Budget Car Hire
in Oakland

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Oakland, 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 Oakland.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Oakland 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 Oakland 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)

When you arrive at Oakland International Airport (OAK), your Budget hire car is not at the terminal itself. All major hire companies, including Budget, are consolidated at the Rental Car Centre located at 7600 Earhart Rd, Oakland, CA 94621.

To reach the Budget counter, follow these steps:

• From Terminal 1: exit baggage claim, cross two roadways to the third kerb (island 3A or 3G) and board the white shuttle bus marked "Rental Car Centre"
• From Terminal 2: exit to the second or third kerb (island 3D) for the same shuttle
• Shuttles run every 7 to 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, and the journey takes approximately 5 to 7 minutes
• Once at the Rental Car Centre, check the directory board to locate the Budget counter, complete your paperwork, then inspect and collect your vehicle from the garage

From the moment you disembark, Budget recommends allowing at least 45 to 60 minutes before you are driving away, to account for baggage claim, shuttle wait, counter paperwork, and vehicle inspection.

Returning your Budget hire car at Oakland Airport outside normal counter hours is straightforward if you follow the correct process at the Rental Car Centre on Earhart Rd.

• Enter the return area via the Langley St return entrance, not the Earhart Rd arrival entrance
• Park and lock the vehicle, then note the mileage and fuel level on your contract
• Between approximately 4 and 6 AM: place your keys and contract in the grey drop box located at the front of the return area
• Between approximately 2 and 4 AM: leave your keys with the security guard at the secured gate
• Shuttles back to the Oakland Airport terminals run 24 hours a day from the Rental Car Centre

Before your Budget hire in Oakland, confirm the exact after-hours drop-off procedure on your booking confirmation, as counter hours can vary. Taking photos of the vehicle condition and fuel gauge at return is always a good precaution.

Oakland sits in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, where toll exposure is significant. California uses the FasTrak electronic toll system across all toll facilities, and nearly all toll roads are fully cashless.

Common tolls you may encounter with your Budget hire in Oakland include:

• Bay Bridge (San Francisco to Oakland): approximately US$8.50 per westbound crossing using FasTrak
• Golden Gate Bridge: approximately US$9.75 southbound (FasTrak rate) or US$10.75 by invoice
• Express lanes on I-580, I-680, and other Bay Area motorways: dynamic pricing, FasTrak required

Your Budget hire vehicle comes with an electronic toll device or plate-based billing. At the Oakland pickup counter you can choose between:

• An unlimited toll package at approximately US$11 to US$25 per hire day
• 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 FasTrak website or app. If you use your own transponder, ask the Budget agent in Oakland to deactivate the vehicle's default device to avoid duplicate charges.

Yes, all Hola Car Rentals rates, including Budget hires in Oakland, include Tolls Cashback of up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire.

Given the Bay Area toll network around Oakland, including Bay Bridge crossings and FasTrak express lanes, this benefit can add up meaningfully. Here is how to claim it:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning your Budget vehicle in Oakland
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA followed by your confirmation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the hire agreement signed at the Budget counter, and a toll receipt or statement showing charges paid
• Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for your booking

Refunds are issued to your original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Note that late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit does not mean tolls are free; you still pay them normally and receive reimbursement afterwards up to the 5% cap.

To collect your Budget hire car in Oakland, you must present all required documents in physical form at the counter. Digital copies are not accepted.

• A valid, unexpired driving licence in the main driver’s name
• A physical major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, used for the authorisation hold
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight tickets or cruise itinerary (required for visitors arriving from abroad)

If your driving licence uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory alongside your original licence. For licences in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and is never valid without your original licence.

At Oakland Airport Budget locations, some agents may also request a recent utility bill or other proof of address matching your licence if you are not presenting a passport. Bring a backup credit card in your own name in case your primary card is declined at the Budget counter.

Yes, a physical major credit card in the main driver’s name is required to pick up your Budget hire in Oakland. Debit cards, prepay cards, and virtual or digital-wallet cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold.

Here is what to keep in mind:

• The card must have the driver’s name printed on it and be presented physically at the Budget counter in Oakland
• A temporary authorisation hold of approximately US$300 to US$400 is typical for standard vehicles in the United States, though the exact amount is set by Budget at the time of collection
• The hold reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the hire, which can take up to 15 working days
• Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at the Oakland counter

Bring a backup credit card in your own name in case your primary card is declined. If your card is issued by a foreign bank, notify your bank before travelling to prevent fraud blocks on an in-person authorisation in Oakland.

Yes, hiring a Budget car directly at Oakland Airport (OAK) comes with additional fees beyond the base hire rate. These are standard airport-related surcharges that apply to all on-airport hires and are not unique to Budget.

Fees you can expect at Oakland Airport include:

• Concession Recovery Fee: approximately US$6 to US$10, charged by Budget to recover the cost of operating at the airport
• Airport Customer Facility Charge (CFC): approximately 10% of the hire, covering the Rental Car Centre at 7600 Earhart Rd
• Alameda County hire tax: approximately 1%
• Oakland city and state surcharges: combined vehicle licence fee surcharges can add another 9% to 12%

In total, airport fees and taxes at Oakland can add 15% to 20% more than you would pay at an off-airport Budget location. If Budget is a priority, consider off-airport Budget or partner locations in the Oakland area, which typically save US$15 to US$30 per day on economy vehicles by avoiding concession and facility fees. Your booking confirmation will show which fees are included and which are due at the counter.

Yes, Budget in Oakland charges a young-driver surcharge for drivers under 25 years old. In the United Kingdom, the standard minimum age to hire without an underage fee is 25, and Budget follows this policy at Oakland locations.

• Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will pay a daily young-hire surcharge in addition to the base rate
• Budget charges approximately US$13 per hire day plus taxes for underage drivers, with a maximum cap of US$65 plus taxes per hire period
• Certain vehicle classes such as full-size, SUVs, luxury, and convertibles are typically restricted to drivers aged 25 and older at Oakland Budget locations
• Economy, compact, and intermediate categories are generally available to drivers aged 21 to 24

One important exception: if you are from Latin America or the Caribbean and your Hola Car Rentals confirmation explicitly states that the underage fee is waived, Budget in Oakland may waive this surcharge for the main driver aged 21 to 24. This exception applies only to eligible vehicle categories and must appear on your confirmation. Additional drivers aged 21 to 24 are not covered by this exception and may be subject to the standard fee or denied.

Most Hola Car Rentals bookings, including Budget hires in Oakland, include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection. This benefit is particularly useful if something unexpected happens while driving in the Oakland area or on Bay Area motorways.

Coverage typically includes:

• Travel insurance with medical cover for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

To reach assistance 24 hours a day, call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free) or contact via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

Important: this benefit does not apply to residents of the United Kingdom or Canada. It is designed for travellers visiting Oakland from other countries. It also does not cover damage to your Budget hire vehicle (that is handled by CDW/LDW) or third-party liability (covered by LIS/SLI). Always check your specific booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your reservation.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Budget hire in Oakland, either as an included benefit or for a fee depending on your rate.

• Check your Hola Car Rentals confirmation for the line "Additional driver free of charge" to see if it is already included
• If not included, Budget in Oakland charges approximately US$13 per hire day plus taxes, with a maximum cap of US$65 plus taxes per hire period
• The additional driver must be physically present at the Budget counter in Oakland at collection with a valid driver’s licence and any required IDP
• For Budget in Oakland, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement

Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW and liability cover. If someone not named on the contract drives the Budget vehicle in Oakland, those protections may be void. If you need to add a driver after collection, visit a Budget branch to update the agreement, as phone or chat requests are typically not sufficient.

The insurance included in your Budget hire in Oakland depends on the rate plan you selected when booking through Hola Car Rentals. It is important to review your confirmation carefully before arriving at the Oakland counter.

Common cover types and what they protect:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the Budget vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation states zero excess
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/SLI/ALI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving. Some UK states require a minimum level of liability, but not all do; adding supplementary liability is strongly recommended for Oakland hires

CDW/LDW does not cover third parties, your personal injuries, or your belongings. Common exclusions include tyre damage, undercarriage, roof, and incidents involving unauthorised drivers or prohibited use such as off-road driving.

California hire agreements serve as proof of insurance, so you will not receive a separate insurance card. Always verify what is listed on your Budget hire agreement at the Oakland counter before signing, and confirm the deductible amount that applies to your booking.

Budget hires in Oakland follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

To avoid fuel charges on your Oakland Budget hire:

• At collection, check the fuel gauge with the Budget agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the Oakland return location before dropping off the vehicle
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
• For after-hours returns at the Oakland Airport Rental Car Centre, leave the receipt in the drop envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge

If you return the Budget vehicle in Oakland 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 pump prices, plus a refuelling service fee. Ask the Budget agent in Oakland for the nearest petrol station to the Rental Car Centre on Earhart Rd before you leave the lot.

Yes, one-way hires are possible with Budget in Oakland, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your return location.

• Returning to a different city or airport from your Oakland collection location typically triggers a one-way drop-off fee, which varies by route, distance, vehicle class, and season
• The fee is shown during the booking process under the "To pay at destination" section on the Hola Car Rentals checkout page, and it also appears on your booking confirmation
• This fee cannot be prepaid and is paid directly to Budget at the Oakland counter or return location
• Some routes, particularly short-distance ones between nearby airports or cities, may not carry a drop-off fee at all
• Cross-border one-way hires, such as returning a Budget vehicle from Oakland into another country, are often restricted or carry significantly higher fees

If you change your return location after booking your Oakland Budget hire, the drop-off fee may be recalculated and the overall rate may reprice. Always confirm the drop-off fee shown on your confirmation matches what the Budget agent presents at the Oakland counter before signing the agreement.