Rental Policies

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Car Rental Services in Orange County, CA

United Auto Rental is your trusted travel companion, offering clean, dependable vehicles and personalized support. We provide car rental services in Orange County, CA, for business travelers, families on vacation, and groups of friends exploring the coast. Our team clearly explains payment options, insurance details, and shuttle accommodations so you can focus on the journey, not the paperwork. 

Choose United Auto Rental

  • Local expertise and attentive service that simplifies every reservation 
  • Affordable car and SUV rentals in Newport Beach, CA, tailored to your needs 
  • Flexible options for leisure and business travelers, plus responsive customer support 

We value your feedback and continuously improve to exceed expectations. 

Airport Service and Convenient Payments 

Arriving at or departing from SNA? Ask about our John Wayne Airport car service to streamline pickup and drop-off. We outline all payment choices, including debit card car rentals, and walk you through insurance coverage so you can book with confidence. 

Rental Policies — Clear, Fair, Transparent

  • Rentals are based on 24-hour periods starting at pickup. 
  • Minimum age to rent: 21 for most vehicles, 25 for premium SUVs, and 12 or 15 for 12- or 15-passenger vans. 

Our team provides straightforward explanations of fees, insurance options, and any shuttle arrangements. Experience reliable vehicles, transparent policies, and service that puts your trip first. Choose United Auto Rental for smooth pickups, responsive support, and better value across Orange County. 

Hours of Operation

Rental Counter

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Vehicles can be returned 24 hours a day. 

Holiday hours may vary. 

Mileage

Free unlimited mileage is provided to travelers deplaned at Orange County or Ontario Airport with a current (same day) boarding pass on all rentals, with the exception of the following vehicles: 

  • Specialty Luxury (Mercedes-Benz and BMWs) – 150 Free Miles per Day
  • Vans and Cargo Vans – 250 Free Miles per Day/1500 Free Miles per Week 
  • Full-size SUVs 150 – Free Miles per Day  
  • Specialty Cars – 150 Free Miles per Day 

All local renters and non-local renters without a current boarding pass will receive: 

-150 free miles per day on all Cars and SUVs

–250 Free Miles per Day/1500 Free Miles per Week on All Van Rentals

Additional miles are $0.38 for all cars, $0.49 per mile for specialty luxury, full–size vans, and premium & luxury SUVs.  

Vehicles are allowed for travel within the states of California, Nevada, and Arizona. 

Travel to Mexico is not allowed.

Insurance

The renter’s own liability insurance will apply except where the owner is legally required by law to provide liability protection. If the renter purchases liability protection from United Auto Rental, the renter will be provided with liability protection up to the minimum coverage required by state law, should bodily injury claims and property damage claims be made against the renter or authorized drivers by the people injured in an accident. The cost of renters liability insurance (RLI) is $16.99 per day.  

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

Collision damage waiver is offered at $15.99 to $19.99 per day, depending on the rented vehicle. CDW is not insurance.  

Renters planning on using their own insurance coverage must bring proof of insurance. 

Taxes and Other Fees

Sales tax is currently 7.75%.  

Vehicle licensing fee (VLF) is $0.65 to $1.15 per day. This fee varies depending on the rented vehicle. 

Shuttle Information

Shuttle is available during business hours. We are very accommodating. Please call the location once you have arrived so we can arrange your pickup. Shuttles are complementary. Our sites are conveniently located approximately 1 to 2 miles from the airport terminal.  

Credit Card Qualifications/Requirements: 

To qualify to rent from United Auto Rental, the renter must present at the time of rental a current driver’s license and a valid major credit card or debit card (see Debit Card Usage below) in the renter’s own name with available credit.   

At the time of rental, an authorization hold will be secured on the credit/debit card provided to cover the estimated rental charges and any additional charges that may be incurred. These funds will not be available for your use. We may place an authorization amount of up to $350.00 plus the estimated charges on a customer’s card, given certain conditions that will be outlined at the time of rental. 

  • Major credit cards accepted: American Express, Mastercard, Discover, Visa.   
  • Checks are not accepted. 
  • We will authorize the estimated rental amount plus up to $350.00 at the inception of the rental on major credit cards. 

When renting a vehicle using a Visa or MasterCard debit card, please note: 

TRAVELERS

  • Valid driver’s license and a round-trip ticket from an airline (indicating the vehicle is being returned the day you are flying out). 
  • United Auto Rental will place a debit hold on your account for the estimated amount of the rental, plus up to $350.00. This hold is not an actual charge. However, while the hold is in effect, these funds will no longer be available for your use.  

LOCAL RENTERS

  • A deposit of $350.00 is required in addition to the cost of rental. 
  • Verifiable proof of auto insurance. Liability insurance that is in force is required for all local debit card holders. 
  • A minimum of two days is required for rentals when using a debit card. 
  • A credit card guarantee is required when booking and renting premium luxury vans, SUVs, and convertibles. 
  • United Auto Rental will place a debit hold on your account for the estimated amount of the rental, plus up to $350.00. This hold is not an actual charge. However, while the hold is in effect, these funds will no longer be available for your use. 
  • If the vehicle is not returned on or before your due date, United Auto Rental will obtain additional debit authorizations to cover expected rental charges. 
  • When the vehicle is returned, United Auto Rental will charge the total rental amount and will process a reversal of any temporary debit hold. Depending on your bank’s procedures, this reversal could require up to five business days to be posted to your account. Please check with your financial institution for their related policies. Unfortunately, United Auto Rental cannot expedite the release of this debit hold, and the funds will not be available for your use until your bank processes the release. We will not be responsible for any returned checks due to credit holds. 

* Prepaid/EDD benefit cards will need to meet the same requirements as cash rentals.

Renting Cars Using a Cash Deposit or a Prepaid Card

Customers planning to rent without the use of a credit or debit card on a cash-only basis must bring the following documents to the rental counter: 

TRAVELERS

Valid driver’s license and a round-trip ticket from an airline.  

LOCAL RENTERS

  • Verifiable home phone number or a current verifiable gas or electric bill with the renter’s name and address (applies to loadable debit cards only). A recent pay stub no more than 30 days old (applies to loadable debit cards only). All documents must be in the renter’s name. A cash deposit of $500.00 is required in addition to the cost of the rental. A loadable debit card is a debit card not issued by a major bank or credit union. 
  • Verifiable proof of automobile insurance.
  • A minimum of two days is required on rentals when using a cash deposit, debit card, or prepaid card. 
  • A credit card guarantee is required when booking premium luxury vans, SUVs, and convertibles.  

Cancellation

There is a 72–hour cancellation requirement on all specialty vehicles. Specialty vehicles include SUVs, vans, luxury vehicles, sports vehicles, trucks, and convertibles. If the reservation is not canceled at least 72 hours before the pickup date and the vehicle is not picked up, a cancellation penalty equal to one rental day will be charged.