ZIP ZAP and ZOOOOOM !!

I thought that Zip Zap and Zoom were only in children’s comics and cartoon strips and perhaps in a commercial featuring the roadrunner. But it seems like Technology is taking the RFID technology to help you cut down on the waiting time at a typical Rent-A-Car desk.

With the introduction of the Zip Card and the Zip Car concept, all one has to do is to join the Zip Car membership. All it takes is for you to be over 21 and be in possession of a valid US license (even foreign ones work provided it is in English). Once you have enrolled, you will be sent a Zip Card, which becomes the key to your car in the city of your choice for the duration you pick.

As the company website says all it takes is four simple steps - join, reserve, unlock and drive away. It also says on the website that its simpler than withdrawing money from an ATM. What caught my attention however was the fact that there were numerous advantages over any rental cars or even owning your own car. Some of these include:

You don’t have to stand in long queues to pick up your car.
It offers 24 hours service and you can pick up or drop off your car anytime 24/7 365 days a year
Price of gas and insurance is part of the price
Variety of vehicles MINIs, BMWs, Prius's, even pickups
Booking may be made days or may be even months or at best up to a year in advance
One key ZIP CARD opens the car you have selected and paid for – Great use of RFID technology

With a lot of features and state of the art technology thrown in, ideally the next time you want to rent a car you should aim to sit in one that zips you from coast to coast.