National 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)

The National car hire counter at Charleston International Airport (CHS) is located near baggage claim in the main terminal at 5500 International Blvd, Charleston, SC 29418. After collecting your bags, proceed past baggage claim to the National counter to complete your hire agreement. From there, it is a short walk to the on-site Rental Car Facility in the parking garage, where your vehicle will be waiting.

No shuttle is required at Charleston International Airport. The entire process from baggage claim to driving away typically takes 20 to 45 minutes, depending on baggage claim wait times, paperwork, and the short walk to the garage.

National Emerald Aisle members should confirm their programme status at the counter, as Fastbreak and Emerald Aisle availability may vary at the Charleston location.

Yes, National car hire has a downtown Charleston location at 390 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403, near the intersection of Meeting Street and Mary Street, close to the Cruise Ship Port.

Key details for this downtown Charleston National location:

• Vehicles are available on-site, so no shuttle is needed
• Counter hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday approximately 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• A key drop option is available for after-hours returns
• Fastbreak members can proceed to the counter, show their ID, and receive a preprinted contract and keys

This downtown Charleston location is particularly convenient if you are arriving by cruise ship or staying in the city centre. If you are flying into Charleston International Airport, the airport National counter offers more extended service hours and immediate access without requiring separate transport to the city.

To pick up your National hire car in Charleston, you must bring the following physical documents:

• A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, for the authorisation hold
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from outside the United States)

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 at the National counter in Charleston. For licences in English or using a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the National counter in Charleston or at any partner location. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit hold.

Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings, including National hires in Charleston, include Tolls Cashback of up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire.

South Carolina has limited toll infrastructure, but if you drive beyond Charleston towards Greenville, you may encounter the Southern Connector on Interstate 185, which uses the PalPass (Palmetto Pass) electronic toll system. Any tolls you pay on that route, or through a National toll programme, are eligible for the cashback.

To claim your Tolls Cashback after returning your National hire in Charleston:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of vehicle return
• Include your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing toll charges paid
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation number

Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted.

Charleston itself does not have toll roads within the city. South Carolina's primary toll road is the Southern Connector on Interstate 185, located near Greenville, approximately 250 miles from Charleston. It uses the PalPass (also called Palmetto Pass) electronic toll collection system, and also accepts cash and major credit cards at mainline plazas. Typical costs range from US$0.075 to US$3.00 for the full 16-mile route.

When picking up your National hire in Charleston, you will have the option to enrol in an electronic toll programme such as PlatePass or a similar service. This typically costs US$3.95 to US$4.95 per day, capped at around US$19.75 per hire period, plus actual toll charges at prevailing rates.

If you drive through a cashless toll lane without enrolling in a programme, National will bill the toll at the highest undiscounted rate plus an administrative fee, which can reach US$15 per toll event. To avoid unexpected charges on your Charleston National hire, either enrol in the toll programme at pickup or pay cash at open plaza lanes where available.

Hola Car Rentals also offers Tolls Cashback of up to 5% of your booking total for tolls paid during your hire.

To rent a car with National in Charleston, the standard minimum age is 25 years old with no additional surcharge. Drivers aged 21 to 24 may rent but will be subject to a young-renter surcharge, which for National, Alamo, and Enterprise is US$15 per day plus applicable taxes, paid at the counter.

Additional age-related rules to know for your Charleston National hire:

• Drivers under 25 are typically restricted from renting premium, luxury, full-size SUV, minivan, and convertible vehicle classes
• Economy, compact, intermediate, and compact SUV categories are generally available to drivers aged 21 to 24
• South Carolina does not have a state law requiring rentals to drivers under 21, so the minimum age at the Charleston National counter is 21
• All drivers, regardless of age, must present a valid driver’s licence and a major credit card in their name for the security deposit

If you are adding an additional driver to your Charleston National hire, that driver must also meet the minimum age requirement and be present at the counter with a valid licence.

When picking up your National hire in Charleston, the counter will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card. This is not a charge but reduces your available credit until it is released after you return the vehicle.

For standard vehicles at National in Charleston, the typical hold is approximately US$300 to US$400. The exact amount may vary depending on the vehicle class, hire duration, and location policies. Premium or speciality vehicles may carry a higher hold.

Important requirements for the deposit at the Charleston National counter:

• The credit card must be a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) with the main driver’s name printed on the physical card
• Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the security hold
• The card must have sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges
• Digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay are not accepted at the counter

After returning your National hire in Charleston, the hold is released by the counter. Your bank or card issuer controls when the credit reappears on your account, which can take up to 15 business days.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your National hire in Charleston, either as part of your rate or for a fee paid at the counter.

For National, Alamo, and Enterprise, the additional driver fee is US$15 per day plus applicable taxes when not included in your rate. Some Hola Car Rentals rate plans include one additional driver at no extra cost. Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads additional driver free of charge to confirm whether it is included.

Requirements for adding an additional driver at the Charleston National counter:

• The additional driver must be present at the counter at pickup
• They must present a valid driver’s licence and any required ID
• If their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic), an International Driving Permit is required
• They must meet the minimum age requirement (21 at the Charleston National location, with a young-renter surcharge for drivers aged 21 to 24)
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement

Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by protections such as CDW and liability coverage. Anyone not named on the contract who drives the vehicle may void those protections.

Most Hola Car Rentals bookings, including National hires in Charleston, include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection. This benefit is particularly useful if you experience a medical emergency or other travel disruption while driving in or around Charleston.

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 coverage does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. If you are a US or Canadian resident renting a National vehicle in Charleston, this benefit is not available to you.

To use travel assistance during your Charleston National hire, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

• Phone (toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. This coverage does not replace CDW for vehicle damage or LIS for third-party liability, which are separate protections.

National car hire in Charleston follows a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You will receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.

Steps to follow for the fuel policy on your Charleston National hire:

• At pickup, verify the fuel gauge with the National agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location at Charleston International Airport or the downtown Meeting Street location before dropping off
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
• For after-hours returns at Charleston International Airport, leave the receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge

If you return the National vehicle in Charleston with less than a full tank, you may 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. Using the correct fuel type is also important, as wrong-fuel incidents are not covered by the fuel policy.

Yes, one-way hires with National are possible from Charleston, allowing you to pick up in Charleston and return the vehicle in a different city. However, a drop-off fee may apply depending on the route, distance, and vehicle class.

Key things to know about one-way National hires from Charleston:

• The drop-off fee is route-specific and is shown during the booking process under the to pay at destination section of the checkout screen
• Same-city returns, such as picking up at Charleston International Airport and returning to the downtown Meeting Street location, often carry no drop-off fee
• Long-distance routes to other states typically include a drop-off fee that varies by distance and vehicle class
• Cross-border one-way hires (for example, driving into Canada) may be restricted or require prior authorisation from National
• Premium and large SUV classes may carry higher repositioning fees

If you need to change your return location after booking your Charleston National hire, contact support before making changes, as re-pricing may apply. The drop-off fee cannot be prepaid and is not covered by No Extra Charges© unless it was not disclosed at the time of booking.

Charleston has some driving characteristics that can catch first-time visitors out, and knowing them before picking up your National hire will help you navigate more confidently.

Key local driving considerations in Charleston:

• The downtown Charleston peninsula has an extensive network of one-way streets, including Coming Street, Ashley Avenue, and Rutledge Avenue. These corridors are known for fast-moving traffic and can be confusing for drivers unfamiliar with the layout
• US Highway 17 northbound from West Ashley into downtown via Lockwood Boulevard is prone to overnight closures (reported from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM for maintenance), which can force detours through the one-way grid
• Charleston's Complete Streets policy means many intersections are designed for mixed use by cyclists, pedestrians, and buses, so expect tighter lanes and more complex intersections than in car-centric cities
• South Carolina follows standard US right-hand traffic rules, and no emission zones or congestion charges exist in Charleston

Using GPS navigation is strongly recommended when driving your National hire in downtown Charleston, particularly if it is your first visit. The one-way street system can add significant time to short trips if you miss a turn.

When picking up a National hire at Charleston International Airport (CHS), your total cost will include standard South Carolina and airport-specific fees in addition to the base hire rate.

Typical fees that may apply to your Charleston National hire at the airport include:

• Customer Facility Charge (CFC): approximately US$4.50 per day, charged by the airport for use of the Rental Car Facility
• Airport Concession Recovery Fee (ACRF): approximately 10% of the base hire rate, reflecting the cost National pays to operate at Charleston International Airport
• State and local hire taxes: South Carolina combined state and local vehicle hire taxes can reach 10% to 14% of the base rate

If your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation shows taxes and fees as included, you should not be billed separately for those items at the Charleston National counter. If you are charged for something not listed on your confirmation, document it and contact support after the hire is complete.

Off-airport National locations, such as the downtown Charleston counter at 390 Meeting St, do not carry the airport concession fee, which can make rates 10% to 30% lower than the airport location for comparable vehicles.