You just touched down at MYR. The humidity hits you the second those sliding doors hiss open, and honestly, the last thing you want to do is play the "where is my shuttle" game or stand in a line that snakes around the baggage claim like a bored cobra. If you’ve booked a Myrtle Beach airport Enterprise rent a car, you’re already ahead of the pack, but there are some quirks to this specific location that most travel blogs just gloss over.
It’s busy. Like, really busy.
Myrtle Beach International Airport isn’t some massive hub like Atlanta, but it punches way above its weight class in terms of passenger volume, especially during the golf season or the peak of summer. Enterprise stays slammed because they’ve built a reputation for being the "reliable" ones. But reliability doesn't always mean instant. You have to know how the counter flow works here if you want to get to the Grand Strand before the sun sets.
The Reality of the Myrtle Beach Airport Enterprise Rent a Car Counter
Let’s talk about the physical layout. When you land at MYR, you aren't hiking across a series of skybridges to find the rental cars. The rental counters are located on-site, right across from the terminal. It’s a short walk. You’ll find the Enterprise desk in the consolidated rental car center.
Here is the thing people get wrong: they think booking a "Midsize" means they’re getting a Camry. At the Myrtle Beach airport Enterprise rent a car lot, the inventory fluctuates wildly based on the influx of golfers. If a flight from Philadelphia just landed with twenty guys carrying oversized golf bags, the SUVs and minivans are going to vanish instantly.
If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, you might actually have better luck getting a free upgrade to a luxury sedan because everyone else is fighting over the Tahoes and Explorers to fit their clubs.
The staff here deals with a lot of "vacation brain." People show up without their physical driver's license or realize their credit card is maxed out from the hotel deposit. If you want to be the person who gets in and out in five minutes, have your Emerald Club number ready even if you aren't "using" points. It speeds up the data entry.
Navigating the Peak Hours and Seasonal Shifts
Timing is everything. If you arrive on a Saturday morning in July, expect a wait. It sucks, but it’s the reality of a tourist town. The Enterprise team at MYR is generally pretty efficient, but they can't magically make cars appear if the previous renters haven't returned them yet.
Enterprise at MYR usually operates from early morning until around midnight. However, if your flight is delayed—which happens constantly with the budget carriers serving Myrtle Beach—don't panic. Enterprise generally monitors flight arrivals for those who provided their flight number during booking. If you didn't provide that number? You’re kinda rolling the dice.
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One major tip: check the "Grand Strand" event calendar. If there’s a massive bike week or a specific music festival, car rentals throughout the city, including the airport, will be booked out months in advance.
What You Need to Know About the "Off-Site" Confusion
Some people see a lower price for an Enterprise location on Kings Highway and think, "Hey, I'll just Uber there and save fifty bucks."
Don't do it.
The Myrtle Beach airport Enterprise rent a car location is specifically geared for quick turnovers and high volume. The local neighborhood branches often have much smaller fleets. If you show up at a neighborhood branch and they had two cars break down or one person didn't return a van on time, you are stranded. Plus, the Uber cost and the sheer hassle of dragging luggage through Myrtle Beach traffic—which is notoriously gridlocked on 17 Bypass—usually eats up any savings you thought you were getting.
Stick to the airport location for the convenience of the return. When you're heading home, you just follow the "Rental Car Return" signs, drop the keys, and walk into the terminal. It eliminates the stress of timing a shuttle or waiting for a ride-share while your plane is boarding.
Insurance, Deposits, and the Fine Print
Let’s be real about the "hard sell" at the counter. The agents are trained to offer you the damage waiver. In a place like Myrtle Beach, where tourists are navigating unfamiliar roads and distracted by looking for their hotels, accidents happen.
However, you should check your own insurance or credit card coverage before you get to the front of the line.
- Does your personal auto policy cover rentals? Usually, yes.
- Does your credit card offer primary or secondary coverage?
- Are you okay with a $500 or $1000 hold on your card?
Enterprise at MYR will place a significant hold on your credit card for the duration of the rental. If you’re using a debit card, be prepared for even more scrutiny. They usually require proof of a return flight and may run a quick credit check. It’s better to just use a standard credit card to keep things smooth.
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Handling the Return Process Without Getting Charged Extra
Returning your Myrtle Beach airport Enterprise rent a car is generally straightforward, but the entrance to the return lot can be a bit sneaky if you’re coming from the south end of the city. Make sure you stay in the right lanes as you approach the airport entrance. If you miss the turn, you end up doing a big loop around the airport perimeter, which is the last thing you want when you’re running late for a flight.
Fueling up is another trap. There are gas stations near the airport, but they know they’ve got a captive audience. The prices are often 20 to 30 cents higher per gallon than stations just two miles away.
Basically, fill up about 5-10 miles out from the airport. The needle will still stay on "Full," and you won't be paying the "tourist tax" at the pump right next to the terminal entrance.
When you drop the car off, take thirty seconds to snap a few photos of the exterior and the fuel gauge. It’s rare, but sometimes mistakes happen with check-ins. Having a time-stamped photo of the car sitting in the Enterprise return lane is your "get out of jail free" card if a mystery scratch appears on your bill a week later.
Surprising Facts About the MYR Enterprise Fleet
People often assume every car is a white Nissan Altima. Actually, the MYR fleet is surprisingly diverse because of the local terrain. You'll see a lot of Jeep Wranglers.
Why? Because people want that "beach vibe."
But honestly? Unless you’re planning on driving on the very specific stretches of beach where it's allowed (which is rare and requires permits), a Wrangler is loud, bumpy, and has terrible gas mileage. A standard crossover is usually a much better bet for navigating the stop-and-go traffic of Ocean Boulevard.
Also, Enterprise is one of the few at MYR that occasionally stocks minivans with stow-and-go seating. If you’re traveling with kids and a massive amount of beach gear—umbrellas, coolers, chairs—this is a lifesaver. You can't always guarantee one will be there, but it’s worth asking at the counter if you got stuck with a smaller SUV than you expected.
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Practical Steps for a Flawless Rental Experience
If you want to master the Myrtle Beach airport Enterprise rent a car process, stop treating it like a background task.
First, join the Enterprise Plus program. It’s free. It doesn't matter if you only rent once a year. Having your profile on file means they spend less time typing your address and more time handing you the keys.
Second, book your car the moment you book your flight. Prices in Myrtle Beach don't usually go down as the date approaches; they skyrocket as the "sell-out" threshold nears.
Third, when you get to the car, check the tires. The sandy, salty air in South Carolina can be tough on vehicles, and while Enterprise maintains their fleet well, a quick check for a low-pressure light before you leave the garage saves you a trip back.
Finally, don't forget to check the backseat and the trunk for "leftovers." You’d be surprised how many people leave behind expensive golf wedges or their kids' favorite stuffed animals. Once you leave that lot and head toward the bypass, turning around is a massive time-sink.
Get your paperwork in order, keep your confirmation number on your lock screen, and head straight for the car. The beach is waiting, and you didn't fly all this way to hang out in a rental car terminal.
Check your rental agreement for the specific "After Hours" return policy if your flight out is at 5:00 AM. Usually, there is a key drop box, but you want to confirm the exact location so you aren't wandering around a dark parking lot in the middle of the night. Generally, the drop box is located near the return booth in the rental car parking area. Be sure the car is locked and you've removed all your personal belongings before dropping that key. Once it's in the box, you can't get back in.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your insurance coverage specifically for rental cars to avoid unnecessary daily fees at the counter.
- Download the Enterprise app and log in to ensure your reservation is synced and visible for quick check-in.
- Map out a gas station at least 5 miles away from MYR for your return trip to avoid inflated airport fuel prices.
- Take photos of the vehicle's condition at both pickup and drop-off to protect yourself from erroneous damage claims.