Landing at ACK with family in tow and luggage for four?
Avis runs an on-site desk at Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) in Terminal 1, so you walk off your Cape Air, JetBlue, or American flight and head straight to the small counter near baggage claim. One TripAdvisor poster flying in on a midday Cape Air arrival reported “no lines” and keys in hand within minutes. This setup works best for families and small groups staying at rentals several miles from town or outside the NRTA Wave bus routes.
How the on-airport setup works
Avis at ACK operates as a small island franchise with a limited fleet compared to mainland locations, so weekend inventory in July and August can sell out weeks in advance. The office sits inside the terminal next to baggage claim, and the cars are parked a short walk from the door, so you’re driving out of the airport loop within 5–10 minutes on a light day. Another traveler chose Avis specifically because “landing, grabbing keys, and driving out was faster than arranging an off-airport pickup.”
Booking, pricing, and island quirks
Regulars say they book Avis the same day they lock in flights, especially for peak dates between July 1 and Labor Day. TripAdvisor threads warn that high-season daily rates can run far above mainland prices; one user called it an “island premium” and said every brand at ACK felt the same. Island rules also mean one-way rentals off Nantucket aren’t realistic, so you need to plan a round-trip rental that starts and ends at ACK on your exact flight days.
Car condition and what to expect
Several reviewers mention normal cosmetic wear on Avis cars at ACK: beach sand in the trunk mat, light dings, and minor interior scuffs after a few seasons of island use. This can surprise drivers used to low-mileage fleet vehicles at Boston Logan or Providence, so check the odometer and walk around the car before leaving the lot. With a smaller fleet, same-day swaps or extensions during a sold-out August weekend are often impossible if every car is already reserved.
Step-by-step: using Avis at ACK
1. Before you fly, book online as soon as your ACK flight dates are firm, especially for July or August weekends.
2. Land at ACK Terminal 1 and follow the signs from your gate to baggage claim; the Avis counter sits in the small arrivals area.
3. Check in with your driver’s license and credit card; confirm your return date and time match your departure flight, since one-way rentals off-island aren’t offered.
4. Inspect the car in the adjacent lot, noting any pre-existing dings or scrapes on the form or photos before you leave.
5. Drive to your rental house or hotel, keeping in mind that some properties 5–8 miles from town have no direct bus service, which is where having the car really helps.
6. On departure day, return the car to the same ACK lot, do a quick fuel top-up in town if required by your rate, and walk a few minutes back into the terminal for check-in.
What regulars do and one final tip
Frequent ACK visitors say they only rent from Avis for longer stays or when their house is several miles from the NRTA Wave bus and taxi rides would add up quickly. For 2–3 night trips near downtown, some skip the car, rent bikes, and use one or two taxi rides instead. One practical move: if your trip touches a peak Saturday turnover date in August, lock in the car before you even book the rental house, because Avis and similar on-island fleets can sell out first.