Budget Car Hire in Los Angeles

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Los Angeles, 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 hire 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 car hire experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in Los Angeles.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Los Angeles 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 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 counter in Los Angeles 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 the hire partner 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)

After landing in Los Angeles, the Budget counter is not inside any terminal. All major hire brands, including Budget, operate from the Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility (ConRAC), which is located off-airport.

To get there, follow these steps after baggage claim:

• Exit to the Lower/Arrivals level of your terminal
• Walk to the centre median and look for the purple "Rental Car Shuttles" signs
• Board the Budget shuttle, which runs frequently day and night at no cost
• The shuttle ride to ConRAC typically takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on loop traffic
• Once inside ConRAC, go to the Budget counter, then follow signs to your vehicle row

Plan for 15 to 25 minutes total from the terminal curb to the Budget counter in Los Angeles, not counting any queue time at the desk. During peak hours or after international flights, allow additional time.

To collect your Budget hire car in Los Angeles, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name
• A passport or government-issued photo ID
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, in the main driver’s name, for the security deposit authorisation hold
• Your booking confirmation

If your driver’s licence is not in English and does not use a Latin (Roman) alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. For other non-English licences, an IDP is strongly recommended to avoid disagreements at the Los Angeles Budget counter.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies or photos on a phone are not accepted. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit. Bring a backup credit card as well, in case your primary card is declined.

Yes, toll roads exist in and around Los Angeles, and your Budget hire vehicle will include an electronic toll device or a plate-based billing system to handle them automatically.

The main toll facilities you may encounter include:

• Express Lanes on I-10 and I-110 in the Los Angeles area, with dynamic pricing of approximately US$0 to US$10 per day depending on usage
• Orange County toll roads (SR-73, SR-241, SR-261, SR-133), which are fully cashless and cost approximately US$5 to US$15 per day

At the Budget counter in Los Angeles, you will typically be offered two options:

• An unlimited toll package at approximately US$11 to US$25 per hire day, covering all toll usage during your hire
• Pay-per-use billing, where actual tolls plus administrative processing fees are charged to your card, sometimes weeks after the hire ends

You may also opt out and pay tolls directly through the toll agency's website. If you plan to use your own compatible transponder, notify the Budget agent at pickup so the vehicle's default device can be deactivated to avoid duplicate charges.

Yes, all bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire, including tolls on Los Angeles area express lanes and Orange County toll roads used with your Budget vehicle.

To claim your cashback after returning your Budget car in Los Angeles:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the hire agreement signed at the Budget counter, and a toll invoice or statement showing charges paid

The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit does not mean tolls are included in your rate; you still pay tolls normally and claim reimbursement afterwards.

Yes, a physical major credit card in the main driver’s name, with the driver’s name printed on the card, is required at the Budget counter in Los Angeles to cover the security deposit hold.

Key points to keep in mind:

• The card must be a major credit card with a line of credit, not a debit card, prepaid card, or virtual card
• The name on the card must match the main driver’s name on the hire agreement
• Digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay are not accepted for the deposit hold
• The hold temporarily reduces your available credit; for a standard vehicle in the United States, expect a hold of approximately US$300 to US$400
• The hold is released after you return the Budget vehicle, though your bank may take up to 15 business days to reflect the release

Even if you prepaid your Los Angeles Budget booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at pickup. Bring a backup card in your name in case your primary card is declined.

Yes, a young driver surcharge applies if you are between 21 and 24 years old when picking up a Budget hire in Los Angeles. Drivers under 21 are generally not eligible to hire in California.

For Budget in Los Angeles, the standard underage fee is US$13 per hire day plus applicable taxes, with a maximum charge of US$65 plus taxes for the hire period.

Additional restrictions apply to young drivers at Budget in Los Angeles:

• Most premium, luxury, full-size SUV, minivan, and convertible vehicle classes are restricted to renters aged 25 and older
• Economy, compact, intermediate, and compact SUV categories are typically available to renters aged 21 to 24

One exception: if you are aged 21 to 24 and hold a passport from Latin America or the Caribbean, certain Hola Car Rentals rates with Budget in Los Angeles may waive the underage fee for the main driver. This waiver must appear explicitly on your booking confirmation to apply at the counter.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Budget hire in Los Angeles, but the additional driver must be physically present at the counter during pickup with their own valid documents.

Requirements for each additional driver at the Budget counter in Los Angeles:

• A valid, original driver’s licence
• A passport or government-issued photo ID
• An International Driving Permit (IDP) if their licence is not in English or uses a non-Latin alphabet
• The additional driver must be at least 25 years old for Budget in Los Angeles

If the additional driver fee is not included in your rate, Budget charges US$13 per hire day plus taxes, with a maximum of US$65 plus taxes. Check your booking confirmation to see whether an additional driver is already included at no extra cost.

You cannot add a driver remotely or after pickup without returning to the Budget location in Los Angeles with both the main driver and the additional driver present. Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by the vehicle's protections.

Budget hires in Los Angeles 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 fees on your Los Angeles Budget hire:

• Check the fuel gauge with the agent at pickup and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge before leaving the lot
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address

If you return the Budget vehicle in Los Angeles with less than a full tank, you may be charged for the fuel shortfall at the partner's refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a refuelling service fee. The starting level recorded on the agreement is what counts, so always verify it matches what you see on the dashboard before driving away.

Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can help in situations such as a breakdown or accident on a Los Angeles freeway during your Budget hire.

Coverage typically includes:

• Medical assistance for up to 5 passengers for non-pre-existing conditions
• Legal assistance in the event of an accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

To get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free) or contact WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your location on the Los Angeles freeway or road, and a brief description of the situation ready.

Important: this travel assistance benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. It also does not cover damage to the Budget hire vehicle itself, which is handled separately by CDW/LDW coverage. Always contact the assistance line before incurring expenses, as some reimbursements require prior authorisation.

Getting from your arrival terminal at LAX to driving away in your Budget car in Los Angeles takes longer than many renters expect, because the Budget counter is located at the off-airport ConRAC facility, not inside any terminal.

Realistic time estimates from touchdown:

• Domestic passengers: approximately 60 to 90 minutes, or 90 to 120 minutes during peak hours or with checked bags
• International passengers: approximately 120 to 180 minutes, and up to 3 to 4 hours during peak periods due to customs and immigration

From the terminal exit, the breakdown is roughly:

• 5 to 15 minutes to walk to the centre median and find the purple "Rental Car Shuttles" signs
• 10 to 25 minutes for the Budget shuttle ride to ConRAC depending on loop traffic
• 10 to 45 minutes at the Budget counter for paperwork and vehicle assignment
• 5 to 20 minutes to exit the vehicle lot

Plan your Los Angeles itinerary with this buffer in mind, especially if you have a tight schedule after landing.

Yes, Budget has branch locations in downtown Los Angeles and other neighbourhoods, which you can choose as an alternative to picking up at LAX.

Key differences between a downtown Los Angeles Budget location and the airport:

• Downtown locations are typically smaller with a narrower vehicle selection, especially for late-day pickups
• No shuttle is required; locations are often reachable on foot from nearby hotels or by a short rideshare
• Downtown Budget locations may avoid some airport-specific fees such as the airport concession recovery fee
• Counter hours at city locations are generally shorter than the extended hours at the LAX ConRAC facility
• LAX is better suited if you are arriving by plane and want to drive immediately, while a downtown pickup may suit you better if you plan to rest first and start driving the next day

When booking, select the specific Los Angeles Budget location that matches your plans. Your booking confirmation will show the exact address and hours for the location you choose.

After-hours returns are possible at the Budget facility in Los Angeles, but you should confirm the specific key-drop process before your hire ends.

General steps for an after-hours return at the Los Angeles Budget location:

• Return the vehicle to the same ConRAC facility where you picked it up, following signs from the airport roads
• Use the key-drop box at the rental centre if the counter is closed
• Take photos of the vehicle's condition, fuel gauge, and odometer before leaving
• Keep all paperwork and any fuel receipts
• Free shuttles from ConRAC back to the LAX terminals run 24 hours a day

Be aware that when you drop the car outside staffed hours, the Budget hire agreement remains open until an agent inspects the vehicle. Any damage or fuel shortfall noted at inspection will still be charged to your card. The standard grace period for returns is typically 30 minutes beyond your scheduled return time; returning significantly late may result in additional day charges. Confirm the exact after-hours policy for your Los Angeles Budget location on your hire agreement.

It depends on the rate plan you selected when booking your Budget hire in Los Angeles. Some Hola Car Rentals rate plans include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) coverage, while others do not.

Check your booking confirmation to see whether CDW or LDW is listed under your included protections. If it is included, it reduces your financial liability for damage to the Budget vehicle from a collision or covered event, subject to any deductible shown on your confirmation.

Important limitations of CDW/LDW on your Los Angeles Budget hire:

• It covers damage to the hire vehicle only, not injuries or damage you cause to other people or their property
• Tires, wheels, undercarriage, and roof damage are often excluded unless a specific add-on is purchased
• Coverage applies only to drivers listed on the Budget hire agreement
• Driving outside permitted areas or in violation of the hire terms can void the coverage

For third-party liability protection, a separate LIS/SLI/ALI policy is needed. If you are unsure what is included in your Los Angeles Budget booking, review the rate details on your confirmation before pickup.