Frankfurt Airport - Car Rental
Jul 3, 2022, 10:34 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 72
Frankfurt Airport - Car Rental
I will be flying in to Frankfurt and doing a road trip through Germany, Austria, Switzerland (and perhaps France, Belgium, and Luxembourg) and in looking at the reviews for the various car rental companies, I am not sure which to choose? Many reviews about long lines, alleged attempts to charge for damage, add prepaid fuel, etc.
In the US, I have status with all of the big name brands (e.g., Avis Preferred Plus, Enterprise Plus Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Executive Elite, Sixt Platinum; status match is helpful). The only “benefit” I care about utilizing at Frankfurt would be skipping lengthy lines at the pickup counter which many companies seem to struggle with, per recent reviews. Do any of the rental companies recognize US status and do they have dedicated lanes based on status? I presume it is necessary to show my IDP so I am amenable to stopping at the desk but have zero interest in waiting in a 1-2 hour line.
any insight is appreciated.
In the US, I have status with all of the big name brands (e.g., Avis Preferred Plus, Enterprise Plus Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Executive Elite, Sixt Platinum; status match is helpful). The only “benefit” I care about utilizing at Frankfurt would be skipping lengthy lines at the pickup counter which many companies seem to struggle with, per recent reviews. Do any of the rental companies recognize US status and do they have dedicated lanes based on status? I presume it is necessary to show my IDP so I am amenable to stopping at the desk but have zero interest in waiting in a 1-2 hour line.
any insight is appreciated.
Jul 3, 2022, 2:25 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,520
I will be flying in to Frankfurt and doing a road trip through Germany, Austria, Switzerland (and perhaps France, Belgium, and Luxembourg) and in looking at the reviews for the various car rental companies, I am not sure which to choose? Many reviews about long lines, alleged attempts to charge for damage, add prepaid fuel, etc.
In the US, I have status with all of the big name brands (e.g., Avis Preferred Plus, Enterprise Plus Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Executive Elite, Sixt Platinum; status match is helpful). The only “benefit” I care about utilizing at Frankfurt would be skipping lengthy lines at the pickup counter which many companies seem to struggle with, per recent reviews. Do any of the rental companies recognize US status and do they have dedicated lanes based on status? I presume it is necessary to show my IDP so I am amenable to stopping at the desk but have zero interest in waiting in a 1-2 hour line.
any insight is appreciated.
In the US, I have status with all of the big name brands (e.g., Avis Preferred Plus, Enterprise Plus Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Executive Elite, Sixt Platinum; status match is helpful). The only “benefit” I care about utilizing at Frankfurt would be skipping lengthy lines at the pickup counter which many companies seem to struggle with, per recent reviews. Do any of the rental companies recognize US status and do they have dedicated lanes based on status? I presume it is necessary to show my IDP so I am amenable to stopping at the desk but have zero interest in waiting in a 1-2 hour line.
any insight is appreciated.
Jul 3, 2022, 3:46 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
I will be flying in to Frankfurt and doing a road trip through Germany, Austria, Switzerland (and perhaps France, Belgium, and Luxembourg) and in looking at the reviews for the various car rental companies, I am not sure which to choose? Many reviews about long lines, alleged attempts to charge for damage, add prepaid fuel, etc.
In the US, I have status with all of the big name brands (e.g., Avis Preferred Plus, Enterprise Plus Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Executive Elite, Sixt Platinum; status match is helpful). The only “benefit” I care about utilizing at Frankfurt would be skipping lengthy lines at the pickup counter which many companies seem to struggle with, per recent reviews. Do any of the rental companies recognize US status and do they have dedicated lanes based on status? I presume it is necessary to show my IDP so I am amenable to stopping at the desk but have zero interest in waiting in a 1-2 hour line.
any insight is appreciated.
In the US, I have status with all of the big name brands (e.g., Avis Preferred Plus, Enterprise Plus Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Executive Elite, Sixt Platinum; status match is helpful). The only “benefit” I care about utilizing at Frankfurt would be skipping lengthy lines at the pickup counter which many companies seem to struggle with, per recent reviews. Do any of the rental companies recognize US status and do they have dedicated lanes based on status? I presume it is necessary to show my IDP so I am amenable to stopping at the desk but have zero interest in waiting in a 1-2 hour line.
any insight is appreciated.
BTW, you didn’t state when you are traveling. If it is anytime soon, you should make your reservation ASAP. When I was in CH in May, I was told that I was lucky that I had a reservation because they were experiencing a shortage of vehicles.
Make sure when you cross into Austria and Switzerland that you stop to buy vignettes to put on the inside of your windshield.
Last edited by FLYMSY; Jul 3, 2022 at 4:14 pm
Jul 3, 2022, 9:03 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,843
I usually rent from Hertz when I fly into FRA and never have to go to the counter due to Gold Plus membership (President Circle). No one has ever wanted to see an IDP anywhere I have rented in Europe (which is good, because I don’t have one).
Jul 3, 2022, 9:22 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 72
Good to know! The Hertz app currently has a Porsche Cayenne available at $90000 EUR/week (their typo, not mine) during the time I will be renting 😂. I will post to the Hertz forum.
Jul 4, 2022, 9:00 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: Miles&More Blue, SPG Silver
Posts: 3,379
I will be flying in to Frankfurt and doing a road trip through Germany, Austria, Switzerland (and perhaps France, Belgium, and Luxembourg) and in looking at the reviews for the various car rental companies, I am not sure which to choose? Many reviews about long lines, alleged attempts to charge for damage, add prepaid fuel, etc.
In the US, I have status with all of the big name brands (e.g., Avis Preferred Plus, Enterprise Plus Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Executive Elite, Sixt Platinum; status match is helpful). The only “benefit” I care about utilizing at Frankfurt would be skipping lengthy lines at the pickup counter which many companies seem to struggle with, per recent reviews. Do any of the rental companies recognize US status and do they have dedicated lanes based on status? I presume it is necessary to show my IDP so I am amenable to stopping at the desk but have zero interest in waiting in a 1-2 hour line.
any insight is appreciated.
In the US, I have status with all of the big name brands (e.g., Avis Preferred Plus, Enterprise Plus Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Executive Elite, Sixt Platinum; status match is helpful). The only “benefit” I care about utilizing at Frankfurt would be skipping lengthy lines at the pickup counter which many companies seem to struggle with, per recent reviews. Do any of the rental companies recognize US status and do they have dedicated lanes based on status? I presume it is necessary to show my IDP so I am amenable to stopping at the desk but have zero interest in waiting in a 1-2 hour line.
any insight is appreciated.
Jul 4, 2022, 7:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SAV/HHH
Posts: 325
I rented at FRA from National in May. Had to go to the counter, but the wait was only a couple minute wait. Reserved a "standard" automatic for a one-way rental to Stuttgart. Used free days for the rental. Was offered a Mitsubishi SUV, until I told the agent I knew how to drive stick. Was then offered a Ford Kuga, fully loaded with ACC, HUD, Satnav, etc. Great car, would use National again in Germany.
Jul 12, 2022, 6:53 am
#8
Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,552
Hertz seems the best, as you can got skip the counter with status.
Just as a sidenote, all rental companies charge nowadays if you want to cross the border to another country (even within the EU). You can select it while renting. If you forgot it or drive over the border without askin for permission, there might be a surcharge.
Just as a sidenote, all rental companies charge nowadays if you want to cross the border to another country (even within the EU). You can select it while renting. If you forgot it or drive over the border without askin for permission, there might be a surcharge.
Jul 12, 2022, 8:57 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,843
Paging EU Commission.
Jul 14, 2022, 10:48 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, Accor Plat, M&M FTL, BA Blue, QR Gold
Posts: 3,726
Hertz seems the best, as you can got skip the counter with status.
Just as a sidenote, all rental companies charge nowadays if you want to cross the border to another country (even within the EU). You can select it while renting. If you forgot it or drive over the border without askin for permission, there might be a surcharge.
Just as a sidenote, all rental companies charge nowadays if you want to cross the border to another country (even within the EU). You can select it while renting. If you forgot it or drive over the border without askin for permission, there might be a surcharge.