Customers catching an early or late flight should ask the Uruguay rental outlet at collection whether unattended return is available. Airport flights do not mean the counter is always staffed; parking, key receipt, and later vehicle inspection may also be separate arrangements. Do not park and drop keys somewhere without explicit agreement.
The Hertz Uruguay locations page lists contact details and hours by location. It helps identify whom to ask but does not prove that every airport location has a key box or after-hours service; confirm the actual plan with the responsible outlet.
Confirm the Complete Return Arrangement at Booking or Collection
Give the planned return place and time and ask whether it is accepted, where to park, to whom or into which designated facility to deliver keys, and which channel to contact if plans change.
Also ask what determines the end of the rental, change in custody responsibility, and final settlement. Depositing keys does not necessarily end every responsibility immediately; the effect depends on the contract and applicable rules.
Confirm that any map or instructions apply to this airport and rental company. Do not reuse guidance from another brand or country.
Follow Confirmed Directions When Approaching the Airport
Customers should stop safely before consulting instructions, not read a phone while driving. If roads or parking differ from the instructions, contact the outlet instead of surrendering the vehicle on a stranger's oral advice.
| Return stage | Subject to confirm | Purpose of retained information |
|---|---|---|
| Reach designated area | Parking location recognized by this outlet | Help receiving personnel find the vehicle |
| Park and organize | Vehicle condition and included items | Show the actual handover state |
| Deliver keys | Confirmed person or formal facility | Avoid misdelivery and custody disputes |
| Notify outlet | Contract and vehicle identifiers | Tell recipient the agreed return occurred |
| Follow-up inspection | Receipt result and settlement record | Confirm remaining discrepancies |
If the agreed facility is unusable, preserve the on-site facts and contact an official channel. Do not hide keys by a wheel, inside the vehicle, or in a public place, or post their location publicly.
Record Vehicle Condition While Protecting Personal Belongings
Within safe and permitted limits, retain the parking location and handover condition. Remove personal property and handle necessary personal data according to rental and vehicle instructions, without deleting records needed for the vehicle check.
Photos should link to the vehicle and time context without capturing other travelers' documents or unrelated people. Send information through the formal channel rather than uploading the full contract publicly.
Unless return instructions clearly allow it, do not give keys to someone who merely looks like staff. Verify arrangements through official contact details rather than uniforms, badges, or self-introduction alone.
Complete the Receipt Record After the Outlet Opens
The outlet should inspect the vehicle, keys, and records under its procedure and give the customer verifiable receipt and settlement information. An unattended return should not permanently deprive the customer of a later receipt.
For discrepancies, state the observation time and evidence and distinguish handover records from later findings. An unclear time must not automatically be recorded as a condition existing at customer return merely to simplify billing.
Rental fleets can choose candidates from the Starvia new-car catalog and confirm keys and included items. Key specifications do not determine airport return rules; the actual local operator arranges handover.
FAQ
Is the rental counter always staffed while the airport has flights?
No. Check the specific location and confirm service arrangements for the return time.
Can any visible key box be used?
Confirm it belongs to the rental party and is approved for this return. Do not rely on appearance or another person's experience.
Can keys be left in the vehicle if the designated facility is unavailable?
Do not hide or abandon keys. Contact an official channel for an appropriate arrangement and keep the communication record.
Should the final receipt still be checked after depositing keys?
Confirm vehicle receipt, item inspection, and settlement. Key deposit does not show that these stages are complete.
When purchasing airport rental vehicles through the Starvia contact page or WhatsApp, also ask for the exact key configuration and included documents so the outlet can design its handover checklist.
References: Hertz Uruguay locations page and the Starvia Chinese new-car catalog. This article does not confirm after-hours service at any location or determine when rental custody responsibility transfers. Information checked on 2026-09-04.