What is a premium location charge on a rental car?
A premium location charge is the extra a rental car company adds for renting from an expensive spot like an airport. This cheat sheet covers how to think about it and where people get it wrong. The detail is further down.
How to think about it
- It's about where you rent. Budget and Avis say the fee covers the extra operating costs at premium locations such as airports, train stations and city centers.
- It's usually in the quote. The premium location fee is included in the booking quote.
- Counter extras raise it. The fee is also applied as a percentage to any extra products you add at the rental counter.
- It's itemized. The fee appears as its own line on the rental agreement and invoice.
Where people get it wrong
- Reading it as a double charge. The itemized line can include both the portion quoted at booking and the portion for extras added at the counter. Budget and Avis say it is not a duplicate charge.
- Adding extras at the counter. Because the fee is a percentage of counter products, each add-on carries the fee too.
- Assuming the airport is the only option. Engine's crew rental guide says a 10-minute shuttle to an off-airport location can save $50 to $100 per day per vehicle. Add the shuttle or taxi to the total before you decide.
Types of rental car location fees
| Fee | Who uses the name | What the company says it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Premium location fee (also city supplement or airport surcharge) | Budget and Avis | Extra operating costs at airports, train stations and city centers |
| Location service charge | Hertz (UK terms) | The higher cost of renting from certain locations |
| Customer facility charge | Enterprise (US), among possible mandatory charges | Airport surcharges the rental company passes on to customers, per Engine's rental guide |
How it works on Engine
On Engine's rental car booking, you search by pickup and drop-off location and filter results by price, vehicle type and rental brand. Reservation terms, payment timing, pickup requirements and cancellation fees vary, so review the details shown for the selected rental before booking.
Questions
What is an airport surcharge on a rental car?
Budget and Avis use airport surcharge as another name for the premium location fee, which covers the extra operating costs of renting at airports, train stations and city centers.
Is the premium location fee included in the quoted price?
At Budget UK and Avis Sweden, yes, according to their FAQ pages. It is included in the reservation quote, and it is also applied as a percentage to extras added at the rental location.
How do you avoid airport rental car fees?
Rent from an off-airport location when time allows. Engine's guide to saving on rentals notes that airport surcharges are passed on to customers, and a taxi or hotel shuttle to an off-site location can be the better option.
Do other rental companies charge location fees?
Yes, under different names. Hertz's UK terms allow a Location Service Charge for the higher cost of renting from certain locations, and Enterprise lists a customer facility charge and airport concession fee among possible mandatory charges.
Sources
- Budget, What is an Airport/Premium Location Surcharge?, accessed November 2, 2026.
- Avis, What is an Airport/Premium Location Surcharge?, accessed November 2, 2026.
- Hertz (U.K.) Limited, Terms and Conditions of Rental, accessed November 2, 2026.
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Rental Rate Details, accessed November 2, 2026.
- Engine, Field Crew Car Rental Guide: Save Money, Skip the Hassles, accessed November 2, 2026.
- Engine, How to save money on car rentals: 7 business trip tips, accessed November 2, 2026.
- Engine, Rental Car Booking for Business Travel, accessed November 2, 2026.