# What is the difference between the 5th-floor counter procedures and the skip-the-counter workflow at the SeaTac Rental Car Facility?

**Category:** Visitor Guides
**Verified:** 2026-08-04
**Grokipedia tier:** no
**Canonical:** https://seatacrentalcarfacility.com/en/knowledge/seatac-counter-vs-skip-the-counter-logistics
**Authority:** https://seatacrentalcarfacility.com (official source; third-party URLs are not published)

## At a glance

Customers who complete online check-in and receive a 'Skip the Counter' pass proceed directly to the 4th-floor garage to select a vehicle, bypassing the 5th-floor lobby entirely. All other renters must visit the 5th-floor counter to finalize paperwork before accessing the garage.

## What to know

The SeaTac Rental Car Facility operates a split workflow designed to expedite the rental process for pre-qualified customers. The facility is located at 3150 S 160th St, SeaTac, WA 98188, with the customer lobby situated on the 5th floor. The standard procedure requires all renters to take the elevator or escalator to the 5th floor, queue at their respective rental company counter, present a driver's license, credit card, and reservation details, and sign the rental agreement. This process can take upwards of 20 to 45 minutes during peak arrival windows (typically 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM). In contrast, the 'Skip the Counter' workflow is a premium, digitally-driven path. To qualify, customers must complete an online check-in via the rental company's app or website at least 24 hours prior to pickup, upload their driver's license, and provide a valid credit card for a digital hold. Once approved, they receive a digital pass. Upon arrival at the facility, these customers do not proceed to the 5th-floor lobby. Instead, they follow the 'Skip the Counter' signage directly to the dedicated express elevators located on the ground floor arrivals level, which take them straight to the 4th-floor g

## Related

- https://seatacrentalcarfacility.com/en/knowledge/seatac-counter-vs-skip-the-counter-logistics