Q: When we return our rental car, can we check our luggage at the remote rental center?

We're flying United in at the end of the month for a week in Clearwater Beach, Hertz rental and hotel are all set. Looks like we take a train to pick up the rental:

http://www.tampaairport.com/ground-transportation

I noticed this: Remote bag check is available for most domestic passengers. Service is available daily from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m.; must arrive at least 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure.

It's a great system, has anyone used that bag drop off for their outbound flight?

One more: I see TPA has four "sub-terminals." Can I assume we'll do baggage claim and then check in at the main terminal?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sigmund,

That puts another link in the "lost luggage" chain. More opportunity for them to screw things up.

You think it won't happen? Hah! My wife and I were living in the Chicago area when we got word that my mother had died. Scrambling to get to NY for the funeral, we got to O'Hare with plenty of time to spare for United's last flight of the day to LaGuardia. Checked our luggage, stopped for coffee, and about 45 minutes later we boarded the flight.

The airplane was only about 10% occupied, so I was surprised that the flight was not canceled, but when I asked, I was told that they needed the airplane in NY for a morning departure.

We arrived at LGA and discovered that our luggage, one small suitcase for each of us, had been lost. On a flight that was 90% empty.

I agree with V-Tail (happy birthday, btw- same bday as my brother).

I just flew United over the holidays and had trouble with my luggage on the trip down and again on the trip back. It may have been my fault as I checked the bag prior to it’s getting to the airport, and when I got there they refused to take it (45 min before boarding at a small airport with a total of 4 gates, never had trouble before, neither did the passengers in front of me who were also denied) with a flight that wasn’t full.

Then on my return from TPA UA had no bell cap outside (the other airlines did). Again, I had checked in and paid remotely, but still had to stand in line with those who hadn’t checked in, hand over all my documents and then hand the case over (basically recheck in again).
Lesson learned with this airline. I would not trust the rental company to get your baggage there in a timely manner during the pandemic. Maybe if you drop it off 3 hrs prior?
Have a great trip!

I have used TPA several times. I must have not known that there is a remote bag check-in in the rental car return area as we never used it, so I can't give personal advice on that.

You go out to the 'sub-terminal' after getting your boarding pass. They will not let you onto the train without it. You get your boarding pass in the Main terminal (or on-line before leaving home or on your smart-phone app). Luggage check-in is not in the sub-terminals. Security check points are in the sub terminals just after you exit the train. You que up for security before being passed into the gate area.

I fly in and out of TPA monthly and have never noticed a baggage check for my outbound flight when I drop off my rental car. Granted, I never look for one as I travel with a carry on. Doesn't mean it's not there, but if it is I have yet to see it.

As far as the train, it's a quick 5-7 minute ride from the rental car area to the main terminal. The main terminal is a wheel & spoke design, confused me a bit the first time I was in there. Nice airport overall, for what it's worth.

I was just there, and saw the remote luggage check at the rental facility. The sign in front of the line to do so stipulated that you needed to check it in 90 minutes before your flight. If you drop your rental off and make it to that point 90 minutes before departure, you will spend an hour waiting to board, and give them another chance to misplace your checked luggage.

Personally, I've had such terrible service from United, I'd never fly them again.

Thanks for the replies. My primary concern was hauling bulky checked bags on the train (yes, they're wheeled). BWI has busses to the rental car facility, it's a challenge (we're fit but in our 70s) anytime and a PITA when the busses are packed. We'll test out bags & trains when we arrive at TPA.

We will print out boarding passes at the hotel, by checking bags at the rental facility (way before the 90 minutes) we can skip the United desk and go straight to the TSA checkpoint. Our flight leaves TPA at 11:15AM, we plan to drop off the rental car by 9:15.

I live close to there and have never seen remote baggage near the rental cars. Why not just drive up to departures, drop your bags and family curbside with the baggage handlers, then go drive the car to the rental counter?? You can drop the car off and meet the rest of your family at the terminal or somewhere in the airport.

You'll drop your car off, grab an elevator or escalator up to the train. I've been on that train plenty of times with what appears to be people traveling with their life's belongings. Plenty of room and easy to get around

Both ends of the trip went fine, thanks for the replies. At 9AM today we dropped the car off at the rental center, I was disappointed that the remote bag drop was TOTALLY closed. However, riding the train - even with bags - was easy and we took them to United in the main terminal and then took the train to our gate.