Orlando International Airport increasing rental car fees to support off-site rental car facility

While Orlando is famously known as the theme park capital of the world, it also boasts the title of the largest rental car market globally. A significant number of rental cars in the city come from Orlando International Airport (MCO). Unfortunately, these rental vehicles occupy excessive space in the airport's parking lots and garages.

In the past year, over 57 million passengers traveled through MCO, an increase from 50 million in 2022. With more travelers each year, it's common for the airport's parking garages to be at full capacity, largely due to the spaces taken up by rental car companies. The Greater Orlando Airport Authority has a plan, but it could lead to higher costs for your next car rental in Orlando.

Currently, most rental car companies operate from garages located across the street from the terminals, but MCO is among the few major airports lacking on-site rental car facilities. Many other large airports, such as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), have already transitioned to off-site rental car facilities. These consolidated car rental facilities help reduce congestion and create more space at the terminal.

On August 21, the GOAA unveiled the proposed consolidated rental car facility as a component of its initial budget for the 2024‐2025 fiscal year.

"Given the significant increase in traffic, and to enhance both rental car operations and the customer experience, GOAA is moving forward with the design and construction of a consolidated rental car facility (ConRAC)," they stated.

Click Orlando recently interviewed Angela Starke, the GOAA's senior vice president of public affairs and community relations.

"This facility will immediately free up around 5,000 parking spaces in the current A, B, and C garages where rental cars are currently stored," Starke explained. She also mentioned that the new facility is set to be located at the southern end of the airport, close to Terminal C.

MCO's planned consolidated rental car facility is projected to open by 2032; however, Orlando rental car customers will feel the impact of this project much earlier. Starting November 1, the Customer Facility Charge for most airport rental car customers will rise from $6 to $9 per day to help fund the project. Once this increase takes effect, only one other airport in the U.S.—San Francisco International Airport (SFO)—will have a higher CFC of $10, as reported by Click Orlando.

The CFC can be charged for a maximum of seven days, meaning the highest potential increase a customer might encounter is $21.

While rental car prices at Orlando airport are set to rise, there are still ways to save on your next car rental. Similar to other airports, when renting a car at MCO, you'll also incur a daily Toll Convenience Fee. This fee can accumulate if you’re renting for several days, but you can completely avoid it by using Orlando's free Visitor Toll Pass. You’ll still be responsible for the tolls, but you won't have to pay the extra convenience fee that rental car companies typically add to your bill.

Regardless of the airport you choose, you might save on your car rental by booking through a platform like AutoSlash. AutoSlash compares rates from various rental companies and also factors in possible coupons, discount codes, and membership-related savings.

The CFC increase will be implemented on November 1. If you have a rental car reservation on or after this date, you will notice the $3 increase in the CFC reflected on your final bill. In the upcoming years, expect to see construction as MCO develops its new rental car facility, which will mean that you can no longer conveniently walk directly from the terminal to your rental car.