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Say you’re at the airport, ready to head home after a long trip.
You have a Hertz rental car that needs to be returned.
I remember the first time I was in your shoes, unsure about where to go and what to do. In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps together.
Before You Head to the Airport
1. Fuel Policy:
It’s a common rule with car rentals, including those from Hertz, that you need to return the car with a full tank of gas.
Why is this important?
Well, if you bring the car back with less gas than when you got it, the rental company will charge you for the gas.
And often, their charges are higher than what you would pay at a regular gas station.
So, to save money, it’s a good idea to fill the tank yourself before you return the car. Look for a gas station near the airport. This way, you won’t use much gas driving from there to the airport.
2. Inspect the Car:
Before you leave for the airport, take a few minutes to look over the car.
What are you looking for?
Any new marks or damage that wasn’t there when you first got the car. If you find anything, it’s a good idea to take a picture with your phone.
This can be helpful if there are any questions about the car’s condition when you return it.
It’s like having a proof to show that you’re returning it in the same state as you received it.
3. Gather Your Belongings:
We often leave small things in the car without realizing it. That’s why it’s a good idea to do a thorough check before you return it.
Look in all the places you might have put something – the glove compartment, the trunk, under the seats, and in any other storage spots in the car.
It’s easy to forget things like phone chargers, sunglasses, or even important documents.
Checking carefully means you won’t leave anything behind.
Finding the Right Way to the Airport
When it’s time to go to the airport with your Hertz rental car, finding where to return the car is important.
Airports are big places, but they do a good job of putting up signs to help drivers.
Keep an eye out for signs that say ‘Car Rental Return’.
These signs are usually colored and big enough to see from a distance. They will guide you to where you need to go.
If you are using a GPS, it can help you find the way too. Just put in the name of the airport, and then add ‘car rental return’ after it.
This tells the GPS exactly where you want to go.
It’s a good idea to do this before you start driving to the airport. This way, you can focus on the road and not worry about getting lost.
Sometimes, there are different return areas for different rental companies.
Make sure you follow the signs that lead to the Hertz return area. If you’re not sure, it’s okay to stop and ask someone. It’s better to ask and be sure than to go to the wrong place.
At the Rental Car Return Area
1. Drive into the Return Lane:
When you arrive at the Hertz return area, you’ll see different lanes marked for car returns.
Look for the lane that is marked for Hertz.
It’s usually clearly labeled, so you should find it easily. Drive your car into this lane and slowly come to a stop.
This is where you’ll be handing over the car back to the company. It’s similar to how you picked up the car, but this time you are giving it back.
2. Meet the Hertz Representative:
Once you’re in the right lane, a Hertz employee usually comes over to you.
They are there to check the car and help with the return process.
The representative will look at the car’s fuel level to make sure it matches what your rental agreement says.
They will also check the car for any new scratches or damages. It’s a good idea to stay with the representative during this check.
This way, you can answer any questions they might have about the car. They will also ask for the car keys and your rental agreement, so have these ready.
3. Get a Receipt:
After the representative has checked everything, they will give you a receipt.
This receipt is important. It’s proof that you returned the car and that you returned it in good condition.
The receipt will also show any extra charges, like if the car needed more fuel.
Make sure to keep this receipt until you see the final charges on your credit card. It’s your proof in case there are any questions or problems later.
What if There’s No Representative?
Sometimes, especially if you’re returning the car outside of regular business hours, you might not find a Hertz representative at the return area.
This is not unusual, and there’s a simple process for this situation too.
In such cases, look for a ‘Key Drop Box’. This is a secure box where you can leave the keys and the rental agreement of the car.
The Key Drop Box is usually clearly marked and located near the Hertz return lane or the Hertz office at the airport.
It’s designed so that you can safely leave the keys without needing to hand them over to a person.
Before you drop the keys in the box, make sure you have all your belongings with you and that you’ve taken photos of the car’s condition.
These photos are your proof of how you left the car. They are important in case there are any questions later about damages or fuel level.
After you’ve put the keys and the rental agreement in the drop box, that’s it. You have successfully returned the car.
It’s a good idea to note the time and date when you did this. Keep this information with your photos and any other rental documents.
This way, if there are any questions later, you have all the information you need to show when and how you returned the car.
Extra Tips for a Smooth Return
- Time Management: Give yourself plenty of time for the return process. It’s better to have extra time than to rush and risk missing your flight.
- Document Everything: Keep all your rental documents and receipts until you see the final charges on your credit card statement.
- Check Your Credit Card Statement: After a few days, check your statement to make sure the charges match the amount you were told when you returned the car.
