Quick Summary:
- Match the quoted total to the desk total, line by line.
- Confirm what insurance is included, declined, or already bundled.
- Check toll enrolment, fuel policy, deposits, and card authorisations before signing.
- Remove pre-ticked extras and verify driver, mileage, and return conditions.
Picking up a car hire at Orlando Airport can feel fast paced, especially after a long flight, but the agreement you sign controls what you will actually pay. The aim is not to read every word, it is to check the lines that create surprise charges: insurance products, toll programmes, fuel terms, deposits, and pre-selected extras. At MCO, these can be added quickly at the counter, so you need a simple order of checks you can do in a few minutes.
This guide is written as a counter checklist. Use it before you sign, and ask for a revised agreement if anything is unclear. If you arranged your rental through Hola Car Rentals for Orlando Airport, you can also compare the desk paperwork against the vehicle page you used, such as car hire at Orlando Airport, so you can spot any mismatches immediately.
1) Start with the totals, dates, and vehicle details
Before you get pulled into add-ons, confirm the basics on the agreement:
Rental dates and times: A one hour difference can trigger an extra day or late fee. Check pickup time, drop-off time, and the return location. If you are returning to a different place, confirm it is shown as authorised, with any one-way fee clearly stated.
Vehicle class and rate code: Make sure the class matches what you selected. Orlando is busy and upgrades happen, but you want to know if it is free or paid. If the agreement shows a higher class with an added daily amount, that is a paid upgrade.
Mileage policy: Most leisure rentals are unlimited, but confirm it is explicitly stated. If you see a daily mileage cap, ask how overage is calculated and whether it applies in Florida.
Price breakdown: Compare the “estimated total” and “amount due” to what you expected. Look for separate lines for taxes, airport concession fees, and facility charges. Those are normal at airports, the key is whether optional products are inflating the total.
If you want to cross-check the kind of rental you intended, it helps to have the relevant Orlando MCO page saved, for example Orlando MCO car hire, so you can compare vehicle category, inclusions, and terms at a glance.
2) Insurance lines, understand what is included versus sold
Insurance is where many drivers feel pressure at the counter. The agreement typically lists accepted coverages and declined coverages, plus a set of optional waivers. Your job is to ensure the document reflects what you actually want.
Collision Damage Waiver and Loss Damage Waiver: You may see CDW, LDW, or “damage waiver”. Check whether it is included, included with excess, or being offered at an extra daily price. If you do not want it, the agreement should show it as declined, not quietly charged.
Supplemental Liability Insurance: Often listed as SLI or liability supplement. If you are relying on included third-party liability, confirm what is provided in Florida and whether SLI is being added. If the agreement shows SLI with a daily charge, that is an optional add-on.
Personal accident and effects cover: PAI and PEC are frequently bundled or pre-selected. If you do not need them, ask for removal and a reprint. Do not assume “included” means free, it might be included in a package you did not intend to take.
Roadside assistance: Products like roadside plus, roadside protection, or “RSN” may be optional. Separate this from the basic assistance you would get for a mechanical issue. The paid product often covers tyre punctures, lock-outs, and jump starts, but only you can decide if it is worth it.
Documented declinations: If you decline a product, make sure the contract shows it as declined. If there is a signature box next to the optional coverage section, confirm you are not signing acceptance of products you rejected.
Different suppliers label products differently. If you are picking up from a specific provider, it can help to review the supplier page beforehand, such as Avis car hire at Orlando MCO, so you recognise the naming and typical add-ons used on the desk screen.
3) Toll enrolment, know what you are agreeing to
Orlando driving often involves toll roads, express lanes, and managed lanes. Your agreement may include a toll programme line that can create daily fees even if you barely use tolls.
Check for toll products: Look for “toll pass”, “toll programme”, “PlatePass”, “SunPass”, “toll convenience fee”, or “toll service”. Ask whether the product is pay-per-use, a daily fee for any day you drive, or a flat fee for the rental.
Ask how charges are calculated: Some programmes charge an admin fee plus the tolls. Others charge a daily fee on top of tolls for each day the car is driven, sometimes capped. Get the rule in plain terms before signing.
Opting out is not always the same as avoiding tolls: In many areas, toll-by-plate still exists. If you opt out, ask what happens if you drive through a cashless toll point. There may be toll-by-plate charges and administrative fees billed later.
Check what is written on the agreement: If toll enrolment is optional, the contract should show whether you accepted it. If you see a toll line with a price and you did not agree, ask for it to be removed and have them reissue the agreement.
4) Fuel terms, avoid expensive refuelling options
Fuel can be simple, but only if the agreement matches what you intend to do.
Full to full: This is commonly preferred. The agreement should say you receive a full tank and must return full. Check any refuelling service charge and the per-gallon rate if you return short.
Pre-purchase: Sometimes called “fuel purchase option”. You pay upfront and can return empty. It may be convenient, but it can be poor value if you return with fuel left. If you do not want it, make sure it is not pre-selected.
Partial pre-purchase or “fuel service”: Some agreements offer a mix, such as paying for a set amount of fuel and then also charging for the rest at a premium. If the fuel section is not crystal clear, ask them to explain it and show you where it is written.
Record the fuel level at pickup: If the gauge is not full but the agreement says full, raise it before leaving the lot and get it corrected. A photo of the dashboard can help if there is a dispute later.
5) Deposits and authorisations, understand the hold on your card
Many disputes come from misunderstanding the difference between a charge and an authorisation (a temporary hold). At Orlando Airport, holds can be substantial depending on car class, supplier, and coverages.
Find the security deposit line: It may be called deposit, security amount, or pre-authorisation. Ask for the exact amount and whether it is in addition to the rental total.
Ask how long release takes: The agreement may not state this, but the agent can. Release time varies by bank. Knowing this helps you avoid maxing your credit limit while travelling.
Check acceptable payment types: Some rentals require a credit card for the deposit, even if a debit card can be used for payment. If the agreement references a card type restriction, confirm you meet it before signing.
Extra holds triggered by add-ons: Adding additional drivers, accepting certain coverages, or taking a larger vehicle can change the deposit. If your hold is higher than expected, ask what line item caused it.
6) Pre-ticked extras, remove what you do not need
Orlando airport counters may present packages that bundle extras. The key is to spot them and decide deliberately.
Additional driver fees: Check whether extra drivers are included or charged per day. Verify the number of drivers listed and remove any you will not use. Also confirm any age-related fees if a younger driver is named.
Child seats and boosters: If you did not request them, ensure they are not on the contract. If you do need them, check daily cost, tax, and maximum charge, and confirm the correct seat type is listed.
GPS and WiFi: Often expensive. If your phone plan covers data, you may not need them. If they are listed, remove them before signing.
Upgrade or “premium location” packages: Some agreements show a package name rather than individual lines. Ask what it includes and what it costs per day. If you only want one element of the package, ask if it can be separated.
Express service or “skip the line” fees: If you are already at the counter, these may add no value. Confirm whether any service fees are optional or mandatory.
If you are travelling with family, it can help to compare the desk offer to the vehicle type you intended, such as minivan rental for Disney in Orlando, so you do not pay for an upgrade that you effectively planned for anyway.
7) Damage documentation, do this before you leave the lot
Even with the contract signed correctly, the next risk is being blamed for existing damage.
Match the inspection sheet to the car: Many agreements include a diagram with marked damage. Walk around the car and compare. If you see anything not marked, ask for it to be added or documented digitally.
Take time-stamped photos: Focus on bumpers, wheels, windscreen, roofline, and interior stains. Photograph the fuel gauge and mileage too.
Check tyres and wheels: Kerb rash and low-profile tyre damage are common. If you accepted a paid tyre and windscreen product, confirm what it covers and any exclusions.
Know the reporting process: If you notice an issue shortly after leaving, ask what number to call and how quickly you must report it. Some suppliers require prompt notification.
8) Return conditions, know what triggers extra charges
What happens at return is usually written into the agreement. A quick scan can save money.
Late return threshold: Look for a grace period, then an hourly or daily charge. Orlando traffic can be unpredictable, so plan for extra time.
Cleaning and smoking fees: These can be high and are often described as fixed fees. If anyone in your party smokes, be aware that even odour allegations can lead to charges.
Cross-border restrictions: If you plan to drive beyond Florida, confirm it is permitted. Even if you are staying local, it is good to know where the contract allows the vehicle to go.
After-hours returns: If you might return when the desk is closed, confirm the procedure and whether fuel and damage will be assessed later. Keep return photos as your evidence.
9) A practical “pause and confirm” script for the counter
If you feel rushed, use a short set of questions and do not sign until the answers match the printed agreement:
1) “Is the total on this page the total I will pay today?” Confirm whether a deposit authorisation is separate.
2) “Which insurance products are included, and which ones add cost?” Ask them to point to the lines and daily prices.
3) “Am I enrolled in a toll programme, and what is the daily fee rule?” Make sure the contract shows your choice.
4) “What is the fuel policy, and what do you charge if it is not returned full?” This clarifies refuelling service charges.
5) “Can you print the agreement again without these extras?” If something is pre-ticked, the simplest fix is a revised contract.
FAQ
Do I have to accept extra insurance at the Orlando Airport counter? No. Optional insurance and waiver products should be your choice. Before signing, check which coverages are included in your rate and which lines add a daily cost, then ensure any declined items are marked as declined.
What is a card authorisation on a car hire agreement? An authorisation is a temporary hold placed on your card for deposit and risk purposes. It is not the same as a completed charge, but it can reduce your available credit until your bank releases it after the rental closes.
How can I avoid unexpected toll charges in Orlando? Read the toll section on the agreement and ask whether you are enrolling in a toll programme with daily fees, or using toll-by-plate. If you do not want a toll product, ensure the agreement shows it as declined.
Which fuel policy is usually safest to choose? Full to full is often the most predictable because you pay for the fuel you use at local prices. Whatever you choose, confirm the contract’s refuelling service charge and per-gallon rate if the tank is returned short.
What should I do if I spot damage that is not on the paperwork? Report it before leaving the lot and ask for the damage record to be updated. Take clear photos of the area and the car’s condition at pickup so you have evidence if a claim appears later.
