Last Updated on August 22, 2026 by Michael
If you’ve been racking up award points in your favorite car rental loyalty program, you may be considering cashing in some points for a free day on a rental car. But be forewarned: It matters where you choose to pick up your vehicle.
If you redeem points for a free rental day at an airport, don’t assume your bill will be zero. Reward programs generally waive the base rental rate but leave taxes, airport charges, facility fees and other applicable costs to the renter.
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Loyalty programs such as Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold+ and National Emerald Club allow members to earn rewards toward free rental days. While we might not expect a free day to be zero cost, it’s reasonable to expect that your hard-earned points should snag you a dirt-cheap day.
How Car Rental Fees Are Calculated on a Free Day
Airport-related charges can easily add $20 or more to a reward rental, depending on the airport and how the charges are structured. Depending on the location, renters may still be responsible for vehicle-license recovery fees, facility charges, airport fees, concession fees, taxes and other applicable surcharges. That’s why an awarded free day from a rental car company is never truly free.
There is good news, however. When a base rate discounted to zero, the renter can avoid percentage-based taxes, which make up the majority of taxes.
Car Rental Fees for Free Days at Major Airports
Airport rentals often carry additional charges that don’t apply to neighborhood rentals, including airport concession and facility fees. For example, at Boston Logan International Airport, there is a $11.19 CATS fee plus a $2.50 Rental Car Center Facility Access Fee per transaction. San Francisco International Airport charges rental-car customers a $10 customer facility charge plus a $16 transportation fee per rental contract. Seattle-Tacoma’s rental-car CFC is $7.75 per day. These fees vary by airport and are charged regardless of whether there is a “free day.”
