Just used Enterprise for the first time last week. The day before, I received a text with a link to check-in. However, when I went to complete the check-in the next morning, I kept getting an error message that basically directed me to check in at the counter once I got there. My guess is that because it was my first time renting with them, they needed to see my driver's license in person? No way to confirm that, because when I called their customer service line, they told me my location didn't offer advance check-in (and could not provide an answer when I asked why I was texted a link to check in then...sigh.) In the end, it was not an issue. There are kiosks you can use instead of the counter but there was also barely a line (maybe 1 other party in line, compared to the crazy long lines I passed at Budget.) It actually probably took me longer to check in via the kiosk than if I had gone to the counter because the buttons were so finicky and hard to use.