Expert play: running a 5-star airport meet-and-greet

Flight tracker is your best friend. Save the guest's flight number on the trip page and the system auto-updates the meeting time when the flight is delayed — no awkward 'are you landed yet?' texts.

Send a photo of the meeting spot the night before: 'Cell phone lot row C, look for the gray Tesla, license XYZ-123. I'll wave.' This single message removes 80% of pickup-day confusion.

If the airport allows curbside drop-off, do that. If not (LAX, JFK, ORD), use the cell phone lot and ask the guest to text when they're at baggage claim. Move once, not three times.

Pop the trunk before they reach the car. Have a cold bottle of water in the cupholder. Run the inspection on the curb in 4 minutes — exterior 360, dashboard with odometer, fuel/battery, hand off keys. They want to be in the car driving.

For drop-off, meet the guest at departures (not the cell lot — they have bags). Confirm the return time 12 hours in advance so they can leave the rental window earlier than they think they need to.

If they're cutting it close to their flight, complete inspection together in 90 seconds (four-corner photos, odometer, fuel) and tell them you'll close out the trip yourself. A guest who almost missed their flight because of a slow host writes a 3-star review every time.