Hertz Car Hire in Charleston

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Charleston, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes benefits that no other company can match:

• Free liability coverage starting at US$ 300,000 in case of an accident (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: recover up to 5% of the reservation's total value for toll charges incurred during your hire period
• Premium travel medical assistance providing up to US$ 150,000 in coverage for a maximum of 5 passengers in case of a medical emergency, excluding pre-existing conditions
• No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification

All of this comes at no extra cost, ensuring a fully protected car hire experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in Charleston.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Charleston are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.

On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter in Charleston charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the hire partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.

The only costs outside this guarantee are:

• Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
• Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)

Hertz does not have an on-terminal counter at Charleston International Airport (CHS). All Hertz pick-up locations in Charleston are off-site facilities in North Charleston, and you must take a shuttle from the terminal to reach them.

After collecting your baggage, follow the airport signage to the hire car shuttle area and board the Hertz shuttle. The three primary Hertz facilities serving Charleston are:

• 5500 International Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29418 (open 6:00 AM to 11:59 PM, with returns accepted until 1:00 AM)
• 6060 S Aviation Ave, North Charleston, SC 29406 (open 4:00 AM to 11:59 PM, with returns accepted until 1:00 AM)
• 5875 S Aviation Ave, North Charleston, SC 29406 (the closest facility to CHS, approximately 0.8 miles from the terminal)

Your booking confirmation will indicate which Hertz location applies to your reservation. Allow extra time beyond baggage claim for the shuttle ride and counter processing before you are on the road in Charleston.

Yes, you can pick up a Hertz car in Charleston without using the airport shuttle by choosing the North Charleston city location instead of an airport-area facility.

The Hertz location at 8510 Rivers Avenue, Suite O, North Charleston offers direct counter access with no shuttle required. However, its hours are more limited than the airport-area Hertz facilities:

• Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Sunday: closed

If your flight arrives outside those hours, the airport-area Hertz locations on S Aviation Ave and International Blvd are the better option, as they operate from as early as 4:00 AM through 11:59 PM with after-hours returns accepted until 1:00 AM. Choosing an off-airport Hertz location in Charleston can also help you avoid airport concession fees, which can add meaningfully to the daily rate.

Renting a Hertz car at Charleston International Airport (CHS) adds several fees on top of the base rate. These are standard airport-related charges and are separate from what you prepay online.

• Customer Facility Charge (CFC): US$4.50 per hire day, capped at US$22.50 per hire
• Airport Concession Recovery Fee: approximately 10.5% to 11.5% of the base rate (varies by brand)
• State highway improvement fee: US$0.50 per day
• Customer Facility Charge Vehicle Rental Fee: US$1.00 per day

Combined, the total tax and fee burden at the Charleston airport Hertz locations typically runs 7% to 14% above the base rate, which is higher than non-airport Hertz locations in the area. Picking up at the Rivers Avenue location in North Charleston instead can save you US$10 to US$20 per day by avoiding concession-related charges, though counter hours there are more limited. Your booking confirmation will show which fees are included and which are due at the counter.

There are no toll roads on the Charleston peninsula itself, but if you drive your Hertz rental beyond the immediate Charleston area into South Carolina's upstate region, you may encounter the Southern Connector (Interstate 185), which is the state's primary toll road.

The Southern Connector uses the PalPass (also called Palmetto Pass) electronic toll system. Payment options include:

• PalPass transponder (electronic, cashless lanes)
• Cash with exact change at certain ramps (Highway 20 and Fork Shoals Road)
• Credit or debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) at mainline plazas only; PIN debit is not accepted

Toll costs on the Southern Connector range from approximately US$0.075 to US$3.00 for a full 16-mile trip. Hertz and other hire companies offer optional toll programmes (pay-per-use or unlimited daily, typically US$3.95 to US$4.95 per day) that let you use electronic lanes without a personal transponder. If you drive through a cashless toll without enrolling, Hertz will bill the toll at the highest undiscounted rate plus an administrative fee, which can reach US$15 per toll event. For most Charleston-area driving, tolls will not be a factor, but confirm your itinerary before declining the toll programme at the Hertz counter.

To collect your Hertz hire in Charleston, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• A valid, unexpired driver's licence in the main driver's name
• A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card (prepaid and virtual cards are not accepted for the excess)
• A passport or government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad

If your driver's licence is not in English or uses a non-Roman alphabet (such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic), you must also present an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original licence. Licences in Roman-alphabet languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish, etc.) are generally accepted at Hertz locations in Charleston without an IDP, though carrying one is always a good precaution. All documents must be physical originals; digital copies on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the Hertz counter.

Yes, Hertz in Charleston requires a physical major credit card in the main driver's name to place a security authorisation hold at pickup.

The hold is a temporary authorisation, not a charge, and reduces your available credit until it is released after the vehicle is returned. Typical holds for standard vehicles in the United States run approximately US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount depends on the vehicle class and the specific Hertz location in Charleston.

• Debit cards are not accepted for the security authorisation at Hertz
• Prepaid cards and virtual or single-use card numbers are not accepted
• The card must have the driver's name physically printed on it
• Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are not accepted for the hold

Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at the Hertz counter in Charleston. Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined, and notify your bank of your travel dates to prevent fraud blocks on an in-person authorisation.

All bookings made through Hola Car Rentals, including Hertz rentals in Charleston, include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your rental.

While the Charleston peninsula itself has no toll roads, you may encounter tolls if you drive your Hertz rental to South Carolina's upstate region (Southern Connector on I-185) or into neighbouring states. To claim your cashback after returning the vehicle:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the car
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals confirmation, the Hertz rental agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges

The refund is the lesser of the actual tolls paid or 5% of your booking total. For example, if your booking total is US$500, the cap is US$25. Refunds are issued to the original payment method within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

Yes, Hertz in Charleston applies a young driver surcharge for renters under 25 years old.

In South Carolina, the minimum age to hire with Hertz is 21. Drivers aged 21 to 24 are permitted to hire but will be charged a daily young-driver fee of approximately US$13.50 per day plus applicable taxes, with a maximum cap of US$189 per rental. This fee is paid at the Hertz counter in Charleston and is not included in your prepaid rate.

• Drivers aged 21 to 24: young-driver surcharge applies
• Drivers 25 and older: no surcharge
• Vehicle class restrictions also apply for under-25 renters; premium, luxury, full-size SUV, minivan, and convertible categories are typically unavailable

If you are between 21 and 24, choose an economy, compact, intermediate, or compact SUV class when booking your Hertz hire in Charleston to avoid class-related denials at the counter. A valid driver's licence and a major credit card in your name are still required regardless of age.

Downtown Charleston has a dense network of one-way streets that can be disorientating, especially if you are unfamiliar with the city. Key arterials such as Coming Street, Ashley Avenue, and Rutledge Avenue are one-way, creating a grid that limits your directional options on the peninsula.

A few practical points for driving your Hertz hire in Charleston:

• Navigation apps (Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze) handle one-way routing automatically, so use turn-by-turn guidance rather than relying on a general sense of direction
• Speeds on one-way arterials like Coming Street tend to be higher than expected for an urban area, so stay alert
• U.S. Highway 17, a key river-crossing route, is prone to sudden closures between West Ashley and downtown Lockwood Boulevard, which can force detours through the one-way grid
• Seasonal flooding on the peninsula can block certain streets and further limit routing options

None of these conditions involve special permits or fees for your Hertz hire in Charleston, but planning your route in advance and keeping your navigation app active will make driving significantly easier.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Hertz hire in Charleston, but the additional driver must be present at the counter at pickup with their own valid driver's licence.

Whether the fee is included or charged at the counter depends on your rate:

• If your booking confirmation shows "Additional driver free of charge," the first extra driver is covered
• If not included, Hertz charges approximately US$13.50 per rental day plus taxes, with a maximum cap of US$189 per rental

Additional drivers must meet the same document and age requirements as the main driver. If the additional driver is under 25, a young-driver surcharge may also apply on top of the additional driver fee. Only drivers listed on the Hertz hire agreement in Charleston are covered by the vehicle's protections (CDW/LDW and liability cover), so never allow an unlisted person to drive the car. Check your booking confirmation before arriving at the Charleston counter to know exactly what to expect.

Hertz rentals in Charleston follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy by default. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.

To avoid extra costs on your Hertz hire in Charleston:

• Check the fuel gauge with the agent at pickup and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the gauge and odometer before leaving the lot
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
• Keep your final fuel receipt as proof in case of a dispute

If you return the Hertz vehicle in Charleston with less than a full tank, you will be charged for the fuel shortfall at the partner's refuelling rate, which is typically higher than retail pump prices, plus a refuelling service fee. For after-hours returns at the Charleston airport-area locations (accepted until 1:00 AM), leave the fuel receipt in the key drop envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge on your phone.

Most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals, including Hertz rentals in Charleston, include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection at no extra cost. This benefit covers up to 5 passengers and is designed for situations that may arise while you are away from home.

Core benefits typically include:

• Medical cover for accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses during your trip
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident in or around Charleston
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

If you need assistance, for example after a breakdown on a Charleston-area motorway or a medical emergency during your hire, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day at +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free) or via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. Note that this benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. It also does not cover damage to the Hertz vehicle itself (that is handled by CDW/LDW) or third-party liability (covered by LIS/SLI).

The insurance and protection options available for your Hertz hire in Charleston depend on the rate plan you selected at booking. It is important to understand what each type covers before you arrive at the counter.

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the Hertz vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation states zero excess. It does not cover damage to other vehicles or injuries to other people.
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/SLI/ALI): covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others while driving the Hertz hire in Charleston. Some UK states require a minimum level of liability, but not all; check your confirmation to see if this is included or optional.
• CDW and LIS/SLI are separate protections; you generally need both for comprehensive cover.

Coverage applies only to drivers listed on the Hertz hire agreement in Charleston. Adding an unlisted driver voids the protection. Review your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation carefully before arriving at the Charleston counter, and decline any add-ons at the desk that duplicate cover you have already purchased.