Hertz Skip the Counter 1st time

[jstaff]

Hello!
We are going to rent from Hertz via AAA next week. I signed up for the gold plus rewards so we can skip the counter and go straight to the garage.

2 questions- will I still receive all the rental paperwork in the little booklet you get at the counter with the contract printed out?

AAA gives a free additional driver how would that work if we skip the counter?

Thank you.

 

[Jonnnyap]

Great idea. I’ve done this for years at MCO, and it’s quite efficient. You should get the agreement electronically and a small printout when you exit the parking area as you talk with an agent. Just look for your name on the electronic board, pick a vehicle from the appropriate area (they’re labeled well), and then drive your car to the exit gate and talk with the agent. Assuming your name is on the board, there’s no need to talk with an agent until you’re driving away. If you’re going out of MCO, just be aware the Hertz zone is somewhat further from the others in the parking deck, so don’t worry and just keep following the signs. If you’re going out of another airport, I’d imagine it’s similar, and you can find a map of the airport online prior to arriving. As for the AAA second driver, you might need to list the other person with Hertz/AAA. When I did this last, they said my wife was automatically covered.

As always when you rent, it’s a good idea to take video/pictures of the car before you get in it. Save these for up to 90 days in case the rental company makes a claim that you damaged the vehicle. I’ve never had this issue come up, but it’s always been advice I’ve heard.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[jstaff]

Great idea. I’ve done this for years at MCO, and it’s quite efficient. You should get the agreement electronically and a small printout when you exit the parking area as you talk with an agent. Just look for your name on the electronic board, pick a vehicle from the appropriate area (they’re labeled well), and then drive your car to the exit gate and talk with the agent. Assuming your name is on the board, there’s no need to talk with an agent until you’re driving away. If you’re going out of MCO, just be aware the Hertz zone is somewhat further from the others in the parking deck, so don’t worry and just keep following the signs. If you’re going out of another airport, I’d imagine it’s similar, and you can find a map of the airport online prior to arriving. As for the AAA second driver, you might need to list the other person with Hertz/AAA. When I did this last, they said my wife was automatically covered.

As always when you rent, it’s a good idea to take video/pictures of the car before you get in it. Save these for up to 90 days in case the rental company makes a claim that you damaged the vehicle. I’ve never had this issue come up, but it’s always been advice I’ve heard.

Hope you have a great trip!

Yes, we are renting from MCO. For the 2nd driver in the past we have always had to show the license for both drivers and verify the AAA membership each time. How did you list the other person with Hertz?

 

[_19disnA]

I don't know if all rental companies work this way, but the first time I used Avis a number of years ago as a new member of their 'club', you had to go to the counter to verify you had a valid driver's license and they input various information. For subsequent rentals, I never had to go to the counter and could go directly to my car.

 

[Jonnnyap]

PP is correct that you might have to go to the counter for this first time. There is a service desk in the deck that you might be able to work with (that will be less busy) if the terminal counter is crowded.

As for adding second driver, you might be able to do this online or at the counter; it’s been a while, so that detail is lost in memory to me.