NON OFFICIAL. Visitors intending to reach the official website should visit flylax.com
Car rental at Los Angeles Airport
Quick questions about renting a car at LAX
Where are the rental car companies?
All 12 airport brands are together at the LAX Rental Car Center (ConRAC), 5251 W 98th St, open since March 11, 2026: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, Thrifty and Zipcar.
How do I get there from the terminals?
On the shared shuttle from the purple "Rental Car Shuttles" signs, on the islands of the Lower/Arrivals Level outside baggage claim. The People Mover will connect the center with the terminals, but it is not running yet.
How much time should I allow?
At least 45 to 60 minutes from the curb to driving away at peak times, and more at some companies with long counter lines. When returning the car, add 30 to 45 minutes before your airport recommendation.
Can I skip the counter?
Yes, with loyalty programs: National Emerald Aisle, Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and Enterprise Plus all operate at LAX. They save the longest wait of the process.
Are there cheaper companies outside the center?
Yes, at the Remote Rental Car Depot (Century Blvd and Airport Blvd), reached by bus from the pink LAX Shuttle signs. See the list below.
Critical points and smart traveler playbook
Shuttles and the new rental car center
User experience:
- Travelers like the new center: it is spacious, modern and well signposted inside.
- Getting there is the weak point: shared shuttles fill up, skip stops and get stuck in traffic in the horseshoe, with rides of up to 50 minutes reported at peak times.
- Inside the center there are long walks and escalators between the counters and the cars.
- Some GPS apps still send drivers to the old company lots when returning the car.
Strategy: When returning the car, set the GPS to 5251 W 98th St and arrive with time for the shuttle back. With a lot of luggage, let one person go for the car while the others wait at the terminal.
Counter lines and car availability
User experience:
- The harshest reviews are about counters: Budget, Dollar, Hertz, Payless and Thrifty receive repeated complaints about waits of 1 to 3 hours and cars not ready despite a prepaid booking.
- Alamo, Enterprise, National and Sixt get the best comments for speed and car selection.
- Upselling of insurance, toll passes and upgrades at the counter is a frequent complaint, especially at Dollar, Fox and Payless.
Strategy: Join the company's free loyalty program before traveling so you can skip the counter. Read your booking terms beforehand and decline extras you did not plan to buy.
Car rental at LAX: pros and cons
- Pros:
- One center: all major brands under one roof, with clear signage inside.
- Freedom: the best way to explore Los Angeles and Southern California.
- Fast programs: loyalty programs let you skip the counter.
- Contras:
- Slow shuttles: the ride from the terminals can be long at peak times.
- Counter waits: some companies have lines of hours.
- Upselling: pressure to add insurance and extras at the counter.
LAX Rental Car Center (ConRAC)
Since March 11, 2026, the airport's car rental companies operate from the LAX Rental Car Center, at 5251 W 98th St. To get there, wait under the purple "Rental Car Shuttles" signs on the islands of the Lower/Arrivals Level, outside baggage claim, and board the shared shuttle. When the People Mover opens, the center will have its own station. Until then, plan 30 to 45 extra minutes for the shuttle on arrival and on return.
Alamo
User experience:
- One of the best-rated companies at the new center: friendly staff even late at night and at busy times.
- Customers value choosing their own car from the lot, with good availability in the booked class.
- Returns are quick and easy.
Avis
User experience:
- Recent reviews highlight friendly shuttle drivers who help with bags and a helpful fast-track desk.
- Older complaints mention dirty cars and price differences at the counter.
- Some customers of other brands describe the shared Avis/Budget lines at the new center as very slow.
Strategy: Join Avis Preferred to go straight to the car, and check the final price on your contract before signing.
Budget
User experience:
- One of the worst-rated companies at LAX right now: lines of 1 to 3 hours with few agents at the counter.
- Customers report cars not ready for prepaid bookings and vehicles with defects.
- When the line moves, some agents are praised for solving problems.
Strategy: If you rent with Budget, check in online and avoid picking up late at night, when reviews report the longest waits.
Dollar
User experience:
- Competitive prices, but frequent reports of waits of more than 2 hours and no cars available despite confirmed bookings.
- Several customers complain about aggressive selling of insurance, including when they already had coverage.
- A minority describe fast, friendly service.
Strategy: Bring proof of the insurance you already have and confirm in writing what your booking includes before signing.
Enterprise
User experience:
- Very positive recent reviews: quick pick-up and return, good cars and friendly staff.
- Frequent renters value the app, which speeds up the process.
Fox
User experience:
- Attractive prices, with mixed experiences: some agents are praised for solving problems with bookings and payments.
- Others complain about slow service, drivers who do not help with luggage and post-rental charges that take weeks to resolve.
- Duplicate insurance sold at the counter is a recurring complaint.
Strategy: Review exactly what your voucher includes (insurance, additional drivers) and take photos of the car at pick-up and return.
Hertz
User experience:
- Recent reviews are mostly negative: few agents, waits of more than an hour and cars not available at the time of the booking.
- Travelers report Hertz shuttles arriving less often than those of other brands.
- Gold members and some agents still get good comments.
Strategy: Use Hertz Gold Plus Rewards to skip the counter, and if the shuttle takes too long, check whether you can board the shared one.
National
User experience:
- Frequent travelers praise the Emerald Aisle: you choose a car and drive away without waiting in line.
- Cars are in good condition and the staff are helpful.
- Some customers find the walk inside the new center long and the shuttles uneven.
Strategy: Sign up for Emerald Club before your trip to use the Emerald Aisle. Check the fuel gauge before leaving: some digital readouts look full when they are not.
Payless
User experience:
- The worst-rated company at LAX: reports of waits of 2 to 3 hours, even for prepaid bookings.
- Complaints about dirty cars, electric cars delivered with little charge and charges higher than agreed.
Strategy: If price is not the only factor, compare with better-rated companies; the savings may not make up for the time lost.
Sixt
User experience:
- Well rated for quick check-in and check-out and new, often premium cars, with free upgrades when the booked model is not available.
- Isolated complaints about no shuttle early on weekend mornings.
Strategy: For very early pick-ups, especially on weekends, allow extra time for the shuttle.
Thrifty
User experience:
- Very mixed reviews: some customers got out quickly with a good car, others waited 1 to 2 hours.
- There are reports of reservations not honored and of prices at the counter higher than those booked.
Strategy: Bring your booking confirmation with the price and compare it with the contract before signing.
Zipcar
User experience:
- Valued for flexible hourly rentals and for avoiding counter formalities once registered.
- The initial registration is strict and can take time.
Strategy: Register and get approved before your trip, and check the rate and time policies to avoid extra charges.
Remote car rentals
The following companies meet their customers at the Remote Rental Car Depot, at the intersection of Century and Airport Boulevards. Wait under the pink "LAX Shuttle" sign on the Lower/Arrivals Level in front of each terminal.
- Allied Rent A Car - alliedrentacar.com
- Ace Rent A Car - acerentacar.com
- Green Motion Car Rental - greenmotion.com
- Midway - midwaycarrental.com
- Next Car of Los Angeles - nextcarrental.com
- NÜ Car Rentals - nucarrentals.com
- Priceless of Los Angeles - pricelesscarrental.com
- State Van Rental - statevan.com
- U-Save Car & Truck Rental - usave.com
- Zezgo Car Rental & Mex Car Rental - zezgo.com
User experience:
- Remote companies are an option for lower prices or specific vehicles, such as State Van Rental for groups and families.
- Getting to the remote depot by bus can be slower than expected, and service at the pick-up point varies by company.
- Midway stands out for personalized service and premium cars.
Strategy: Compare the total price, including transfer time, with the companies at the Rental Car Center, and check reviews of the specific company before booking. You can compare many companies at once on Discover Cars.
