Minivan 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)

At Charleston International Airport (CHS), hire counters for major companies including Alamo and National are located near baggage claim in the main terminal. After completing your minivan hire agreement at the counter, you walk a short distance to the on-site Rental Car Facility inside the car park. No shuttle or train is needed.

When planning your arrival in Charleston, allow roughly 20 to 45 minutes from landing to driving away, accounting for baggage claim wait time, paperwork at the counter, and a brief vehicle inspection. Minivans may take a few extra minutes to inspect given their size, so build in a small buffer if you are on a tight schedule.

If you are picking up at a centre in Charleston such as 390 Meeting St (about 1.2 km from the city centre), that facility offers a free pickup service. Other city locations such as Baker Automotive at 1511 Savannah Highway or Avis Citadel Mall at 2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd require you to arrive directly.

Counter hours for minivan hire locations in Charleston vary by centre and company. Here is a general overview based on available information:

• Charleston International Airport (CHS): hours vary by brand; airport counters typically operate extended hours, with some open until midnight on weekdays.
• Downtown Charleston at 390 Meeting St (Avis/Budget): Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday approximately 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
• Baker Automotive at 1511 Savannah Highway: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, closed Sunday.
• Avis Citadel Mall at 2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd: hours vary; confirm directly.

For your minivan hire in Charleston, always confirm the exact hours on your booking confirmation before arrival. If your flight arrives after counter hours, the airport location offers a 24-hour key drop for returns, and after-hours pickup arrangements should be confirmed with the hire company in advance.

If your flight is delayed by less than 24 hours, hire companies will generally hold your minivan reservation. Delays beyond 24 hours require you to contact support as soon as possible.

South Carolina has one primary toll road: the Southern Connector on Interstate 185, a 16-mile stretch near Greenville connecting I-185 to I-385. This road is not located in Charleston itself, but it may be relevant if you drive your minivan hire beyond the Charleston area towards the Upstate region.

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

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

Toll costs on the Southern Connector range from approximately US$ 0.075 to US$ 3.00 depending on distance travelled.

For your Charleston minivan hire, major hire companies such as Avis, National, and Enterprise offer optional electronic toll programmes (e-Toll, TollPass, PlatePass) at roughly US$ 3.95 to US$ 4.95 per day, capped at approximately US$ 19.75 per hire period, plus actual toll charges. If you drive through a cashless toll without enrolling, the hire company will bill you the toll at the highest undiscounted rate plus an administrative fee of approximately US$ 15 per toll, capped at around US$ 90 per hire.

Yes, all bookings include Tolls Cashback, which lets you recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Charleston minivan hire.

While Charleston itself does not have toll roads, if you drive your minivan hire towards the Greenville area or other parts of South Carolina, you may encounter the Southern Connector toll road (US$ 0.075 to US$ 3.00 per trip). Any tolls you pay during the hire period are eligible for the cashback.

To claim your refund after returning the minivan in Charleston:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of vehicle return
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - Reservation [Your Confirmation Number]
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid

The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted.

To pick up your minivan hire in Charleston, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name (not a digital copy)
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, used for the authorisation hold
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher (required for certain hires)
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from outside the United Kingdom)

If your driver’s licence is not in English and does not use a Latin (Roman) alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory alongside your original licence. For licences in English or using a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required.

For your Charleston minivan hire, note that debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold, even if you prepaid your booking online. Bring a physical major credit card with sufficient available credit to cover the hold, which is typically around US$ 300 to US$ 400 for standard vehicles in the United States.

Yes, there is a minimum age requirement to hire a minivan in Charleston, and it is stricter than for standard car classes.

Minivans fall into a restricted vehicle category in the United States. Most hire partners require the main driver to be at least 25 years old to hire a minivan. Drivers aged 21 to 24 are generally not permitted to hire a minivan in Charleston, regardless of the hire company.

For drivers aged 21 to 24 who still need a larger vehicle in Charleston, smaller classes such as Economy, Compact, or Compact SUV are typically available, though a young-driver surcharge will apply. The surcharge varies by partner:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: approximately US$ 13 per hire day, capped at US$ 65
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: approximately US$ 13.50 per hire day, capped at US$ 189
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: approximately US$ 15 per day

A valid driver’s licence and a major credit card in the main driver’s name are required regardless of age. If you are unsure whether your age qualifies for a specific minivan class in Charleston, contact customer service before booking.

When you pick up your minivan hire in Charleston, the hire company places a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card. This is not a charge; it reduces your available credit until the hire is closed and your bank releases the hold.

For a minivan hire in the United Kingdom, the typical hold is around US$ 300 to US$ 400 for standard vehicles, though the amount can be higher for larger or premium vehicle classes. The exact amount is set by the hire company at the counter and may vary by location, season, and vehicle.

Important things to know before arriving in Charleston:

• Only a physical, major credit card in the main driver’s name with the driver’s name printed on the card is accepted for the deposit
• Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted
• Digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay are not accepted for the deposit hold
• Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined
• Notify your bank of your travel plans to prevent fraud blocks on an in-person authorisation

After you return the minivan in Charleston, the hold is released. Your bank controls how quickly it appears back on your available credit, which can take up to 15 business days.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your minivan in Charleston, either at no cost if your rate includes it or for a daily fee paid at the counter.

Check your booking confirmation for the line "Additional driver free of charge." If it is not listed, the following fees apply per day:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$ 13 per day, capped at US$ 65
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$ 13.50 per day, capped at US$ 189
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$ 15 per day

The additional driver must be present at the Charleston pickup counter with a valid driver’s licence and must sign the hire agreement. Anyone who drives the minivan without being listed on the agreement is not covered by the hire protections such as CDW/LDW.

For Avis, Budget, and Payless, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old at the time of pickup in Charleston. Age restrictions for additional drivers on a minivan hire follow the same class restrictions as the main driver.

Most bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be valuable if something unexpected happens during your Charleston minivan hire, such as a medical emergency on the road or a flight cancellation affecting your trip.

Coverage typically includes:

• Travel and medical insurance for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This benefit does not cover damage to the minivan itself (that is handled by CDW/LDW) or third-party liability (covered by LIS/SLI/ALI).

To reach assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free) or contact WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

Important: this travel assistance benefit applies only to customers who are not residents of the United Kingdom or Canada. If you are a UK or Canadian resident renting a minivan in Charleston, this specific benefit does not apply to your booking.

When hiring a minivan in Charleston, you have two main types of cover to consider:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the minivan from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation shows zero deductible. CDW/LDW does not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving the minivan in Charleston. Some UK states require a minimum level of liability, but not all do. Adding supplemental liability cover of up to US$ 300,000 is strongly recommended.

Neither CDW/LDW nor LIS/SLI/ALI covers personal injuries to you or your passengers (that requires PAI) or your personal belongings (that requires PEC).

Common exclusions for your Charleston minivan hire include prohibited use such as off-road driving, driving under the influence, or letting an unlisted driver operate the vehicle. Always add every driver to the hire agreement at the counter to ensure cover applies.

The standard fuel policy for a minivan in Charleston is Full-to-Full. You receive the minivan with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.

At pickup in Charleston, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing both the odometer and the fuel gauge.

When returning your minivan in Charleston, refuel within approximately 16 km of the return location so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive. Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address.

If you return the minivan with less than a full tank, you may be charged:

• A fuel shortfall at the hire company’s refuelling rate, which is typically higher than retail pump prices
• A refuelling service or administrative fee on top of the fuel cost

For after-hours returns at the Charleston airport, leave your fuel receipt in the key drop envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge on your phone as proof.

Yes, one-way minivan hires in Charleston are possible, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your destination, and some routes may not be available.

The drop-off fee for your Charleston minivan hire is route-specific and varies by hire company, distance, season, and vehicle class. Minivans, as a larger vehicle category, may carry higher repositioning fees than standard cars. Common patterns include:

• Returning the minivan to another location within the same Charleston area: often no drop-off fee
• Returning to another city in South Carolina or a neighbouring state: a drop-off fee typically applies
• Long-distance or cross-country returns: fees can be significant or the route may not be permitted

The drop-off fee is always shown during the booking process under the "To pay at destination" section of the checkout screen. It cannot be prepaid and is paid directly to the hire company at pickup.

Cross-border one-way hires (for example, returning a minivan hired in Charleston to a location in Canada or Mexico) are generally restricted or require prior approval from the hire partner. Always check your confirmation for territory restrictions before driving across state or country borders.

Returning your minivan hire at Charleston International Airport (CHS) after hours is possible. The airport offers a 24-hour drop-off at Level 1 of the five-tier car park at the Rental Car Facility.

Follow these steps for an after-hours minivan return in Charleston:

• Refuel the minivan within approximately 16 km of the airport before arriving, to comply with the Full-to-Full fuel policy
• Drive to Level 1 of the airport car park and follow the hire return signage for your brand
• Place the keys in the designated key drop box for your hire company
• Leave your fuel receipt inside the key drop envelope
• Take a photo of the minivan's fuel gauge, odometer, and exterior condition before leaving
• Keep all paperwork, including your hire agreement and fuel receipt

Note that when you use an after-hours key drop in Charleston, the hire company will inspect the minivan the following business day. Any damage or fuel discrepancy noted at that inspection may result in post-hire charges to your credit card. Having photos and receipts from your return protects you in case of a dispute.