fee-dete ... ty-charge/
"To achieve satisfactory investment results is easier than most people realize; to achieve superior results is harder than it looks." - Benjamin Graham
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I've rented from an airport without flying many times. Usually a very good selection. And if you reserve in advance (and sometimes last minute) prices can be good.
A weekend rental can be a good way to get an extended "test drive" of a vehicle model you're considering purchasing.
If you are not using airport terminal car rental shuttle service (or similar) because you are making your own way to the car rental office you may be able to have the surcharges for such services (sometimes $10+) removed from your bill, ask when you pick the car up.
A weekend rental can be a good way to get an extended "test drive" of a vehicle model you're considering purchasing.
If you are not using airport terminal car rental shuttle service (or similar) because you are making your own way to the car rental office you may be able to have the surcharges for such services (sometimes $10+) removed from your bill, ask when you pick the car up.
The closest helping hand is at the end of your own arm.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
My guess is that there are much more options at the airport location rather smaller local branches (usually the case) if OP is looking to rent a specific vehicle.DoubleComma wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:23 pm Why not find the nearby location and avoid the airport franchise fee and higher rates charged for renting at the airport. Typically the company will have a non-airport location within 10 miles or so. If your not flying this seems like an easy way to save a few bucks.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I have comparison shopped airport and non-airport locations numerous times when the nature of my trip does not make the "convenience" (a relative term, since at airports like LAX and LAS, the wait times to get a shuttle to the rental facility are so bad...over 40 minutes during my last trip through LAS) of an airport rental a priority.playtothebeat wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:12 pm Shouldn't be a problem. I've done it. it's more expensive than non-airport locations however.
The total cost including the extra airport fees and taxes has never been higher in my experience at the airport than a separate rental office. I'm sure it happens sometimes, especially during peak travel dates, but it seems like the volume of business at the airport locations creates a significant advantage from economy of scale.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Cost aside, if you plan on dropping the car off in a far off city, it may be easier to pick up and drop off at an airport. The local lots are more likely to want their specific car back.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
It depends. Some airport locations have all kinds of special fees and taxes to fund the local convention center, the new professional sports stadium, and cause du jure that you may avoid by picking up elsewhere. But sometimes off airport locations are subject to the same extra charges that you suffer from at the airport.iamlucky13 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 9:44 pmI have comparison shopped airport and non-airport locations numerous times when the nature of my trip does not make the "convenience" (a relative term, since at airports like LAX and LAS, the wait times to get a shuttle to the rental facility are so bad...over 40 minutes during my last trip through LAS) of an airport rental a priority.playtothebeat wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:12 pm Shouldn't be a problem. I've done it. it's more expensive than non-airport locations however.
The total cost including the extra airport fees and taxes has never been higher in my experience at the airport than a separate rental office. I'm sure it happens sometimes, especially during peak travel dates, but it seems like the volume of business at the airport locations creates a significant advantage from economy of scale.
When I last did this (Atlanta) I found the downtown locations either had no cars or blocked dropping off at the airport. That’s due to the current car shortages.
I usually just use a local Enterprise/Avis/Budget officec where the only extra charge is regular sales tax.
The rental agency doesn’t know if you are flying or not flying, unless you tell them, nor do they care.
Advantages of the large airport rental locations are better selection, you can usually get in a car and leave without going to a counter (frequent renter account required), better hours, often 24h, and less chance of a hassle of trumped up “damage” that is mysteriously found minutes/days/weeks later, that you are of course responsible to pay.
Disadvantages are you may pay more and have to travel to an airport, if you are already elsewhere ( like home).
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I'm shocked at some of the responses - I've almost always found it cheaper to rent at the airport. The one time it wasn't, I grabbed a rideshare at the airport to that car rental place (this was in St. Louis).
It's held true so often, that I've stopped shopping around. Maybe I should start checking again
It's held true so often, that I've stopped shopping around. Maybe I should start checking again
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I always rent through Costco, small town, small airport. Enterprise is the only off-airport choice, at the airport I get the big 2 (Avis an Hertz)and their budget subsidiaries. It is a tossup which is the cheapest, varies from time to time. Enterprise will pick me up, that is in its favor.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
They might care. For example, if you rent a car in Seattle not at the airport, but close to the airport, they will ask you if you flew into SeaTak in the last [some number I forget] of hours. If you foolishly say "Yes" they are required to tack on all kinds of airport-related fees. They might let you know with a wink that the correct answer is "No".criticalmass wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 11:20 pm The rental agency doesn’t know if you are flying or not flying, unless you tell them, nor do they care.
There seems to be disagreement here as to whether it is more or less expensive to rent at the airport, but in my experience, the really great deals (like for a weekly rental) are always off-site.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Given the vehicle shortages and the fact that rental car companies sold much of their fleets I don't think it matters whether it is more expensive to rent at the airport as it may be your only choice. I was recently looking to rent for a trip and found that all neighborhood locations of Enterprise, Hertz, and National without 25 miles of my house had nothing but cargo vans available within a two week window. The only available vehicles were at the major airport 50 miles away.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
No issues, but taxes and rates can be higher at an airport location. This varies by region as some municipalities impose high taxes for car rentals off-airport.
You could try renting locally and picking the vehicle you want using a car-sharing service like Turo.
You could try renting locally and picking the vehicle you want using a car-sharing service like Turo.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Depends on the airport. If the airport has a ConRAC and shuttle busses those have to be paid for.MrCheapo wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 7:36 pmInteresting. I've typically found them much cheaper than suburban locations but I live in the west coast.
https://www.lawa.org/connectinglax/cons ... r-facility
LAX is spending $2B on their ConRAC, which includes access by people mover rather than shuttle bus. The customers of the rental car companies end up paying for it with surcharges. But it is all dependent upon yield management; on some days they may expect to have thousands of cars un-rented and a bargain rate will pop that might be cheaper than a local location even with the airport surcharges piled on.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I have a brother who rents a car for a day the day before and day after a weeklong trip . It is cheaper and more convenient for him than either weeklong airport parking or a taxi.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I should try that! I've just moved and am now an hour from an airport. How do you get to/from the rental locations?MathWizard wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:39 pm I have a brother who rents a car for a day the day before and day after a weeklong trip . It is cheaper and more convenient for him than either weeklong airport parking or a taxi.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I live near an airport, and the outside-of-the-airport Hertz has a different selection of cars available-- I could rent a big Sprinter-type van to move stuff at the outside-of-the-airport location, wasn't available at the airport. There are additional taxes and fees at the airport location (PVD), as well.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
By company rules, the off-airport Enterprise site can not arrange transportation to their site. Other rental companies probably have similar policies.DoubleComma wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:23 pm Why not find the nearby location and avoid the airport franchise fee and higher rates charged for renting at the airport. Typically the company will have a non-airport location within 10 miles or so. If your not flying this seems like an easy way to save a few bucks.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I did it last week. Always the cheapest option in places I've looked (West Coast) and nowadays the only ones that tend to have any cars available at all. Only problem is getting to the airport without a car... they make it as difficult as possible!
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I'm surprised that's more convenient for him than a taxi.MathWizard wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:39 pm I have a brother who rents a car for a day the day before and day after a weeklong trip . It is cheaper and more convenient for him than either weeklong airport parking or a taxi.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
It may be less convenient, but if you pick up the car the day before, you know it's going to show up the day of. You only have to have the experience where the scheduled taxi doesn't show up and dispatch keeps telling you its on the way for 30 minutes while you scramble for other options to understand why someone wouldn't want to take a taxi.qwerty123 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:43 pmI'm surprised that's more convenient for him than a taxi.MathWizard wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:39 pm I have a brother who rents a car for a day the day before and day after a weeklong trip . It is cheaper and more convenient for him than either weeklong airport parking or a taxi.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
You need someone who can drive you the night before.JediMisty wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:46 pmI should try that! I've just moved and am now an hour from an airport. How do you get to/from the rental locations?MathWizard wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:39 pm I have a brother who rents a car for a day the day before and day after a weeklong trip . It is cheaper and more convenient for him than either weeklong airport parking or a taxi.
His wife drives him the night before. She is going with him, otherwise she
would just drop him off the day he left.
The same thing goes if she can't drive him the day of departure due to her daytime work.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Yes, that is why he does it.toast0 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 11:52 pmIt may be less convenient, but if you pick up the car the day before, you know it's going to show up the day of. You only have to have the experience where the scheduled taxi doesn't show up and dispatch keeps telling you its on the way for 30 minutes while you scramble for other options to understand why someone wouldn't want to take a taxi.qwerty123 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:43 pmI'm surprised that's more convenient for him than a taxi.MathWizard wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:39 pm I have a brother who rents a car for a day the day before and day after a weeklong trip . It is cheaper and more convenient for him than either weeklong airport parking or a taxi.
Taxis can be very expensive. I've had to pay over $50 for a taxi several times in large cities when shuttles we're unavailable.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Surely Uber or Lyft is cheaper than any of these rental schemes and takes away any worries about a taxi showing up late...
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
Depends where. In New York City, the airport locations are often substantially cheaper than in the city. I once rented a car at La Guardia for about $50/day when rentals from Manhattan were running $125. It was a little inconvenient having to get a bus to the airport then having to wait for a rental shuttle, but it was worth the savings.playtothebeat wrote: ↑Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:12 pm Shouldn't be a problem. I've done it. it's more expensive than non-airport locations however.
Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
I have done it many times. It is sometimes more expensive at the airport due to extra fees which vary (but, in my experience, it is often similar price or even cheaper).
The airport locations are open at odd hours and you can get there on public transport easily so it may be quite convenient.
In foreign countries I almost exclusively rent at the airports even when not flying as they more likely to speak English, the location is always easy to find and there is no need to drive through city centers to get to/from there.
The airport locations are open at odd hours and you can get there on public transport easily so it may be quite convenient.
In foreign countries I almost exclusively rent at the airports even when not flying as they more likely to speak English, the location is always easy to find and there is no need to drive through city centers to get to/from there.
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Re: Rent a car at the airport without flying
That is frankly why Uber was invented and why it caught on like wildfire. There's no calling "dispatch" and wondering where your taxi is. The location of your driver is right there on the map.toast0 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 11:52 pmIt may be less convenient, but if you pick up the car the day before, you know it's going to show up the day of. You only have to have the experience where the scheduled taxi doesn't show up and dispatch keeps telling you its on the way for 30 minutes while you scramble for other options to understand why someone wouldn't want to take a taxi.qwerty123 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:43 pmI'm surprised that's more convenient for him than a taxi.MathWizard wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:39 pm I have a brother who rents a car for a day the day before and day after a weeklong trip . It is cheaper and more convenient for him than either weeklong airport parking or a taxi.