National Car Hire
in San Jose

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

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in San Jose 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 Jose 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)

National car hire at San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) is located at the off-airport Rental Car Centre (RCC), not inside the terminals. The process for reaching it depends on which terminal you arrive at.

• From Terminal B (Alaska, Southwest): exit baggage claim and walk directly across the street to the RCC. National is among the brands consolidated there and it is within walking distance.
• From Terminal A: exit baggage claim, follow signs to the Rental Car Shuttle at ground level, Stop 6 at the ground transportation island. Free shuttle buses run every 7 to 10 minutes, 24 hours a day, and the journey takes approximately 8 minutes.

Once at the RCC, proceed to the National counter on the first floor. Present your reservation confirmation, driver’s licence, and credit card to complete the agreement and collect your keys. Allow 30 to 60 minutes from the time you clear baggage claim to the moment you drive away, depending on queue length.

To collect your National hire car in San Jose, you must bring the following physical documents to the counter.

• A valid, unexpired driver’s licence in the main driver’s name. Digital copies are not accepted.
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the physical card, used for the authorisation hold.
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID (required for international visitors).
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher.
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from outside the United States.

If your driver’s licence is not in English and does not use a Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script), 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 document only and is not valid without your original licence.

National in San Jose follows the same document rules as other major US hire locations. Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling, as it cannot be issued abroad.

Yes, a major credit card is required to hire from National in San Jose. The card must be in the main driver’s name with the driver’s name physically printed on the card, and it must have sufficient available credit to cover the authorisation hold.

Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or single-use card numbers are not accepted for the deposit hold at the National counter in San Jose. Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at collection.

The typical authorisation hold for a standard vehicle at a US location is approximately US$300 to US$400. This is a temporary authorisation, not a charge, and your bank controls how quickly it is released after you return the vehicle, which can take up to 15 working days.

Tips to avoid issues at the National counter in San Jose:

• Notify your bank of your travel dates to prevent fraud blocks on in-person authorisations.
• Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined.
• Confirm your available credit covers the hold plus any expected charges.

California uses the FasTrak electronic toll system on all toll roads, bridges, and express lanes near San Jose. There are no cash toll booths on most facilities, so your National hire vehicle in San Jose will already include an electronic toll device or plate-based billing system.

At the National counter in San Jose, you will typically be offered two options:

• Unlimited toll package: a fixed daily rate of approximately US$11 to US$25 per day, covering all toll usage during your hire period.
• Pay per use: if you decline the package, the hire company charges you the actual toll amounts plus daily or administrative processing fees. These charges may appear on your card days or even weeks after you return the vehicle.

Common toll costs near San Jose and the broader Northern California region include Bay Area bridge crossings at approximately US$7 to US$15 each. If you plan to cross the Bay Bridge or Golden Gate Bridge, tolls apply in one direction only.

You may also opt out and pay tolls directly through the FasTrak website or app, but you must inform the National counter in San Jose so they can deactivate the vehicle’s default device and prevent duplicate charges.

All bookings include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid. See the dedicated FAQ below for claim details.

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

For National in San Jose, the additional driver fee when not included in your rate is US$15 per day plus applicable taxes. Check your booking confirmation before arriving at the counter, as some rates explicitly state that one additional driver is included at no charge.

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

• The additional driver must be present at collection with a valid, unexpired driver’s licence.
• They must meet the minimum age requirements. National in San Jose follows standard US rules, meaning drivers under 25 may be subject to a young-renter surcharge.
• If the additional driver’s licence is not in English or uses a non-Latin alphabet, an IDP is required alongside the original licence.
• 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 cover. Never allow an unlisted person to drive the vehicle, as this can void your cover.

The minimum age to hire from National in San Jose without a young-renter surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will be charged a daily underage fee on top of the base hire rate.

California is not one of the states (like New York or Michigan) that legally requires hires to drivers aged 18 and over, so the standard National policy applies in San Jose: drivers must be at least 21 to hire, and those under 25 pay the young-renter surcharge.

Additional restrictions for under-25 renters at National in San Jose:

• Many vehicle classes are restricted to drivers aged 25 and over, including full-size SUVs, minivans, premium, luxury, and convertible categories.
• Economy, compact, and intermediate vehicles are typically available to younger renters.
• A valid driver’s licence and a major credit card in the renter’s name are still required regardless of age.

If you are between 21 and 24, Budget for the surcharge when comparing rates. Contact customer service before booking if you are unsure which vehicle classes are available to you at the San Jose location.

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

How one-way fees work for National hires starting in San Jose:

• Returning to a different city or airport in California or another state typically triggers a drop-off fee. The amount varies by route, distance, and vehicle class.
• Returning to a nearby location within the same metro area may carry no drop-off fee, but this depends on the specific route.
• Cross-border one-way hires (for example, San Jose to Canada or Mexico) are often restricted or require prior approval from National.

The drop-off fee for your San Jose hire will be shown during the booking process under the section labelled as charges due at the destination. It will also appear on your booking confirmation. This fee cannot be prepaid and is paid directly at the counter.

If you need to change your return location after booking, contact support as soon as possible, since route changes can reprice the hire and affect fee amounts. Always verify the drop-off fee on your confirmation before arriving at the National counter in San Jose.

Yes, all bookings include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls you paid during your National hire in San Jose.

This benefit is especially relevant in San Jose and the broader Northern California region, where FasTrak tolls apply on Bay Area bridges and express lanes. Whether you pay through the National toll programme or directly via the FasTrak website, you can claim the cashback after your hire ends.

How to claim Tolls Cashback for your San Jose hire:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle.
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - followed by your reservation confirmation number.
• Attach your booking confirmation, the signed hire agreement from National, and a toll receipt or statement showing the charges paid during your hire period.
• Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for the booking.

Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit covers toll charges only, not traffic fines or administrative fees.

National hires in San Jose follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.

Steps to avoid fuel charges on your San Jose hire:

• At collection, check 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 gauge and odometer.
• During your hire, use the correct fuel type as shown in the vehicle. Keep fuel receipts in case of any dispute.
• Before returning the vehicle, refuel within approximately 10 miles of the National return location at San Jose. Refuelling too early risks the gauge dropping slightly before you arrive.
• Take a photo of the full gauge at the pump and keep the final receipt showing the station address, date, and time.

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, National in San Jose may charge you 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, leave the fuel receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge as your record.

The insurance cover included in your National hire in San Jose depends on the rate plan you selected at booking. It is important to review your confirmation carefully before arriving at the counter.

Common cover types and what they mean for your San Jose hire:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the National hire vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may still apply unless your plan states zero excess.
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to other people or vehicles. Some US states require a minimum level of liability, but not all. Adding supplementary liability cover is strongly recommended.
• CDW and LDW do not cover third parties. You need separate liability cover for that.

What is never covered by CDW or LDW at the National counter in San Jose:

• Damage caused by prohibited use such as off-road driving, DUI, or unauthorised drivers.
• Tires, wheels, undercarriage, and roof damage unless specifically included.
• Personal injuries or belongings.

At the National counter in San Jose, decline any add-on you do not want and verify that the hire agreement matches your booking confirmation before signing.

Returning your National hire car at San Jose Airport follows a straightforward process, but the route back to the Rental Car Centre (RCC) depends on where you are dropping off.

• Drive to the RCC, which is located across the street from Terminal B. Follow airport signage for the Rental Car Centre on your way back.
• Pull into the National designated return area within the RCC lot.
• A National agent will check in the vehicle, inspect it, and close your contract. Keep your final receipt.
• If you need to reach Terminal A after returning, use the free rental car shuttle, which runs every 7 to 10 minutes, 24 hours a day.

For after-hours returns at the San Jose National location, key drop options are available at the RCC. Leave your keys as instructed and keep a photo of the vehicle condition, the fuel gauge showing a full tank, and the odometer reading as your record.

Refuel before returning. The nearest fuel stations are along the highways approaching the RCC. Returning the vehicle below the recorded fuel level will result in a refuelling charge at the National partner rate, which is typically higher than retail prices.

Allow extra time before your flight, especially during busy periods, to complete the return and reach your terminal.

Yes, most bookings include Travel Assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, and this benefit applies to your National hire in San Jose. However, this cover is not available to residents of the United States or Canada.

If you are visiting San Jose from outside North America and something goes wrong during your hire, such as a medical emergency on a California highway or a legal issue following an accident, Travel Assistance can help.

What is typically covered:

• Medical cover for up to 5 passengers for non-pre-existing illnesses and accidents.
• Legal assistance in the event of an accident during your National hire.
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline.
• Flight cancellation insurance.

What is not covered:

• Damage to the National hire vehicle (that requires CDW or LDW).
• Third-party liability to others (that requires LIS or SLI).
• Pre-existing medical conditions.
• US and Canadian residents do not qualify for this benefit.

To use Travel Assistance during your San Jose hire, call the 24-hour line at +1 888 980 9992 or contact via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your booking confirmation number ready when you call.

If you return your National hire car in San Jose later than the agreed drop-off time, additional charges may apply. National typically allows a grace period of approximately 30 minutes, but this is not guaranteed and depends on the specific location and contract terms.

What to expect if you return late in San Jose:

• Beyond the grace period, National may charge for additional hours or a full extra day, depending on how late the return is.
• A late fee may also apply on top of the extra time charge.
• If your hire runs significantly over the agreed period, the rate for the extra time may differ from your original prepaid rate.

If you know in advance that you need more time with your National hire in San Jose, the best approach is to request an extension before the original return time. Contact the National location directly or reach out to support as soon as possible, since extensions are subject to vehicle availability and may reprice the hire.

For flight delays affecting your collection in San Jose, National will generally hold your reservation for up to 24 hours from the original collection time. If your delay exceeds 24 hours, contact support immediately to avoid losing your booking.