After Hours Return At KOA
Jun 29, 2021 | 7:44 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 15
After Hours Return At KOA
Hi Everyone. It's been a while since I have needed a rental and I usually use National. This is my first time renting from Hertz at this location. It looks like this they open at 5:30am. My flight leaves at 6:30am. Is there an after hours return? Or would I be ok to return the car at 5:30am and still be able to make my flight at 6:30am?
Jun 29, 2021 | 11:31 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,958
Keep in mind that the rental cars are not directly adjacent to the terminal at KOA. Google maps calls Hertz as 1/2 mile/10 minute walk away, and it's not really direct. You will need to either find the trail across the lava field or go around on the street where there is no sidewalk. So if you are managing a lot of luggage you might want to try to drop it at the terminal (along with any extra people) before dropping the car.
Jun 30, 2021 | 7:14 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 15
Thanks for the info. I will be sure to give myself a little extra time and also drop off luggage/people first.
About how early do you guys think would be good to get to KOA since flight is at 6:30am? I know I would be fine getting there at about 5:30am a couple years ago but I'm not so sure now days how long the lines are.
About how early do you guys think would be good to get to KOA since flight is at 6:30am? I know I would be fine getting there at about 5:30am a couple years ago but I'm not so sure now days how long the lines are.
Jul 1, 2021 | 9:03 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: LAX
Programs: AS 40k, SWA ALP, Hilton gold, IHG platinum ambassador
Posts: 121
I was in Kona early last month and had an 8 am departure. There is a TSA precheck line at KOA and when I checked in that morning @6:30 there was a very short line. The regular line for TSA screening was quite long and once inside the airport, there were a lot of people waiting for their early morning flights. The line to the small snack shop/restaurant was especially long. I would follow the recommendation about dropping off people and luggage first. Usually flights departing/arriving in Kona are grouped together, so you can expect a crowd when you both arrive and depart.