Spending $40 on an Uber just to pick up a rental car? There’s a better way. Several major car rental companies offer free pickup service, bringing customers directly to their location so they can get on the road faster and save money. Here’s everything drivers need to know about which companies pick you up, how to book it, and what to watch out for.

 Which Car Rentals Offer Free Pickup?

Ten major rental companies provide complimentary pickup service at select locations:

• Enterprise – Free pickup at 7,000+ non-airport locations nationwide (most extensive coverage)
• Hertz – Available at Local Edition (HLE) branches within 15-minute radius
• Budget – Free pickup at participating off-airport locations
• National – Emerald Club members get priority pickup service
• Alamo – Skip the Counter service available at select branches
• Thrifty – Pickup available at participating locations with advance booking
• Dollar – Free pickup at select non-airport branches
• Avis – Home delivery service available daily (fees may apply)
• SIXT – Hotel and marina delivery in downtown areas (additional fees)
• Payless – Basic pickup service at limited locations

Important note: Most companies only offer pickup from non-airport locations. If you’re flying in, you’ll need to use the airport rental counter or their shuttle service.

Comparison: Best Car Rental Pickup Services

How Car Rental Pickup Service Actually Works

The process is simpler than most people think. You call the rental location, tell them where you are, and they send someone to get you. Here’s what happens step-by-step:

Before Your Rental Date:

Make your reservation online like normal. When choosing your pickup location, look for branches that offer pickup service. Most company websites will show a “Free Pickup Available” badge or mention it in the location details.

24-48 Hours Before:

Call the specific branch where you’re renting (not the 1-800 number). Give them your address, preferred pickup time, and confirmation number. Some locations get busy, especially on weekends, so calling ahead is crucial.

On Pickup Day:

An employee drives a company vehicle to your location. This usually takes 15-30 minutes depending on traffic. They’ll call when they’re close. Bring your driver’s license, credit card, and reservation confirmation with you.

At the Rental Office:

The employee drives you back to their branch. You complete the paperwork, inspect your vehicle, and drive off. Total time at the counter is typically 10-15 minutes if you’ve already completed any online check-in.

The whole process takes about 45 minutes from the pickup call to driving away in your rental. Compare that to paying for a rideshare, waiting for the driver, dealing with traffic, and you’re often saving both time and money.

Detailed Review: Top 10 Car Rental Companies That Offer Pick-Up Service

 Enterprise – Best Overall Pickup Coverage

Enterprise wins for pickup service coverage. They operate over 7,000 non-airport locations across North America, and the vast majority offer free pickup during business hours.

How it works: Call your local Enterprise branch at least two hours before you need pickup. They’ll send an employee to your home, office, or hotel. The service is completely free at neighborhood locations.

The catch: Enterprise doesn’t pick up from airports. If you’re flying in, you need to either use an airport Enterprise location (which has shuttles) or arrange your own transportation to a neighborhood branch.

Service radius: Most branches pick up within 10-15 miles, though this varies by location. Rural areas might have smaller service areas while busy urban branches may limit pickup to 5-7 miles during peak times.

Best for: Local rentals, replacement vehicles during car repairs, and situations where you need a car but don’t have transportation to the rental office.

Pro tip: Enterprise often has better rates at neighborhood locations compared to airport branches. Taking pickup service to a local branch can save you 20-40% on weekly rentals.

Hertz – Ideal for City Dwellers

Hertz offers pickup through their Local Edition (HLE) branches. These are neighborhood locations designed specifically for local renters rather than airport travelers.

How it works: Book online and select a location marked “HLE” (Local Edition). Call the branch 24 hours in advance to arrange pickup. Hertz picks up customers within a 15-minute drive of the HLE office.

The catch: Not all Hertz locations are Local Edition branches. Airport locations and many traditional branches don’t offer this service. You need to specifically look for the HLE designation.

Service radius: Strictly limited to a 15-minute drive. Hertz is more rigid about this than Enterprise. If you’re outside the zone, they’ll suggest the nearest HLE location instead.

Best for: Urban and suburban renters who live near an HLE location. The service works great in metro areas where these branches are concentrated.

 Budget – Solid Budget-Friendly Option

Budget provides free pickup at many off-airport locations, making them a practical choice when you’re watching your wallet.

How it works: Search for your rental location on Budget’s website. If pickup is available, you’ll see it mentioned in the location details. Call the branch directly at least 24 hours ahead with your address, pickup time, and contact number.

The catch: Like Enterprise, Budget’s off-airport locations cannot pick you up from airports. You must use the airport Budget counter or get yourself to a neighborhood branch.

Service radius: Varies significantly by location. Some branches are generous with a 15-mile radius, while others keep it tight at 5 miles. Always confirm when you call.

Best for: Cost-conscious travelers who value savings over premium service. Budget’s rates are typically lower than Enterprise or Hertz, and free pickup sweetens the deal.

Money-saving insight: Budget often runs promotions where neighborhood pickup rentals cost less than airport rentals, even before you factor in the rideshare savings.

 National – Premium Business Traveler Choice

National caters to business travelers and frequent renters, and their pickup service reflects that focus on convenience.

How it works: Reserve online or through the National app. Many locations, especially those near airports, operate 24/7 for flexible pickup times. Emerald Club members (free to join) can skip the counter entirely and choose their vehicle from the Emerald Aisle.

The catch: Pickup service availability varies widely. Some locations offer it freely, others don’t offer it at all. National’s website isn’t always clear about which branches have pickup.

Service radius: Not publicly specified – you need to call and ask the specific branch.

Best for: Business travelers and Emerald Club members who value speed and convenience. The ability to bypass the counter and choose your own vehicle makes National worth considering despite slightly higher rates.

Loyalty perk: Emerald Club members earn points toward free rental days. If you rent frequently, this adds real value beyond just the pickup service.

Alamo – Skip the Counter Convenience

Alamo takes a different approach to “pickup” with their Skip the Counter service, which eliminates wait times rather than providing transportation.

How it works: Complete all rental paperwork online before arrival. When you get to the rental location, go directly to your assigned vehicle. Show your license and rental agreement at the exit gate and drive off.

The catch: This isn’t traditional pickup service where they come get you. It’s a faster rental process once you arrive. You still need to get yourself to the Alamo location.

Service radius: Not applicable – this is an on-site convenience feature.

Best for: Travelers who are already at or near an Alamo location and want to save 15-20 minutes at the counter. Works especially well at busy airport locations during peak travel times.

Thrifty – Decent Mid-Range Option

Thrifty offers pickup at select locations with a focus on making the rental process smooth through online check-in.

How it works: If your rental qualifies, complete check-in online up to seven days in advance. On pickup day, use your phone to select your specific vehicle (available 30 minutes before pickup time). Go to your car, find the keys inside, and drive away.

The catch: This service is only available at participating locations, and the website doesn’t always make it obvious which branches offer it. Call ahead to confirm.

Service radius: Not clearly defined – varies by location.

Best for: Tech-savvy renters who want a streamlined mobile experience. The ability to choose your exact car model is a nice touch.

SIXT – Premium Hotel Delivery Service

SIXT positions itself as a premium rental option with delivery service to match, particularly in tourist destinations.

How it works: Contact your local SIXT branch or ask your hotel concierge to arrange delivery. SIXT will bring your rental car to hotels or marinas in downtown areas. Book at least 48 hours in advance (2 hours minimum in some locations).

The catch: This service costs extra, and fees vary based on distance from the branch. It’s also not available for private homes or businesses.

Service radius: Downtown areas only, focused on hotels and marinas. The Las Vegas Strip gets special treatment with free delivery for hotels within 3 miles.

Best for: Business travelers staying at downtown hotels who value convenience and don’t mind paying extra. Also great for yacht owners who need land transportation at marinas.

Expect to pay $20-50 for delivery depending on location. If you’re already paying premium rates for a luxury vehicle, the convenience might be worth it.

 Payless – Basic Service, Basic Price

Payless keeps things simple and affordable, including their no-frills pickup service at select locations.

How it works: Call participating Payless locations to arrange pickup. The service is straightforward – they pick you up, bring you to the branch, and you rent your car.

The catch: Payless has fewer locations than major competitors, and not all of them offer pickup. Availability is limited.

Service radius: Typically small – expect 5-10 miles at most.

Best for: Budget travelers who need basic transportation without premium features. If there’s a Payless branch near you that offers pickup, you’ll probably get the cheapest rental rate of any major company.

 Avis – Home Delivery Specialist

Avis stands out by offering home delivery service seven days a week, bringing the rental car directly to your house.

How it works: Arrange home delivery when making your reservation. An Avis employee brings the vehicle to your home at the scheduled time. When you’re done, return the car to the Avis desk for inspection.

The catch: This service typically costs extra, unlike the free pickup offered by Enterprise or Hertz. Pricing varies by location and distance.

Service radius: Broader than most competitors since it’s a paid service, but availability and cost depend on how far you live from the nearest Avis location.

Best for: Special occasions, business travelers working from home, or anyone who values the convenience of never visiting a rental office. Also great for replacement vehicles during insurance claims.

Extension tip: If you need to extend your rental period, just call the local branch to update your reservation and insurance. The flexibility is convenient.

International note: In some countries like New Zealand, Avis offers special arrangements allowing rental cars on ferries between islands – a unique perk for island travel.

Dollar – Value-Focused Pickup Service

Dollar rounds out our list with pickup service at select locations, maintaining their reputation for competitive pricing.

How it works: Call Dollar locations that offer pickup service to arrange transportation to their branch. The service is free at participating locations.

The catch: Like most competitors, pickup is only available at non-airport branches. Service availability is limited compared to Enterprise or Hertz.

Service radius: Varies by location – typically 10-15 miles.

Best for: Budget-conscious travelers who want reasonable rates without sacrificing basic convenience.

Bonus feature: Dollar allows one-way rentals between locations without extra drop-off fees in most cases. This makes them excellent for road trips where you don’t want to return to your starting point.

Value proposition: If you’re doing a one-way rental and need pickup service, Dollar offers solid value by waiving drop-off fees that can easily hit $100-200 at other companies.

How to Book Pickup Service (Step-by-Step)

Getting pickup service isn’t complicated, but following the right process ensures everything goes smoothly.

Step 1: Make your reservation online Book through the rental company’s website like normal. Choose a non-airport location near your home or wherever you need pickup. Look for mentions of “pickup available” or “courtesy transportation” in the location details.

Step 2: Verify pickup is available Don’t assume – verify. After booking, call the specific branch (the local number, not the 1-800 customer service line). Ask directly: “Do you offer free pickup service?” Confirm their service radius and hours.

Step 3: Schedule the pickup If the company needs 24 hours notice, call the day before. If they accept two-hour notice (like Enterprise), you can call the morning of your rental. Provide:

• Your confirmation number
• Pickup address (be specific – “123 Main Street, Apartment 4B”)
• Preferred pickup time
• Your cell phone number
• Any special instructions (gate codes, building entrance, etc.)

Step 4: Be ready when they arrive Have these items ready to go:

• Valid driver’s license
• Credit card in your name
• Reservation confirmation (on phone or printed)
• Insurance information (if using your own coverage)

The pickup driver will call when they’re 5-10 minutes away. Be ready to walk out the door.

Step 5: Complete paperwork at the branch The drive to the rental office typically takes 10-20 minutes. Once there, you’ll complete standard paperwork, decline or accept insurance options, inspect your vehicle, and drive away. Total time at the counter: 10-15 minutes if you’re prepared.

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The Bottom Line on Rental Car Pickup

Free pickup service is one of the car rental industry’s best-kept secrets. Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget offer the most reliable service across the most locations. The convenience saves you $30-50 in rideshare costs, 30-45 minutes of travel time, and the hassle of navigating to an unfamiliar rental office.

The key to success is planning ahead. Call the branch directly after making your reservation to confirm pickup availability and schedule your appointment. Have your documents ready when they arrive, and you’ll be driving away in your rental within an hour of the pickup call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all rental cars come with unlimited mileage?

No. Most economy and mid-size rentals include unlimited mileage, but luxury cars, large SUVs, vans, and trucks often have limits (150–250 miles/day) with extra fees.

How much does unlimited mileage car rental cost?

Unlimited mileage is usually included in the base rate. Expect around $30–45/day for economy, $40–60 for mid-size, and $60–100 for SUVs.

Can you drive a rental car across state lines with unlimited mileage?

Yes. Major companies like Enterprise, Budget, and Hertz allow cross-state travel with no extra fees. Canada is usually allowed with notice; Mexico is not.

What happens if you go over the mileage limit?

You’ll pay an overage fee of $0.25–$0.75 per extra mile based on the rental type. Charges are added automatically at return.

Do weekend car rentals include unlimited mileage?

Yes, most weekend rentals (Friday–Monday) from major brands include unlimited mileage on standard cars, excluding luxury or large vans.

Which rental company offers the best unlimited mileage policy?

Enterprise and Budget are top choices. Enterprise offers unlimited mileage on 95% of standard rentals; Budget clearly lists mileage terms online.

Do luxury rental cars include unlimited mileage?

Usually not. Most luxury rentals have 150–250-mile daily limits with $0.45–$0.65 per mile overage. Some programs waive this for long or loyalty rentals.

Is unlimited mileage available for one-way rentals?

Yes, for most standard cars. However, a one-way drop-off fee ($50–$500) applies. Large SUVs or vans may have mileage restrictions.

Do monthly car rentals include unlimited mileage?

Not always. Most include 1,000–1,500 miles/month, then charge per extra mile. Some companies offer unlimited miles if negotiated directly.

Is unlimited mileage available internationally?

It depends on the country. It’s standard in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand, but limited or per-kilometer in parts of Eastern Europe.