When you land at your destination airport on a business trip, you probably have a goal: to be on your way as fast as possible. Accordingly, rental car providers have ways to put you into the driver’s seat faster. On your next trip, be sure to take advantage of these services.
For example, when Avis Preferred Service members arrive at the counter, they find their paperwork already complete and their cars parked in the best spots. When it’s time to return your car, Avis employees with hand-held computers will meet you in the parking area and can process your return in under a minute.
Budget’s Fastbreak Service can keep your rental preferences and signature on file, eliminating paperwork. All you need to do receive your keys is show your driver’s license to a counter agent. Some airports offer Budget’s Fastbreak Choice program, which lets you self-confirm your reservation at a kiosk in the Budget lot, select your car, show your driver’s license at the exit booth, and go.
If you’re a member of National’s Emerald Club, you can reserve an intermediate-category vehicle; bypass the National counter at your destination and go directly to the Emerald Aisle area; then, choose a car and drive away (the keys are in the cars). Plus, you can choose any car on the Aisle while paying only the cost of the intermediate vehicle you reserved. Be sure to sign up for National’s e-Receipt service so that you won’t need to visit the counter upon your return – just park your car in the National lot and go.
If you’re traveling to a place where a hotel shuttle or public transit will serve most of your needs, but you’ll still need a car for a brief time, car-sharing may be the answer. Enterprise has entered the car-sharing business with WeCar, a service that rents fuel-efficient cars by the hour, day, or longer. There’s no need to go back to the airport – the cars are parked in easily accessible locations and can be opened using a WeCar membership card. Car-sharing services are popular near some universities because they meet student needs for transportation, but they can serve business travelers with limited transportation needs as well.
To find out more about special services available from your employer’s car rental company of choice, talk with your corporate travel manager.
This travel column was written by BlueRibbonNews.com special contributor Robbert van Bloemendaal, an experienced world traveler, native of Australia, an Ambassador with the Rowlett Chamber of Commerce, and president of Travel Leaders of Rowlett.
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