Last Updated on April 3, 2022 by Snezana Grcak
Renting a car has become more expensive and stressful ever since the pandemic started, but the severe shortage of rental cars doesn’t have to affect your trips. Not only is Kyte one of the most affordable options, but it’s also the only one that allows its users to choose a pick-up location. Our team did a review of the company to help you learn more about its features and discover the step-by-step process of booking a Kyte rental car. You’ll also find a TL;DR section at the bottom with all the nitty-gritty and a pro-con list.
What Is Kyte?
Kyte is a San Francisco-based startup that launched its first services in 2019. It’s a car rental delivery company that takes the stress off renting vehicles and saves you from waiting in lines and dealing with paperwork. The Kyte team sources vehicles from multiple suppliers, maintain them, and then deliver them to your doorstep or the location closest to you.
The car rental services are available in several major U.S. cities, including San Fransisco, Boston, New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
How Does It Work?
Kyte’s uniqueness lies in its doorstep car delivery. A Kyte driver, known as a surfer, will hand over the clean and fueled-up vehicle and later pick it up at your chosen location and time. Although they don’t cover airports, a nearby handover point is reachable via public transit or rideshare. You can arrange everything through the website or phone app—both are easy to navigate and offer a seamless experience. And, like other rental car companies, Kyte is covered by credit card rental insurance.
Kyte’s Age Requirements
The minimum required age varies depending on the state.
| States | Age Requirement |
| New York | 18 |
| Massachusetts | 21 |
| California, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Washington, Washington D.C. | 25 |
Customers younger than 25 can book a Kyte car rental deal if they sign up with their email address associated with an educational institution. Also, Kyte users aged 18 to 20 must pay the underage surcharges in selected cities.
How To Rent a Car Using Kyte
If you like the convenience of picking up a rental car at the location of your choice, you’ll love the opportunity to arrange it in a few clicks via your phone!
Sign up for or log in to Kyte through their online interface or the Drive Kyte app, available on Google Play and App Store. If you opt for the website, click on “Sign up | Login” in the upper right corner, and take the following steps.
- Enter the delivery and return address (or addresses if they are not the same).
- Add the date and time of the pick-up and drop-off.
- Tap “Search” to see a vehicle selection like the one in the picture below.
- Click on any vehicle for additional details and features.
- Read through the description carefully to ensure that a car fits all your needs.
- Add Comprehensive and Collision Coverage for ~$11/day or Unlimited Miles for ~$18/day if you find it necessary.
- Include a Kyte car rental promo code if you got one.
- Check all the info and the Kyte car rental price with taxes and no hidden fees before submitting the booking request.
Note: You have to pay a $300 deposit 24 hours before the scheduled time of reservation; you’ll get it back after your trip. We also suggest that you view the contract before booking.
What Is Kyte’s Cancellation Policy?
If your plans change, you can cancel your business or leisure trip at any time—check out Kyte’s cancellation policy.
- Cancel the reservation at least 48 hours before the delivery time to get a full refund to your original payment method.
- If you cancel within 48 hours of the scheduled time, you’ll receive a full refund in Kyte credit.
- In the event of cancellation within two hours of the scheduled pick-up time, you’ll get a refund with a $25 cancellation fee deducted from the payment.
Go through Kyte’s terms and conditions for additional info.
How To Reach Out To Kyte Customer Service
If you want to contact Kyte’s Customer Service team, the company offers the following email address and phone number for inquiries.
- [email protected]
- (415) 818-1813
Although the website states that the number is for calls and text messages, Kyte users communicated with the support team primarily via SMS or within the app. The team is available daily from 7 AM to 10 PM.
Kyte Rental Car Reviews
The Shuttle Fare team looked into Kyte car rental reviews on Yelp, Facebook, and phone app stores to check the users’ experiences. People love the concept and this new idea of delivering rental cars to them, and most reviews are favorable. The process is easy, quick, and seamless, while Kyte surfers are kind and flexible.
On the other hand, some users were dissatisfied with this door-to-door service. Most of them had one of the two issues—either their Kyte surfer was late, or the Kyte customer service team was inefficient or unresponsive. Given that the service has been recently launched, we expect a steady improvement in their work.
Bottom Line: Pros & Cons
Kyte introduced an excellent concept that makes traveling much easier, but there’s still room for improvement. Its users pinpointed the areas for improvement, which are mostly related to customer service and punctuality. However, Kyte makes up for these flaws in reasonable prices and convenience, and the overall performance is satisfactory. The list below sums up all pros and cons of the startup.
| Pros | Cons |
| Doorstep delivery Easy booking process Fair prices Variety of vehicles Insurance coverage Clear cancellation policy | Inefficient customer service Limited number of cities Not always punctual |
Our final advice is to read the provider’s terms and conditions and learn more about their policies, the rental car coverage, or charges. We also suggest that you look into other similar platforms that may help you find a great car rental deal, including the following.
Finally, if you’d like to arrange a pick-up right at the terminal of any airport, check out what Shuttle Fare has to offer! Apply our promo codes to get 15% OFF deals offered by Avis, Enterprise, Alamo, Hertz, Dollar, and more!