FAQ

Driver’s License

The renter is required to show a valid driver’s license and be the primary driver on contract unless the renter is disabled. An International License is required in addition to your regular license if your license is not legible in English. Always bring your passport as well if you are not a US Citizen.

Debit/Credit Cards

A major credit card or debit card is required for a security deposit on pick up. Prepaid cards are not accepted. Debit cards must have either the MasterCard or Visa logos and may only be used in conjunction with proof of a round trip ticket (Airline or Cruise) within 72 hours of the time of rental. Customers using debit cards to qualify to rent at the beginning of the rental will be subject to a debit card screening. Company debit card must have the renter’s name or signature on the card.

Debit card users need be age 25 plus with most companies.

Local renters may not qualify to use a debit card.

Debits Cards may not qualify for some vehicles.

Please review the Car Company’s policy on credit and debit cards in the VIEW DETAILS on the search results of our website.

International Travelers must have their driver’s license with them, and a passport. If the driver’s license is not written in English, an International License must also be provided along with the original driver’s license. NOTE: You cannot rent with an International Driver’s License only.

Anyone 25 years or older can rent with no additional charges for age.

20-24 Ages are considered Underage Drivers

The minimum age for a car rental from most of the major national rental companies is 21 years. With Dollar and Thrifty, the minimum age is 20 years. All car rental companies will add a Young Driver surcharge in addition to the rental charges for all drivers under the age of 25 years. Young Drivers may also be limited to full size cars or smaller and may be prohibited in the use of debit cards. We do have some special rates for young drivers. Additional benefits are highlighted in red on the booking screen of the website. Reduced 20-24 age young driver fee $10/day normally $25-$35/day. Look for those rates for the best savings. The young driver fee will not show in the total when you book the vehicle. It will be added at the counter – plus tax.

Some car companies may not allow a young driver as a secondary driver, only a primary driver as well. Be sure you have booked properly to get the best option as a young driver. If you need help, please contact us – we are here to help you. If you have already booked your vehicle on our website, you can reply to the booking, and ask if this is the best option for a young driver as well. The DETAILS section of our booking system, as well as the see DETAILS section on the confirmation email we send you has all of the pertinent information regarding young drivers – please make sure you read this carefully as some companies restrict payment methods as well.

We have contracts with some of the car companies that allow free extra drivers. This can be a significant savings if you have additional drivers, so watch for this benefit on our website when looking at various car companies. Look for the rates that show free additional drivers. Extra drivers have to be added to rentals at the counter when you arrive to pick up the vehicle (or later during your rental, if that driver does not need to drive right away). All extra drivers must go with the main driver to the counter and sign on to the contract. They must provide their own valid driver’s license at that time.

If you have more than one extra driver, you may want to take a look at the rates that include 2 free extra drivers. If those rates are significantly higher than a rate with a spouse only, or one free extra driver, you will want to calculate the total price adding the extra driver fees you will have to pay at the counter - that rate may still be lower than one that includes 2 free extra drivers.

When you take a look at the Benefits on our website in the search results, you will see that we have many options available where the spouse is free, or there are free extra drivers of any sort. For the few options that do not have free extra drivers, the cost can be around $13+ per day plus tax for each additional driver.

Additional drivers are added at the counter on pickup. The extra driver(s) must accompany the main driver to the counter and provide their own driver’s licence. They have paperwork to fill out at the counter. Some companies charge extra, some don’t. We will always take your extra drivers into account when searching for your lowest rate and will book you at the rate that works out to the lowest total. Life partners are considered to be a spouse on proof of a common address.

Local renters are subject to differing vendor rules for renting vehicles. Some car companies will not rent vehicles from their airport locations without proof of a return airline ticket, or proof of a cruise ship ticket that coincides with the rental. At off-airport locations, locals may be asked for at least 2 additional forms of identification that may include proof of your address, they may need to be a certain age (possibly 25 years or older). Some exceptions may apply, and it is important to read the detailed instructions as you book your vehicle.

Additional drivers are added at the counter on pickup. The extra driver(s) must accompany the main driver to the counter and provide their own driver’s licence. They have paperwork to fill out at the counter. Some companies charge extra, some don’t. We will always take your extra drivers into account when searching for your lowest rate and will book you at the rate that works out to the lowest total. Life partners are considered to be spousal on proof of a common address.

The cost of a rental car varies by car type, location and dates. The car companies also have rates that fluctuate, and can appear higher or lower closer to your arrival date, depending on how much traffic they are receiving. Some car types may not be fully booked, and they may show a lower rate closer to your travel dates, while other vehicles, such as the popular minivan can show a much higher rate as there may be few to choose from as they sell out fast.

There are different seasons for rental cars as well, and during prime seasons like summer, major holidays and later December into January are considered higher season and prices are usually higher than low season rates.

Airport locations will have more taxes and fees related to the airport and the State of Hawaii, so their prices may end up higher than locations off-airport, but still servicing the airport with shuttles. As well, resort locations, although their taxes and fees may be lower, often have higher base rates to service customers in the resorts.

It is always wise to book far in advance and then watch the prices, rebooking if you find a lower rate. It is always free to book and cancel with us.

Cash is not an option when you arrive at the counter, as the car companies do not accept cash up front. However, if you use your debit card or credit card at the beginning of the rental, they will use that to hold the funds for your rental until you return the vehicle. Some companies do accept cash at this time, when you are returning the vehicle and they know the exact amount owing. If you want to use cash to close out the rental at this time, you can ask the car company if they will accept cash to close out the rental, then you can drop off the car, go inside to the counter and pay cash, releasing all money held on your credit card.

As soon as you get your flights booked, and you know your dates and times of arrival and departure, search and book the appropriate car for your needs.

The cost of a rental car can vary by date, location and car type. The car companies rates can fluctuate, and may appear higher or lower closer to your arrival date, depending on how much traffic they are receiving. Some car types may not be fully booked, and they may show a lower rate closer to your travel dates, while other vehicles, such as the popular minivan can show a much higher rate as there may be few to choose from as they sell out fast.

It is always wise to book far in advance and then watch the prices, rebooking if you find a lower rate. If the rates do go up closer to your date, you know you got the best rate by booking early. It is always free to book and cancel with us.

Canceling existing reservations is easy and free. When we send you a confirmation, there is a link right on the email for you to use to cancel if you no longer need the rental. If you need assistance, please contact us by replying to the email confirmation, or phoning us.

As soon as you get your flights booked, and you know your dates and times of arrival and departure, search and book the appropriate car for your needs.

It is always wise to book far in advance and then watch the prices, rebooking if you find a lower rate. If the rates do go up closer to your date, you know you got the best rate by booking early. It is always free to book and cancel with us.

‘Estimated’ is used in case of a tax increase only before your car rental return date. The base rate is guaranteed, taxes are estimated because they are administered by other authorities and may be subject to change. Total may vary at time of rental based on the selection of prepaid gas, optional insurance coverage items or changes in taxes, surcharges and fees.

The car companies change their rates on a regular basis. The rates we provide for you on your search are the rates they provided at the moment of your search. We recommend you just book the best rate for your requirements at that time. You can keep checking back on our website, and if you find a lower rate, you may book it, and cancel the reservation you made previously. Quite often rates go up closer to your dates, especially during peak seasons, so it is best to grab a rate to hold so you have a starting point in case the rates do increase.

Existing car reservations cannot be modified without affecting the base rate. If your dates/times change, it is best to start a new reservation search online and book the best vehicle for your new requirements. If the prices have gone way up, and you just needed to add a day at the beginning, you can keep your existing reservation, and just book a one day rental at the beginning. We are here to help you with these changes, so if you are not sure what to do, please call us. Once a reservation has been altered online by you, we can not get your old rate back.
Canceling existing reservations is easy and free. When we send you a confirmation, there is a link right on the email for you to cancel if you no longer need the rental. If you need assistance, please contact us by replying to the email confirmation, or phoning us.

Once your reservation has been booked, and you receive an email from us, your reservation is good. If you need to re-confirm it at any time, you can click on the link on the confirmation email, and pull up the reservation (this actually asks the car rental company to check the reservation and send back existing details). If you need help, please contact us.

Shuttle buses are provided at all of the airports by the car companies. They shuttle back and forth between the airport and the car rental company picking up and dropping off passengers. When you receive your confirmation email from us, click on the SEE DETAILS link, and read the instructions. The details for the shuttle should be located here along with a lot of other valuable information.
Some off-airport locations will provide shuttle pick up at hotels etc. You will have to read the SEE DETAILS link to find out if your car rental provides this service.

You can always return a vehicle early. However, if you are renting a vehicle on a weekly rate, and you return it after 4 days, as an example, the car company will negate your weekly rate, and recalculate your rate to a daily rate, at the going rate of the day - which could make your rental more expensive than it would have been if you kept it for the entire time. If you need to return early, it is always best to check with us before you return it, so we can work out the most economical way to do so.

Yes - you can book a rental car for pick up at one location, and return it to a separate location of the same car company on the same island, if there is more than one location on that island. The Big Island is a good example, as many people pick up their rental cars in Kona, and return to Hilo as they fly into Kona and leave from Hilo. There is often a drop charge for returning to a different location, and that drop charge will show in the total when you choose a drop location different from the pick up location.

Insurance is optional, and is available for purchase at the counter. The rental companies have no minimum requirements. For policy and rate information please refer to the terms & conditions page of the rental company. We suggest you compare to offerings from your current insurance provider and your credit card company.

Do I need additional Insurance?

This is something you have to determine by talking to your car insurance company or your credit card company (some credit cards provide insurance when paying the charges with it). It is recommended that you do have sufficient coverage in case you have an accident or are involved in one.

There are different types of insurances offered at the counter:
Some cover the vehicle (CDW) some cover the people that may be injured (SLI) and some cover options like the cost to the car company if their vehicle can not be rented while it is being repaired (Loss of Use), and things like Flat Tires, towing, lost keys (Roadside Assistance). It is a good idea to educate yourself on all of these and find out what your coverage includes before you get to the counter so you don’t buy something you already have, or think you are already covered for something you may not have included in your own insurance package.

It is always a good idea to educate yourself on what your own personal car insurance coverage includes, and what your credit card might provide for insurance for rental vehicles before you get to the rental car counter so you don’t buy something you already have, or think you are already covered for something you may not have included in your own insurance package. You don’t want to make a costly mistake.

We have some All-Inclusive Packages available for drivers whose driver’s license is from outside the USA or Canada. If you go to this link: MY DRIVERS LICENSE IS FROM OUTSIDE USA OR CANADA and fill in the form, putting the country of your Driver’s License into the Country of Residence box, and then when you hit search, see the top left on the filter for

1 – Inclusive – insurance included
2 – Not Inclusive – insurance not included

You can just click the Inclusive box to see only the rates that include insurance, or click both to compare rates. Some of these rates also include free extra drivers, a tank of gas, a GPS unit, so look carefully at all of the options when considering the prices to make sure you are getting the best price for you. When calculating if this is a better deal, you can consider the price of buying insurance at the counter from the car company can be $35+ per day for the same options.

Your personal car insurance policy may include coverage for rental cars in Hawaii. It will be up to you to check with your insurance provider to see what items if any you will be covered for, and what coverage you may need to purchase at the counter.

When you view the models from the list of vehicles offered, each one is a class of vehicle, i.e., economy class, compact class etc. The “Managers Choice” or Wild Card” options are a separate category, and can feel like getting a “surprise” at the counter. The car company gets to choose which car class you will receive - it could be anything from the Compact car class right up to a Premium sized vehicle, a minivan or even a pick up truck. They can offer you anything and you will have to accept it to get that special price. This option only works for those that are very flexible, and don’t mind receiving a very large vehicle when there are only 2 people, or receiving a compact size vehicle when there are 4 or 5 people with luggage. The car company has the right to offer you any vehicle on their lot that is compact or larger. If they offer you a vehicle that won’t work for your party, and you refuse it - they can then charge you an “Upgrade Fee” for the vehicle you choose, and you will then lose your discounted rate, and end up paying more than expected. Only choose this class if you are willing to be very flexible.

When you select a vehicle model from the list of vehicles offered, each one is a class of vehicle, i.e., economy class, compact class etc. Within that class, each car company will have different models available on their lot on any given day. When you search, we pull that list of vehicles and prices from their system, with our rates and benefits, and they provide us with an example of a vehicle for each car class. This does not mean that is the exact vehicle you will get. The car company has the right to offer you any vehicle on their lot that is within that car class. If they are sold out of vehicles in that car class, they are obligated to provide you with a vehicle from a higher car class at no additional fee. You do not get to choose that vehicle, it is up to the car company which vehicle they offer you. If you do not like the class or vehicle, and you wish to change, they have the option of charging you an upgrade fee.

No, any vehicle can travel on the roads in Hawaii. There are some road restrictions where rental vehicles are not allowed to travel.

Minivans, and the Full Size and Premium SUVs may hold 7 or 8 passengers, and there are some 12 and 15 passenger vans available at some locations. Ask us if you can not book these yourself.

Please check at the counter when you pick up your vehicle about road restrictions on the Island you are visiting. There are some roads that are not safe because of weather, and others that car rental companies will not allow their vehicles to travel. The car company will provide this information to you. If you do take your vehicle on a restricted road or in a restricted area, you will have negated your rental contract.

You are not required to clean your vehicle before returning it - all rental cars will be serviced by the car rental company for the next client. Most of the car companies do have extra charges that can be as high as $75 to clean a car with excessive or unreasonable amounts of dirt etc. So if you have been going to the beach and notice a lot of sand in the vehicle, or there has been something sticky spilled, it is always a good idea to vacuum it out while you are filling the gas tank before returning the vehicle so avoid getting charged for excess cleaning.

All rentals are based on a 24 hour time clock. When you book your vehicle, you are putting in exact dates and times for pick up and drop off of the vehicle. The price that is generated is the offering for that exact period of time on those exact dates. If you pick up early, or return late, or change the dates for any reason, your rate will mostly likely change. Some companies actually charge a late return fee on top of the extra charges for the extra time you kept the vehicle. Some companies have a grace period of 25 minutes or so before they start charging a late fee, and some companies have no grace period – if you are one minute late, they start to charge you. Car companies will hold reservations for a number of hours, and some for the rest of the day for late arrivals due to airline schedules, and some will honor the rate into the next day when an airline has been delayed due to mechanical issues or bad weather. Please call us or email us if you have any questions or need help with this.

All our suppliers offer child passenger restraint systems that meet federal motor vehicle safety standards as an optional service at various rates starting around $13/day and come in 3 sizes – baby, toddler and child.. Some suppliers have weekly rates, and some also cap the total rate you will pay for a child seat. All children under the age of 8 are required to use a restraint system. For current regulations click here.

All of the car companies do have various GPS devices available for rent at the counter. The prices will vary by car company, and length of use. The average rate is $13/day and some have weekly rates, and some also cap the total rate you will pay. An alternate option is to bring your own GPS device with you, use the GPS device on your smartphone, or purchase one when you arrive. Hawaii is not that hard to get around, and often paper maps that are provided by the car companies work well enough.

Gas prices in Hawaii can appear higher than in other areas of the United States. They can fluctuate, but are often higher because gas has to be shipped to each Island from the mainland. Prices can be over $4.00/gallon, but can also be seen at around $2.00/gallon. Specific pricing can be found here.

The prepaid option is paying up front for a FULL TANK of gasoline regardless of how much is in the tank on return. The second option is to fill the tank yourself before you return the vehicle. In Hawaii, if you buy the gas package, but fill the tank just before you return the vehicle, and can show the receipt (it must be from a gas station within 10 miles of the Car Rental lot, and within a few minutes of the car return time) you won’t be charged for the gas package.