You just touched down at MEM. The "Home of the Blues" is calling your name, and honestly, you probably just want to grab your bags and get moving. But here is the thing: the walk to the hertz rental car memphis airport counter is longer than you think if you aren't prepared for the layout. Most people assume there's a shuttle bus circling the curb every five minutes like at LAX or O'Hare.
They’re wrong.
Memphis actually modernized their setup a while back. Now, everything is tucked away in a massive Ground Transportation Center. It’s a consolidated facility, which sounds fancy, but basically means you’re going to be getting your steps in. If you’re hauling three suitcases and a car seat, you’ll want to know exactly where you’re going before you start wandering toward the wrong exit.
Navigating the Terminal Without Losing Your Mind
The Hertz desk is located at 2495 Winchester Rd, but that address doesn't help much when you're standing at a baggage carousel. Here is the play-by-play. Once you grab your luggage, look for Terminal B. You need to head to the lower level—one floor below baggage claim.
Follow the signs for "Rental Cars" or "Economy Parking." You’ll hit a pedestrian walkway. It has moving sidewalks, which are a lifesaver, but it’s still a trek. You’re essentially walking over to the multi-level parking structure adjacent to the terminal. Hertz is right there on the first floor of the Rental Car Center.
If you’re a Gold Plus Rewards member, this is where the "expert" status kicks in. You can usually skip the main counter entirely. Just head straight to the parking area on the second floor of that same garage. Look for the big neon Gold signs. Your name should be on the board, and your keys will be waiting in the cup holder.
Timing is Everything in the 901
Memphis isn't Atlanta, but it has its moments. The Hertz counter is open from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM every single day. If your flight gets delayed and you land at 11:30 PM, you’re kind of in a tight spot.
Pro tip: if you’re returning a car after hours, you can still drop it off. Just use the Hertz key drop boxes located on Level 1 of the rental center. Also, keep an eye on the clock during the morning rush. Between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, the counter line can get surprisingly deep with business travelers heading into the city.
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The Fleet Reality: What You’ll Actually Drive
Don’t expect a fleet of vintage Cadillacs just because you’re in Graceland territory. The most common car cited at this location is the Infiniti QX50. It’s a solid, mid-sized SUV that handles the local potholes better than a compact sedan would.
Hertz also stocks a fair amount of EVs here now. You might see a Tesla Model Y or a Kia EV6 in the lineup. If you go electric, just know that the charging infrastructure in Memphis is... growing. There are Level 2 chargers on Level 5 of the Economy Parking garage right there at the airport, but once you get out toward East Memphis or North Mississippi, you’ll want to have the PlugShare app handy.
Why the "Manager’s Special" is a Gamble
You’ll often see a "Manager’s Special" listed on the website for about $45 to $55 a day. It’s tempting. But honestly, at the Memphis airport location, this usually means you’re getting whatever they have too many of. Sometimes it’s a brand-new Malibu; other times, it’s a compact hatchback that feels a bit flimsy on I-240. If you have more than two people, just pay the extra ten bucks for a Standard or Full Size.
Dealing with the Paperwork (and the Deposits)
Hertz is pretty standard with their rules, but Memphis staff can be sticklers about the details.
- Debit Cards: You can use them, but you must have a return flight itinerary. No flight, no car—unless you have a massive deposit and a lot of patience.
- The "Grace Period": You get 29 minutes. If you return the car at 30 minutes past your scheduled time, expect to see a full hour’s charge on your bill.
- Insurance: They will push the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). If your personal insurance covers rentals, stand your ground. Just make sure you actually checked your policy before landing.
One weird quirk about this specific location? The "Under 25" fee. If you’re 21 to 24, expect an extra charge of around $19 to $25 per day. It’s a bummer, but it’s pretty much unavoidable unless you have a corporate code or a AAA membership that waives it.
Avoiding the "Dirty Car" Drama
If you check the recent reviews from late 2025 and early 2026, you’ll see a recurring theme: cleanliness. While many people have a seamless experience, a few have complained about lingering smoke smells or sticky cup holders.
Do not drive off the lot if the car isn't right. Once you pass that exit gate and the agent scans your barcode, that car is yours. If it smells like a pack of Camels or has a mysterious stain on the backseat, pull back around to the Gold booth or the counter immediately. They are usually pretty good about swapping it out if you catch it before leaving the premises.
Also, take photos. Take a photo of the fuel gauge. Take a photo of the four corners of the car. Memphis is a high-traffic hub, and small dings can sometimes be missed in the rapid-fire cleaning process between rentals. Protecting yourself takes 30 seconds and can save you a $500 "damage" headache three weeks later.
The Return Process: Don't Trust the GPS Blindly
When you’re heading back to catch your flight, the GPS might try to take you to the terminal curb. Ignore it. You want to follow the blue signs for "Rental Car Return" as soon as you enter the airport grounds from Plough Blvd or Winchester Rd.
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The return lanes are on the lower level of the garage. It’s a one-way flow. If you miss the turn, you have to loop the entire airport, which can add 10 minutes to your trip—not what you want when your flight is boarding in 45 minutes.
Actionable Steps for a Better Rental
To make sure your hertz rental car memphis airport experience doesn't turn into a blues song of its own, follow this checklist:
- Join Gold Plus Rewards: It’s free. It lets you bypass the counter. This is the single best way to avoid the "it's been 45 minutes in line" blues.
- Check the 29-Minute Rule: Set an alarm for your return time. Hertz is strict at MEM about that half-hour window.
- Document the Fuel: Even if you chose the "Prepaid Fuel" option, take a photo of the dash at drop-off. Sometimes the digital sensors and the billing system don't talk to each other correctly.
- Confirm the Address: If you are using a ride-share to get to the rental office from downtown, make sure they drop you at the Ground Transportation Center, not the airline check-in counters.
- Review your Credit Card Statement: Check it about three days after your trip. If there’s a random $150 "cleaning fee" or "refueling fee," call the local Memphis office directly at 901-345-5680 rather than the national 1-800 number. You’ll get a human much faster.