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About hiring a car with National in San Antonio
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking with National in San Antonio include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in San Antonio, 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 San Antonio.
Will I face unexpected charges at the National counter in San Antonio when I book through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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)
Where do I pick up my National car hire at San Antonio International Airport?
National car hire at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is located at the Consolidated Car Hire Facility (CONRAC) at 9559 Airport Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78216.
To reach the counter from Terminal B, take the lift or escalator to the Mezzanine Level, then cross the sky bridge and follow the hire car signs directly to the CONRAC building. No separate shuttle is needed from the terminal, as the sky bridge connects you directly.
Once at the CONRAC, proceed to the National counter, complete check-in, and a vehicle lot shuttle within the facility will take you to your car. Allow roughly 30 to 60 minutes from baggage claim to driving away, accounting for the sky bridge walk of 5 to 10 minutes and counter check-in time.
For vehicle return, follow signs back to the CONRAC lot at 9559 Airport Blvd. After-hours key drop is available at the airport facility.
What are the counter hours for National car hire in San Antonio?
Counter hours for National car hire in San Antonio vary depending on the location you choose.
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT) CONRAC: generally open from early morning through late night, with after-hours key drop available for returns outside staffed hours. Confirm exact times on your booking confirmation, as hours can change on holidays.
- Downtown or neighbourhood locations in San Antonio typically operate shorter hours, often Monday through Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 and reduced weekend hours.
If your flight arrives late or you expect a delay, National car hire at San Antonio Airport will hold your reservation for up to 24 hours from the original pickup time. If your delay exceeds 24 hours, contact support as soon as possible to avoid forfeiture of the booking.
Always verify the specific hours listed on your booking confirmation, as they govern your hire and may differ from general estimates.
What toll roads will I encounter with a National car hire in San Antonio?
San Antonio has cashless toll roads, and as a National car hire customer in San Antonio you should be prepared for electronic tolling before you drive.
Estimated toll costs in San Antonio are approximately US$2 to US$10 per day, depending on which routes you use. Toll roads are managed by regional Texas authorities and use overhead gantries that read transponders or photograph licence plates (toll-by-plate). There are virtually no cash toll booths.
Your National hire vehicle in San Antonio will include an electronic toll device. At the counter you have two options:
- Unlimited toll package: typically US$11 to US$25 per hire day, covering all toll usage during the hire period.
- Pay per use: the actual toll amount plus daily or administrative processing fees billed after the hire, sometimes weeks later.
If you plan to use a personal transponder, inform the National counter agent in San Antonio at pickup so they can deactivate the vehicle's default device and help you avoid duplicate charges.
Texas has no congestion charges or emissions zones, so the only road fees to plan for are standard tolls.
Can I get toll cashback on my National car hire in San Antonio?
Yes, you can get toll cashback on your National car hire in San Antonio through the Tolls Cashback benefit included with all Hola Car Rentals rates.
San Antonio toll costs typically run US$2 to US$10 per day depending on your routes, and Hola Car Rentals reimburses the lesser of the total tolls you paid or up to 5% of your total booking value.
To claim your cashback after returning your National hire in San Antonio:
- Email [email protected] within 30 days of vehicle return.
- Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation confirmation number.
- Attach your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the hire agreement signed at the National counter, and a toll receipt or statement showing charges paid during the hire.
Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted, so file your claim promptly after returning the vehicle in San Antonio.
What extra fees apply to a National car hire at San Antonio Airport?
Renting a National car at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) adds several location-specific fees on top of the base rate. These are standard airport hire charges and are separate from your prepaid rate.
- Airport concession recovery fee: approximately 8 to 10% of the base rate, passed through by the National counter at San Antonio Airport.
- Customer facility charge (CFC): approximately US$4.50 per day, covering the cost of the CONRAC facility at 9559 Airport Blvd.
- Texas state hire tax: 13.25%.
- Bexar County and city surcharges: additional local taxes that bring the effective add-on to roughly 25 to 30% above the base rate.
Off-airport National locations in San Antonio, such as those near Loop 410 or Loop 1604, skip the concession recovery fee, which can mean savings of approximately US$10 to US$20 per day compared to the airport counter.
Your booking confirmation will show which taxes and fees are included in your prepaid rate versus what is due at the National counter in San Antonio at pickup. Review the confirmation carefully before you arrive.
What documents do I need to pick up a National car hire in San Antonio?
To pick up your National car hire in San Antonio, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:
- A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name. If your licence is not in English and does not use a Latin (Roman) alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory alongside the original licence.
- A major credit card physically printed with the main driver’s name, with sufficient available credit for the authorisation hold (typically US$300 to US$400 for standard vehicles in the United States).
- A passport or valid government-issued photo ID.
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher.
- Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad.
Digital documents are not accepted at the National counter in San Antonio. All documents must be physical originals. Name mismatches between your licence, passport, and credit card are a common cause of problems at pickup, so verify they all match before travelling to San Antonio.
Do I need an International Driving Permit for a National car hire in San Antonio?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not always mandatory for a National car hire in San Antonio, but it depends on your licence.
- If your driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic (Russian), an IDP is required at the National counter in San Antonio. Without it, the counter may refuse to hand over the vehicle.
- If your licence is in English or uses the Latin (Roman) alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required in most cases.
The IDP is a translation document only. It must always be carried together with your original licence and is not valid as a standalone document. You must obtain the IDP in your home country before travelling to San Antonio, as US issuers such as AAA do not issue IDPs to non-US licence holders.
When in doubt, obtain an IDP before your trip. It is a low-cost precaution that can prevent a stressful situation at the National pickup counter in San Antonio.
Is a credit card required for the deposit at National car hire in San Antonio?
Yes, a major credit card is required for the security deposit at the National car hire counter in San Antonio.
The card must be a physical card with the main driver’s name printed on it, presented in person at the National counter. Debit cards, prepaid cards, virtual cards, and digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay are not accepted for the deposit hold.
For standard vehicles at National in San Antonio, the typical hold is approximately US$300 to US$400. This is a temporary authorisation, not a charge, but it reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the hire ends. Banks can take up to 15 business days to post the release.
- Ensure your card is enabled for in-person transactions in the United States.
- Set a travel notice with your bank to prevent fraud blocks.
- Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined.
Even if you prepaid your National hire in San Antonio, you must still present a physical credit card at pickup for the deposit hold.
Is there a young driver surcharge for National car hire in San Antonio?
Yes, a young driver surcharge applies to National car hire in San Antonio for drivers under 25 years old.
In the United Kingdom, the standard minimum age to hire without a surcharge is 25. For National in San Antonio, drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will pay a daily young-renter fee at the counter. The fee for Alamo, National, and Enterprise is US$15 per day plus applicable taxes.
Additionally, most vehicle classes are restricted to drivers aged 25 and older. Categories typically available to under-25 renters at National in San Antonio include economy, compact, and intermediate vehicles. Premium, full-size SUV, luxury, minivan, and convertible classes generally require the main driver to be at least 25.
- Drivers aged 21 to 24: eligible to hire with a daily surcharge, limited vehicle classes.
- Drivers under 21: generally not eligible at National in San Antonio outside of New York and Michigan.
- Drivers 25 and older: no young-renter surcharge applies.
Confirm the exact surcharge amount and class restrictions on your booking confirmation before arriving at the National counter in San Antonio.
How do I add an additional driver to my National car hire in San Antonio?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your National car hire in San Antonio, either as an included benefit or for a fee at the counter.
Check your booking confirmation first. If it states additional driver free of charge, the first extra driver is covered at no cost. If not included, National in San Antonio charges US$15 per day plus taxes for each additional driver.
To add a driver at the National counter in San Antonio:
- The additional driver must be present at pickup with a valid driver’s licence and government-issued photo ID.
- If their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, they will also need an IDP.
- Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement.
- Verify the additional driver’s name appears on your contract before leaving the San Antonio counter.
Only drivers listed on the National hire agreement in San Antonio are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW and liability coverage. Anyone who drives without being named on the contract may void those protections and expose you to full liability for any damage.
What insurance cover is included with a National car hire in San Antonio?
Insurance cover included with your National car hire in San Antonio depends on the rate plan you selected at booking. Review your confirmation carefully before arriving at the San Antonio counter.
The two main protections to look for are:
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the National hire vehicle itself, subject to any deductible shown on your confirmation. It does not cover third-party injuries or property damage.
- Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving the National hire in San Antonio. Some US states require a minimum level of liability, but not all do. Adding supplementary liability up to US$300,000 is strongly recommended.
CDW/LDW does not cover tyres, undercarriage, roof, or personal belongings. Only drivers named on the National hire agreement in San Antonio are covered. If an incident occurs, report it immediately to National using the number on your hire agreement, as late reporting can invalidate a claim.
What is the fuel policy for National car hire in San Antonio?
National car hire in San Antonio uses 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.
At pickup at the San Antonio counter, 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 the odometer and gauge.
When returning your National hire in San Antonio:
- Refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 km of the return location at San Antonio International Airport (9559 Airport Blvd) so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive.
- Keep the fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address.
- Take a photo of the full gauge at the station as evidence.
If you return the National vehicle in San Antonio 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. Returning full is always the most cost-effective option.
Is travel assistance included with my National car hire in San Antonio?
Yes, most bookings include travel assistance cover provided by Terrawind Global Protection, and this applies to your National car hire trip in San Antonio as well.
This benefit is particularly relevant if you experience an emergency while driving San Antonio's motorway network, which includes complex interchanges such as the five-level Fiesta Stack at I-10 and Loop 1604, double-decked downtown sections of I-10 and I-35, or on long stretches of radial highways like I-10 West heading toward El Paso.
Core benefits typically include:
- Travel insurance with medical cover for up to 5 passengers.
- Legal assistance in case of an accident.
- Compensation for luggage lost by the airline.
- Flight cancellation insurance.
To reach assistance 24 hours a day, 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 cover applies only to non-North American customers. Residents of the United States and Canada do not qualify for this benefit. Check your booking confirmation for the exact terms that apply to your National car hire in San Antonio.
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