Quick Summary
- Airport car hire often costs more because of Customer Facility Charges and concession fees that airports ask rental companies to collect from each customer.
- These fees are usually added on top of local taxes and can be charged per day or as a percentage of your total, making airport contracts noticeably more expensive than some city branches.
- Hola Car Rentals helps you see the full breakdown before you book and compare airport and off airport options so you understand what you are paying for.
What are Customer Facility Charges at US airports
If you have followed the AirTrain around San Francisco International to the dedicated Rental Car Center, you may have noticed a separate line on your contract called a Customer Facility Charge. Airports build and operate people movers, parking structures and shared hire centres, and to pay for that infrastructure they add fixed charges to every rental that starts on their land.
A Customer Facility Charge is usually a set amount per day or per rental agreement. The exact figure varies from airport to airport, but together with local sales tax it can add a significant chunk to the final price you pay. Whether you start your journey at JFK, Orlando or Los Angeles, these fees apply to every on airport hire, regardless of which brand you choose.
How concession fees affect airport pricing
Alongside the facility charge, most airports levy concession fees that are linked to rental revenue. Instead of a flat sum, the airport takes a percentage of the money earned from each contract in return for giving companies the right to operate in the terminal or in official rental facilities. That cut might be labelled as a concession recovery fee or similar wording on your agreement.
The rental company passes this cost on to you, which means airport hires naturally look pricier than equivalent city branch offers even before you consider insurance and extras. A study of US pricing often finds that on airport hires can cost notably more than nearby locations, especially in business heavy cities such as Los Angeles and New York where those concession fees are a key part of the airport budget.
Comparing airport and city locations in real life
On the West Coast, a great example is San Francisco. If you pick up at the main on site facility, your San Francisco Airport car hire quote will usually include both a Customer Facility Charge and an airport concession fee alongside state tourism taxes. If you compare that with a city branch across the bay, many of those airport specific lines may disappear, although local sales taxes will still apply.
In Los Angeles, where traffic on the freeways can be heavy at almost any hour, there is also a time and convenience element. A branch linked by shuttle buses near the terminals is much easier for families with jet lag and luggage. Those customers often accept slightly higher total costs in exchange for a shorter transfer from the gate to the keys, especially at locations like Los Angeles rental centre shuttle hubs.
New York is another classic example. Starting at the terminal rail link and heading towards Manhattan can be much simpler if you pick up in the airport facility, but that simplicity comes bundled with higher concession based charges. With Hola Car Rentals you can compare rates that originate at the terminal with contracts starting in the city so you can balance time against tax.
Are CFCs and concessions the only reason airport hires cost more
Customer Facility Charges and concession fees are a big part of the difference, but not the whole story. Airports tend to operate in high demand locations with large volumes of business travellers, so base rates can also be higher simply because demand is strong and parking space is limited. Dynamic pricing models then adjust those rates for busy periods, large events or holiday peaks.
On top of that, some extras are more expensive at terminal counters than they are in town. Opt in toll packages, sat nav units and child seats can all carry a small airport premium, so it pays to decide in advance which add ons you really need and which you can live without.
How Hola Car Rentals helps you see the full picture
Hola Car Rentals is built to make these costs easier to understand. When you search, you will see clear total prices for your chosen pick up and drop off points, including airport surcharges that are known in advance. All Inclusive plus deals often roll in extensive cover, roadside assistance and maximum liability protection up to 300,000 dollars on selected routes, so even when airport charges apply, you know you are getting strong value.
If you would rather avoid paying for a shuttle rail link that you do not use, you can compare terminal contracts with nearby city branch offers. In some cases, especially for longer trips, picking up in town and starting your drive from a branch associated with Las Vegas strip driving distances or downtown Orlando can reduce the total you spend on fixed fees.
When paying extra at the airport still makes sense
Despite the higher costs, airport pick up is sometimes the smartest choice. If your flight is scheduled to arrive late at night, or you are travelling with young children and heavy luggage, being able to walk straight to the rental facility and drive away can be worth every extra dollar. With Hola Car Rentals you can still benefit from Free Cancellation up to 48 hours before arrival, so you can change plans if you later find a city option that suits you better.
For trips where timing is critical, such as a fast run from the terminal to an important meeting, the extra CFCs and concession fees may simply be part of doing business. In those situations, booking an All Inclusive plus package with Hola Car Rentals means that once you pay those unavoidable airport charges, you can focus on your schedule instead of worrying about add ons at the counter.
FAQs
- Are airport CFCs optional if I book through a broker? No. Customer Facility Charges are set by the airport and apply to every hire that starts on site, regardless of whether you booked directly or through Hola Car Rentals. They are collected by the rental company and passed on to the airport.
- Do off airport locations ever charge the same airport fees? Some off airport locations that operate as official airport concessionaires may still collect certain surcharges, even if you reach them by shuttle. Always check the fee breakdown on your quote before deciding.
- Can I avoid concession fees by returning the car in the city instead of the airport? Drop off location influences which fees apply. If you return to a city branch, you may avoid some airport specific charges, but a one way fee could be added instead, so compare both scenarios.
- How can I see airport fees in advance when booking? When you search with Hola Car Rentals, the taxes and mandatory surcharges for your chosen station are included in the total price shown before you confirm, so you are not guessing about CFCs or concessions at the counter.
To find the right balance between cost and convenience, compare airport and city offers with Hola Car Rentals, review the fee breakdown and choose the pick up point that matches both your schedule and your budget.
