Houston Hobby Rental Cars
Jun 6, 2015, 9:57 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Posts: 1,754
Houston Hobby Rental Cars
I know that this is not really a "Southwest" topic, but I figure 99% of the people that fly to Hobby are on WN, and so they would have the most experience with Hobby airport.
I am on a WN flight that gets in 2-July at 12:15 AM CDT. Lets assume, just for the diligence that the flight is about 15 min late getting to the gate, and it takes another half hour or so to get off the plane, to the rental car shuttle, etc. So now its 1 AM Central time.
Are the Rental car counters open, staffed, or am I walking into a cluster .... at 1 AM ?
J
I am on a WN flight that gets in 2-July at 12:15 AM CDT. Lets assume, just for the diligence that the flight is about 15 min late getting to the gate, and it takes another half hour or so to get off the plane, to the rental car shuttle, etc. So now its 1 AM Central time.
Are the Rental car counters open, staffed, or am I walking into a cluster .... at 1 AM ?
J
Last edited by returnoftheyeti; Jun 6, 2015 at 10:29 am Reason: wrong date...
Jun 6, 2015, 10:16 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 71
I fly into hobby, but dont rent much.
It should be open.
For example, budget says they are open 24hrs on Sat and Sun at Hobby.
The best thing to do is ensure your reservation has your flight info. In my experience rental car places will make an employee stay late if a flight is delayed, but only if they have your flight info to know when you will arrive.
It should be open.
For example, budget says they are open 24hrs on Sat and Sun at Hobby.
The best thing to do is ensure your reservation has your flight info. In my experience rental car places will make an employee stay late if a flight is delayed, but only if they have your flight info to know when you will arrive.
Jun 6, 2015, 10:59 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MCI
Programs: CBP Global Entry, WN A-List Preferred, WN Companion Pass
Posts: 2,007
I know that this is not really a "Southwest" topic, but I figure 99% of the people that fly to Hobby are on WN, and so they would have the most experience with Hobby airport.
I am on a WN flight that gets in 2-July at 12:15 AM CDT. Lets assume, just for the diligence that the flight is about 15 min late getting to the gate, and it takes another half hour or so to get off the plane, to the rental car shuttle, etc. So now its 1 AM Central time.
Are the Rental car counters open, staffed, or am I walking into a cluster .... at 1 AM ?
J
I am on a WN flight that gets in 2-July at 12:15 AM CDT. Lets assume, just for the diligence that the flight is about 15 min late getting to the gate, and it takes another half hour or so to get off the plane, to the rental car shuttle, etc. So now its 1 AM Central time.
Are the Rental car counters open, staffed, or am I walking into a cluster .... at 1 AM ?
J
Hertz' lot is open 5am to 1am weekdays; presumably the shuttle bus runs on somewhat of a similar schedule.
Recommend you research your rental company's site/airport-specific hours and CALL that local office to confirm they'll wait for you, etc.
Jun 6, 2015, 12:00 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: HOU
Programs: WN CP, A+, UA Sil, MR Amb LTP, Hyatt Plat, HH Dia, National EE
Posts: 466
+1 on calling that local office. I had to get a taxi once because Alamo was closed. Lesson learned to not book a late flight in when needing to rent a car.
Jun 6, 2015, 12:50 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Waxahachie, TX
Programs: WN 3 Million Miler, MR Lifetime Titanium, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, AA Silver, United never again
Posts: 509
Depends on who will be renting from.
National shuts down about 1:00 am and doesn't reopen until about 5:30 am. The hours really vary, and I have been stuck overnight in Hobby after storm related delays. National seemed to close early and no one was at the counter or the lot until nearly 6 am.
Problem with calling the local office is getting a phone number that doesn't get forwarded to the rental desk in India.
National shuts down about 1:00 am and doesn't reopen until about 5:30 am. The hours really vary, and I have been stuck overnight in Hobby after storm related delays. National seemed to close early and no one was at the counter or the lot until nearly 6 am.
Problem with calling the local office is getting a phone number that doesn't get forwarded to the rental desk in India.
Jun 9, 2015, 9:15 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 21
If you're flying into Hobby and open to using National Rental Car, no reason not to sign up for their Emerald Club. Both Houston locations have 'Emerald Club Aisle', so you get the free upgrade and can skip the check-in line.
Not sure if transport runs that late or not, but you would need to make the short trip out to the National lot, directly off site.
Not sure if transport runs that late or not, but you would need to make the short trip out to the National lot, directly off site.
Jun 9, 2015, 8:38 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: My opinions are my own and not that of my employer(s)
Posts: 1,411
+1 the majors are usually pretty good at every airport I've ever flown. Some of the smaller locals can be a slam click at closing time regardless of location. I have no idea why people even use them...
Jun 9, 2015, 8:41 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: My opinions are my own and not that of my employer(s)
Posts: 1,411