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FAQs

Everything you need for your Houston rental.

Can I rent a car locally?

Whether you are moving, running errands or planning a weekend road trip, renting a car locally can be an affordable and convenient solution.
However, it is essential to be aware of the 'local policies here: /terms-and-conditions/' may involve specific rules for drivers residing near the pick-up location.

Who is considered a local driver?

In general, a driver is considered a local driver if his or her driver's license is issued in the same state or states neighbors as the pick-up location.

What are the policy changes for local drivers?

Policies that apply to local drivers may vary depending on the rental type of car and location. Some possible changes may include:

  • More restrictive mileage discounts.
  • Additional fees or a higher deposit requirement.
  • Proof of a valid Full coverage Insurance

How can I check the local policy?

To determine if you are classified as a local driver and to understand any additional policies that may apply, we recommend that you contact us sending your request to info@rentcar.rent we can provide you with accurate information and clarify any questions you may have.

How do I reserve a rental car?

Pick-up and drop-off are both at Houston International Airport (IAH), 3200 Greens Rd, Houston, TX 77032. Select your dates and times on our home page, then contact our Houston team to confirm vehicle availability, pricing and your reservation.

Can I reserve a specific make and model of car?

When you reserve a car at Stride, you will have the option to select from several vehicle categories, including full-size, SUV, etc. It is important to note that while we assure you that you will receive a car in your chosen category, we cannot guarantee a specific make and model or color.

What is there a minimum age to rent a car?

Policies regarding young drivers, car rental companies classify those under the age of 25 as 'young drivers'.

How can I cancel a car rental reservation?

Contact info@rentcar.rent with your reservation details, or cancel through your original booking source. Please review our Refund Policy for cancellation deadlines, eligibility, fees and refund processing.

How can I change my car rental reservation?

Change of plans? It happens! All car rental changes start at info@rentcar.rent.
Stride will use your reservation details to guide you through changing your car rental.

What do I do if I have a duplicate car rental reservation?

If you have unintentionally duplicated multiple confirmed reservations for the same traveler(s) and itinerary, please contact our customerzservice team. Before requesting a refund for an accidental duplicate booking, please ensure the following:

  • Duplicate reservations are identical in terms of contract or reservation number.
  • Duplicate reservations have the exact same driver data, including name spelling and date of birth.
  • To increase the likelihood of a successful reimbursement, please submit your reimbursement request well in advance of the pick-up date. The sooner the better.
  • Additional insurance - It is common to offer different types of rental insurance. If you are an insured driver, we encourage you to contact your regular insurer to see if you are alreadycovered while renting a vehicle.
  • Tolls - administrative fees for processing electronic toll charges.
  • Local driver fee - Some companies charge an additional fee if the driver lives near the pick-up location.

Will there be any additional charges when picking up or returning the vehicle?

When you arrive to pick up or drop off your reserved vehicle, there may be additional costs. Please refer to the terms and conditions /terms-and-conditions/ of your reservation for details.

Charges may include:

  • Fares not prepaid during the booking process.
  • A security deposit.
  • A fuel deposit, if applicable.
Optional add-ons that may be purchased at time of pick-up. More details below.

Add-ons:

We offer the possibility to include additional services when picking up the rental car. Before signing the rental contract, it is important to carefully review its contents to ensure that the agent has not added anything without your knowledge.

Some common examples of add-ons are:
  • Child seats - If you need a child seat, we recommend that you reserve it prior to the pick-up date through your reservation.
  • GPS - You will most likely not need this unless you are traveling to an area where there is no cell phone service.
  • Prepaid fuel - This allows you to return the car with an empty fuel tank. While it may be convenient, the price of this add-on is usually more expensive than filling the tank yourself.
  • Voluntary upgrades - While agents may urge you to upgrade to alarger or more luxurious vehicle, don't feel obligated to accept and pay for an upgrade if you're not interested.

What is a car rental deposit, and when is it taken?

We will place a hold on your card at pick-up to cover damages or theft during your trip, to cover the deposit amount.

Generally, if your vehicle is returned on time, without damage, is reasonably clean, and the fuel tank is set to the agreed level - you will receive your entire deposit back from us.
Please note that it can take several days to appear back in your account.

The amount of your deposit will depend on the local pick-up location’s policies. Factors that may impact the deposit amount include the driver’s age, the vehicle class, and whether a credit or debit card is used.

Can I pay for a rental car for someone else?

Are you making a reservation for a family member, friend or colleague? Before doing so, take in consideration the credit or debit card presented at the pick-up counter must be in the name of the primary driver. When an exception to this rule is made, the owner of the card is usually required to be physically present with the driver at the time of pick-up.

What methods of payment are accepted for my car rental?

Although acceptable methods of payment can vary we recommend having a credit card that can be presented at the time of pick-up.

In most cases, the card provided at the rental counter must be a credit card registered in the name of the primary driver and with sufficient funds to cover both the cost of the rental and the deposit. If a suitable form of payment is not available, the reservation may be declined and subject to the cancellation policy.

If you do not have a credit card or prefer to use a debit card, we advise you to check the payment methods accepted at the specific pick-up location prior to booking. This information is available on the website or can be obtained by contacting directly.

What are the driver's license requirements to rent a car at Stride?

1. United States Residents and U.S. Military Personnel:

  • A renter, additional renter, or authorized additional driver who is a resident of the United States must present a valid driver’s license issued by any state, territory, or possession of the United States.
  • The license must be valid for the entire rental period.
  • Stride will also accept a valid U.S. military identification card along with an expired state-issued driver’s license for active duty U.S. military personnel in states where this practice is allowed.
  • Additionally, a state-issued temporary driver’s license is acceptable if it is valid for the entire rental period. Similarly, a traffic citation issued as a temporary license<./strong> (from states that observe this practice) is also valid when accompanied by another form of photo identification with a signature (other than the payment card used for the rental security).
2.International Driver’s License:
  • If you are a resident of a country outside the United States, you must present a driver’s license issued by your country of residence that is valid for the entire rental period.
  • If your foreign driver’s license is not in English, you will need to provide both the foreign license and a current International Driver’s Permit (IDP) or, if from Japan, a Japanese Translation Service.
  • An IDP does not grant driving rights but serves as a certified translation of your valid foreign driver’s license. It can be obtained in your country of residence only with a valid driver’s license.
  • Note that an IDP (or certified translation) without the foreign-issued driver’s license is not acceptable.
  • Additionally, you may be asked to show a passport, visa, or other current U.S.-issued documentation at the beginning of the rental to authorize your presence in the USA for the entire rental period.

Can I use a copy of my driver's license?

No, you will need to present the physical copy of your license. A copy of the license will not be allowed. If you lose your driver's license just before your trip, we recommend that you cancel your reservation.

What insurance is available for my rental car?

CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) and TPL (Third Party Liability) are insurance options offered through the Stride website and at ours offices if available

Other options such as SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance) and Roadside Assistance can also be purchased at the time of pick-up at the rental office.

PAI/PEI - Personal Accident Insurance / Personal Effects Coverage (PAI/PEI) is offered at the time of rental for an additional daily charge. If accepted, the PAI contained in the policy provides renter and renter's passengers with accidental death, accident medical expenses and ambulance expense benefits.

Glass & Tire Cover - With our Glass and Tire Cover, you can protect yourself against personal liability in any case of glass or tire damage.

RSA - Roadside assistance and breakdown coverage: are services that assist motorists, whose vehicles have suffered a mechanical failure that leaves the operator stranded.

Waiver Deductible - Will cover your own insurance deductible

What do I need to bring when I pick up my rental car?

A valid driver's license.
Another photo ID. If you are traveling abroad, remember to bring your passport.
An acceptable form of payment to cover all expenses, including any deposit.
Your contract number. You will find this number on your trip summary or confirmation email.
Make sure you meet the minimum age requirements.
Proof of address (check rental policies)

Where can I find the instructions for picking up and returning a rental car?

Houston International Airport (IAH)

After collecting luggage please proceed to ground level, skip the Rental Car Center.

  • Terminal A: North side, Door A-113
  • Terminal B: North side, Door B-101
  • Terminal C: North side, Door C-102
  • Terminal D: Terminal E International Arrivals Hall
  • Terminal E: South side, Door 103B

Need further assistance? Call +1 (281) 751-6667 to confirm your shuttle pick-up and current instructions.

Vehicle pick-up and return: 3200 Greens Rd, Houston, TX 77032.

What do I do if my rental car has been damaged or in an accident?

If you have an accident while renting a car, don't worry! We are here to help you and hope everyone is safe and sound. Here are the necessary steps to follow:

Contact us immediately to file an incident report. You can find our contact number on the rental agreement you signed. We will guide you through the process and give you instructions on vehicle recovery or roadside assistance if previously obtained from the office. It is important that you do not arrange your own recovery or repair without informing the rental company, as you may invalidate their rental conditions.

Contact your insurance company to initiate a claim. They will guide you through the necessary steps and help you process the claim.

Notify the local police and file an accident report. This report is essential for insurance and legal documentation

Obtain contact information for the other parties involved in the accident. This includes their names, phone numbers and insurance information. It is crucial to gather this information for future reference and insurance claims processing

Take photographs of the accident scene. Capturing images of the damage can provide valuable evidence and assist in the claims process.

What happens if I run into a toll on my rental car?

Parking, toll, traffic fines and garage charges are the responsibility of the driver. All such charges will be remitted to the driver along with any administrative charges from the rental company. Please review the important information in your rental agreement for additional information and toll rates.

What is a rental car grace period?

Car rental companies plan their inventory based on total reservations. The 'grace period' is the window that rental companies allow customers to pick up or drop off the car later than scheduled. If a grace period is needed, it is advisable to contact us, to give advance notice to the rental company of the late pick-up or drop-off.

As a friendly reminder, the grace period is at the discretion of the rental company's availability and authorization. If you plan to pick up, or return, the vehicle at a later date/time, please review your rental agreement for charges associated with late deliveries or a grace period policy for pick up. Contact Stride support if you encounter any delays in picking up your rental.

What are the geographic, local renter and mileage policies for my car rental?

When taking into consideration geographical limitations, local renter and mileage restriction policies, Stride suggests contacting the location prior to arrival or during pick-up. This is especially advised if you plan to take the rental vehicle out of state, as this may not be permitted or additional charges may apply.

Please make sure you qualify for any local rates/restrictions/discounts. Mileage varies by rental company and terms and conditions. Even if 'Unlimited Mileage' is offered, additional charges may apply.

Can I add additional drivers to my rental car?

Additional drivers can be added at the time of pick-up. A valid license is required and additional charges may apply. Please ensure that both the primary and additional drivers are present at the time of pick-up.
It is recommended that you review the important information section of the rental agreement for details.

What is the fuel policy for my rental car?

It is advisable to refuel the rental car with the same level of fuel that you received when you picked up the vehicle. However, some offices offer prepaid options. This may incur an additional charge. The exact amount is at the discretion of the location and can be opted for during pick-up.

What if I can't pick up my car because I don't meet all the rental requirements?

For a pick-up denied due to not meeting the rental requirements, you will need to contact us for approval of the refund. Please note that this is subject to approval or not.

These are the most common reasons a renter may be denied a vehicle pick-up:

  • Not having an acceptable form of payment.
  • Failure to present a valid driver's license.
  • Being a local renter and not having a return ticket (one-way airline ticket) that allows you to pick up the vehicle
  • Arriving later than the scheduled pick-up time.

Are partial refunds allowed for unused days of the car rental?

No are not. However, if a rental is returned early and the renter/driver has a valid reason for the return, an exception can be made. Typically, this means that an emergency situation has occurred (death in the family, injury, medical emergency, car malfunction, etc.). Please note that partial refunds are always at the discretion of the rental company and are never guaranteed until reviewed and agreed upon. In addition, proper documentation of the incident willbe required to qualify for reimbursement.

Have any questions?

Our Houston team is here to help.

+1 (281) 751-6667 ↗