Quick Summary:
- Ask staff to use email verification instead of SMS links.
- Provide a reachable international number, with roaming enabled, plus country code.
- Use a temporary US eSIM number if SMS is mandatory.
- Update your reservation profile and contact details before landing at LAX.
It can be frustrating to reach the car-hire counter at LAX and be told you must have a US mobile number to complete pick-up. In most cases, this is not a legal requirement, it is an operational preference tied to verification links, security steps, or how the rental brand’s system stores customer profiles. The good news is that you usually have workable alternatives, as long as you stay calm, explain what you can receive in real time, and ensure your booking details match your documents.
This guide explains the most common reasons LAX desks ask for a US number, what alternatives are typically accepted, and what you should update before you arrive in Los Angeles so your car hire collection runs smoothly.
Why the desk may insist on a US mobile number
At airport locations like Los Angeles International Airport, agents are processing high volumes of drivers with tight turnaround times. Many desks default to the fastest, most standard workflow, which often assumes a US mobile number. Here are the typical drivers behind the request.
1) SMS links for digital agreements and “skip-the-line” steps
Some suppliers send an SMS with a link to review and sign rental terms, accept insurance acknowledgements, or confirm details such as your address. If their system is configured mainly for US formats, the agent may struggle to enter a non-US number, or the system might not send SMS to certain country codes. That can lead to an incorrect statement like “we need a US number”, when the real issue is “we need a reliable way to deliver the link”.
If you are collecting a car hire at LAX, it helps to pre-empt this by making it clear whether you can receive SMS internationally, whether you can receive email instantly, and whether you can open links on your phone at the counter.
2) Fraud prevention and identity verification
Airport rentals are a target for fraud, and desk teams follow rules designed to reduce risk. A working phone number is often used for authentication, especially if the card issuer or the rental system triggers additional checks. A US number can be seen as “lower friction” because it is easier to verify quickly, but it is rarely the only acceptable option if you can provide another immediate contact method.
3) Loyalty profiles and stored customer records
Some drivers arrive with a loyalty membership, a corporate profile, or previous US rentals stored in the system. If that profile contains a US number, the agent may assume a US number is required for the booking, or they may be instructed not to override profile fields without verification. This can be fixed by updating the profile in advance, or by asking the agent to update the contact details while you present matching ID.
4) After-hours contact expectations
In case of a breakdown, a lost vehicle, or an unpaid toll notice, many suppliers want a phone number they believe will be reachable. Agents may worry that an international SIM will not roam, or that a traveller will switch it off. The solution is to provide a number you will keep active during the rental, and to confirm you can receive calls or texts in the US.
What you can do at the counter if you do not have a US number
When the desk insists on a US mobile number, the goal is to clarify what they actually need: an SMS-capable number, a reachable number, or simply a contact method the system accepts. These steps usually help in Los Angeles.
Ask what the number is used for
Politely ask whether the number is for SMS verification, for a callback, or for the rental agreement link. This often prompts the agent to offer an alternative like email, or to switch to a manual workflow. If they say “the system requires it”, ask if they can enter a non-US number with the correct country code, or if a supervisor can assist.
Offer email as the primary verification method
If the purpose is sending a link, email is often the simplest alternative. Make sure you can access your email live at the counter, and that your inbox is not blocked by multi-factor authentication you cannot complete abroad. If you use an authenticator app, confirm it works without SMS.
When researching car hire options for LAX, it can help to check supplier procedures ahead of time. You can see more on LAX options and pick-up context via car hire at Los Angeles Airport (LAX).
Use your international number, formatted correctly
Many “we can’t accept it” situations are actually formatting issues. Provide the number in international format, including the plus sign and country code. Confirm that roaming is enabled and that you can receive SMS in the US. If your network blocks premium or short-code messages, say so, and propose email instead.
Also, ensure the number on the booking matches the number you are giving at the desk. If the reservation shows a different contact, some agents will hesitate to change it without extra checks.
Use a travel eSIM that provides a US number for SMS
If the desk truly needs an SMS-capable US number, a temporary travel eSIM can be a practical fix. Not every eSIM plan includes a voice number and SMS, some are data-only, so you would need one that explicitly supports SMS reception. If you go this route, set it up before you reach the counter so you can receive a test message immediately.
This approach is especially useful if your home number cannot receive texts while roaming, or if your provider blocks certain US short codes that rental systems sometimes use.
Ask for a manual agreement process
If SMS delivery fails, ask if they can print the agreement or complete it on the desk terminal without sending an SMS. Many locations can do this, but it can take longer. Being ready with your driving licence, passport, and payment card can speed it up.
What not to do at the desk
Avoid giving a number you cannot access. If the desk later sends a verification code, you may be unable to receive it, and the process can stall again, sometimes after charges or holds have already been initiated. Also avoid using a friend’s US number unless that friend will be reachable throughout the rental, because the supplier may use it for urgent contact.
What to update before arrival in Los Angeles
Most pick-up problems are preventable with a few checks before you fly. If you are planning car hire in Los Angeles, these steps reduce surprises at the counter.
Confirm your contact details on the reservation
Before travel day, check the booking confirmation for the phone number and email address. If it is missing, outdated, or formatted incorrectly, update it. Ideally, use an email you can open on your phone without SMS-based login, and a phone number you will keep active in the US.
For travellers comparing LAX options, you can review broader California context here: California car hire via LAX.
Check whether your supplier uses digital check-in
Some brands rely heavily on digital check-in, app-based verification, or texted links. If you know you will not have reliable SMS, plan to use email, or be prepared to request a manual process. Download any relevant apps while on Wi-Fi and sign in ahead of time, so you are not troubleshooting logins at the counter.
Ensure your payment card and ID details match
Phone number disputes sometimes occur alongside other verification issues. Make sure your driving licence name matches the booking name. If you are using a credit card, confirm it is in the main driver’s name and that it will work for a security deposit hold. If your card triggers fraud checks while abroad, having bank travel notifications enabled can help.
Know where LAX car hire pick-up happens
LAX uses a consolidated rental car facility process and shuttle transfers can add time. Build in a buffer so you are not rushed if the desk needs to verify contact details. For pick-up logistics, see car rental at Los Angeles (LAX).
Consider your group’s vehicle needs
If you are travelling with family or lots of luggage, switching suppliers last minute because of a phone-number issue can be difficult if larger vehicles are limited. Confirm your vehicle category and passenger count in advance. If you might need extra space, you can explore options such as van rental at Los Angeles (LAX).
If the desk still refuses, practical escalation steps
Occasionally, an agent may be rigid, especially during busy periods. If you have offered a reachable international number and email access, but they still refuse, ask for a supervisor and restate the workable options: email verification, international SMS, or manual paperwork. Keep the discussion focused on what their system needs to complete the agreement.
If the supplier’s policy truly requires a US number for that specific workflow, the fastest resolution may be adding a US SMS-capable number via eSIM, or switching to a different supplier at LAX if availability allows. The key is to avoid wasting time arguing about the idea of a US number, and instead solve the verification method in front of you.
FAQ
Is a US mobile number legally required for car hire at LAX? Usually no. Desks request it for operational reasons like SMS links, verification, or contactability, not because of a legal rule.
Will an international mobile number work if I can receive SMS while roaming? Often yes. Provide the number in full international format, confirm roaming is enabled, and be ready to receive a test message.
Can the desk use my email instead of a text message? Frequently yes. If the purpose is sending a contract or verification link, email can work, provided you can access it immediately at the counter.
What if my phone plan blocks US short-code texts? Tell the agent and ask for email or manual processing. If SMS is mandatory, a travel eSIM that supports SMS reception may solve it.
What should I update before arriving at LAX to avoid delays? Ensure your reservation has a reachable phone number and accessible email, update any loyalty profiles, and sign into apps ahead of time on Wi-Fi.
