[FearNotDaniel]

If this article is true, Zipcar in the US must work in a fundamentally different way from how it does here in Europe. Every Zipcar I've ever rented, once you've gained access with your card or the app the first time, you have the actual keys in your hand until the end of the rental. You don't need a mobile signal to lock and unlock the car wherever you go, the key fob does that.

Of course, in one of the scenarios the article addresses - car battery failure in the middle of a wilderness - it doesn't matter whether it's a Zipcar or not, that's a serious problem for any car.

[paggle]

In the US the keys that are in the car are physically tied to the car with a string. You are expected to use the card to lock and unlock during your reservation

[Marsymars]

Wow, if I came across that without some prominent warnings, I'd probably assume some kind of key setup mistake and cut the string.

[squeaky-clean]

I use a zipcar occasionally and this is exactly what happens when I'm driving with a friend. Once they actually did manage to yank on and snap the string. They said something like "Wow, the previous driver tied the keys to the center console, what an asshole" pull, snap

[paggle]

It has a warning. Something like “leave these keys here! It seems weird but don’t worry about it.”