Quick Summary:
- Ask for the agreement with all optional items set to “Declined”.
- State you will use your own insurance and refuse additional coverages.
- Confirm fuel policy, toll option, and deposit before signing anything.
- Request a final total including taxes, then match it to your voucher.
When you pick up a car hire in Orlando, the counter conversation can decide whether your price stays the same or grows with extras you did not plan to buy. The good news is you do not need to argue, you only need clear wording and a short set of checks before you sign.
This guide gives you counter-ready phrases you can say calmly, plus the exact contract lines to review so you leave with only what you agreed to pay.
If you are collecting at the main airport, start by confirming your pickup location and supplier on your booking details for Orlando MCO car rental, because the counter will often print a new agreement that looks official even if it includes add-ons.
The core script: what to say before they print the contract
Use these short lines early, before the agent starts “recommending” products. Speak slowly and repeat if needed.
Say: “I only want the vehicle at the quoted rate, with no optional extras.”
Say: “Please print the rental agreement with all optional items declined.”
Say: “I will not be adding any additional insurances at the counter.”
Say: “Please show me the estimated total including taxes and fees before I sign.”
Those four sentences do two things. They set expectations and they force the agent to show you numbers. Most unwanted charges enter when you only see a daily rate, or when the agent describes an add-on without naming the price.
The Orlando counter checklist: extras to decline by name
Extras are easiest to refuse when you call them by their contract names. In the US, names vary by supplier, but these terms appear frequently. Read from this list and ask the agent to mark each as declined.
1) Additional insurance products
Say: “Decline LDW or CDW, and decline any SLI or supplemental liability.”
Then ask: “Which coverages are currently selected on the agreement, and what is the cost per day?”
Even if you plan to rely on personal cover, a travel policy, or a card benefit, you should still make the decision consciously. The risk is being enrolled by default, then discovering the daily charge later.
2) Roadside assistance or roadside protection
Say: “Decline roadside assistance packages or roadside protection.”
Then ask: “If I need help, what is the pay-per-use call-out process?”
This keeps the discussion practical, not emotional. If you do not want the add-on, you still need to know the procedure if you get a flat tyre or lock the keys in the car.
3) Fuel options
Say: “I want the standard return-full policy, no prepaid fuel.”
Then ask: “What is the refuelling charge and per-gallon rate if I return not full?”
Prepaid fuel is often positioned as convenient, but it can be poor value if you return with fuel left. Make sure the agreement clearly states the fuel policy and any refuelling fees.
4) Toll products for Orlando area roads
Say: “Decline toll packages and toll convenience programs.”
Then ask: “If I pay tolls myself, is there any admin fee, and how is it billed?”
Central Florida uses cashless tolling on many routes. Some toll products charge a daily convenience fee even on days you do not use toll roads. If you prefer to manage tolls yourself, confirm you are not being enrolled in a daily programme.
5) Upgrades and paid vehicle class changes
Say: “No paid upgrade, please keep the booked class and rate.”
Then ask: “Is this the same vehicle category as my voucher, with no extra daily charge?”
Upgrades can sneak in when availability is limited. If the agent offers a larger car, ask for the price in writing and decline unless you want it. For travellers needing more space, it helps to choose the right category ahead of time, for instance SUV hire at Orlando MCO or van rental near Disney and MCO, so you are not deciding under pressure.
6) Extra driver fees and “additional authorised driver”
Say: “Only the named driver(s) on my booking, no additional drivers.”
Then ask: “Is there an extra driver line item, and what is the daily fee?”
In Florida, extra driver rules and fees vary. The key is to ensure the contract matches your actual needs and does not add an unneeded additional driver charge.
7) Accessories: GPS, child seats, Wi-Fi
Say: “No sat nav, child seat, or Wi-Fi device, please mark all accessories declined.”
If you do need a child seat, ask for the full daily price and any tax, then check the total line item on the agreement.
The contract checks: what to look for before you sign
After you have said the right phrases, the most important step is verifying the printed agreement. You are not being difficult, you are confirming what you are paying for.
Check 1: Optional items section must show “Declined”
Look for boxes, toggles, or a list showing selected products. If anything is marked “Accepted”, “Selected”, or has a dollar amount, pause and ask for a reprint.
Say: “Please reprint with every optional item set to declined, then I will sign.”
Check 2: Rate breakdown and estimated total
Ask for the total to include taxes, concession recovery fees, facility charges, and any local surcharges. In Orlando airport rentals, these can be significant, so you want to compare like with like.
Say: “Please confirm the estimated total includes all taxes and airport fees, and show the final figure.”
Then compare it with your booking confirmation. A small difference may be explained by timing or local taxes, but large jumps often come from added products.
Check 3: Deposit and authorisation amount
Ensure you understand the security deposit or card authorisation. This is not the same as an extra charge, but surprises here cause stress at pickup.
Say: “What is the deposit amount on my card, and when is it released?”
Check 4: Fuel policy wording
Look for “Full to Full” or “Return as received”. If it mentions “prepaid”, “fuel service”, or “refuel charge”, clarify it immediately.
Say: “This agreement should show return-full, please update it.”
Check 5: Toll programme line items
Search for words like “toll”, “plate pass”, “pass”, “cashless toll”, or “convenience fee”. If you see a daily fee, ask whether it applies even when you do not use tolls.
Say: “Remove the toll programme, I will handle tolls without a daily fee.”
Check 6: Vehicle class and codes
Agreements may show a vehicle code or class that differs from what you booked. If the class is higher and the rate increased, it is an upgrade. If the class is different but the price is unchanged, it may be a substitute due to availability, which can be acceptable if you are comfortable.
Say: “Confirm there is no upgrade charge, and the daily rate remains the same.”
How to respond to common counter lines in Orlando
Agents are trained to explain extras as protection and convenience. You can stay polite and firm. Here are quick responses that keep you in control.
If they say: “Florida roads are dangerous, you need this cover.”
Reply: “I understand, I am declining optional coverages. Please proceed with the base agreement only.”
If they say: “It is only a few dollars a day.”
Reply: “Please tell me the total cost for the whole rental, then remove it.”
If they say: “Everyone takes the toll package here.”
Reply: “Decline toll programmes. Confirm there is no daily toll fee on my contract.”
If they say: “Sign here, it is just standard.”
Reply: “I will sign after I review the optional items and total.”
If they say: “This is required.”
Reply: “Please point to the line in the agreement where it is required by law or by the rental terms.”
This last line is especially useful. Many extras are optional, but the sales language can sound mandatory.
Orlando-specific tips that prevent surprise charges
Plan for toll roads
Routes around Orlando, including to theme parks and some suburban areas, may involve tolls. Decide ahead of time whether you will use the supplier’s toll product or pay tolls yourself. The goal is to avoid paying a daily toll fee on days you do not need it.
Know where you are picking up
If you are arriving at the airport, you will likely face airport-related fees that are legitimate but easy to misread. Your best defence is to compare the estimated total with your confirmation for car rental at Orlando airport and Disney.
Be clear about supplier policies
Different desks handle authorisations, toll programmes, and optional cover slightly differently. If you know your supplier in advance, you can anticipate the terms. For instance, you can review general pickup expectations for Alamo at Orlando MCO or National at Orlando MCO so the counter conversation is not the first time you hear the rules.
A printable, counter-ready mini checklist
Before you reach the desk, open a notes app and paste these lines. Then tick off each point as you confirm it on the agreement.
Say: “No optional extras, print the agreement with all extras declined.”
Ask: “What is the final estimated total including all taxes and fees?”
Say: “Decline LDW or CDW, SLI, roadside, prepaid fuel, toll programmes, and upgrades.”
Ask: “What is the deposit amount and when is it released?”
Check: Fuel policy wording matches what you want.
Check: Toll line items show no daily convenience fee.
Check: Vehicle class is correct, rate is unchanged.
Final step: “Please give me a copy of the signed agreement.”
Keeping your car hire price in Orlando is mostly about slowing down for two minutes, naming the extras clearly, and refusing to sign until the printed totals match what you intended to buy.
FAQ
Q: What is the simplest sentence to decline everything at the counter?
A: Say, “I only want the vehicle at the quoted rate, with no optional extras, please print the agreement with all items declined.”
Q: How do I check whether insurance was added without my noticing?
A: Look for line items such as LDW, CDW, SLI, or “protection”. If any show a daily price or “Accepted”, ask for a reprint with them declined.
Q: Are toll programmes in Orlando always worth it?
A: Not always. Some charge a daily convenience fee even on days you do not use toll roads. Confirm the fee structure and decline it if you prefer paying tolls yourself.
Q: What should I do if the agent says an add-on is required?
A: Ask them to point to the clause that makes it mandatory. If it is optional, request the contract again with the add-on removed before signing.
Q: Why does the total at Orlando airport look higher than the base rate?
A: Airport rentals often include local taxes and facility fees. These can be legitimate, but you should still ensure no optional extras were added on top.
