Car Rental from the airport

Question

Hello! I was just curious what the best car rental company is to rent from at the airport? We flew into Palm Springs last year and there must have been a lineup of a 100 people ahead of us to pick up their car through budget. Someone had mentioned to us that some people book and then watch prices and cancel once they get to the airport only to rebook through a cheaper company or through a company that has no line. Any tips or tricks on how to avoid a 2 hour car rental lineup again would be greatly appreciated.

Answer

Renting a car from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport can be stressful during busy periods, but with some planning and strategy, you can significantly reduce wait times and potentially save money. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Best car rental companies at Phoenix Airport:

Enterprise Rent-A-Car – Known for friendly service and multiple counters. They often handle high volumes efficiently.
Hertz – Offers a streamlined “Hertz Gold Plus Rewards” program that can let you bypass the counter and go straight to your car.
Avis/Budget – Popular choices, but Budget is notorious for long lines during peak times, as you experienced last year.
Alamo/National – Alamo has a good counter layout for families and often offers the ability to choose your car in lot. National is great for repeat customers.
Thrifty/Payless – Usually budget-friendly but sometimes slower during peak periods.

Tips to avoid long lines and get the best price:

Book early but monitor prices: Make a reservation well in advance and then use price-tracking websites to see if rates drop. You can often cancel and rebook at a lower price if your reservation is refundable.
Join loyalty programs: Most major rental companies have free loyalty programs (Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club, Enterprise Plus). These often allow you to skip the line entirely and go straight to your car.
Use off-airport locations: Some companies have nearby off-airport branches. They may have lower traffic and sometimes cheaper rates, though you need to factor in shuttle time.
Check for prepaid or “express” options: Prepaying online or choosing express pick-up can reduce wait times. Many companies have apps that let you handle paperwork electronically.
Timing: Early morning or late evening pick-ups are often less busy than midday.
Consider alternate companies: If lines are long at major brands, smaller regional companies may have shorter waits, but check reviews carefully.

Extra tips:

Have your documents ready (driver’s license, credit card, confirmation number) to speed up the process.
If traveling with others, consider splitting tasks: one person handles paperwork while another gathers luggage to save time once at the counter.
Check for “skip-the-line” services offered by aggregator sites like Kayak or Expedia; sometimes these provide faster pick-up and discounted rates.

Overall, combining early booking with loyalty program benefits and flexible timing is the best approach to avoid a two-hour wait at Phoenix airport car rentals. Enterprise and National are often considered the smoothest for counter wait times, while Hertz Gold/Express can be fastest if you enroll in their program.

Car Rental from the airport

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