VERIFIED REVIEWS
About hiring a car in Allentown
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking in Allentown include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Allentown, 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 Allentown.
Will I face unexpected charges at the counter when I hire a car in Allentown through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Allentown 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 Allentown 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)
Where do I pick up my hire car at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown?
At Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) in Allentown, hire counters for Avis, Budget, and Alamo are located inside the terminal's baggage claim area. There is no shuttle or consolidated hire centre to reach, so after collecting your bags you simply walk to the counter, present your documents, and receive your keys.
Vehicles are parked just outside the terminal on the adjacent lot, reachable by a short walk. No bus or tram is required. The airport address is 3311 Airport Rd, Allentown, PA 18109.
Counter hours vary by brand. As a general reference, Budget and Avis at ABE operate until midnight on most weekdays and Sundays, with slightly earlier closing on Saturdays. Plan your arrival accordingly, and if your flight is delayed, hire companies will typically hold your booking for up to 24 hours from the original pickup time.
What documents do I need to pick up a hire car in Allentown?
To collect your hire car in Allentown you must bring the following physical documents. Digital copies are not accepted at the counter.
- A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name
- A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, for the authorisation hold
- A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
- Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from outside the United States)
If your driver’s licence is not in English and does not use a Latin (Roman) alphabet, for example Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. For all other non-English licences an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original licence, never as a standalone document.
Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling to Allentown, as U.S. issuers such as AAA do not issue IDPs to non-U.S. licence holders.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Allentown?
It depends on your licence. Visitors renting a car in Allentown can generally drive on a valid foreign licence, but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory if your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script. For all other non-English licences, an IDP is strongly recommended even if not strictly required, as individual hire counters may request one.
The IDP is a translation booklet only. It is invalid without your original licence and must be presented alongside it at the Allentown counter. You must obtain the IDP in your home country before travelling, since U.S. organisations such as AAA do not issue IDPs to holders of non-U.S. licences.
All documents presented at the hire counter in Allentown must be physical originals. Digital or photocopied versions will not be accepted.
Are there toll roads near Allentown, and how are they charged on a hire car?
Yes, toll roads are a real consideration when driving from Allentown. Pennsylvania's primary toll system is the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which operates on a fully cashless basis using E-ZPass transponders and a Toll By Plate system for vehicles without a transponder.
Hire cars in Allentown do not stop at toll booths. Instead, overhead gantries read either the vehicle's built-in transponder or its licence plate, and charges are billed to the hire company, which then passes them to your credit card, sometimes days or weeks after you return the vehicle.
- E-ZPass rate example: approximately US$1.94 per short segment on the Turnpike
- Toll By Plate rate: approximately double the E-ZPass amount per segment, plus administrative fees
- A 50-mile Turnpike trip costs roughly US$4.78 with E-ZPass
At the Allentown pickup counter you can enrol in the hire company's toll programme, which typically costs US$11 to US$25 per day and covers tolls at E-ZPass rates. If you decline, tolls are still captured via plate billing at higher rates plus per-event administrative fees. Pennsylvania has no congestion charges or urban emissions zones.
Can I get cashback on tolls paid during my Allentown hire?
Yes, every booking includes Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Allentown hire. This is especially useful given that driving from Allentown often involves the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other cashless toll roads where charges can accumulate.
To claim your cashback after returning the vehicle, email [email protected] within 30 days with the following documents:
- Your reservation confirmation
- A copy of the hire agreement signed at pickup
- A receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid, such as a toll provider invoice, the final hire invoice with an itemised toll line, or a transponder statement
The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted. Tolls Cashback does not mean tolls are included in your rate. You still pay tolls normally during the Allentown hire and claim reimbursement afterwards.
How does the one-way street system in Allentown affect driving a hire car?
Downtown Allentown features an extensive one-way street network that can be disorienting for first-time visitors. The city has implemented one-way designations across many corridors, including high-injury streets such as Seventh and Linden, where road layouts differ significantly from a standard U.S. urban grid.
The city is actively studying conversions of some one-way streets to two-way traffic as part of safety initiatives, so conditions may change. Temporary changes can also be introduced by mayoral order for up to 90 days.
Practical tips for navigating Allentown in a hire car:
- Use a GPS or navigation app updated with current map data before setting off
- Ask the hire counter agent for any known local routing advice at pickup
- Allow extra time when navigating downtown Allentown, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area
- Be alert for angle and rear-end crash risks on corridors targeted by the city's safety programme
No special permit or restriction applies to hire vehicles in Allentown's one-way network, but awareness of the layout will make your hire experience smoother.
Is a credit card required to hire a car in Allentown?
Yes, a major credit card in the main driver’s name with the driver’s name printed on the card is required at every Allentown hire counter. The card is used to place a temporary authorisation hold, not a charge, on your available credit at pickup.
Typical security deposit holds in the United States range from US$300 to US$400 for standard vehicles, though the exact amount is set by the hire company and may be higher for premium classes or longer hires.
- Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold
- Virtual or digital-wallet-only card numbers are not accepted; you must present the physical card
- The card must be in the main driver’s name, not a third party’s name
Even if you prepay your Allentown booking online, you must still present a physical major credit card at the counter. The hold is released after you return the vehicle, but your bank controls how quickly it clears, which can take up to 15 business days. Bringing a backup credit card is strongly recommended in case your primary card is declined.
What insurance coverage do I need for a hire car in Allentown?
When hiring a car in Allentown, two main types of cover are worth understanding before you arrive at the counter.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial liability for damage to the hire vehicle itself, including collision, theft, and vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero. CDW/LDW does not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.
Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving in Allentown and surrounding areas. Some U.S. states require hire companies to include a state-minimum liability amount, but this is not universal. Hola Car Rentals strongly recommends adding supplementary liability cover up to US$300,000 for full protection.
- CDW/LDW covers the hire vehicle only
- LIS/ALI/SLI covers third parties only
- Neither covers your personal injuries (that requires PAI) or belongings (PEC)
Check your booking confirmation to see which coverages are included in your Allentown rate before arriving at the counter.
Is travel assistance included with my Allentown hire car booking?
Yes, most bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be valuable if an unexpected situation arises during your Allentown hire, such as a medical emergency on the Pennsylvania Turnpike or a breakdown in a less-populated area outside the city.
Core benefits typically include:
- Travel and medical cover for up to 5 passengers
- Legal assistance in the event of an accident
- Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
- Flight cancellation insurance
To reach assistance 24 hours a day, call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free) or contact WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.
Important: this benefit applies only to non-North American customers. Residents of the United States and Canada do not qualify for travel assistance cover. Pre-existing medical conditions are also excluded. This cover does not replace CDW/LDW for vehicle damage or LIS/ALI/SLI for third-party liability during your Allentown hire.
Can I add an additional driver to my hire car in Allentown?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your hire car in Allentown, but the additional driver must be physically present at the counter at pickup with a valid driver’s licence to sign the hire agreement. Drivers not listed on the agreement are not covered by CDW/LDW or liability protections.
Whether the additional driver fee is included depends on your rate. If your confirmation states "Additional driver free of charge," the first extra driver is covered. If not, daily fees apply at the counter:
- Avis, Budget, Payless: US$13 per hire day, capped at US$65 (plus taxes)
- Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar: US$13.50 per hire day, capped at US$189 (plus taxes)
- Alamo, National, Enterprise: US$15 per day (plus taxes)
At Enterprise's Allentown location on Lehigh Street, a spouse or domestic partner who meets the same age and licence requirements is authorised at no extra charge. Any other additional driver incurs the standard daily fee.
For Avis and Budget in Allentown, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old. All additional drivers must meet the same document requirements as the main driver, including an IDP if their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet.
What is the minimum age to hire a car in Allentown?
In Allentown, Pennsylvania, the standard minimum age to hire a car without a surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will be charged a daily young-renter surcharge, and most vehicle classes are restricted to drivers 25 and older.
Vehicle classes typically restricted to drivers under 25 include full-size cars, full-size SUVs, minivans, vans, convertibles, luxury, and premium categories. Economy, compact, and intermediate vehicles are generally available to renters aged 21 to 24.
- Drivers aged 21 to 24: eligible with a young-renter surcharge and class restrictions
- Drivers under 21: not eligible at most Allentown locations
- Drivers 25 and older: no surcharge applies
If you are from Latin America or the Caribbean and aged 21 to 24, certain Avis and Budget rates in Allentown may waive the young-renter fee for the main driver. This exception must appear explicitly on your booking confirmation and applies only to eligible vehicle categories such as economy, compact, medium sedan, standard sedan, compact SUV, and medium SUV.
Can I rent a car in Allentown and return it in a different city?
Yes, one-way hires are available from Allentown, allowing you to pick up at Lehigh Valley International Airport or a city location and return the vehicle at a different destination. However, a drop-off fee may apply depending on the route, hire company, vehicle class, and season.
How the fee works:
- Same-city airport to downtown Allentown: often no drop-off fee
- Allentown to another city in the same region or state: a drop-off fee typically applies
- Allentown to a distant city or different region: a drop-off fee almost always applies and can be significant
- Cross-border one-ways (for example, Allentown to Canada): often restricted or subject to high fees
The drop-off fee is shown during the booking process under the "To pay at destination" section and will also appear on your confirmation. This fee cannot be prepaid and is not covered by No Extra Charges© unless it was not disclosed at the time of booking. Changing your return location after booking may reprice the hire and recalculate the fee.
What is the fuel policy for hire cars in Allentown, and where should I refuel before returning?
The standard fuel policy for hire cars in Allentown is Full to Full. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid charges. If the tank is not full at pickup, the starting level must be recorded on the hire agreement, and you return it at that same level.
To avoid fuel charges when returning to Lehigh Valley International Airport at 3311 Airport Rd, Allentown, refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 km of the return location so the gauge does not drop before you arrive. Ask the counter agent at pickup for the nearest petrol stations to the return point, or use a navigation app to locate one along your final route into Allentown.
- Take a photo of the fuel gauge and odometer at pickup and again just before return
- Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
- For after-hours returns, leave the receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge
If you return the vehicle below the recorded level, the hire company may charge a fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a refuelling service fee.
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