Quick Summary:
- Use your UK mobile number with roaming enabled for pick-up calls.
- Buy a travel eSIM to get a US number before landing.
- Give your hotel phone number, plus your name and reservation details.
- Use a VoIP app number, and keep data access available.
Arriving for a New York airport car hire pick-up without a US SIM is common, especially for UK travellers. The good news is most rental desks mainly need a working contact number and an accurate email address, not necessarily a US number. The key is choosing a number you can actually answer at the airport and during the first few hours after landing, when flight delays, shuttle changes, or counter questions can happen.
In practice, staff usually use your contact details for three reasons: verifying identity details on the booking, contacting you about a change (vehicle group, counter location, after-hours procedures), or reaching you if you have not arrived when expected. You can often complete the paperwork even if the phone number is international, but you should avoid giving a number you cannot access until you have Wi-Fi later.
Below are realistic options you can use at New York airport pick-up, how each works, and what rental desks typically accept for contact details.
What car hire desks usually accept as a contact number
Most airport rental counters will accept any number that looks valid, includes a country code, and can be reached if needed. A UK mobile number in international format (+44…) is widely accepted. What matters more than the number itself is whether the staff member can reach you if something changes, and whether you can receive texts or calls while you are still in the terminal or on the way to the car hire facility.
Some suppliers ask for a local number because their systems default to US formats, or because they send automated SMS messages. If the form insists on a US format, staff can often input an international number manually, or they can note an alternative such as your hotel. If you are collecting from Newark, you may see slightly different processes depending on the company and whether you are taking an on-airport shuttle to the rental facility. If you are comparing providers and pick-up setups around Newark, Hola Car Rentals has useful pages for car hire in Newark EWR and car hire at New Jersey airport EWR.
As a rule, it helps to provide two ways to reach you: a phone number and an email address you check. If you have no reliable mobile service on arrival, use a hotel number or a VoIP number you can answer on airport Wi-Fi.
Option 1: Use your UK mobile number with roaming
This is the simplest solution because you keep your usual number and can receive calls immediately. Before you fly, check that international roaming is enabled with your UK network, and confirm the charges for calls, texts, and data in the US. Many UK plans treat US usage as an add-on, and costs can rise quickly if you leave data running in the background.
Tips to make roaming practical at the airport:
Switch on roaming shortly before landing, then keep data off unless you need it. If you only need to receive a call, you can leave data disabled and still accept voice calls and SMS. If you expect to rely on maps for the drive away from the airport, budget for a short burst of roaming data or plan another connectivity option.
If a desk texts you pickup instructions, a UK number may receive the message fine, but some automated short codes do not deliver internationally. That is rare for rental desks, but it can happen for parking or toll-related texts later in the trip.
Roaming works well if you are arriving late and want immediate coverage before you have sorted anything else. It is also the least confusing option for staff, since it is clearly your personal mobile number.
Option 2: Get an eSIM with a US number
A travel eSIM can give you US connectivity without needing to find a shop or change a physical SIM at the airport. Some eSIM products provide a US phone number for calls and texts, while others are data-only. If your priority is giving a “US number” on the form, make sure you choose an eSIM plan that includes a number and not just data.
Advantages for car hire pick-up:
You can install and activate the eSIM before leaving the UK, so you have service as soon as you land. If your booking or supplier sends SMS updates, a US number is more likely to receive every message reliably. You can also call the location directly if you are delayed or cannot find the shuttle.
Practical checks before you buy:
Confirm your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked. Make sure you understand whether calls are traditional voice or app-based calling over data. If you keep your UK SIM active at the same time, check which line will be used for data and which will be used for calls to avoid surprise roaming charges.
An eSIM is often a good middle ground: it looks “local” to desk systems, but it is arranged ahead of time.
Option 3: Use a hotel number for the first night
If you are heading to a hotel after landing, giving the hotel phone number is an accepted fallback when you cannot be reached on a mobile. This can be especially helpful if you are staying in Manhattan and do not want to pay roaming costs, or if you have a data-only eSIM without a voice number.
How to make this work smoothly:
Give the main reception number and include your surname exactly as on the booking. If asked, explain that you are travelling without a US SIM and that reception can relay a message. Also provide your email address, since that is often faster for urgent changes than trying to reach a hotel switchboard.
Limitations:
This is not ideal if the desk needs to reach you while you are still at the airport, because you will not be at the hotel yet. It is best used as a secondary number, with your UK number or VoIP number as the primary contact.
If you are collecting from Newark and then driving into the city, consider how long you might be out of reach while sorting shuttles, queues, and paperwork. For Newark-related pick-ups and different supplier arrangements, see Enterprise car hire at Newark EWR for an idea of how airport locations can vary in practice.
Option 4: Use a VoIP number (UK or US-style) over Wi-Fi or data
VoIP services let you make and receive calls through an app. You can often get a dedicated number (sometimes UK, sometimes US) and use it anywhere you have Wi-Fi or mobile data. For car hire pick-up, a VoIP number can be useful if you want to avoid roaming voice charges, or if you want a number you can access on multiple devices.
What to watch for:
You must have connectivity. Airport Wi-Fi is usually fine, but it can be patchy in shuttle areas or car parks. Some VoIP services are better at receiving SMS than others, and some do not support all verification texts. Rental desks are more likely to call than to send a verification code, so this is generally acceptable.
Make it reliable:
Test the app before you travel. Ensure notifications are enabled so calls ring through. If you will rely on Wi-Fi, download any needed maps for offline use so you are not stuck without navigation when you leave the airport.
A VoIP number can also help if you are travelling as a couple or group and want a shared contact method for any pick-up changes.
What to put on the reservation if the form insists on a US number
Some online forms validate for a 10-digit US number. If you are still at the planning stage and the site rejects your UK number, you have a few practical routes that do not create problems at the counter:
First, try entering your UK number with the country code and spaces removed. If that still fails, use a VoIP number that matches the expected format, or use an eSIM product that provides a US number. If neither is available, enter a hotel number, then make sure you tell the desk at pick-up what your reachable number is that day.
At the counter, staff can usually update the reservation contact details. It helps to have your booking reference and passport ready, and to state clearly: “I can be reached on this number today,” then show it in international format.
If you are comparing vehicle types and considering a larger option for luggage or family travel, the contact-number issue is the same. The key is reachability, not whether you are hiring a compact or a larger car. For Newark area options, Hola Car Rentals also covers SUV rental in New Jersey EWR.
Common desk scenarios at New York area airports
Although travellers often say “New York airport,” your car hire pick-up might be at an airport in New York State or across the river in New Jersey. Newark (EWR) is a frequent choice for New York trips, and pick-up procedures can involve shuttles and separate rental facilities. In these situations, having a reachable number matters most during the first hour after landing.
Typical contact moments include: the desk calling if you are running late for a reserved vehicle group, staff trying to clarify a licence detail, or an after-hours team providing instructions if your flight is delayed. If you are arriving late evening, a working number is more valuable than a “local-looking” number you cannot actually answer.
If you are finalising plans around EWR, you can read more about car hire in New Jersey EWR and how different airport pick-ups are commonly arranged.
Best practice: give one primary number you can answer, plus a backup
To avoid any confusion at the counter, choose a primary number that will ring when you land, and a backup number that is stable for the rest of the trip.
A simple, low-stress setup for many UK travellers is: primary as your UK number with roaming enabled for the arrival window, backup as your hotel number or a VoIP number. If you are using an eSIM with a US number, you can make that the primary and keep your UK number as backup.
Also keep your voicemail greeting clear and your phone powered. If your battery dies, even the perfect contact number is useless. A power bank in hand luggage is a small detail that prevents big delays during car hire pick-up.
FAQ
Can I give my UK mobile number for New York airport car hire pick-up?
Yes. Most desks accept a UK number with +44 country code, as long as you can answer it on arrival.
Will the desk reject me if I do not have a US phone number?
Usually not. They mainly need a reachable contact and an email address, plus your documents for verification.
Is a data-only eSIM enough for contact details?
It can be, if you also provide a callable number such as your UK roaming line, a VoIP number, or your hotel reception number.
Can I use my hotel number instead of a mobile?
Yes, many travellers do. Provide your surname and booking details so reception can pass on any message.
Do rental desks text pick-up instructions or call?
Both happen, but calls are common for urgent issues. Choose a number you can answer at the airport.
