National Car Rental in San Diego

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental brands operating in San Diego, including National, 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 National rental experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in San Diego.

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

At San Diego International Airport, National car rental is not located inside the terminal buildings. After collecting your luggage from baggage claim, you need to take a free dedicated shuttle bus to the consolidated Rental Car Center at 3355 Admiral Boland Way, San Diego, CA 92101.

• Terminal 1: use the pedestrian crosswalk to reach the Ground Transportation Center across the street, then follow signs for Rental Car Shuttles
• Terminal 2: use the pedestrian crosswalk outside the Terminal 2 Baggage Claim Area to access the Transportation Plaza
• Shuttle wait times are typically 5 to 15 minutes, though evening peaks and weekends can be longer

Once at the Rental Car Center, proceed to the National counter to complete your reservation. Plan for 30 to 45 minutes from the terminal curb to driving away, especially during busy periods. Before leaving the facility, inspect the vehicle thoroughly and confirm any existing damage is documented on the rental agreement.

To pick up your National rental car in San Diego, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• A valid, original driver's license in the main driver's name (not a digital copy)
• A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, for the security deposit hold
• A passport or valid government photo ID (required for international visitors)
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from outside the United States)

If your driver's license uses a non-Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic), an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory alongside your original license. For licenses in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and cannot be used without your original license.

All documents must be physical. Digital versions shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the National counter in San Diego.

San Diego itself has very limited toll exposure compared to other parts of California. However, if you drive north toward Los Angeles or Orange County in your National rental car, you will encounter cashless toll roads and express lanes.

• Orange County toll roads (SR-73, SR-133, SR-241, SR-261) charge approximately US$5 to US$15 per day depending on usage
• Los Angeles express lanes (I-10, I-110, and others) charge approximately US$0 to US$10 per day
• All California toll facilities use the FasTrak electronic system; cash payment is not accepted on most roads

Your National rental vehicle in San Diego comes with an electronic toll device or plate-based billing system. At pickup you can choose between two options:

• Unlimited toll package: approximately US$11 to US$25 per rental day, covering all toll usage
• Pay per use: actual toll amounts plus daily or administrative processing fees billed after the rental, sometimes weeks later

If you plan to avoid toll roads entirely, staying on free highways in the San Diego area is generally straightforward. If you use your own compatible toll pass, notify the National counter so they can deactivate the vehicle's default device and prevent duplicate charges.

Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which applies to your National rental in San Diego and any toll roads you use during your trip, including express lanes near Los Angeles or Orange County toll roads if you drive beyond San Diego.

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$600, the maximum cashback is US$30.

To claim your Tolls Cashback after returning your National rental in San Diego:

• 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 confirmation, the signed rental agreement, and a toll receipt or invoice showing charges paid

Refunds are issued to the original payment method used for your reservation and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

Yes, a physical major credit card in the main driver's name is required to pick up your National rental car in San Diego. The card must have the driver's name printed on it and must be presented in person at the counter.

The National desk in San Diego will place a temporary authorization hold on your card at pickup. Typical holds for standard vehicles in the United States range from approximately US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount depends on the vehicle class and location.

• Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit hold
• Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) and virtual card numbers are not accepted
• The card must belong to the main driver; a third party's card is not permitted

Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at the National counter in San Diego for the hold. The hold is released after you return the vehicle, but your bank may take up to 15 business days to reflect the release. Bringing a backup credit card in your name is always a good precaution.

When returning your National rental car at San Diego International Airport, drive to the consolidated Rental Car Center at 3355 Admiral Boland Way. The facility has dedicated return lanes where the roadway splits by rental company, so follow signs for National.

After parking in the National return area, a staff member will process your return. Once the vehicle is checked in, board the complimentary shuttle back to your departure terminal. Shuttles run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Refuel before returning: fill the tank within approximately 10 miles of the Rental Car Center to comply with the full-to-full fuel policy and avoid refueling charges
• Take a photo of the fuel gauge and odometer before handing over the keys
• Keep your final fuel receipt in case of any dispute

The standard grace period at National is approximately 30 minutes beyond your scheduled return time. Returning later than that may result in additional hourly or daily charges. If you need to return the car after hours, check your rental agreement for specific instructions.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your National rental car in San Diego, either as part of your rate or by paying a fee at the counter.

For National, Alamo, and Enterprise, the additional driver fee is US$15 per day when not included in your rate. Check your booking confirmation for the line stating additional driver is included before assuming it is free.

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

• The additional driver must be present at pickup with a valid driver's license
• If their license uses a non-Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit is also required
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement
• The additional driver must meet the minimum age requirements for San Diego

Only drivers listed on the rental agreement are covered by the vehicle's protections such as CDW and liability coverage. If someone drives who is not named on the contract, coverage may be void. If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a National branch in San Diego to update the agreement.

The minimum age to rent a car with National in San Diego without additional surcharges is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can rent but will be subject to a daily young-renter surcharge.

• National, Alamo, and Enterprise charge US$15 per day as an additional driver fee for under-25 renters in San Diego
• Certain vehicle classes such as full-size SUVs, minivans, premium, and luxury vehicles are typically restricted to drivers aged 25 and older
• Economy, compact, intermediate, and compact SUV categories are generally available to drivers aged 21 to 24

California is not one of the states (like New York or Michigan) that legally requires rental companies to serve drivers under 21, so the minimum age at the National counter in San Diego is 21 for young renters and 25 to avoid the surcharge.

A valid driver's license and a major credit card in the main driver's name are still required regardless of age. If you are unsure whether your preferred vehicle class is available for your age group, contact customer service before booking.

Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can help if an unexpected situation arises during your National rental in San Diego, such as a medical emergency on the highway or a legal issue following an accident.

Core benefits typically include:

• Travel and medical coverage for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in case of an accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This coverage applies to non-North American customers only. Residents of the United States and Canada do not qualify for this benefit.

If you need assistance during your San Diego rental, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day:

• Phone (toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Have your full name and Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. Travel assistance does not cover damage to the National rental vehicle itself (that is CDW) or liability to third parties (that is LIS or SLI). Check your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your reservation.

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

Common patterns for one-way rentals from San Diego:

• San Diego to Los Angeles or other Southern California cities: a drop-off fee typically applies and varies by distance and vehicle class
• San Diego to a different state: a drop-off fee usually applies and can be higher for long-distance routes
• Cross-border returns (for example, into Mexico): these are often restricted or not permitted; confirm with National before booking

The drop-off fee is shown during the booking process under the section labeled to pay at destination. It cannot be prepaid and is settled at the National counter in San Diego or at the return location. The fee is separate from fuel, tolls, and taxes.

If you change your return location after booking, the rental will be repriced and the drop-off fee may increase or new restrictions may apply. Always review your confirmation to confirm the fee before pickup.

The insurance and protection options available with your National rental car in San Diego depend on the rate plan selected when booking through Hola Car Rentals. Here is what the main coverages mean:

• CDW or LDW (Collision or Loss Damage Waiver): reduces your financial liability for damage to the National rental vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation states zero deductible
• LIS or SLI (Liability Insurance Supplement): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to third parties while driving in San Diego. Some U.S. states require a minimum liability amount; California renters should confirm this is included

CDW and LDW do not cover third-party liability, and LIS does not cover damage to the rental vehicle itself. These are separate protections that work together.

Common exclusions regardless of coverage:

• Damage caused by prohibited use such as off-road driving, DUI, or unauthorized drivers
• Tires, undercarriage, and roof damage (unless a specific add-on is purchased)
• Incidents not reported promptly to National

Review your Hola Car Rentals confirmation carefully to see which coverages are listed as included in your San Diego rate before arriving at the National counter.

National car rentals in San Diego use a full-to-full fuel policy by default. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.

Steps to follow for the fuel policy at your San Diego National rental:

• 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 fuel gauge
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the Rental Car Center at 3355 Admiral Boland Way before returning
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address

If you return the National vehicle in San Diego with less than 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.

Some National counter locations may offer an optional prepaid fuel plan. If you accept it, any unused fuel is generally non-refundable, so the full-to-full approach is usually better value for most renters in San Diego.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory at the National counter in San Diego if your driver's license uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script. For all other non-English licenses, an IDP is strongly recommended but not strictly required.

Key points about the IDP for your San Diego National rental:

• The IDP is a translation booklet only and must always be carried alongside your original license; it is not a standalone document
• Obtain your IDP in your home country before traveling to San Diego, as U.S. issuers such as AAA do not issue IDPs to non-U.S. license holders
• Your IDP must be unexpired and match the name on your passport and credit card

Even with a valid IDP, you must also present your original physical driver's license, a major credit card in the main driver's name, and your passport at the National counter in San Diego. Digital copies of any document are not accepted. If you are unsure whether your license requires an IDP for renting in San Diego, check your booking confirmation or contact customer service before your travel date.