Quick Summary
- Airport surcharges are location based fees set by airports and providers, separate from state taxes.
- State and local taxes are government charges that apply wherever you pick up a vehicle in that state.
- Hola Car Rentals shows these costs in your quote so you can compare airport and downtown pick ups fairly.
What are airport surcharges on US rentals
When you collect a vehicle directly at a terminal at Orlando, Las Vegas or San Francisco, part of your bill reflects the cost of operating inside the airport. Airports charge providers for space, shuttle buses and facilities, and those costs are passed on as airport surcharges. They can appear as concession recovery fees, customer facility charges or simple location fees.
Unlike fuel or optional extras, these surcharges are not something you choose at the counter. They are tied to the pick up point. If you collect the vehicle from an on site desk or a shuttle served rental centre, the airport surcharge is normally applied as a percentage of the rental price, a daily amount or a flat fee per rental. That money goes towards operating the rental facilities and the wider airport, not to state government.
How state and local taxes work
State and local taxes are different. These are government imposed charges that fund public services, roads and tourism infrastructure. When you rent a vehicle in Florida, Nevada, California or New York, the state decides what tax rate applies. On top of that, cities and counties can add their own local or tourism taxes.
In practice, that means your bill might include state sales tax, a tourism levy and a city surcharge, even before airport specific fees are added. These taxes apply whether you pick up at a terminal or a downtown location. You cannot remove them, but you can see them clearly when you book through Hola Car Rentals, which helps you understand the genuine base price of the vehicle before taxes are added.
Comparing airport and downtown pick ups
Suppose you are flying into Orlando to visit the theme parks. Picking the vehicle up at the terminal is very convenient, especially with luggage and children, but the price will usually include airport surcharges. Some travellers instead choose an off airport location in the city, accepting a short transfer in exchange for potentially lower facility fees. When you compare offers for your Orlando airport collection against city options, you are often seeing the impact of those surcharges.
The same pattern appears in Nevada and California. A quote that starts at Las Vegas airport or at San Francisco airport may include per day facility charges that support trains, shuttle buses and consolidated rental centres. A comparable vehicle picked up in a neighbourhood location might avoid some of those fees but still include the same state and local taxes, because the legislation applies across the area.
In New York, choosing whether to collect near JFK, Newark or in Manhattan is often a question of convenience versus cost. Airport based offers around New York JFK include surcharges associated with operating at the terminals, while downtown locations may have their own city levies and parking constraints. Comparing the full price, rather than just the daily rate, is the only reliable way to see which option really costs less for your itinerary.
How Hola Car Rentals displays fees and taxes
Hola Car Rentals partners with major brands across the United States and is focused on transparency. When you browse car hire options, you will see a clear breakdown of what is included in the price. Airport surcharges, state taxes and local fees are either built into the total or explained in the offer conditions so you are not surprised at the desk.
Choosing the All Inclusive plus rate on suitable itineraries means many mandatory charges and protections are already wrapped into the main price, alongside maximum liability cover that can reach US$300,000 and travel insurance of up to US$150,000. The result is fewer add ons to think about at pick up. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before collection also gives you time to switch between airport and downtown locations if you spot a better balance between convenience and price.
FAQs
Are airport surcharges the same as state taxes? No. Airport surcharges are fees linked to operating at a particular airport, while state taxes are government charges that apply throughout the state. Both can appear on your bill, but they are set by different organisations and for different reasons.
Can I avoid airport surcharges by choosing a different location? You can often reduce or avoid airport facility fees by collecting your vehicle at a nearby city or neighbourhood branch instead of directly at the terminal. However, you should weigh that saving against the cost and time of getting from the airport to the alternative location.
Do state taxes change depending on which airport I use? State taxes are usually the same across the state, whether you pick up at the main airport or a downtown desk. What does change is the combination of local levies and airport surcharges, which is why two nearby locations can show different total prices.
Why does the quote from Hola Car Rentals sometimes list several small fees? In the United States it is common for taxes and surcharges to appear as separate lines. Hola Car Rentals reflects this in your quote so you can see how the total is built. The important figure to compare is the final estimated price for your chosen dates and pick up point.
When you are planning a trip that starts or ends at a US airport, booking through Hola Car Rentals gives you a clear view of surcharges and taxes so you can pick the collection point that truly suits your budget and schedule.
