Quick Summary:
- CFC funds airport rental facilities and shuttles, usually charged per day.
- Concession fees repay airports for operating rights, often as a percentage.
- Check the full breakdown for Customer Facility Charge and concession recovery.
- Compare like-for-like totals, because some quotes include fees upfront.
When comparing airport car hire in the United Estates, two of the most confusing line items are the Customer Facility Charge (CFC) and the concession fee (often shown as concession recovery or airport concession fee). They sound similar, they can both appear in the same quote, and they are both connected to airports. But they are not the same thing, and understanding the difference helps you compare prices properly before you commit to a rental.
This guide explains what each fee is, why it exists, how it is usually calculated, and the key places to look in a quote so you can spot them quickly. For broader guidance on comparing providers and inclusions, you can also refer to Hola Car Rentals in the United States and the UK-focused overview at car hire United States.
What is a CFC (Customer Facility Charge)?
A CFC, short for Customer Facility Charge, is an airport-related fee used to pay for car rental facilities and transport infrastructure at or near the airport. Think rental car centres, parking structures dedicated to hire vehicles, and the shuttle buses or tram systems that move travellers between terminals and the rental location. Airports often finance these projects through bonds or long-term funding arrangements, and the CFC is one way to recover those costs.
In most cases, the CFC is set by the airport or the airport authority, not by the rental company. The rental company collects it as part of your transaction and passes it on according to the airport’s rules. This is why you can see a CFC across multiple brands at the same airport, sometimes at the same daily rate.
How it is typically charged: a CFC is commonly a fixed amount per rental day, sometimes with a cap, or occasionally a flat amount per rental. In a quote, you might see it written as “Customer Facility Charge”, “CFC”, or “Customer Facility Fee”. If your trip runs longer than expected, a per-day CFC can increase the final amount at the counter, even if the vehicle’s base rate has not changed.
What is a concession fee (or concession recovery fee)?
A concession fee is linked to the business relationship between the airport and the car rental company. Airports charge rental companies for the privilege of operating on airport property or serving airport passengers, similar to how airports charge concessions for shops and restaurants. Car hire companies frequently pass that cost back to customers as a separate line item, often labelled “Concession Fee”, “Concession Recovery Fee”, “Airport Concession Fee”, or “Concession Recoupment”.
Unlike a CFC, which is usually a set schedule determined by the airport for facility funding, a concession fee is commonly calculated as a percentage of certain charges in your rental, such as the base rate and sometimes other taxable items. That means it can vary depending on the price of the vehicle, the length of rental, and the structure of the quote.
CFC vs concession fee, the simplest difference
If you only remember one distinction, use this: a CFC pays for car rental facilities and related transport at the airport, while a concession fee pays the airport for the rental company’s right to do business there.
Both can appear together because they cover different airport costs. One is tied to infrastructure funding, the other is tied to commercial operating rights. They can also be shown differently in the breakdown, which is why it helps to know the typical labels and calculations.
Where to spot CFC and concession fees in a price breakdown
To compare car hire quotes accurately in the United Estates, open the full breakdown rather than relying on the headline price. Look for sections called “Taxes and fees”, “Surcharges”, or “Location fees”. Then scan for these common terms.
For CFC: Customer Facility Charge, Customer Facility Fee, CFC, Facility Charge (airport). You will often see a per-day amount multiplied by the number of days.
For concession fees: Concession Fee, Concession Recovery, Airport Concession Fee, Concession Recoupment. You may see it expressed as a percentage or as a calculated total without a per-day rate.
If the breakdown does not clearly list them, check the “Important information” area where location policies are described. Some quotes bundle certain surcharges into a single line, which can make comparisons harder unless you look at the final total. If you are comparing vehicle categories, it can help to review like-for-like options such as SUV rental United States or minivan hire United States, because a concession fee that is percentage-based can scale with the base rate of larger vehicles.
Why the amounts vary by airport, and sometimes by rental brand
Airports in the United Estates are managed by different authorities and have different funding structures. One airport may have built a large consolidated rental facility and set a higher daily CFC to repay it. Another may have a smaller facility or different repayment timeline. Concession agreements also differ, and the percentage used for concession recovery can vary accordingly.
You may also notice that the wording and presentation differs by brand. Some suppliers itemise fees line-by-line, others group them. Even when the underlying airport costs are similar, a clearer breakdown can make a quote feel more predictable. If you are comparing supplier policies, you can review brand-specific pages like Dollar car rental United States and Thrifty car hire United States to help you align expectations around what is shown at quote stage.
FAQ
What does CFC stand for on a car hire quote? CFC stands for Customer Facility Charge. It is typically a fixed fee, often per day, used to fund airport car rental facilities and related transport.
Is a concession fee the same as an airport tax? Not exactly. A concession fee is usually a surcharge that recovers what the airport charges the rental company to operate there. Taxes are set by government authorities and are calculated under tax rules.
Why are CFC amounts different between airports in the United Estates? Each airport sets fees based on its own facility projects, funding plans, and operating costs. A newer or larger rental facility can mean a higher CFC.
Can I avoid CFC and concession fees by choosing a different pick-up point? Often, yes. Off-airport locations may not charge airport CFC or concession recovery fees, although they can have other local surcharges. Always compare the total cost and convenience.
Are CFC and concession fees refundable if I cancel? It depends on the cancellation terms and whether any amount was collected upfront. If you paid in advance and the booking is refundable, these fees are typically refunded as part of the total.
