Orlando International Airport Raising Rental Car Fees by 50%, Starting Today

Renting a car in the world’s largest car rental market is getting even more expensive.

Orlando International Airport has plans to build a state-of-the-art Consolidated Rental Car Facility that should ease the congestion of the airport’s existing parking lots and garages, but it’s going to come at a cost to renters.

Here’s what you need to know.

Orlando’s New Car Rental Facility Comes With High Cost for Travelers

Orlando is the world’s largest car rental market, and the airport’s current car rental setup has led to chronic congestion. Parking lots and garages that are filled to capacity at busy travel times.

To fix this, the airport plans to build a Consolidated Rental Car Facility (ConRAC) to streamline travelers’ experiences and ease the pressure on the existing setup. The new ConRAC, which is not yet under construction, will be located near Terminal C at the south end of the airport and reportedly will free up about 5,000 spaces in existing garages.

According to News 6 in Orlando, the new facility will cost a whopping $2.2 billion, and much of that cost will be passed on to those renting a car from the airport, coming in the form of a hike to the so-called Customer Facility Charge (CFC). That’s jumping from $6 to $9 per day today, November 1, 2024. The 50% increase in the fee was approved by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA).

“This is a long-term project of an enormous size, and there are several supporting projects that need to be in place before construction begins,” said Angela Starke, GOAA senior vice president of public affairs and community relations. “With that said, and depending on funding, the ConRAC is expected to be completed by 2032.”

The CFC isn’t the only charge car renters will be responsible for, though. Additional fees include a “concession recovery fee, an energy recovery fee, a Florida surcharge, a vehicle license fee, and a waste, tire, and battery fee.” News 6 says that a week-long SUV rental from Orlando International Airport (MCO) can include more than $150 in fees alone.

Final Thoughts

Renting a car just got more expensive at Orlando International Airport. The airport’s Customer Facility Charge increased by 50% today, November 1, and now the Florida airport is tied with Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as the most expensive airport from which to rent a car. That’s not a competition you want to win.

If you’re heading to Orlando soon and need to rent a car for your trip, you may want to look for off-site rental agencies if you find the fees to be exorbitant. What you’ll lose in convenience, you’ll more than make up for by keeping a significant amount of cash in your wallet!