38 days to go and I have an LAX question

[MDH]

So just because I like to be as prepared mentally as possible, I have a question regarding the airport and car rentals. I have a car rental at National car rental. My understanding is that at LAX all car rentals are off site. This being the case, if my flight lands at 12:48 PM on sunday, what is a reasonable amount of time for us to be at the car rental location? Once the jets wheels hit the tarmac, is it reasonable that I'd be at National by 2:00? This is of course assuming bags come off conveyor well and there are no delays flight wise. I have no idea how to get to the national car rental agency there, I'm assuming they have a location for shuttles? Thanks for any help.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Yes, they have individual rental car shuttles that will take you to the off site location. From baggage claim look for the Rental Cars directional signs. Just go to the well marked rental car shuttle stop pickup area and wait for the National shuttle. They run on a constant cycle.

10-15 min to deplane, 15-20 min for bags...15 min to get shuttle to National...so if you land at 12:48 driving away from National location by 1:45 or 2:00pm is realistic for planning purposes.

 

[bumbershoot]

There are rental car shuttle stops outside every terminal (several of them), so it won't be hard to find once you step outside. It's busy and chaotic and LOUD out there, and it smells of exhaust and cigarettes. Not fabulously pleasant, and worth knowing in advance. If traveling with kids, also know that you'll be on an island between the driving lanes and the picking up lanes, which can feel scary with little kids.

Alamo/National buses come very very frequently. We used Avis recently though, and it took absolute ages for their bus to come (then the first bus that came by passed us b/c it was full!).

 

[lk2500]

I haven't used it (I always use Avis Preferred) but I would sign up for the National Emerald Club if you have not already. That should save you some time once you get there.

I've used Avis and Alamo out of LAX before and the shuttle process was always pretty straightforward. ParkHopper1's post is pretty spot on for estimated times.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I would sign up for the National Emerald Club if you have not already.

This 100%. It is free to set up and once you do you can add your Emerald Club # to your reservation once you have it. With EC, you just hop in ANY car in the Emerald Club aisle you want once you walk off the shuttle and go...no need to go to the rental counter ahead. You show then your driver's license and credit card that you made the reservation with at the kiosk when exiting and drive away. The few minutes it takes to set up your profile online is well worh not dealing with the rental counter on site.

I use National exclusively just because of this feature.

 

[MDH]

Thaks for the bevvy of information everyone. I woud take your advice on the emerald club however I am already an Elite executive member, so I will simply agree with you that it's awesome This entire 8 day rental is on free days, so I'm getting a luxury SUV (cadilac escalade or similar) for $17.69 after taxes Getting back to the airport the week after, does the shuttle take you back just as often?

 

[ParkHopper1]

Getting back to the airport the week after, does the shuttle take you back just as often?

Yup, I have been in and out of LAX quite a bit and never recall any significant delays with National shuttles at LAX. Just be sure to factor in the shuttle time on your return. It is quicker than driving onto airport grounds but traffic into LAX can be brutal around the terminals slowing down the shuttles a bit.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've had to wait on a bus for a bit at the return center, but at least it's more comfy than waiting outside at LAX.

There's construction in the area, so definitely give yourself a bit extra time on return.

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, a few comments.

One, are you coming in from a Foreign Country other than Canada, and needing to go thru Customs/Immigration... If so you need to add an extra hour or two on average to deal with those additional steps.

Second, the Rental Car shuttle pick ups are on the lower level at most terminals (some share a stop).

When you exit the baggage claim area, you will exit to a sidewalk and roadway, in the middle of the roadway is an Island, what you want to do is look for the Purple Signage which is marked "Rental Car Shuttle" (Symbol is a car with a key above it)

http://www.lawa.org/uploadedimages/lax/images/GT_mapF.gif

Alamo and National are the same company and share the shuttles and pick up lot. (Enterprise actually owns them and runs it as a separate group). So you are looking for a green and blue vehicle.

Hope that helps.

 

[Daisybell911]

Does anyone have any info on Thrify and what their shuttles are like?

 

[Darkbeer1]

Thrifty and its sister company Dollar are good, I have used them multiple times, but not at LAX (Thrifty/Dollar is owned by Hertz).

As for Shuttles, same as the others above mentioned. LAX does not allow rental car companies to have facilities on property due to space and traffic issues, which is also the case at many other Airports. Thrifty does have a deal with LAX to have shuttles and use their Purple loading zones on the lower level. So just keep an eye out for the Thrifty/Dollar shuttle buses when you get to the pick up point.