Enterprise or Avis

Question

Any recent experiences with either of these car rentals? Wait times? Are they close to airport?

Answer

Good question — both Enterprise and Avis are solid choices at Kahului Airport (OGG), and which one is “better” can depend on your priorities (waiting time, vehicle selection, loyalty perks). Here’s a breakdown of recent/*current-ish* experiences along with pros and trade-offs to help you choose.

Enterprise at OGG

Location & pickup: Their counter is at the Maui Airport rental‐car facility. According to their site, the rental desk hours are 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM. After you arrive at baggage claim, you cross the street to catch a tram or walk to the rental car center.
Wait times: According to user-review aggregators, the average wait for Enterprise at OGG is around ~23 minutes. On Reddit, people report being able to pick from a few SUVs right at the lot and not feeling pressured — typical of Enterprise’s “pick your own” fleet approach.
Returns: After-hours returns are accommodated. Enterprise asks you to park in public parking (sections J and K at OGG) and drop your keys in their drop box.
Reputation & vehicle condition: Reviewers frequently mention clean, newer cars and a “pick-your-car” style which gives more control over exactly what you drive.

Avis at OGG

Location & pickup: Their counter is also at the airport rental car facility. You arrive via tram from the terminal, then go to the Avis counter on Level 1.
Hours: Avis is open from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM at Kahului.
Wait times & line-skipping: According to Redditors, using Avis Preferred (loyalty program) can significantly reduce wait time — some say they “skip the counter” entirely. Without that, lines can get long when lots of flights land around the same time.
Vehicle condition and fees: A few renters note that island cars from Avis may show wear (salt, sand), so check carefully. Also, make sure to inspect the car and note anything on pick-up photos to avoid being charged later for “sand” or other minor dirt.
Early return concerns: Some have had issues with very early returns; while Avis says drop-off is possible, you’ll want to verify your reservation’s drop-off policy.

Summary — Which One to Pick?

Choose Enterprise if you want a smoother pickup, more vehicle choice at the lot, and newer or cleaner cars. The wait may feel shorter since you’re physically browsing options rather than waiting for a counter agent to pick a car for you.
Choose Avis if you value skipping lines via their Preferred program or if you’ve had good experiences with their loyalty benefits. Just be careful to inspect for sand or wear when you pick up.

Pro Tip: Try to time your arrival outside of peak car rental rush times (typically when flights from the mainland or Oahu land) to reduce wait time. If you’re using Avis, signing up for Avis Preferred before your trip can save you a lot of time at the counter.

Hope this helps you decide — and that you have a smooth, stress-free start to your Maui trip!