I'm picking up a car from Hertz at LAX on Friday, flying in from LHR on BA.
I've a Hertz Gold No. 1 Card.
I'd be grateful for any advice -
(i) should I head for the counter in ther terminal;
(ii) go straight to the parking area;
(iii) is the parking area close by?

Thanks

If it is your first rental with Hertz #1 Gold Club card in hand, you will need to go over to the Gold counter and show them your drivers license and sign a document -- this signature you put on this document becomes your signature on file.

Only happens on your first rental, every rental after that, its all neatly put in your car just go straight to the car and your keys and all are in the car. Trunk is popped for ya so you can throw your bags in, close and go. Show your license to the security booth on the way out and thats it.

On your return, just empty car out and they give you your reciept and you're on your way!

Sanosuke!

Hi vSFU

Assuming that your Hertz No1 Gold Card details are in the booking, then I would go directly to the Hertz compound if I were you and collect your car.

We have rented cars quite a few times from Hertz at LAX (also Gold Card holders). The driver normally asks who are Gold Card holders, when you get on the bus, and checks that they have record of your reservation. The bus will then drop you off at the Gold bays/office, you look at a big board for your bay number and off you go (keys in the car). Have your dirvers licence handy for the person at the exit barrier (and tick the appropriate box if you want to pre-pay fuel).

Can't see any point to going to the counter in the terminal, but I could be wrong...

Hertz compound is a 5 or so minute shuttle drive (depending on traffic) from the terminal.

Boo

You will need to take a shuttle bus from the airport to the Hertz facility.

After you clear immigration, collect your bags and clear customs, you'll exit the international arrivals area. Continue outside to the curbside, following signs for the courtsey buses for rental cars. A yellow Hertz bus should be along in a few minutes. Get on board and continue to the facility. Get off, look for your name on the sign, and go to the marked spot where you'll find your car.

Thanks for all the replies.

It's my first rental in LAX but not first rental with Hertz (rented many cars in Europe). Does that make a difference?

In this case, just proceed straight to the car after getting off the shuttle -- look for your name on the board and get your stuff in the car then go (after showing license and contract to guard at lot exit).

Sanosuke!

Just thought of one other question. If I wanted to add a second driver, I guess I'd have to go to the counter?

Depends. If the second driver is your spouse/domestic partner, then no. They are automatically included and authorized for Gold and you don't even need to have them show a license or anything. For anyone else, yes, a trip to the counter is necessary to add them to the rental. For these others, there are still a few ways where the additional driver might be free. I think they might all be free in California, for example. They're also free if you are both AAA members, stuff like that. But you still have to add them to the rental. If you dig into Hertz.com there is info on this. It's not on a page that can be directly linked, so I can't link it here.