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About renting a car at San Jose Airport
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Traveler Tips & Price Insights
When is the best time to book a rental car in Car Rental | at San Jose Airport?
You should book your rental car approximately 7 days before your trip to get a below-average price.
Price Trend (Last 90 Days)
What is the most popular rental car type in Car Rental | at San Jose Airport?
suv rental cars (suv or similar) are the most popular option in Car Rental | at San Jose Airport.
Popular Car Types
Which is the cheapest car rental agency in Car Rental | at San Jose Airport?
In the last 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were from Dollar at 50.3/day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking at San Jose Airport include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental brands operating at San Jose Airport, 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 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 rental experience and peace of mind throughout your trip at San Jose Airport.
Will I face unexpected charges at the counter when I rent a car at San Jose Airport through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking at San Jose Airport 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 at San Jose Airport 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)
How do I get to the rental car counter at San Jose Airport?
All rental car companies at San Jose Airport operate from a single off-site Rental Car Center (RCC) located at 1639 Airport Boulevard, directly across from Terminal B. There is no people mover or automated train, so you reach the RCC either on foot or by shuttle.
- Terminal B arrivals (Alaska, Hawaiian, Southwest): After collecting your luggage, exit baggage claim and walk across Airport Boulevard at the marked crosswalks directly to the RCC. The walk takes only a few minutes.
- Terminal A or International Arrivals: Follow the "Rental Car Shuttle" signs on the ground level (departures side). A free common airport shuttle bus departs every 10 minutes from 7 AM to 10 PM and every 20 minutes from 10 PM to midnight. The ride takes approximately 8 minutes.
Once inside the RCC at San Jose Airport, locate your brand's counter (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and others are all represented), present your reservation confirmation, driver's license, passport, and credit card, complete the paperwork, and collect your keys.
Counter hours at the San Jose Airport RCC vary by company but generally run from 6:00 AM to midnight. Confirm your brand's specific hours before arrival.
What documents do I need to pick up a rental car at San Jose Airport?
To collect your rental car at San Jose Airport, you must present the following physical documents at the counter. Digital copies are not accepted.
- Valid driver's license (original, unexpired) in the main driver's name.
- Passport or valid government-issued photo ID. At airport locations, an additional form of ID beyond your license is typically required, such as your passport or a round-trip flight itinerary showing your return date.
- A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, in the main driver's name, for the security deposit hold. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the deposit.
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher.
- Round-trip flight tickets or travel itinerary (required for visitors arriving from abroad).
If your driver's license uses a non-Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic), you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a translation. The IDP is not a standalone document and must be presented alongside your original license.
Picking up at San Jose Airport follows the same document rules as other U.S. airports, but having everything physical and ready before reaching the RCC counter will speed up the process significantly.
What extra airport fees apply to car rentals at San Jose Airport?
Renting at San Jose Airport adds several location-specific fees on top of your base rate. The most notable is the Customer Facility Charge (CFC), which funds the Consolidated Rental Car Center shuttle and infrastructure.
- Customer Facility Charge (CFC): US$9 per rental day, capped at 5 days (approximately US$45 maximum). This is specific to San Jose Airport and is charged separately from your prepaid rate.
- Airport concession recovery fees: Standard charges applied by the airport authority to all on-airport rental transactions.
- San Jose combined sales tax: 9.38% (state, county, and city combined), applied to rental charges.
- Energy recovery surcharge: Typically US$5.99 to US$8.19 per day depending on the partner brand.
These fees are due at the counter at San Jose Airport and are separate from what you prepaid online. Your booking confirmation will show which taxes and fees are included in your prepaid rate and which are due locally. If your confirmation states "Taxes and Fees: Included," you should not be billed again for those items at the San Jose Airport counter.
How do tolls work when renting a car at San Jose Airport?
California uses FasTrak, a statewide electronic toll system, on all toll roads, bridges, and express lanes near San Jose Airport. There are virtually no cash toll booths, so every rental vehicle comes equipped with an electronic toll device or plate-based billing system.
At the San Jose Airport counter, you will typically be offered two options:
- Unlimited toll package: A fixed daily fee (approximately US$11 to US$25 per day depending on the partner brand) that covers all tolls during your rental period.
- Pay per use: If you decline the package, the rental company charges you the actual toll amounts plus administrative processing fees. These charges often appear on your card days or even weeks after you return the vehicle.
Common toll costs near San Jose Airport include Bay Area bridge crossings at approximately US$7 to US$15 each. The Bay Bridge (westbound) costs approximately US$8.50 with FasTrak, and the Golden Gate Bridge costs US$9.75 with FasTrak and US$10.75 without. Express lanes on routes such as I-580 and I-680 use dynamic pricing and require a FasTrak transponder.
If you prefer to pay tolls yourself, you can opt out of the rental company's program at the San Jose Airport counter and pay directly through the FasTrak website or app. Inform the agent so they can note your preference and help avoid duplicate charges.
Can I get a toll cashback refund on rentals from San Jose Airport?
Yes, all bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, which applies to rentals picked up at San Jose Airport and anywhere else you drive during your trip.
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 US$500, the maximum cashback is US$25. If you paid US$18 in Bay Area bridge tolls near San Jose Airport, you receive US$18 back. If you paid US$60, you receive US$25 (the cap).
To claim your Tolls Cashback after a San Jose Airport rental:
- 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 reservation confirmation, the rental agreement signed at the San Jose Airport counter, and a toll receipt or statement showing charges paid during your rental.
- Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for your booking.
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.
Is a credit card required to rent a car at San Jose Airport?
Yes, a major credit card in the main driver's name with the driver's name printed on the card is required at the San Jose Airport rental counter. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or single-use card numbers are not accepted for the security deposit hold.
Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at the San Jose Airport counter when you pick up the vehicle. The rental company will place a temporary authorization hold on the card, which reduces your available credit until the rental is closed and your bank releases the hold.
- Typical hold amounts in the United States: approximately US$300 to US$400 for standard vehicles, though amounts vary by brand, vehicle class, and rental duration.
- The hold is not a charge. It is released after you return the vehicle, but your bank may take up to 15 business days to reflect the release.
- The card must be in the main driver's name. A third party's card is not accepted.
To avoid issues at the San Jose Airport counter, notify your bank of your travel dates in advance, confirm the card is enabled for in-person U.S. transactions, and bring a backup credit card in your name.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car at San Jose Airport?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not always required to rent a car at San Jose Airport, but it is strongly recommended in certain situations and mandatory in others.
- If your driver's license uses a non-Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic/Russian), an IDP is mandatory at San Jose Airport. Without it, the rental counter may refuse to complete the transaction.
- If your license is in a Latin alphabet but not in English, an IDP is recommended as a translation, though not always strictly required by every partner brand at San Jose Airport.
- If your license is in English or issued by an EU or EEA country, an IDP is generally not needed.
The IDP is a translation booklet only. It is not a standalone license and must always be carried together with your original driver's license. You must obtain the IDP in your home country before traveling, as it cannot be issued abroad.
At San Jose Airport, the rental counter may also ask for an additional form of ID alongside your license, such as your passport or a round-trip flight itinerary. Bring both your license and IDP (if applicable) as physical documents, since digital copies are not accepted.
What is the minimum age to rent a car at San Jose Airport?
The minimum age to rent a car at San Jose Airport without a young-driver surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can rent but will be charged a daily young-renter surcharge, and most vehicle classes are restricted to drivers 25 and older.
- Ages 25 and above: No age surcharge. All vehicle classes available (subject to availability).
- Ages 21 to 24: Young-renter surcharge applies daily. Restricted to smaller classes such as Economy, Compact, and Intermediate SUV. Premium, luxury, full-size SUV, minivan, and convertible categories are generally not available.
- Ages under 21: Not permitted to rent at San Jose Airport under standard U.S. rules (California is not New York or Michigan, where 18-plus laws apply).
Young-renter surcharge amounts vary by partner brand at the San Jose Airport counter. As a general reference, Avis, Budget, and Payless charge approximately US$13 per day (capped at US$65), while Alamo, National, and Enterprise charge approximately US$15 per day.
If you are 21 to 24 and from Latin America or the Caribbean, certain Hola Car Rentals rates with Avis or Budget may waive the underage fee. Check your booking confirmation to see if this waiver is shown before arriving at San Jose Airport.
How does travel assistance work for car rentals at San Jose Airport?
Most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be valuable if something goes wrong during your trip from San Jose Airport, such as a medical emergency on a Bay Area highway or a flight cancellation on your way home.
Core benefits typically include:
- Travel and medical coverage for up to 5 passengers per event.
- Legal assistance in the event of a road accident.
- Compensation for luggage lost by the airline.
- Flight cancellation insurance.
This coverage is designed for travelers renting abroad and is active for the dates shown on your Hola Car Rentals confirmation. It does not cover damage to the rental vehicle (that is CDW/LDW) or third-party liability (that is LIS/ALI/SLI).
Important: This benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. If you are a U.S. or Canadian resident picking up at San Jose Airport, this coverage is not available to you.
To reach assistance 24 hours a day: call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free), WhatsApp +1 208 910 1001, or email [email protected]. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.
How long does it take to get from the plane to the rental car at San Jose Airport?
For international arrivals at San Jose Airport, you should plan for approximately 30 to 90 minutes from landing to driving away, depending on immigration wait times and how busy the rental counter is.
- Immigration and customs: Variable. International arrivals clear through the International Arrivals Building adjacent to Terminal A. This step alone can take 20 to 60 minutes during peak periods.
- Baggage claim: Approximately 10 to 20 minutes after clearing customs.
- Shuttle or walk to the Rental Car Center: Terminal B arrivals walk across Airport Boulevard in a few minutes. Terminal A and international arrivals take the free shuttle bus, which runs every 10 minutes from 7 AM to 10 PM and takes approximately 8 minutes.
- Counter check-in at the San Jose Airport RCC: Approximately 15 to 30 minutes to present documents, complete paperwork, select insurance options, provide the deposit, and receive keys.
To minimize delays at San Jose Airport, have your booking confirmation, passport, driver's license, and credit card ready before you reach the counter. Arriving during off-peak hours (mid-morning on weekdays) typically means shorter lines at both immigration and the rental counter.
How do I return my rental car at San Jose Airport?
Returning your rental car at San Jose Airport is straightforward. All brands return to the same Rental Car Center (RCC) at 1639 Airport Boulevard, across from Terminal B.
- Follow the signs for "Rental Car Return" as you approach San Jose Airport. Drive up the ramp inside the RCC to the designated floor or lane for your brand.
- A staff member will inspect the vehicle and close out your contract. Keep your final receipt as proof of return condition and fuel level.
- After-hours returns: Drive to the secured RCC lot, leave the keys and contract in the vehicle or in the key drop box at the check-in lanes, and remove all personal belongings. Staff will inspect the vehicle when they arrive and close the contract at that time.
Fuel policy at San Jose Airport follows the standard Full-to-Full rule. You receive the car with a full tank and must return it full to avoid a refueling charge at the partner's rate, which is typically higher than pump prices. Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the San Jose Airport RCC before returning, and keep your receipt as proof.
If you return the vehicle more than 30 minutes late beyond your agreed drop-off time, additional hourly or daily charges may apply. Confirm the exact grace period with your partner brand at pickup.
What insurance coverage do I need for a rental car at San Jose Airport?
When picking up a rental car at San Jose Airport, you will typically be offered two main types of coverage at the counter. Understanding what each covers helps you avoid paying for duplicates or leaving yourself unprotected.
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): Reduces your financial liability for damage to the rental vehicle itself, including theft and vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation shows zero excess. CDW/LDW does not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.
- Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): Covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving. In California, some minimum liability is included by law, but limits may be low. Adding supplemental liability (up to US$300,000) is strongly recommended for driving on Bay Area highways near San Jose Airport.
CDW/LDW does not cover tires, undercarriage, roof damage, or personal belongings. These exclusions are common across all partner brands at San Jose Airport.
Check your booking confirmation before arriving at San Jose Airport. If your rate already includes CDW/LDW, you do not need to purchase it again at the counter. Declining coverage you already have is one of the most common and costly mistakes renters make.
Can I add an additional driver to my rental car at San Jose Airport?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your rental car at the San Jose Airport counter, but the additional driver must be physically present at pickup with a valid driver's license and any required ID.
Whether the additional driver is free or paid depends on your booking:
- If your booking confirmation shows "Additional driver free of charge" or "Additional driver included," the first extra driver costs nothing at the San Jose Airport counter.
- If not included, daily fees apply: Avis, Budget, and Payless charge approximately US$13 per day (capped at US$65); Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty charge approximately US$13.50 per day (capped at US$189); Alamo, National, and Enterprise charge approximately US$15 per day. These fees are paid at the counter and are subject to local taxes.
At San Jose Airport, additional drivers for Avis, Budget, and Payless must generally be at least 25 years old. For other brands, the additional driver must meet the same minimum age and document requirements as the main driver, including an IDP if their license uses a non-Latin alphabet.
Only drivers listed on the rental agreement at San Jose Airport are covered by CDW/LDW and liability protections. Anyone not named on the contract who drives the vehicle may void your coverage entirely.
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