VERIFIED REVIEWS
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking with Payless in Tampa include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental brands operating in Tampa, including Payless, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes benefits that no other company can match:
- Free liability coverage starting at US$ 300,000 in case of an accident (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
- Toll cashback: recover up to 5% of the reservation's total value for toll charges incurred during your rental period
- Premium travel medical assistance providing up to US$ 150,000 in coverage for a maximum of 5 passengers in case of a medical emergency, excluding pre-existing conditions
- No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification
All of this comes at no extra cost, ensuring a fully protected Payless rental experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in Tampa.
Will I face unexpected charges at the Payless counter in Tampa when I book through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your Payless booking in Tampa are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the Payless counter.
On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the Payless counter in Tampa charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with Payless to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.
The only costs outside this guarantee are:
- Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
- Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)
How do I pick up my Payless rental car at Tampa International Airport?
At Tampa International Airport (TPA), the Payless counter is located at the consolidated Rental Car Center at 5409 Airport Service Road. You do not walk directly from the terminal to the counter.
After collecting your luggage, follow the signs to the SkyConnect train inside the main terminal. Take the SkyConnect train to the Rental Car Center, where Payless and other rental brands are located under one roof. The ride takes only a few minutes.
Once at the Rental Car Center, follow the signs to the Payless counter. Bring your booking confirmation, a valid driver's license, your passport or government-issued photo ID, and a major credit card in the main driver's name for the security deposit hold.
The Payless counter at Tampa Airport operates from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM daily, so if you are arriving very late at night, plan accordingly as overnight counter access is limited.
What are the Payless counter hours at Tampa Airport?
The Payless counter at Tampa International Airport (TPA), located at 5409 Airport Service Road, is open from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM, seven days a week.
There is no confirmed 24-hour service at the Tampa Payless location, so if your flight arrives after 1:00 AM, you may need to wait until the counter reopens at 5:00 AM or consider adjusting your pickup time when booking.
If your flight is delayed by less than 24 hours from your original pickup time, Payless will generally hold your Tampa reservation. For delays beyond 24 hours, contact support as soon as possible to avoid losing your booking.
What documents do I need to pick up my Payless car in Tampa?
To pick up your Payless rental in Tampa, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:
- A valid, original driver's license (not a digital copy)
- A passport or government-issued photo ID
- A major credit card in the main driver's name, with the name printed on the physical card, for the security deposit hold
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
- Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad
If your driver's license uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory at the Tampa Payless counter. For licenses in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended even if not strictly required.
All documents must be physical originals. Digital versions shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the Payless counter in Tampa or at any other rental location.
How do tolls work when renting a Payless car in Tampa?
Tampa's toll roads are almost entirely cashless, meaning there are no traditional toll booths where you stop and pay. Roads like the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway use electronic gantries that read transponders or photograph license plates.
Your Payless rental in Tampa will include an electronic toll device or a plate-based billing system. At the counter, you will typically have two options:
- Unlimited toll package: a fixed daily rate of approximately US$7.95 per day (capped at US$37.95 per month) that covers all tolls during your rental
- Pay per use: if you decline the package and still drive through a toll, Payless will charge the toll amount plus administrative fees to your credit card, sometimes days or weeks after you return the car
One important Tampa-specific feature is the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway Reversible Express Lanes, which change direction depending on the time of day. These lanes are fully electronic, so driving through them without a transponder or enrolled toll program will result in a plate-based charge billed later.
If you plan to use your own visitor toll pass, inform the Payless agent at the Tampa counter so they can deactivate the vehicle's default device and prevent duplicate charges.
How much do tolls cost on a typical Tampa driving day with a Payless rental?
When driving a Payless rental around Tampa, you can expect to pay approximately US$3 to US$10 in tolls per day, depending on which roads you use.
The most common toll road in the area is the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, which connects downtown Tampa to the Brandon area. This road uses all-electronic tolling with no cash option, so charges are captured automatically via the transponder in your Payless vehicle or via a photo of the license plate.
If you are driving from Tampa toward Orlando or Miami, toll costs increase significantly, as Florida's Turnpike and other expressways add multiple toll segments along the way.
To avoid surprise charges, consider enrolling in the Payless toll program at pickup. If you prefer to track your own tolls, keep all receipts and statements, as you may be eligible to claim Tolls Cashback through Hola Car Rentals after your rental ends.
Can I get cashback on tolls paid with my Payless rental in Tampa?
Yes, you can get cashback on tolls paid during your Payless rental in Tampa. All Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses you up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during the rental period.
Tampa's cashless toll roads, including the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and regional expressways, generate charges that qualify for this benefit. Here is how to claim it:
- Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning your Payless vehicle in Tampa
- Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - followed by your reservation confirmation number
- Attach your rental agreement, a toll invoice or statement, and proof of payment
The refund is calculated as the lesser of the actual tolls paid or 5% of your Hola Car Rentals booking total. For example, if your booking total was US$400, the maximum cashback is US$20. Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval.
Note that this benefit covers toll charges only, not administrative fees or traffic fines.
Is a credit card required to pick up a Payless car in Tampa?
Yes, a major credit card is required to pick up your Payless rental in Tampa. The card must be in the main driver's name, with the driver's name physically printed on the card, and must have sufficient available credit to cover the security deposit hold.
At the Tampa Payless counter, a temporary authorization of approximately US$300 to US$400 is typical for standard vehicles, though the exact amount depends on the vehicle class and Payless's current policy. This hold reduces your available credit until it is released after you return the car, which can take up to 15 business days depending on your bank.
- Debit cards are not accepted for the security deposit hold
- Prepaid or virtual cards are not accepted
- The card must belong to the main driver, not a third party
Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at the Tampa Payless counter at pickup. Bringing a backup credit card is always a good idea in case your primary card is declined.
Is there a young driver surcharge at Payless in Tampa for drivers under 25?
Yes, drivers under 25 renting a Payless car in Tampa are subject to a young driver surcharge. In the United States, the standard minimum age to rent without additional fees is 25, and Payless applies a daily underage surcharge for drivers aged 21 to 24.
At the Tampa Payless location, drivers under 30 may also be required to pay an additional fee depending on the vehicle class selected. The young driver surcharge at Payless in Tampa is charged at the counter and is not included in your prepaid rate.
Additional restrictions to be aware of:
- Many vehicle classes such as full-size SUVs, premium, luxury, convertibles, and vans are restricted to drivers aged 25 and older
- Economy, compact, and intermediate vehicles are generally available to younger renters
- For Payless in Tampa, additional drivers aged 21 to 24 may not be accepted or may incur their own surcharge
If you are between 21 and 24 and traveling from Latin America or the Caribbean, check whether an underage fee waiver applies to your booking through Avis or Budget, as Payless does not offer the same exception.
How does travel assistance work if something happens during my Payless rental in Tampa?
Most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be useful if you experience a medical emergency or other covered incident during your Payless rental in Tampa or while driving on Tampa's expressways.
Coverage typically includes:
- Medical assistance for up to 5 passengers for non-pre-existing conditions
- Legal assistance in case of an accident
- Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
- Flight cancellation insurance
If you need help during your Tampa rental, contact the assistance line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
- Phone: +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free)
- WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
- Email: [email protected]
When you call, have your full name and your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready. Follow the coordinator's instructions before incurring expenses, as some reimbursements require prior authorization.
Important: this travel assistance benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. It also does not cover damage to the Payless rental vehicle itself, which is handled separately by CDW or LDW coverage.
Can I add an additional driver to my Payless rental in Tampa?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Payless rental in Tampa, but the additional driver must be present at the Tampa Payless counter at pickup with their own valid driver's license.
Whether the additional driver fee is included depends on your specific booking rate. If your confirmation does not show additional driver as included, Payless charges US$13 per rental day plus taxes, with a maximum charge of US$65 plus taxes for the rental period.
Key requirements for adding a driver at the Tampa Payless counter:
- The additional driver must appear in person at pickup and sign the rental agreement
- They must present a valid driver's license and photo ID
- For Payless in Tampa, additional drivers should generally be at least 25 years old
- If their license uses a non-Latin alphabet, an IDP is required
Only drivers listed on the rental agreement are covered by the vehicle's protections such as CDW and liability coverage. Anyone who drives the Payless car in Tampa without being named on the contract may void those protections and create personal financial liability.
Can I pick up a Payless car in Tampa and return it in a different city?
Yes, one-way rentals are generally possible with Payless, allowing you to pick up in Tampa and return the car in a different city. However, a drop-off fee typically applies and the amount varies depending on the destination, vehicle class, and season.
When booking a one-way rental from Tampa, the drop-off fee will be shown on the rate details page under the section labeled as charges due at destination. This fee is not included in your prepaid rate and must be paid at the counter.
Some routes from Tampa may not carry a drop-off fee, particularly short-distance routes within Florida. Longer routes, cross-state trips, or premium vehicle classes are more likely to incur a significant one-way charge.
Cross-border one-way rentals, such as returning a Payless car rented in Tampa to a location in another country, are generally not permitted or carry very high fees. Always confirm the specific route is allowed before booking.
If you change your return location after booking, the drop-off fee may be recalculated and the overall rate may reprice. Review your confirmation carefully and contact support if the fee at the Tampa Payless counter differs from what was shown during booking.
What fuel policy applies to Payless rentals in Tampa?
Payless rentals in Tampa follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.
To avoid extra costs at the end of your Tampa rental:
- Check the fuel gauge with the Payless agent at pickup and confirm the starting level is recorded on the rental agreement
- Take a photo of the dashboard showing the fuel gauge and odometer
- Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the Tampa Payless return location at 5409 Airport Service Road before dropping off the car
- Keep your final fuel receipt as proof in case of any dispute
If you return the Payless vehicle in Tampa with less than a full tank, you may be charged for the fuel shortfall at the partner's refueling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a refueling service fee.
Some Payless counter locations may offer a prepaid fuel option at pickup. If you accept it, the full tank is pre-purchased and any unused fuel is generally non-refundable, so this option is only worthwhile if you expect to return the car nearly empty.
What insurance coverage do I need for my Payless rental in Tampa?
When picking up a Payless car in Tampa, you will be offered several insurance and coverage options at the counter. Understanding what each covers helps you avoid paying for duplicates or leaving yourself unprotected.
The main coverages to consider for your Tampa Payless rental are:
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the rental vehicle itself. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation states zero excess
- Third-Party Liability (LIS or SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to other people or vehicles while driving in Tampa. Florida does not universally require rental companies to include state-minimum liability, so this is worth adding
CDW and LDW do not cover third parties, and liability coverage does not cover damage to the Payless vehicle itself. You need both for comprehensive protection on Tampa roads.
Common exclusions at the Tampa Payless counter include tires, undercarriage, roof damage, and any incident involving an unauthorized driver or prohibited use such as off-road driving.
Check your booking confirmation to see which coverages are already included in your rate before accepting add-ons at the Tampa Payless counter.
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