SUV Rental in Charleston

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental brands operating in Charleston, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes benefits that no other company can match, even when renting an SUV:

• 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 rental 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 SUV rental experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in Charleston.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your SUV 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, whether you are renting an SUV or any other vehicle class. 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 rental 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)

Your SUV rental counter at Charleston International Airport (CHS) is located at the consolidated rental facility at 5500 International Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29418. All major brands, including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National, and Hertz, operate from this address.

After collecting your baggage, follow the car rental signs toward the rental facility. For Dollar, the counter is walkable via covered pathways directly from the baggage claim area, so no shuttle is required. Other brands at CHS are similarly accessible from the terminal without a lengthy transfer.

If you are picking up your SUV at a downtown Charleston location, Avis and Budget operate a city counter at 390 Meeting St, near the Cruise Ship Port. Enterprise has a West Ashley location at 2004 Savannah Hwy. Always confirm the exact address on your booking confirmation before heading to the counter.

To collect your SUV rental in Charleston, you must bring the following physical documents to the counter:

• A valid, original driver's license in the main driver's name
• A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card (debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit)
• A passport or valid government photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight tickets or cruise itinerary

If your driver's license 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. For licenses in English or a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required.

At the Avis Charleston Downtown counter (390 Meeting St), a non-US license is accepted when accompanied by a passport or Canadian enhanced license in the driver's name. At CHS Airport, a round-trip itinerary or US passport matching the license name may also be requested as secondary ID. All documents must be physical originals; digital copies are not accepted for your Charleston SUV pickup.

When you pick up your SUV rental at Charleston International Airport (CHS), expect additional fees on top of your prepaid rate. These typically include a Customer Facility Charge (CFC) of around US$4.50, a concession recovery fee of roughly 8 to 10 percent, and combined state and local taxes that can reach up to 14 percent. In total, airport-specific surcharges and taxes can add 20 to 30 percent to the base cost of your Charleston SUV rental.

Off-airport locations in the Charleston area, such as Enterprise on Savannah Hwy or Budget in North Charleston, generally carry lower fees because they are not subject to airport concession charges. Choosing an off-airport pickup for your SUV can save roughly 15 to 25 percent, though you may need to factor in a short drive or shuttle of 10 to 15 minutes to reach downtown Charleston.

Your booking confirmation will show which fees are included in your prepaid rate and which are due at the counter under the section labeled total to pay at destination.

South Carolina has one primary toll road: the Southern Connector on Interstate 185, connecting I-185 to I-385 over 16 miles near Greenville. There are no toll roads within the Charleston metro area itself, so most SUV rental driving in and around Charleston will be toll-free.

If your trip takes you toward Greenville or other parts of South Carolina, the Southern Connector uses the PalPass (also called Palmetto Pass) electronic system. Cash and credit card payment (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) are accepted at mainline plazas, but PIN debit cards are not. Exact change is required at some ramp locations.

Typical costs on the Southern Connector range from US$0.075 to US$3.00 for a full 16-mile trip, depending on axle count and distance traveled.

Your SUV rental vehicle may already include an electronic toll device. At the counter you can enroll in an optional toll program (typically US$3.95 to US$4.95 per day, capped per rental period) that covers cashless lanes automatically. If you skip enrollment and drive through a cashless lane, the rental company will bill the toll at the highest undiscounted rate plus an administrative fee, which can reach US$15 per toll event. For a Charleston SUV rental where toll use is minimal, paying manually at cash or card plazas is a practical alternative.

Yes, every SUV rental booked through Hola Car Rentals in Charleston includes Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5 percent of your total booking value for tolls paid during your rental.

While Charleston itself has no local toll roads, you may encounter the Southern Connector (PalPass system) if you drive toward Greenville, or other toll roads if your SUV rental takes you to neighboring states. Any tolls you pay during your Charleston rental period are eligible for the cashback.

To claim your refund:

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

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

South Carolina enacted a statewide hands-free driving law that took effect in early 2026. It directly affects anyone driving a SUV rental in Charleston and throughout the state.

Key points to know before you drive:

• Holding any phone or electronic device while the vehicle is in motion is prohibited. You may only use a device when the vehicle is fully stopped.
• First-offense fines start at US$100. A second offense within three years carries a US$200 fine plus 2 points on your license.
• A warning-only grace period applied until February 28, 2026. After that date, fines are enforced immediately.

Additional driving rules that apply to your Charleston SUV rental include the Move Over Law, which requires you to change lanes or slow significantly when passing emergency or roadside vehicles with lights activated, and the Move Right Law, which restricts the far-left lane on interstates such as I-26 to passing only. Violations carry points and fines.

South Carolina also bans the Carolina Squat modification (vehicles with the front raised 4 or more inches higher than the rear). Rental SUVs are unmodified and compliant, but be aware of this rule if you are ever asked about your vehicle's configuration at a stop.

Use a dashboard mount or Bluetooth for navigation in your Charleston SUV to stay fully compliant.

Yes, a major credit card in the main driver's name is required to rent a SUV in Charleston. The card must be a physical card with the driver's name printed on it; digital wallets, virtual cards, and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit.

At the Avis Charleston Downtown counter (390 Meeting St), a credit or debit card in the driver's name is listed as acceptable, but across most partner brands at CHS Airport and other Charleston locations, a major credit card is the standard requirement for the security hold.

The security hold for a SUV rental in Charleston is typically US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount varies by brand, location, and vehicle class. Premium or larger SUV categories may carry a higher hold. This is a temporary authorization, not a charge, and your bank releases it after the rental closes, which can take up to 15 business days.

Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined, and notify your bank of your travel dates to prevent fraud blocks on in-person authorizations in Charleston.

For a SUV rental in Charleston, two main types of coverage are worth understanding before you arrive at the counter.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial liability for damage to the rental SUV itself, including collision, theft, and vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero. CDW and LDW do not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.

Third-Party Liability (LIS, ALI, or SLI) covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving your Charleston SUV. Some US states require rental companies to include a state-minimum liability amount, but this is not universal. Hola Car Rentals strongly recommends adding Liability Insurance Supplementary (up to US$300,000) to your booking for full protection on Charleston roads.

Common exclusions to be aware of for your SUV rental include:

• Prohibited use such as off-road driving, DUI, or unauthorized drivers
• Tires, undercarriage, and roof damage (often excluded unless a specific add-on is purchased)
• Incidents not reported promptly to the rental partner

Review your booking confirmation to confirm which coverages are included in your rate before picking up your SUV in Charleston.

Most SUV rental bookings made through Hola Car Rentals in Charleston include Travel Assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection. This benefit is available to non-North American customers; US and Canadian residents do not qualify.

If you are eligible, the coverage typically includes:

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

This is particularly relevant for a SUV rental in Charleston given the highway driving involved on routes like I-26 and I-526, where a breakdown or accident far from the city center could leave you in a difficult situation. Travel Assistance gives you access to 24/7 support in those moments.

To reach assistance at any time:

• Call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free or collect, available 24/7)
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. Check your booking confirmation for the exact coverage limits and conditions that apply to your Charleston SUV rental.

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

When a fee applies, the daily rates by brand are:

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

The additional driver must be present at the Charleston counter at pickup with a valid driver's license and any required ID. If their license is not in a Latin alphabet, an IDP is also required. Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement.

For Avis, Budget, and Payless, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old. Drivers under 25 may be denied or charged a young-driver surcharge depending on the location.

Only drivers listed on the rental agreement are covered by the SUV's insurance protections. Anyone not named on the contract who drives the vehicle may void your coverage entirely.

Yes, drivers aged 21 to 24 are subject to a young-driver surcharge when renting a SUV in Charleston. The minimum age to rent without an additional fee is 25 across most partner brands at CHS Airport and downtown Charleston locations.

Drivers aged 21 to 24 can still rent but should expect a daily underage fee on top of the base rate. Vehicle class restrictions also apply: most full-size SUVs, premium SUVs, and specialty vehicles are restricted to renters aged 25 and older. Compact and intermediate SUV categories are typically available to younger renters.

One exception applies to travelers from Latin America and the Caribbean renting through Avis or Budget. If your Hola Car Rentals confirmation explicitly states that the underage fee is waived, and you are the main driver aged 21 to 24 with a Latin American or Caribbean passport, the surcharge is removed for eligible vehicle categories including compact SUV and medium SUV. This exception does not apply to travelers from Europe, Asia, Africa, or other regions.

Drivers under 21 cannot rent a SUV in Charleston under standard US rental rules. Always check your confirmation for the exact surcharge amount and eligible vehicle classes before arriving at the Charleston counter.

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

At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the rental agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and gauge before leaving the Charleston counter.

When returning your SUV in Charleston, refuel within approximately 10 miles 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 as proof.

If you return the SUV below the recorded starting level, you may be charged:

• A fuel shortfall at the partner's refueling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price
• A refueling service or administrative fee

For after-hours returns at CHS Airport or a Charleston city location, leave the fuel receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge on your phone. If the SUV was not full at pickup, ask the agent to note the exact level on the agreement and return it at that same level to avoid any dispute.

Yes, one-way SUV rentals in Charleston are possible, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your return location, the rental brand, and the vehicle class.

Common patterns for one-way SUV rentals from Charleston include:

• Charleston airport to downtown Charleston (or vice versa): often no drop-off fee
• Charleston to another South Carolina city: a drop-off fee typically applies and varies by distance and SUV class
• Charleston to another state: a drop-off fee usually applies and can be significant for larger SUV categories

The drop-off fee is not included in your prepaid rate and cannot be prepaid. It will appear under the total to pay at destination section on your booking confirmation and at the counter. Large or premium SUVs often carry higher repositioning fees than compact or intermediate SUV classes.

Cross-border one-way rentals (for example, Charleston to Canada or Mexico) are generally restricted or require prior authorization from the rental partner. Always check your confirmation for any territory restrictions before driving your Charleston SUV across state or National borders.

If the counter charges a drop-off fee that was not disclosed on your confirmation, keep all paperwork and contact support after the rental is complete.