Quick Summary:
- Save your voucher, booking number, and desk address as offline screenshots.
- Carry a physical driving licence, passport, and the payment card used.
- Use SFO airport Wi-Fi briefly to confirm details and message support.
- If stuck, visit the Rental Car Center desk with ID and booking reference.
Landing at San Francisco International Airport with no mobile data can feel like a worst case scenario, especially if you are relying on an email confirmation, an app, or a map link to find the desk. The good news is that most car hire collections at SFO can be completed with basic documents and one key piece of information, your booking reference. If you prepare a few items offline, you can usually collect the keys without needing a working SIM, roaming, or an eSIM.
This guide focuses on what to save offline, what staff typically accept at the counter, and the practical steps to take at SFO if you cannot get online at all.
What to save offline before you fly
If you have even five minutes of connectivity before travel, you can make your SFO car hire pickup far smoother. Aim to store the essentials in at least two places, for example as a screenshot and as a downloaded PDF, so you are not dependent on one app opening correctly.
1) Voucher or confirmation page
Save the full voucher, not just the headline. Staff may need to see included items such as insurance, additional driver details, fuel policy, and any prepaid extras. A PDF download is ideal because it is readable even when an email app will not load images offline.
2) Booking reference and supplier confirmation number
Write these down as plain text in your notes app and on paper. At the desk, a reference number often unlocks everything, even if the staff cannot view your email. If your voucher shows both a broker reference and a rental company confirmation number, keep both.
3) Desk location and address
At SFO, many rental brands operate from the Rental Car Center rather than a terminal counter. Save the desk address or at least the location name, plus any shuttle or AirTrain instructions stated on your voucher. This reduces stress if you cannot open maps.
4) Customer support contact details
Save the relevant phone numbers as contacts on your device. Even without mobile data, you might be able to make a voice call, send an SMS, or call over Wi-Fi. Also note any out of hours numbers if you land late.
5) Directions for leaving the airport
If you are unfamiliar with San Francisco driving, download an offline map of the Bay Area, or at minimum take screenshots of the first few turns from SFO to your accommodation. This is separate from collection, but it prevents a second problem immediately after pickup.
What rental staff typically accept without mobile data
Most SFO desk agents are used to travellers having phone issues, flat batteries, or limited connectivity. In many cases, they can locate your reservation by name and dates, then confirm the rest with identification and a payment card.
Commonly accepted at the counter
Driving licence
Bring your physical driving licence. A digital licence in an app may not be accepted, depending on jurisdiction and the rental company policy.
Passport or government photo ID
International travellers should expect to show a passport. US residents may use a state ID, but a passport is still useful if you have one.
The payment card used for the booking
Even for prepaid bookings, the desk may require the same card for the security deposit. If you used a virtual card, consider carrying the linked physical card too. If you cannot present the required card, collection can fail even if you have the voucher.
Booking reference, printed or handwritten
A printed voucher is ideal, but a handwritten reference number is often enough for the agent to locate the booking. A screenshot works too, but you should not rely on being able to access your email inbox at the desk.
Proof of return flight or address, sometimes requested
This is not always required, but it can help for some international rentals. A hotel confirmation screenshot can be useful.
For readers comparing options for San Francisco airport pickup, Hola Car Rentals provides supplier specific information on the SFO area, for example San Francisco SFO car rental, plus supplier pages such as Thrifty car hire in San Francisco SFO and Payless car rental in San Francisco SFO. These pages can be worth saving offline before you travel so you have the right pickup context even without data.
How pickup works at SFO when you cannot get online
SFO has clear signage, but it is a large airport. Your main objective is to get to the correct rental facility, then give the desk enough information to retrieve your reservation.
Step 1, get to the Rental Car Center
Many companies are based at the SFO Rental Car Center, connected via the AirTrain. If your voucher mentions a shuttle pickup point instead, follow that detail. Without mobile data, rely on airport wayfinding signs and the instructions you saved offline.
Step 2, approach the correct desk or staff member
Queue for the brand shown on your voucher. If you are uncertain which company is providing the vehicle, check the voucher header carefully. Brokers and comparison sites can sometimes show a brand name that differs from the operating supplier, so the confirmation number is important.
Step 3, present documents first, then solve details
Hand over your driving licence, passport, and payment card. Then give your booking reference. This allows the agent to pull up your booking even if you cannot show the email.
Step 4, confirm the key terms out loud
Because you cannot easily re-check your paperwork online, ask the agent to confirm the essentials verbally, including fuel policy, return location, mileage rules, deposit amount, and what insurance is included. If something sounds different from your offline voucher, pause before signing.
Step 5, ask for printed paperwork
Request a printed rental agreement and a printed receipt for any optional extras. This creates an offline record you can use later if you need to query charges.
Use SFO Wi-Fi as a short, practical backup
Even if you have no mobile data, you may still be able to connect to airport Wi-Fi long enough to retrieve a confirmation email or download a saved voucher again. Use Wi-Fi strategically, focus on the tasks that unblock pickup.
What to do in five minutes of Wi-Fi
First, download the voucher PDF to your phone and mark it available offline. Second, take screenshots of the booking reference, supplier name, and pickup instructions. Third, forward the confirmation email to another address you can access easily, or save it into a files app that works offline. If you need help, send one concise message with your name, pickup time, and booking number.
If you are travelling onward through the Bay Area, it can also help to save alternative airport car hire details. For example, if plans change and you end up rerouting via another airport, you may want to have pages like car rental at San Jose SJC or Hertz car rental in San Jose SJC stored for reference. That does not replace your SFO booking, but it can reduce disruption if a same day change becomes unavoidable.
If you cannot access the voucher at all
Sometimes the issue is not just data, it is that you cannot open your email, you cannot log in, or your phone is lost. You still have options, but you need to be realistic about what the desk can verify.
Try to locate the booking by identity
Ask the agent to search by your name, pickup date and time, and the flight number if it is on the booking. Many systems can find reservations this way. If you have a common name, giving your postcode, address, or driving licence number can help narrow it down.
Use a printed trail if you have it
If you printed anything at home, even a bank card receipt or a trip itinerary listing the car hire, show it. It may include a reference number or supplier name that points the agent to the correct reservation.
Be prepared for a new deposit or verification questions
Without a voucher, the agent may need to re-verify coverage and rate details. They may ask for proof of address, additional ID, or a larger deposit. This is not personal, it is risk control when the booking details are hard to confirm.
If the payment card is missing
A missing payment card can be more serious than missing mobile data. Many companies require the main driver to present a credit card in their own name for the security deposit. If you cannot, ask what alternatives are accepted, but do not assume a debit card will work in the same way.
What to double check before you sign, when you cannot go online
When you cannot compare the desk paperwork against an online confirmation, it is important to slow down and check for mismatches. Focus on items that commonly cause surprises later.
Vehicle category
Confirm the class you booked and what you are being given. If it is different, ask whether it is an upgrade at the same price or a change with different terms.
Insurance and excess
Ask what protection is included, what is optional, and what the excess amount is. Ensure you understand whether you are purchasing additional cover at the counter or relying on what you arranged beforehand.
Fuel policy
Clarify whether it is full to full, pre-purchase, or another arrangement. If it is not full to full, ask for the exact fuel charge method.
Deposit and hold amount
Ask for the deposit amount and how long it typically takes to release after return. This is helpful for budgeting, especially if you have multiple travel holds on your card.
Additional drivers and one-way plans
If you need an additional driver, confirm the fee and whether they must be present. If you are returning to a different location, confirm the one-way fee before you sign.
Offline navigation tips for leaving SFO in your hire car
Once you have the keys, the next challenge without data is getting out of the airport area confidently. Before you pull away, take a moment while parked to set yourself up.
Use the car’s built-in sat nav if available, but do not rely on it being updated. If your phone has an offline map, set your destination while you still remember the address. If you only have screenshots, keep the first few junctions visible. Also check your return location and opening hours on the printed agreement, it is easier to plan return day when you are not rushed.
If you expect to need roadside assistance, ask the agent to point to the assistance number on your paperwork and circle it. That way you can call it later without hunting through email.
FAQ
Can I collect a car hire at SFO with just my passport and driving licence?
Usually you also need the payment card for the deposit, plus a booking reference or name and dates so the desk can find the reservation. Passport and licence alone may not be enough.
Will rental staff accept a screenshot of my voucher instead of the email?
In many cases yes, a clear screenshot showing the booking number and name is fine. A downloaded PDF is even better because it is easier to read and store offline.
What if I cannot find the rental desk without maps?
Follow airport signs to the Rental Car Center and then look for the supplier brand name. If unsure, ask an airport information staff member for directions to the Rental Car Center.
Can I use SFO Wi-Fi to retrieve my booking details?
Yes, airport Wi-Fi is often enough to download the voucher, take screenshots, and save key details offline. Prioritise the booking reference, supplier name, and pickup instructions.
What details should I write down on paper before travelling?
Write your booking reference, supplier name, pickup date and time, and the desk location. Also note the support phone number in case you need help on arrival.
