Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our most frequently asked questions, policies, staff notes, and important customer information.
- Renters need to have their own full coverage automobile insurance policy, which covers rental vehicles.
- The minimum rental age for regular vehicles is 21 years old.
- The minimum rental age for our 12 and 15 passengers vans is 25 years old.
- All drivers must have a valid U.S, International Driver’s License, or a valid license from their home country.
- The primary driver and credit card holder must be the same person.
Midnight Sun does not offer insurance coverage. This means that ALL customers must provide proof of their own full coverage insurance upon pick up of the rental vehicle. The only form of proof required will be the policy number and current expiration. Full coverage insurance must include Comp and Collision.
Alaska State law requires insurance information to be carried by drivers at all times.
Do I have to have a credit card to rent from your company?
We accept debit cards under the following circumstances:
- You provide proof you have a full-coverage automobile policy, including policy number and expiration date, and
- Have a round trip airline ticket, and
- Debit card is able to be charged $500 over the rental bill
Important Note: Debit cards are not accepted from local residents of Anchorage.
Debit Card Users
We do accept all debit and credit cards but please be aware, all debit cards will be charged an additional $500 on top of the cost of the rental until the return of the vehicle. This charge will act as the first part of payment if the vehicle is extended beyond its original return date, if the vehicle is returned without a full tank of gas, or if the vehicle is returned with bodily damage.
Once the rental is returned, Midnight Sun will return the $500 charge on the debit card to your account within 24-72 business hours. Once we return the charge, it is up to your bank to make the funds available. Midnight Sun has no control over when you would be able to see the $500 back in your account.
How much is the deposit?
We require a $100 deposit for all our vehicles. The deposit will go towards the grand total of the rental and is non-refundable.
What credit cards do you accept?
We honor Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards.
During our summer months (June-August) we do not offer any discounts. However, we do offer a 10% military discount during our off-season (September-May).
Do I have to make a reservation?
Advance reservations are strongly suggested, especially in the summer months (June-August). Vehicles may be reserved by category only, and Midnight Sun Car & Van Rental has the right to substitute a similar or larger vehicle at no additional charge if the reserved vehicle category is not available at the time of check out.
Are there any additional fees?
Rates do not include any airport-imposed fees, LDW (Loss Damage Waivers), infant seats, or additional driver charges. We allow one additional driver for free, and the cost is a single $10.00 flat rate charge for any additional drivers after that.
Mileage Policy
All rentals come with 150 free miles per day, additional miles will be charged at $.20 per mile. If the rental vehicle is kept for 3 days or more, you’ll receive unlimited mileage.
Airport Fees
Upon arrival, taxis are lined up outside of baggage claim for your convenience. The average cost including a tip is $10.00. By taking a taxi to our location you will avoid an additional airport concession tax of 14%.
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask that you give us a courtesy call to cancel your reservation. While we do not charge additional cancellation fees, the $100 deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE.
Do you have a shuttle service from Ted Stevens International Airport to your rental facility?
Unfortunately, we do not pick up from the airport. We recommend taking a taxi or uber to our business, the cost to do so is about $10.00 including a tip. Usually, the driver of the group will take a taxi to our business while the rest of their party is getting the luggage. We are about 1.5 miles away from the airport, and we will do our best to have you in the rental vehicle in about 10 minutes or less.
Do you have another location besides Anchorage?
No, Anchorage is our only location.
Will I lose my car rental if my flight is delayed?
It is essential that we are given the correct flight number and arrival time. If this is not available at the time of booking, make sure you inform us at least 3 days prior to arrival. This will help ensure your reservation is not cancelled due to flight delays. You will not lose your reservation, but we ask that you call and let us know the new arrival time of your flight.
Can you drop the car off at my hotel?
We require our customers to come to our office to fill out the contract before operating our vehicles.
Do you offer any sort of shuttle service?
Although we do not pick up at the airport, we can drop our customers off at the airport. We just use the same vehicle you rented from us. We also offer a complimentary shuttle service to and from any local hotel in the City of Anchorage.
Yes, we offer drop-off services to Seward and Whittier. The fee for dropping off in Seward is $400.00, and the fee for Whittier is $300.00.
Seward - Cruise ship terminal parking lot. Get Directions.
Whittier - Whispering Falls Parking Lot. Parking is $10. Get Directions.
Are your vehicles new?
Our vehicles are not new. The average age of our fleet is three to five years old. A majority of our vehicles are used primarily in the summertime and are in storage for the remainder of the year.
What happens if the rental vehicle has mechanical issues?
We have several solutions to any vehicle problems that may occur. If it is a minor issue, we will get the vehicle into a shop in the area you are located and have the problem fixed. If it is a major problem, we will have a rental vehicle towed or brought to you.
Do you offer car seats?
We offer complimentary backless booster seats and forward-facing child car seats on a first come first serve basis.
Do your cars have a GPS system?
Our cars do not have GPS systems, nor do we have any GPS navigational systems on hand either.
Do any of the vans have luggage racks?
The 7 passenger vans do have luggage racks, but the 12 and 15 passenger vans do not.
Can I request a specific vehicle?
We rent our vehicles on a rotating schedule, therefore we can’t guarantee you will get a specific vehicle. We will do our best to get the vehicle you requested but we can’t guarantee it will be available for your reservation.
How many drivers are allowed in one vehicle?
We allow each vehicle two drivers free of charge, any additional drivers will be a flat fee of $30.
Is a special drivers license needed to operate the 8-passenger, 12-passenger, or 15-passenger vans?
No, a standard class “d” drivers license is all that is required to drive the larger vans. You do not need a commercial drivers license. However, we require that everyone operating our 12 and 15 passenger vans is over the age of 25.
As when driving your own car, we recommend using common sense when driving on Alaska roads. Most roads are well maintained and in excellent condition. If you feel a road might damage a vehicle, it probably will. All off-road driving is prohibited.
The following roads are prohibited from use:
- North from Fairbanks-Dalton Hwy.
- North from Dawson City-Dempster Hwy.
- East from Carmack-Campbell Hwy.
- North from Livengood-Elliott Hwy.
- McCarthy Road
- Off Limits-Elliot Hwy to Deadhorse.
WINTER ROAD RESTRICTIONS
During the winter months, October through May, all of our vehicles are allowed only within a 50-mile radius of Anchorage. Our vehicles are not allowed farther North than Palmer or Wasilla, nor are they allowed farther South than Whittier/Portage Glacier. This means you can not drive our vehicles to the following places in the wintertime:
- Fairbanks
- Talkeetna
- Seward
- Homer
- Kenai/Soldotna