The rental car industry has seen no shortage of disruption. Rental car alternatives like Getaround and Turo operate like Airbnb for cars, offering cars in more locations than the airports or tourist-heavy neighborhoods in which traditional rental car companies typically operate.

But Kyte is disrupting the industry in a completely different way: by providing delivery and pickup for all of its own rental vehicles.

When you rent through Kyte, a Kyte employee delivers your car to you and picks it up when you're done. That’s especially convenient for people who don't want the hassle of going to a rental car office and waiting in line.

Unlike Getaround or Turo, you’re not renting another person’s car. Kyte offers SUVs, sedans and all-wheel-drive (AWD) cars. Since the company keeps cars for 18 to 24 months, rentals are relatively new — a contrast to peer-to-peer rentals that can often arrive worse for wear.

For now, Kyte availability is pretty limited. It operates in just over a dozen cities around the U.S., including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. And even within those cities, there are limited service areas, so you might not be able to get a car delivered to every address.

But if you’re in a location where Kyte operates, you’ll be able to rent an almost-new car — while skipping long lines at the rental car counter. Here’s what it’s like renting through Kyte:

Renting a Kyte car

You first need to create an account on the Kyte.com or mobile app. From there, you can search based on delivery location and time.

One-way rentals are also possible, assuming Kyte operates in both your starting location and destination (though Kyte annoyingly charges a one-way fee that varies by location but can easily run many hundreds of dollars — and that’s on top of the rental cost).

The company also requires an account verification process, which typically takes a few hours to process (so don’t expect to book a last-minute rental if it’s your first time using Kyte). To verify your account, Kyte looks at your driver's license (you must be at least 21 years old in most states) and your driving record (no major violations, such as DUIs, in the past seven years). You must also have a valid debit or credit card, and no bankruptcies filed within the last three years.

Picking up your rental car

The Kyte pickup process is hardly a pickup at all. Instead, a Kyte driver — called a "surfer" — delivers the car to your designated location within a 30-minute window of your specific delivery time.

(Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)

The app’s live map feature allows you to track the car’s delivery in real-time — much like you’d check the arrival of an Uber driver.

Kyte also sends SMS updates about the driver's progress (as well as the make, model, color, and license plate of the car), so you know what to look for.

Once the driver arrives, you’ll show them your driver's license and proof of insurance, and then sign a rental agreement (Kyte’s system also recognizes international driver’s licenses, so travelers from most countries outside the U.S. can rent too).

After exchanging information, the driver hands off the keys and departs.

If you opt for Kyte’s self-pickup service, you can save

In some cities, Kyte gives you the option to skip what’s ultimately the company’s key differentiator, delivery. If you select self-pickup, you’ll go to a designated garage or lot to meet a Kyte employee and go through the same key exchange process.

Self-pickup has a few benefits, including a more flexible, two-hour pickup and drop-off window. Plus, you get a small discount on the overall rental price.

For example, in this sample rental car booked in San Francisco, Kyte’s self-pickup option at its downtown lot can save you $20.

Driving a Kyte car

Much like other rental car companies, Kyte has mileage limits (300 miles per day), upon which you’ll be charged $0.45 per mile extra if you exceed that amount — though Kyte does give the option to purchase unlimited mileage upfront for an additional $15 per day.

(Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)

You’re also allowed to ride with pets. However, the company charges a $100 cleaning fee if you return the car with what the company calls “excessive shedding or odors.”

Returning a Kyte car

Just as you must be ready to pick up the car at a specific time, the return process is similar. A Kyte employee picks up the car at the time you stated upon booking within a 15-minute buffer window on each end. When the Kyte employee arrives, they’ll check the vehicle condition and you’ll hand over the keys.

Unlike many rental car alternatives, Kyte doesn’t require that you return the car with a full tank of gas — which is convenient if you don’t want to spend time refueling. As with most traditional car rental companies, Kyte will refuel it for you (and bill you for the charges).

Kyte pricing

Kyte's pricing is based on the type of car, length of rental and location. Prices vary, but the cost for a 12-hour rental tends to run about $100 — which is largely in line with Turo and Getaround prices.

Because Kyte employees bring the car to you, it’s highly recommended that you tip them.

Kyte rentals require a temporary deposit of $300 on a credit card (or $500 for debit cards) every time you rent, which will be released once your trip has ended.

Kyte’s young-renter fee

Kyte renters must be at least 21 years old in most states (the exception is New York, where you must be at least 18 years old).

All drivers under the age of 25 incur a "young-renter fee,” which varies based on the rental and will only be displayed once you navigate to the price details section after selecting "I am under 25 years old" on the reservations page.

Kyte insurance

Kyte offers a few insurance options at checkout, including liability insurance or damage protection. There’s also the option to use your own insurance.

You're responsible for any damage to the car during your rental. Kyte’s damage protection plans include liability insurance, which is required if you don’t already have it. For even greater coverage, you might opt for Kyte’s standard protection, which covers damage done to the car past a $500 deductible.