Airport Pickup Guide
Some hosts will meet you at or near the airport when you land — here's how to find that on a listing, what to expect, and how to make the handoff smooth.
Prelaunch: Live guest bookings are not open yet. Airport delivery details shown on private host listings are being prepared for launch.
How to tell if a listing offers airport pickup
Airport pickup is a host-level option, not something every listing offers. When you're browsing or on a listing page, check for:
- An airport pickup badge or mention in the listing details.
- Any airport fee the host charges for it — this shows up as a line item at checkout if it applies, never added after the fact.
- Meeting instructions in the listing, which may be general ("I'll meet you at arrivals") or more specific once you book.
If a listing doesn't mention airport pickup, message the host before booking to ask — some hosts are flexible even if it's not listed as a default option.
Before you land
- Have your confirmation ready. Open your Afto trip from Trips before you land so you can message your host the moment you're off the plane.
- Message your host with your actual arrival time as soon as you know it, especially if your flight is delayed. See Messaging Your Host for tips on keeping that conversation useful.
- Confirm the meeting point. Airport pickup can mean a few different things depending on the host and the airport: curbside at arrivals, a cell phone lot, a nearby parking structure, or a short rideshare to the host's location. Don't assume — confirm the exact spot through Afto Inbox before you land.
Where you'll typically meet your host
Because airport pickup logistics vary a lot by airport (and some airports restrict where private rentals can operate), meeting points generally fall into one of a few patterns:
- Curbside or arrivals pickup, where the host meets you directly at the terminal.
- A designated lot near the airport (like a cell phone waiting lot), where the host waits and you meet them after a short walk or shuttle.
- A short rideshare or shuttle ride to the host's location just off airport property, which some hosts prefer to avoid airport-specific fees or restrictions.
Your host's listing and messages will tell you which applies. If you're ever unsure exactly where to go, message your host before you start walking or requesting a ride — it's a lot easier to fix a mixed-up meeting point over chat than to find each other in a crowded terminal.
If you can't find your host
- Check your message thread first — most mix-ups are solved with one more message.
- If you've waited and heard nothing, send another in-app message or start a consented in-app voice call when that option is available. You can also contact Afto support at [email protected] or through Afto Inbox. Have your trip confirmation open when you reach out.
Check-in still happens the same way
Wherever you meet, complete the trip's normal check-in before driving away. Guest web uses its protected two-photo handoff form, while the Afto app provides the fuller guided inspection. The host completes a separate confirmation. See Guest Check-In: How To.
A note on airport-specific rules
Rules for where private car-sharing pickups can happen vary by airport and are set by the airport authority, not by Afto. We're building out airport-specific guidance market by market — in the meantime, always follow the meeting instructions your host provides and any signage at the airport itself, and don't hesitate to ask your host directly if something about the location seems off.