Can you rent a car at the airport if you're not flying???

[beachgrl001]

With airfare prices so high we are thinking of driving. We would be renting a van and slpitting the cost w/my parents. Most of the car rental places are in the airport(Phila.). Can you only rent from them if you are flying?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

With airfare prices so high we are thinking of driving. We would be renting a van and slpitting the cost w/my parents. Most of the car rental places are in the airport(Phila.). Can you only rent from them if you are flying?

The rental car companies will gladly rent cars to all qualified customers, regardless of how they arrive at the rental car location.

However, you may be better off renting from an off-airport or suburban location. Airports tend to impose all sorts of fees on airport rental car locations. These fees can add 20% or more, depending on the location.

 

[beachgrl001]

The rental car companies will gladly rent cars to all qualified customers, regardless of how they arrive at the rental car location.

However, you may be better off renting from an off-airport or suburban location. Airports tend to impose all sorts of fees on airport rental car locations. These fees can add 20% or more, depending on the location.

Good to know thanks

 

[szymon]

FYI the locations in Northeast Philadelphia are usually much cheaper than renting from the airport (unless Hertz is running a last minute special).

There is a Hertz location in "Northeast Philadelphia" which is about 20 - 25 minutes northeast of town. There is a Budget location in that area as well. I've rented from both.

Szymon

 

[CleveRocks]

I live in the Atlantic City area. Just looking in my Yellow Pages, I'm seeing all kinds of ads for the big rental car companies in South Jersey. I'll assume you're closer to Philadelphia, as that's where more of the population is.

I see Avis in Cherry Hill, Deptford and Mt. Laurel.

I see Budget in Blackwood, Burlington, Cherry Hill, Deptford and Palmyra.

I see Enterprise in Cherry Hill, Mt. Laurel, Maple Shade, Cinnaminson, Somerdale, Pennsauken, Mt. Ephraim, Runnemede, and so on.

I think you get the idea. You're not limited to airport locations.

And as a native Northeast Philly boy, I'd only suggest going there if you're north of there or right across the river. Otherwise, you'll be unnecessarily going out of your way.

Happy Hunting!

 

[Lewisc]

Unlimited miles don't mean the agency wants you to put thousands of miles on the car. It means they don't normally charge by the mile.

READ THE FINE PRINT. UNLIMITED MILEAGE doesn't always apply if take the car outside a specific list of states. Some agencies don't offer unlimited mileage if you rent from a local (non-airport location) or if you aren't flying into and out of that airport (airport location).

There are agencies that let you do what you want. You just have to read the fine print.

 

[Twende]

One complication that we experienced, we do not have a credit card. We use a Brand name debit card. Many car rental companies will accept the debit card as long as you can show them your round trip flight itinerary.

If you are not flying then some will take a debit card but put a large hold on your account until the card is returned. Even then the hold can take days for the bank to remove it.

Very few will take cash and if they do there is a whole list of documents that you have to file with them.

 

[szymon]

Issue with renting in NJ for a longer period of time is the $5/day fee that the state charges. PA's fees are lower.

Szymon