If you’re searching for the Hertz return car to different location fee, the most important thing to know is that Hertz may allow you to return a rental vehicle somewhere other than the originally scheduled location, but the change can affect your final price.
Hertz officially supports one-way rentals, but changing the return location after your rental has already started can be treated differently. Hertz states that an intercity fee can apply when a vehicle is returned somewhere other than the location listed in the Rental Agreement, and a Return Change Fee may also apply when the change is made after the rental begins.
Can You Return a Hertz Car to a Different Location?
Yes. Hertz offers one-way rentals in the United States, allowing customers to choose different pickup and drop-off locations when availability permits.
You can check Hertz’s official U.S. rental locations and different drop-off options before making or modifying your reservation. Hertz’s booking system includes a “Same Drop-Off Location” option, which can be changed when searching for eligible one-way rentals.
However, there is an important difference between:
- Booking a one-way rental from the beginning.
- Changing your scheduled return location after pickup.
When the different return location is included in the original reservation, its pricing can already be reflected in your quote.
If you change the location after the rental has started, additional charges or a revised rental rate may apply.
How Much Is the Hertz Return Car to Different Location Fee?
There is no single total amount that applies to every Hertz rental.
According to Hertz’s current U.S. Rental Qualifications and Requirements page, an intercity fee can apply when the vehicle is returned somewhere other than the location specified in the Rental Agreement. Hertz also states that, at corporate locations, customers who have already started their rental and notify Hertz that they want to change the return location may be charged a nominal return-change fee.
Importantly, that fee may not be the only pricing change.
Hertz’s U.S. reservation terms state that changing the drop-off location can also affect the rental charges, and the rental rate may increase after a reservation change. You can review the official Hertz U.S. Terms and Conditions for the latest applicable rules.
Your total may therefore depend on:
- Original pickup location
- Original return location
- New drop-off location
- Vehicle class
- Rental dates
- Rental duration
- Availability
- Taxes and location charges
- Original booking rate
- Whether the change is made before or after pickup
Always check your revised rental estimate rather than focusing only on one fee.
One-Way Rental vs. Changing the Drop-Off Location
These two situations are not necessarily priced the same way.
One-way rental booked in advance
You may reserve:
Pickup: Los Angeles
Return: San Diego
Because both locations are entered when making the reservation, Hertz can calculate the quote using that itinerary.
Changing the return location during your rental
Suppose your original agreement says:
Pickup: Los Angeles
Return: Los Angeles
You later decide to return the vehicle in San Diego.
This changes a condition of your existing rental and may result in:
- A return-change fee
- An intercity or one-way-related charge
- A different underlying rental rate
- Location-specific taxes or surcharges
Get confirmation from Hertz before making the return.
How to Change Your Hertz Return Location
1. Check your rental agreement
Confirm the return location currently listed on your booking or Rental Agreement.
2. Check your Hertz reservation online
Depending on the booking and rental stage, you may be able to review or modify details using Hertz’s official website or app.
3. Contact Hertz if the rental has already started
If you already have the vehicle, contact Hertz through an official support channel before returning it to another branch.
Explain your:
- Current return location
- Requested new location
- Return date
- Return time
4. Ask for the full revised cost
Do not ask only, “What is the fee?”
Ask what your new estimated rental total will be.
This matters because Hertz states that changing a reservation, including its drop-off location, can affect the rental charges.
5. Save your confirmation
Keep any updated:
- Reservation
- Rental agreement
- App confirmation
- Revised quote
This can help if you later have a billing question.
Do Not Simply Return the Car Somewhere Else
Even if another Hertz branch is nearby, do not assume you can leave the vehicle there under your existing agreement.
The return destination forms part of the rental agreement.
Returning the vehicle somewhere else without notifying Hertz could potentially result in additional charges or complications.
Where possible, get the change approved first.
What If You Want to Return the Car to a Different Airport?
A different airport may be available as a one-way return location, but availability and pricing depend on the actual rental.
Before driving to the alternative airport:
- Check whether the location accepts the vehicle.
- Confirm that Hertz has changed your rental.
- Ask for the revised estimated total.
- Save confirmation of the change.
Airport taxes, concession fees, and local charges can differ, so the final price may not match your original booking.
Which Hertz Support Channel Should You Use?
| Situation | Generally suitable channel |
|---|---|
| Before pickup | Hertz website/app or reservations support |
| Rental already started | Current-rental support |
| Changing the drop-off point | Hertz support before returning |
| At the return location | Rental-counter staff |
| Unexpected final charge | Post-rental/billing support |
| Vehicle breakdown | Official Hertz roadside assistance |
| Lost property | Official Hertz lost-and-found process |
Current contact methods and support availability can change, so verify them through the official Hertz website or app.
What to Prepare Before Contacting Hertz
Have these details ready:
- Reservation or rental agreement number
- Full name on the rental
- Pickup location
- Original return location
- Requested return location
- Rental dates
- Vehicle information
- Payment method
- Details of the requested change
- Original quote
- Revised quote, if available
- Receipts
- Relevant screenshots
What If the Final Charge Is Higher Than Expected?
Compare your final Hertz receipt with your original and revised rental information.
Check:
- Base rental charge
- Return location
- Rental period
- Taxes
- Intercity fees
- Return-change charges
- Other surcharges
The full difference may not necessarily be caused by one “different location fee.”
If you believe a charge does not match the change you approved, contact Hertz’s official post-rental or billing support and provide documentation showing the original and revised terms.
Documenting a Billing Dispute
Keep a short timeline:
Original return location: Location A
New return requested: Location B
Change approved: Date/time
Revised quote: Amount shown
Vehicle returned: Location B
Final bill: Amount charged
Disputed amount: Specific fee or difference
Clear documentation makes it easier to explain exactly what you want Hertz to review.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming every Hertz location accepts one-way returns
Availability can depend on the vehicle and destination.
Assuming there is only one fixed drop fee
The rental rate itself may also change.
Returning to another branch without notification
Get approval first whenever possible.
Not checking the revised total
Compare the whole price, not only the fee line.
Relying on an old online fee amount
Rental policies and charges can change over time.
Final Takeaway
The Hertz return car to different location fee can involve more than a simple one-way charge. Hertz’s current U.S. information indicates that an intercity fee can apply when the return location differs from the Rental Agreement, while changing the location after the rental begins may also trigger a Return Change Fee.
Your underlying rental charges may change as well, so always get the new return location approved and review the full revised total before returning the car.
Policies, pricing, eligible routes, vehicle restrictions, and fees can vary by reservation and location. Verify the latest information through Hertz’s official U.S. website, app, or your Rental Agreement.
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