Europcar trials queuebusting PIN code lockers for rental car keys

Fed up with queues at the rental car desk? If Europcar's new Key Ready trial works out, there may be one more option to avoid waiting when it's time to pick up your ride.

When booking, the Key Ready system emails you a PIN code to use when you get to the branch. The PIN unlocks a small locker containing your key and paperwork. From there, it's straight to the car and out of the car park.

The system is on trial at Europcar's London King's Cross train station office, handy for travellers heading into London on the Eurostar next door at St Pancras International.

In some cities, large car rental branches already offer their most frequent renters the opportunity to head straight to a car, with keys in the ignition and rental paperwork on the passenger seat ready for checking at the barrier to exit the car park.

But smaller locations are usually excluded from this sort of fast-track treatment, so business travellers heading to those airports get stuck behind the usual queue of less experienced renters who need everything explained.

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.