Originally Posted by
m907
I would think that only applies to non-aisle locations where they open the rental before you arrive.
Even if they do, the gate adjusts the billing time to actual pick up time. Example - Downtown BOS always opens contracts up in the morning and billing time starts at pick up. Reservation time basically is just a placeholder to hold a car for you.
Usually I also avoid the counters these days due to new hires or employees from Enterprise / Alamo - the gate agents seem more knowledgeable but YMMV.