Hertz Rental Pickup at FCO with Friend Coming In

Couldn't you meet her outside baggage claim and then go to the rental desk to rent the car?

Plan to meet your friend at Hertz counter in the airport and pick up the car together that next morning. You can walk to and from Hilton. You should be able to put her airline and flight number in the Hertz reservation. They will use that to keep available the car if she is delayed. If you want to maximize efficiency for getting the road quickly, when you know she has landed, go the Hertz counter, take care of the paperwork and then just wait for her at that area with keys and walk to the car together.

Right now, we're thinking of meeting at baggage claim and then going to Hertz together. From what I understand, there can be a 30-45 minute wait at the Hertz counter, but I guess that's part of the adventure. That's a great idea about putting her flight info into the reservation. Thanks for that. I also like the idea of getting the paperwork done while she's going through customs. I was just wondering whether or not I had to leave right away after they give me the keys or if I could wait until she arrives.

If she is also going to be a driver, she'll have to be part of the check in process.

Good point, Leonard. She is not going to be driving at all. I'm just curious how Hertz monitors flight arrivals. If her flight is delayed and they don't see my name associated with the flight, could it send up unnecessary bat signals?

If you go to the Hertz counter once your friend notifies you that she's landed, that could give you the lead time to do the Hertz paperwork.

If she isn't ready to be picked up once you have the car, you can use one of the short term parking lots:

https://www.adr.it/parcheggio-breve-sosta

Re Rental cars at the airport:

https://www.adr.it/pax-fco-noleggio-auto

It would be helpful to study a map of the airport to give you a better idea of where things are.

Thank you, Mark (markcw). Super helpful :)

You are making it more complicated than it is. I picked up at Hertz Fiumicino last month.
When she arrives and she’s done with passport control and baggage claim she can call or text message you while you are still at the hotel. At that point she can walk to the rental car counter from the terminal while you can walk to the same counter from your hotel. The rental car desks are half way between the terminal and the Hilton along the same aerial walkway (however it is closer to the terminal). Meet at the car rental (all rental desks including Hertz are in the same office), do your paperwork together, and leave together. The Herts cars are on Level A1 of the parking structure (you will walk there after the paperwork). Be aware that if you have a second driver you must pay 15€ extra per day.