Several major rental car companies offer customer pickup services, but it's not a standard feature everywhere. The availability primarily depends on the specific location, its proximity to a rental office, and local policies. Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the most well-known for its complimentary pickup service within a certain radius of their branches. Hertz and Avis may also offer this at select locations, often for a fee or as a perk for their loyalty program members.
This service, often called "customer pick-up" or "courtesy pickup," is designed for your convenience. You typically need to call the local office directly (not the general reservation number) after making a booking to arrange a time. The driver will meet you at your home, hotel, or office and take you to the rental location to complete the paperwork.
Key Considerations Before You Rely on Pickup:
- Call Ahead: Always confirm with the specific branch. A policy listed on a national website may not apply to a smaller neighborhood office.
- Geographic Limits: Most companies have a defined service area, often a 5 to 10-mile radius. If you're outside this zone, you'll need to find another way.
- Timing: Pickups are usually scheduled and may not be available on-demand 24/7, especially on weekends or holidays.
- Alternatives: For airport locations, rental car companies are almost always located on-site or connected by a frequent, free shuttle bus, making a personal pickup unnecessary.
| Rental Company | Pickup Service Availability | Typical Fee | Best For |
|---|
| Enterprise | Widely available at neighborhood locations | Usually Complimentary | Local rentals, insurance replacements |
| Hertz | Select locations, often non-airport | May incur a fee | Loyalty program members (Gold Plus Rewards) |
| Avis | Limited locations | May incur a fee | Pre-arranged corporate clients |
| Budget | Very limited | Fee-based | Specific pre-approved scenarios |
| National | Limited, typically at corporate locations | Varies | Emerald Club Executive members |
| Alamo | Rarely offered | Not typically available | Airport rentals only |
