VERIFIED REVIEWS
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking at Charlotte Airport include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental brands operating at Charlotte 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 Charlotte Airport.
Will I face unexpected charges at the counter when I rent a car at Charlotte Airport through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking at Charlotte 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 Charlotte 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)
Where do I pick up my rental car at Charlotte Airport?
At Charlotte Airport, all major rental brands except Dollar are located in the on-site Consolidated Rental Car Facility (CRCF) on Level 2 of the Hourly Parking Deck at 5489 RC Josh Birmingham Pkwy. No shuttle is required.
After clearing customs and collecting your baggage, follow these steps:
- Take the escalator or elevator to the Lower Level Walkway
- Walk through the covered crosswalk to the Hourly Parking Deck
- Take the elevator to Level 2 Lobby, where you will find counters for Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National
Dollar operates off-site at 4216 Air Ramp Road and requires separate transportation. Allow roughly 10 to 15 minutes for the walk from baggage claim to the Level 2 counter. For international arrivals, total time from landing to driving away is typically 90 to 150 minutes, including immigration, customs, and baggage claim.
What are the rental counter hours at Charlotte Airport?
Counter hours at Charlotte Airport vary by brand, so it is important to check before booking a late-night or early-morning flight.
- Avis: open around the clock
- Budget: approximately 5:00 am to 2:00 am
- Alamo, Enterprise, National: midnight to 2:00 am and 4:00 am to 11:59 pm (gap between 2:00 am and 4:00 am)
- Hertz: Monday through Friday and Sunday 6:00 am to 1:00 am, Saturday 6:00 am to midnight
- Dollar (off-site): 5:30 am to midnight
If your flight arrives during a gap period, the counter will be closed and pickup will not be possible until it reopens. When booking at Charlotte Airport, choose a flight that aligns with your preferred brand's operating hours, or have a rideshare backup plan for the gap window.
Your booking confirmation will show the brand assigned to your reservation. Contact that brand directly if you need to confirm current hours before travel.
What documents do I need to pick up a rental car at Charlotte Airport?
To collect your rental car at Charlotte Airport, you must present all of the following physical documents at the counter. Digital copies are not accepted.
- Valid, unexpired driver's license (original, not a photocopy or digital version)
- Passport or valid government-issued photo ID
- Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from outside the United States)
- Physical major credit card in the main driver's name, with the name printed on the card, for the security deposit hold
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
If your driver's license uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory at Charlotte Airport. For licenses in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original license, never as a standalone document.
Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit, even if you have already prepaid your booking.
Do toll roads near Charlotte Airport require a transponder or cash?
North Carolina operates fully cashless tolling, so cash is not accepted on any toll road you may use after leaving Charlotte Airport. All tolling is electronic.
The main toll roads in the region include:
- Monroe Expressway (US Highway 74): up to US$2.66 electronically for a standard 2-axle vehicle, or up to US$4.10 if billed by mail
- Triangle Expressway (connecting Raleigh and Durham): up to US$3.60 electronically for a standard 2-axle vehicle
Compatible payment systems include NC Quick Pass, E-ZPass, SunPass, and Peach Pass. If you do not have a personal transponder, your rental vehicle at Charlotte Airport will include an electronic toll device. At the counter you can choose an unlimited toll package (typically US$11 to US$25 per day depending on the brand) or pay per use, in which case the rental company will charge actual toll amounts plus an administrative processing fee after the rental ends.
Toll charges can appear on your credit card days or even weeks after you return the vehicle, as toll agencies process invoices in batches.
Is a credit card required to rent a car at Charlotte Airport?
Yes, a physical major credit card is required to rent a car at Charlotte Airport. Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit hold, even if you have already paid for your booking in advance.
The card must meet all of the following conditions:
- Be a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or similar line of credit)
- Be in the main driver's name, with the name printed on the card
- Be a physical card, not a virtual or single-use card number
- Have sufficient available credit to cover the security hold, typically US$300 to US$400 for standard vehicles at US locations
The hold is a temporary authorization, not a charge. Your bank controls how quickly it is released after you return the vehicle, which can take up to 15 business days. If you are traveling internationally to Charlotte Airport, notify your bank before departure to prevent fraud blocks on in-person authorizations. Bringing a backup credit card in your own name is also recommended.
How does the Tolls Cashback benefit work for rentals at Charlotte Airport?
All bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your rental at Charlotte Airport or on any roads you drive during the trip.
This is especially useful if you use the Monroe Expressway or Triangle Expressway, both of which are fully cashless and charge electronically. You still pay tolls normally through your rental's transponder or a personal pass, and then claim the reimbursement afterward.
To claim your cashback after returning the vehicle:
- Email [email protected] within 30 days of vehicle return
- Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation number
- Attach your Hola Car Rentals confirmation, the signed rental agreement, and a toll receipt or itemized invoice 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.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car at Charlotte Airport?
It depends on the alphabet your driver's license uses. At Charlotte Airport, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory if your license is written in a non-Latin script, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic. For licenses in other non-English languages that still use Latin characters, an IDP is strongly recommended but not strictly required by law.
Key points to keep in mind:
- The IDP is a translation booklet only. It is not a standalone license and will not be accepted without your original license
- You must obtain the IDP in your home country before traveling. US-based organizations such as AAA do not issue IDPs to non-US license holders
- All documents presented at the Charlotte Airport counter must be physical originals. Digital or photocopied versions are not accepted
If you are unsure whether your license requires an IDP for your Charlotte Airport rental, obtain one before departure to avoid any issues at the counter.
Are there young driver surcharges for renters under 25 at Charlotte Airport?
Yes, drivers aged 21 to 24 are subject to a daily young-renter surcharge at Charlotte Airport. The standard minimum age to rent without a surcharge is 25.
Surcharge amounts vary by brand:
- Avis and Budget: US$13 per rental day plus taxes, capped at US$65 plus taxes
- Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty: US$13.50 per rental day plus taxes, capped at US$189 plus taxes
- Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day plus taxes, with no stated cap
In addition to the surcharge, most vehicle classes are restricted for under-25 renters at Charlotte Airport. Economy, compact, medium sedan, standard sedan, compact SUV, and medium SUV are typically the available categories. Premium, luxury, full-size SUV, minivan, and convertible classes generally require the driver to be at least 25.
One exception applies to drivers aged 21 to 24 from Latin America and the Caribbean renting through Avis or Budget: the young-renter surcharge may be waived when the waiver is explicitly shown on the booking confirmation. Check your confirmation to verify eligibility.
What insurance coverage do I need for a rental car at Charlotte Airport?
When renting at Charlotte Airport, two main types of coverage are worth understanding before you arrive at the counter.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial liability for damage to the rental vehicle itself, such as collision damage, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may still apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero. CDW and LDW do not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.
Third-Party Liability (LIS, ALI, or SLI) covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving. Not all US states require rental companies to include minimum liability coverage, so this is worth confirming on your booking confirmation for your Charlotte Airport rental.
Additional optional coverages available at the counter include:
- Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) for your own injuries
- Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) for belongings inside the vehicle
- Premium Roadside Assistance
Review your booking confirmation carefully before arriving at Charlotte Airport to understand which protections are already included in your rate and which would be optional add-ons at the counter.
How does the car return process work at Charlotte Airport?
Returning a rental car at Charlotte Airport follows a straightforward process using the same Hourly Parking Deck where you picked up the vehicle.
- Follow airport signage toward the Hourly Deck. Pass the first entrance on the left and take the next left toward Rental Car Returns
- Enter your brand's designated return lane. Staff are typically present to assist during operating hours
- For after-hours returns, self-park in your brand's area and use the key drop box. Avis has a drop box accessible from midnight to 4:00 am, and Budget also offers a key drop. Lock the vehicle, drop the keys with your contract, and a receipt will be emailed to you
- After returning the vehicle, take the south elevators to Level 5 for the bridge to the terminal, or to Level 1 for the Lower Walkway
Before returning to Charlotte Airport, refuel the tank to comply with the Full-to-Full fuel policy. Returning the car below the recorded starting fuel level may result in a refueling charge at the partner's rate, which is typically higher than retail pump prices, plus an administrative service fee.
What rental taxes and fees apply at Charlotte Airport?
Renting at Charlotte Airport means your total cost includes state and local taxes that are added on top of the base vehicle rate. North Carolina imposes a rental car tax that has recently been raised to 16% of gross receipts, which is higher than many other US states and applies at Charlotte Airport.
Charlotte's combined sales tax rate is approximately 7.25%, which may apply to certain optional add-ons at the counter. Standard airport concession fees and customer facility charges typical of major US airports also apply at Charlotte Airport, though the exact amounts depend on the rental brand and rate selected.
Your booking confirmation will show which taxes and fees are included in your prepaid rate and which are listed under the section for amounts due at the destination. Items marked as included should not be charged again at the Charlotte Airport counter. If a fee that your confirmation shows as included is billed at pickup, keep all paperwork and contact support after the rental ends.
Can I add an additional driver to my rental at Charlotte Airport?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your rental at Charlotte Airport, but the additional driver must be physically present at the counter at the time of pickup to show a valid driver's license and sign the rental agreement.
Whether the additional driver is included at no cost or carries a daily fee depends on your rate:
- Avis and Budget: US$13 per day plus taxes, capped at US$65 plus taxes
- Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty: US$13.50 per day plus taxes, capped at US$189 plus taxes
- Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day plus taxes
Some Hola Car Rentals rates include one additional driver at no charge. Check your booking confirmation before arriving at Charlotte Airport to see whether this is listed as included.
The additional driver must meet the same document requirements as the main driver, including an IDP if their license uses a non-Latin alphabet. For Avis, Budget, and Payless, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old. Only drivers listed on the rental agreement are covered by the vehicle's protections.
Does travel assistance cover emergencies during a rental at Charlotte Airport?
Yes, most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be useful if you experience a medical emergency or other covered incident during your rental at Charlotte Airport or while driving in North Carolina.
Core benefits typically include:
- Travel insurance with medical coverage for up to 5 passengers
- Legal assistance in the event of an accident
- Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
- Flight cancellation insurance
This coverage does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. If you are a US or Canadian resident renting at Charlotte Airport, this benefit is not available to you.
To reach assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call the toll-free number +1 888 980 9992, or contact via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. This coverage does not replace CDW or LDW for damage to the rental vehicle, nor does it cover third-party liability to others.
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