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About renting a car with Hertz in Santa Ana
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Traveler Tips & Price Insights
When is the best time to book a rental car in Santa Ana?
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 Santa Ana?
sedan rental cars (sedan or similar) are the most popular option in Santa Ana.
Popular Car Types
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking with Hertz in Santa Ana include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental brands operating in Santa Ana, including Hertz, 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 Hertz rental experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in Santa Ana.
Will I face unexpected charges at the Hertz counter in Santa Ana when I book through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your Hertz booking in Santa Ana 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 Hertz 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 Hertz counter in Santa Ana 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 Hertz 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)
Where is the Hertz counter at John Wayne Airport near Santa Ana?
The Hertz rental car counter serving John Wayne Airport (SNA), which is the main airport for Santa Ana, is located on level 0 of Parking Structures A2 and B2 at the airport's consolidated rental car facility. The airport rental facility operates from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM daily.
When you arrive at John Wayne Airport, follow the signs for rental car companies toward the parking structures. The Hertz counter is inside the rental car center on that ground level, alongside other partner brands.
If you are picking up a Hertz vehicle at the airport location on Airport Way North, hours run from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily, which is more convenient for early morning or late evening arrivals than the downtown Santa Ana Hertz location on South Main Street.
What are the Hertz operating hours at the downtown Santa Ana location?
The Hertz location at 1614 S Main St in Santa Ana operates on more limited hours than the airport location. Downtown Santa Ana Hertz hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The location is closed on Sundays.
If you need to pick up or return a Hertz vehicle outside these hours in the Santa Ana area, the airport location near John Wayne Airport (SNA) is a better option, as it operates from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily.
Plan your pickup time carefully. If you arrive after the downtown Santa Ana Hertz counter closes, your booking will typically be held for up to 24 hours from the original pickup time. If your delay exceeds 24 hours, contact support as soon as possible to avoid losing your reservation.
What documents do I need to pick up my Hertz rental in Santa Ana?
To pick up your Hertz rental in Santa Ana, you must bring the following physical documents:
- Your original, unexpired driver's license in the main driver's name
- A major credit card with your name printed on the physical card, used for the security deposit hold
- A valid passport or government-issued photo ID
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
- Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad
If your driver's license is not in English and does not use a Latin (Roman) alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory at the Hertz counter in Santa Ana. For licenses in English or using a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required.
All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the Hertz counter. Obtain your IDP in your home country before traveling, as it cannot be issued abroad.
Are there toll roads near Santa Ana that affect my Hertz rental?
Yes, there are toll roads near Santa Ana that you are likely to encounter with your Hertz rental. Orange County, where Santa Ana is located, has several cashless toll roads operated under the FasTrak system, including SR-73, SR-133, SR-241, and SR-261. All tolls in California are electronic and fully cashless.
Your Hertz vehicle in Santa Ana will include an electronic toll device or plate-based billing system. At the Hertz counter you can choose between two options:
- Unlimited toll package: a fixed daily rate of approximately US$11 to US$25 per day, covering all toll usage during your rental
- Pay per use: actual toll amounts plus daily or administrative processing fees billed after your rental ends, sometimes weeks later
If you want to pay tolls yourself, you can opt out at the Hertz counter and pay directly through the toll agency website. If you use your own FasTrak pass, notify the Hertz agent so they can deactivate the vehicle's default device and prevent duplicate charges.
Hola Car Rentals includes Tolls Cashback on all bookings, so you can recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Santa Ana rental.
Can I add an additional driver to my Hertz rental in Santa Ana?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Hertz rental in Santa Ana, but the additional driver must be physically present at the Hertz counter at pickup with their own valid driver's license.
Whether the additional driver fee is included depends on your rate. Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads additional driver free of charge. If it is not included, Hertz charges US$13.50 per rental day for additional drivers, with a maximum cap of US$189 for the rental period, plus applicable taxes.
Requirements for the additional driver in Santa Ana:
- Must be present at the Hertz counter at pickup
- Must present a valid driver's license and any required IDP
- Must meet the minimum age requirements for the rental location
- Must sign the rental agreement
Only drivers listed on the Hertz rental agreement are covered by protections such as CDW and liability coverage. If someone not listed on the contract drives the vehicle, coverage may be void. If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a Hertz branch in the Santa Ana area to update the agreement.
What is the minimum age to rent a car with Hertz in Santa Ana?
The minimum age to rent a car with Hertz in Santa Ana without a young-renter surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can rent but will be charged an additional daily underage fee on top of the base rental rate.
Drivers under 25 renting from Hertz in Santa Ana should also be aware of vehicle class restrictions. Most premium, full-size, luxury, convertible, and specialty categories are restricted to renters aged 25 and older. The vehicle classes typically available to younger renters include economy, compact, and intermediate sedans or SUVs.
Regardless of age, all renters at the Hertz counter in Santa Ana must present a valid driver's license and a major credit card in their own name for the security deposit hold. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the deposit.
How does the Hertz Tolls Cashback benefit work for Santa Ana rentals?
All bookings made through Hola Car Rentals, including Hertz rentals in Santa Ana, include Tolls Cashback. This benefit reimburses you up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls you paid during your rental period on Orange County toll roads such as SR-73, SR-241, SR-261, and SR-133, or any other toll facility you use.
To claim your Tolls Cashback after returning your Hertz vehicle in Santa Ana:
- Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
- Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation confirmation number
- Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the Hertz rental agreement signed at pickup, and a toll receipt or statement showing charges paid
The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit does not mean tolls are included in your rate. You still pay tolls normally through the Hertz toll program or directly, and Hola Car Rentals reimburses you afterward up to the 5% cap.
Can I pick up my Hertz car in Santa Ana and return it in a different city?
Yes, Hertz offers one-way rentals from Santa Ana locations, allowing you to return the vehicle at a different location such as Los Angeles, Irvine, or another city. However, availability depends on the specific route, vehicle class, and dates selected.
A drop-off fee typically applies when you return the Hertz vehicle to a different location than where you picked it up in Santa Ana. This fee varies by route, distance, and vehicle category, and it is shown during the booking process under the section labeled to pay at destination. It cannot be prepaid and is paid at the Hertz counter at pickup.
To arrange a one-way rental from Santa Ana:
- Select your different return location during the search on the Hola Car Rentals website
- Review the drop-off fee shown on the rate details page before confirming
- Verify the fee again on your booking confirmation
- At the Hertz counter in Santa Ana, confirm the drop-off fee matches your confirmation before signing
Cross-border one-way rentals, such as returning the Hertz vehicle in Mexico, are generally restricted or require special authorization. Always check your rental agreement for territory rules.
Is a credit card required to pick up a Hertz rental in Santa Ana?
Yes, a major credit card is required to pick up your Hertz rental in Santa Ana. The card must be a physical card with the main driver's name printed on it, and it must have sufficient available credit to cover the security deposit hold placed at the counter.
For most standard vehicles rented from Hertz in the United States, including Santa Ana locations, the typical security hold is approximately US$300 to US$400. This is a temporary authorization, not a charge, but it reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the rental ends, which can take up to 15 business days.
Important points to remember at the Hertz counter in Santa Ana:
- Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the deposit hold
- The card must be in the main driver's name, not a third party's name
- Digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay are not accepted for the deposit
- Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined
Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at the Hertz counter in Santa Ana for the security hold.
Do I need an International Driving Permit for Hertz in Santa Ana?
Whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for your Hertz rental in Santa Ana depends on your driver's license.
An IDP is mandatory at the Hertz counter in Santa Ana if your license uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script. Without an IDP in these cases, Hertz may refuse to complete the rental.
An IDP is strongly recommended, though not strictly mandatory, if your license is not in English and does not use a Latin alphabet. Having one avoids potential issues at the Hertz counter in Santa Ana.
Key rules about IDPs:
- The IDP is a translation document only and must always be carried alongside your original license
- An IDP alone is not valid and will not be accepted without the original license
- You must obtain your IDP in your home country before traveling to Santa Ana, as it cannot be issued abroad
- All documents presented at the Hertz counter must be physical originals, not digital copies
What insurance coverage is included in my Hertz booking in Santa Ana?
The insurance coverage included in your Hertz booking in Santa Ana depends on the rate plan you selected. Hola Car Rentals offers All Inclusive and All Inclusive+ rate plans for the United States, and the coverage differs between them.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial liability for damage to the Hertz vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible.
CDW and LDW do not cover:
- Third-party liability, meaning injury or property damage you cause to others
- Your own personal injuries
- Tires, undercarriage, roof, or keys unless specifically included
- Damage from prohibited use such as off-road driving or driving under the influence
For third-party liability protection at your Hertz Santa Ana rental, you can add Liability Insurance Supplementary (LIS) to your booking. Some U.S. states require a minimum level of liability, but not all do, so reviewing your confirmation carefully is important.
If an incident occurs during your Hertz rental in Santa Ana, report it immediately to Hertz using the number on your rental agreement and follow the claim instructions. Delayed reporting can affect your coverage.
What is the fuel policy for Hertz rentals in Santa Ana?
Hertz rentals in Santa Ana follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.
At pickup at the Hertz counter in Santa Ana, verify 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 fuel gauge before leaving the lot.
When returning your Hertz vehicle in Santa Ana:
- Refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 kilometers of the return location so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive
- Keep your fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
- Take a photo of the full gauge at the station as backup evidence
If you return the Hertz vehicle in Santa Ana without a full tank, you may be charged for the fuel shortfall at the partner's refueling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a refueling service fee. Returning the tank full is always the most cost-effective option.
Ask the Hertz agent at the Santa Ana counter about the nearest gas station to the return location when you pick up the vehicle.
Does my Hertz Santa Ana booking include travel assistance if something goes wrong?
Yes, most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals, including Hertz rentals in Santa Ana, include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection. However, this benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada.
If you are visiting Santa Ana from outside North America and experience a medical emergency, a legal issue following an accident on California highways, or a flight cancellation affecting your trip, the travel assistance coverage can help. Core benefits typically include:
- Medical coverage for up to 5 passengers for non-pre-existing conditions
- Legal assistance in the event of an accident
- Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
- Flight cancellation insurance
To use the assistance during your Hertz rental in Santa Ana, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day:
- Phone: +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free)
- WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
- Email: [email protected]
Provide your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your current location in or around Santa Ana, and a brief description of the situation. This coverage does not replace CDW for vehicle damage or LIS for third-party liability.
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