"LAX is the second-largest rental car market of any US airport and the pickup process reflects that scale. Straightforward once you know what to expect — real friction if you don't."
LAX is the second-largest rental car market of any US airport. Every major brand — Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, Sixt — now operates from a single consolidated facility off Century Boulevard, reached by a free shuttle from the terminals. For Hertz specifically, that means no terminal counter, no guesswork about which lot, and a process that's entirely manageable once you know what to expect.
The variable that separates a smooth pickup from a frustrating one isn't the airport or the brand — it's whether you're in the Gold program. Non-members queue at the counter. Gold members walk straight to the parking level, find their name on a board, and drive away. That gap is worth understanding before you arrive, which is what this page covers.
Getting your Hertz at LAX
From the terminal to the ConRAC
Hertz is currently at the LAX Rental Car Center (ConRAC), 5251 W 98th St — not in any terminal. The path from any terminal is the same: collect your bags, exit to the lower arrivals level, and follow the purple Rental Car Shuttle signs on the center island. The free shuttle runs 24/7, every few minutes. The ride to the ConRAC takes about 10 minutes.
International arrivals at Terminal B have one extra step — clear immigration and customs on Level 1 first, then follow the same signs outside. Build an extra 30-60 minutes into your timeline for this.
The APM train connecting terminals directly to the ConRAC is expected to open mid-2026. Until then, the shuttle is the only way — check current status before you travel.
At the counter
What happens next depends on your membership status. Gold Plus Rewards and President's Circle members bypass the counter entirely — their name appears on a board at the parking level and they go straight to the car. Non-members check in at the counter. At peak periods — Friday evenings, Sunday nights, holiday weekends — that queue can run 45 to 60 minutes. At quieter times it's 10 to 15.
Returning the car
Drive back to the ConRAC on 98th Street and follow the Hertz return signs to the correct level. An agent inspects the car and hands you a receipt on the spot. Early returns can use the drop box. The return queue moves faster than pickup. Allow extra time on the 405 during morning and evening rush — the freeway near the airport backs up quickly on weekdays.
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What LAX adds to the price
LAX rates run higher than off-airport locations because California airport rentals carry a standard surcharge layer that every brand passes on. These are already built into the total you're looking at — not extras added later.
Four charges make up that layer:
- Airport Concession Recovery Fee (around 11%) — the cost of operating at the airport.
- California Tourism Assessment (around 3.5%) — state-mandated on airport and hotel rentals.
- Customer Facility Charge — $9 per day, capped at $45, goes toward the ConRAC.
- Vehicle License Recovery Fee — covers California's vehicle registration costs.
LA sales tax applies on top. Together they add roughly 25% to the base rate — normal for a major California airport, worth knowing so the number makes sense.
Everything on top of that is optional. LDW, liability cover, fuel options, toll pass — you can decline all of them. The Hertz review covers each one, what it costs, and when it's worth taking.
The verdict
If you haven't booked yet: Hertz at LAX is a solid choice if you value fleet depth and 24/7 operations — and especially if you're already in the Gold program or willing to join before you fly. If you're not a member and you're arriving during a peak period, the counter queue is the real cost of booking here. Check what Enterprise and Avis are showing at the same dates — the price gap often isn't large enough to justify the wait.
If you're already booked: Three things before you land. Join Gold Plus Rewards now if you haven't — the skip-the-counter benefit activates on your existing booking. The LDW (damage cover) is optional — confirm your credit card covers rental damage and you can decline it at the counter with confidence. And note the 29-minute grace period on returns — the 405 near the airport backs up, so leave more time than you think you need.
If you've returned the car and have a question about a charge: Start with your booking platform if you booked through a third party. Otherwise contact Hertz directly in writing with your rental agreement and any photos taken at pickup. If the charge is unresolved after a week, your credit card issuer is the next step.
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- Non-members should allow 30-45 minutes between landing and driving away — counter queues at peak times are real.
- Gas stations on Century Boulevard and Sepulveda immediately outside the ConRAC run ~$1.50/gallon above the LA city average. Fill up further from the airport on return.
- Vehicles returned more than 29 minutes late trigger an extra partial or full day charge. Factor in return traffic on the 405.
- The surcharge stack at LAX adds roughly 25% on top of the base rate — normal for a major California airport, worth knowing so the final number makes sense.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly do I go when I land at LAX to pick up my Hertz rental?
After baggage claim, head to the lower arrivals level and follow the purple Rental Car Shuttle signs on the center island. The free shuttle runs 24/7 and takes you to the LAX Rental Car Center at 5251 W 98th St. International arrivals at Terminal B clear immigration first, then follow the same signs.
I already booked Hertz at LAX — what should I do before pickup?
Three things: join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards before you fly (it's free and lets you skip the counter entirely), save the ConRAC address — 5251 W 98th St — in your phone, and confirm your credit card's rental coverage so you can decline the LDW at the counter with confidence.
How long does it take to get from the terminal to the Hertz car at LAX?
For Gold and President's Circle members: 15-20 minutes from baggage claim to driving away. For non-members at peak times (Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, holiday weekends): allow 45-60 minutes. The shuttle itself is quick — the counter queue is where time goes.
How does the return process work at Hertz LAX?
Return to the ConRAC at 5251 W 98th St — same facility as pickup. Follow the Hertz return signs to the correct level. An agent inspects the car and hands you a receipt on the spot. Early returns can use the drop box. The return queue is generally faster than pickup. Allow extra time on the 405 during morning and evening rush, especially on weekdays — a tight connection and a congested freeway is the main risk at this location.
What fees does Hertz add at LAX on top of the base rate?
Four unavoidable charges: an Airport Concession Recovery Fee (around 11%), a California Tourism Assessment (around 3.5%), a Customer Facility Charge of $9/day (capped at $45), and a Vehicle License Recovery Fee. LA sales tax applies on top. Together these add roughly 25% to the base rate before any optional add-ons.
