National Car Hire in San Diego

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in San Diego, 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 Diego.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in San Diego 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 Diego 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 San Diego International Airport, National hire is not located inside the terminal buildings. After collecting your luggage from baggage claim, you need to take a free dedicated shuttle bus to the consolidated Rental Car Centre at 3355 Admiral Boland Way, San Diego, CA 92101.

• Terminal 1: use the pedestrian crossing to reach the Ground Transportation Centre across the street, then follow signs for Rental Car Shuttles
• Terminal 2: use the pedestrian crossing outside the Terminal 2 Baggage Claim Area to access the Transportation Plaza
• Shuttle wait times are typically 5 to 15 minutes, though evening peaks and weekends can be longer

Once at the Rental Car Centre, proceed to the National counter to complete your reservation. Allow 30 to 45 minutes from the terminal curb to driving away, especially during busy periods. Before leaving the facility, inspect the vehicle thoroughly and confirm any existing damage is documented on the hire agreement.

To collect your National hire in San Diego, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

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

If your driving licence uses a non-Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic), an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory alongside your original licence. For licences in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and cannot be used without your original licence.

All documents must be physical. Digital versions shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the National counter in San Diego.

San Diego itself has very limited toll exposure compared to other parts of California. However, if you drive north towards Los Angeles or Orange County in your National hire, you will encounter cashless toll roads and express lanes.

• Orange County toll roads (SR-73, SR-133, SR-241, SR-261) charge approximately GBP 5 to GBP 15 per day depending on usage
• Los Angeles express lanes (I-10, I-110, and others) charge approximately GBP 0 to GBP 10 per day
• All California toll facilities use the FasTrak electronic system; cash payment is not accepted on most roads

Your National hire vehicle in San Diego comes with an electronic toll device or plate-based billing system. At pickup, you can choose between two options:

• Unlimited toll package: approximately GBP 11 to GBP 25 per hire day, covering all toll usage
• Pay per use: actual toll amounts plus daily or administrative processing fees billed after the hire, sometimes weeks later

If you plan to avoid toll roads entirely, staying on free motorways in the San Diego area is generally straightforward. If you use your own compatible toll pass, notify the National counter so they can deactivate the vehicle’s default device and prevent duplicate charges.

Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which applies to your National hire in San Diego and any toll roads you use during your trip, including express lanes near Los Angeles or Orange County toll roads if you drive beyond San Diego.

The benefit reimburses the lesser of the total tolls you paid or up to 5% of your total booking value. For example, if your booking total is GBP 600, the maximum cashback is GBP 30.

To claim your Tolls Cashback after returning your National hire in San Diego:

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

Refunds are issued to the original payment method used for your booking and typically process within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

Yes, a physical major credit card in the main driver’s name is required to collect your National hire in San Diego. The card must have the driver’s name printed on it and must be presented in person at the counter.

The National desk in San Diego will place a temporary authorisation hold on your card at pickup. Typical holds for standard vehicles in the United States range from approximately GBP 240 to GBP 320, though the exact amount depends on the vehicle class and location.

• Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold
• Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) and virtual card numbers are not accepted
• The card must belong to the main driver; a third party’s card is not permitted

Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at the National counter in San Diego for the hold. The hold is released after you return the vehicle, but your bank may take up to 15 working days to reflect the release. Bringing a backup credit card in your name is always advisable.

When returning your National hire at San Diego International Airport, drive to the consolidated Rental Car Centre at 3355 Admiral Boland Way. The facility has dedicated return lanes where the roadway splits by hire company, so follow signs for National.

After parking in the National return area, a staff member will process your return. Once the vehicle is checked in, board the complimentary shuttle back to your departure terminal. Shuttles operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Refuel before returning: fill the tank within approximately 10 miles of the Rental Car Centre to comply with the full-to-full fuel policy and avoid refuelling charges
• Take a photo of the fuel gauge and odometer before handing over the keys
• Keep your final fuel receipt in case of any dispute

The standard grace period at National is approximately 30 minutes beyond your scheduled return time. Returning later than that may result in additional hourly or daily charges. If you need to return the vehicle after hours, check your hire agreement for specific instructions.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your National hire in San Diego, either as part of your rate or by paying a fee at the counter.

For National, Alamo, and Enterprise, the additional driver fee is GBP 11 per day when not included in your rate. Check your booking confirmation for the line stating additional driver is included before assuming it is free.

Requirements for adding a driver at the National counter in San Diego:

• The additional driver must be present at pickup with a valid driving licence
• If their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit is also required
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement
• The additional driver must meet the minimum age requirements for San Diego

Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by the vehicle’s protections such as CDW and liability cover. If someone drives who is not named on the contract, cover may be void. If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a National branch in San Diego to update the agreement.

The minimum age to hire a car with National in San Diego without additional surcharges is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will be subject to a daily young-hirer surcharge.

• National, Alamo, and Enterprise charge GBP 11 per day as an additional driver fee for under-25s in San Diego
• Certain vehicle classes such as full-size SUVs, minivans, premium, and luxury vehicles are typically restricted to drivers aged 25 and over
• Economy, compact, intermediate, and compact SUV categories are generally available to drivers aged 21 to 24

California is not one of the states (like New York or Michigan) that legally requires hire companies to serve drivers under 21, so the minimum age at the National counter in San Diego is 21 for young drivers and 25 to avoid the surcharge.

A valid driving licence and a major credit card in the main driver’s name are still required regardless of age. If you are unsure whether your preferred vehicle class is available for your age group, contact customer service before booking.

Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can help if an unexpected situation arises during your National hire in San Diego, such as a medical emergency on the motorway or a legal issue following an accident.

Core benefits typically include:

• Travel and medical cover for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in case of an accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This cover applies to non-North American customers only. Residents of the United States and Canada do not qualify for this benefit.

If you need assistance during your San Diego hire, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day:

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

Have your full name and Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. Travel assistance does not cover damage to the National hire vehicle itself (that is CDW) or liability to third parties (that is LIS or SLI). Check your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your reservation.

Yes, one-way hires with National are possible from San Diego, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your return location, vehicle class, and travel dates.

Common patterns for one-way hires from San Diego:

• San Diego to Los Angeles or other Southern California cities: a drop-off fee typically applies and varies by distance and vehicle class
• San Diego to a different state: a drop-off fee usually applies and can be higher for long-distance routes
• Cross-border returns (for example, into Mexico): these are often restricted or not permitted; confirm with National before booking

The drop-off fee is shown during the booking process under the section labelled to pay at destination. It cannot be prepaid and is settled at the National counter in San Diego or at the return location. The fee is separate from fuel, tolls, and taxes.

If you change your return location after booking, the hire will be re-priced and the drop-off fee may increase or new restrictions may apply. Always review your confirmation to confirm the fee before pickup.

The insurance and protection options available with your National hire in San Diego depend on the rate plan selected when booking through Hola Car Rentals. Here is what the main coverages mean:

• CDW or LDW (Collision or Loss Damage Waiver): reduces your financial liability for damage to the National hire vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation states zero deductible
• LIS or SLI (Liability Insurance Supplement): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to third parties while driving in San Diego. Some U.S. states require a minimum liability amount; California renters should confirm this is included

CDW and LDW do not cover third-party liability, and LIS does not cover damage to the hire vehicle itself. These are separate protections that work together.

Common exclusions regardless of cover:

• Damage caused by prohibited use such as off-road driving, DUI, or unauthorised drivers
• Tires, undercarriage, and roof damage (unless a specific add-on is purchased)
• Incidents not reported promptly to National

Review your Hola Car Rentals confirmation carefully to see which coverages are listed as included in your San Diego rate before arriving at the National hire desk.

National hire in San Diego 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.

Steps to follow for the fuel policy at your San Diego National hire:

• At pickup, 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 fuel gauge
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the Rental Car Centre at 3355 Admiral Boland Way before returning
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address

If you return the National vehicle in San Diego 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 the pump price, plus a refuelling service fee.

Some National counters may offer an optional prepaid fuel plan. If you accept it, any unused fuel is generally non-refundable, so the full-to-full approach is usually better value for most renters in San Diego.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory at the National hire in San Diego if your driving licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script. For all other non-English licences, an IDP is strongly recommended but not strictly required.

Key points about the IDP for your San Diego National hire:

• The IDP is a translation booklet only and must always be carried alongside your original licence; it is not a standalone document
• Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling to San Diego, as U.S. issuers such as AAA do not issue IDPs to non-U.S. licence holders
• Your IDP must be unexpired and match the name on your passport and credit card

Even with a valid IDP, you must also present your original physical driving licence, a major credit card in the main driver’s name, and your passport at the National hire desk in San Diego. Digital copies of any document are not accepted. If you are unsure whether your licence requires an IDP for hiring in San Diego, check your booking confirmation or contact customer service before your travel date.