Car Rental in Illinois

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

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

At Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Illinois, rental car pickup does not happen inside the terminals. All major brands, including Alamo, Avis, Enterprise, and Hertz, operate from the centralized Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) at 10255 W. Zemke Blvd.

To reach the MMF, follow these steps after collecting your baggage:

• Look for Airport Transit System (ATS) signs in any terminal's baggage claim area
• Board the ATS train, which runs 24 hours a day
• Ride to the Multi-Modal Facility stop
• Follow signs to your rental brand's counter inside the MMF

Allow an extra 10 to 15 minutes beyond baggage claim for the ATS ride and walk to the counter. Off-site companies not located inside the MMF may require an additional shuttle from there, so confirm your brand's exact location on your booking confirmation before you travel to Illinois.

To collect your rental car in Illinois, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• A valid, original driver's license in the main driver's name
• A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card (debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit)
• A passport or valid government photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher if required
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting Illinois from abroad

If your driver's license is not in English and does not use a Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script), an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. For licenses in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original license at all times during your Illinois rental.

All documents must be physical. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at any Illinois rental counter.

Illinois has an extensive toll road network managed by the Illinois Tollway, and rental car drivers will almost certainly encounter tolls, especially around the Chicago area.

The main electronic toll systems in Illinois are I-Pass and E-ZPass. Most modern gantries are cashless and capture your vehicle's license plate automatically if no transponder is present.

As a rental car driver in Illinois, you have two main options:

• Purchase the rental company's daily toll program (typically US$11.99 to US$25 per day depending on the brand and location), which covers all tolls you incur on Illinois Tollway roads during that day
• Decline the program and rely on the Illinois Tollway's pay-by-plate system, which photographs your plate and bills tolls at the standard plate rate, which is slightly higher than the discounted I-Pass rate

If you drive an Illinois toll road without enrolling in any program, the toll is still recorded and eventually billed to the rental company, which will recharge you plus an administrative fee. Common Illinois toll roads include the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), and the Chicago Skyway (I-90/I-94). Illinois has no congestion charges or city-center driving fees beyond these toll roads.

Yes, all bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, which lets you recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Illinois rental.

This benefit is especially useful in Illinois, where toll roads like the I-90, I-294, I-88, and the Chicago Skyway can add up quickly, particularly if you are driving between Chicago and other parts of the state.

To claim your Illinois toll cashback:

• 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 confirmation, the signed rental agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid

The refund is calculated as the lesser of the actual tolls paid or 5% of your booking total. For example, if your booking total is US$500, the cap is US$25. If you paid US$18 in Illinois tolls, you receive US$18 back. If you paid US$40, you receive US$25. Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

When you pick up a rental car in Illinois, the rental company will place a temporary authorization hold on your credit card. This is not a charge but it reduces your available credit until the rental is closed and your bank releases the hold.

For standard vehicles rented in the United States, including Illinois, typical holds range from US$300 to US$400. Premium or specialty vehicles may carry higher holds. The exact amount is set by the rental company desk and can vary by brand, location, and vehicle class.

Important requirements for the deposit in Illinois:

• You must present a physical major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card
• The card must be in the main driver's name
• Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the security hold
• You must have sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges

After you return the vehicle in Illinois, the hold is released. Your bank or card issuer controls when the credit reappears on your account, which can take up to 15 business days. Bringing a backup credit card is always a good precaution.

Yes, after-hours returns are widely supported at the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) at 10255 W. Zemke Blvd., which serves all major rental brands at Chicago O'Hare Airport in Illinois.

To complete an after-hours return at the Illinois MMF:

• Drive to the MMF and park in the designated return area marked with your rental brand's signs
• Document the vehicle's condition thoroughly with photos before leaving it
• Lock the vehicle and deposit the keys in the secure drop box provided by your rental brand
• Keep a copy of your rental agreement and any fuel receipts

Confirmation of the return is typically sent by email the next business day. Note that some brands at Illinois airport locations also offer self-service kiosks or online check-in for after-hours pickup, but availability varies by provider, so confirm this on your booking confirmation before your travel date. For after-hours pickups specifically, check whether your chosen brand supports this at the ORD MMF, as not all Illinois airport counters guarantee unstaffed access outside standard hours (typically 5 AM to 1 AM).

If you drive through an Illinois toll road without enrolling in the rental company's toll program, you are not automatically avoiding the charge. The Illinois Tollway's pay-by-plate system photographs your rental vehicle's license plate and bills the toll at the standard plate rate, which is slightly higher than the discounted I-Pass or E-ZPass rate.

If the toll goes unpaid entirely, the Illinois Tollway links the charge to the vehicle's registration and sends the bill to the rental company. The rental company will then:

• Pay the outstanding Illinois toll on your behalf
• Recharge the toll amount to your credit card on file
• Add an administrative processing fee on top of the toll amount

Ignoring Illinois toll bills can lead to escalating penalties and, in serious cases, debt collection. Toll charges from Illinois roads often appear on your card days or even weeks after you return the vehicle, because toll agencies process invoices in batches. Always keep your rental agreement and any toll receipts so you can verify any post-rental charges related to your Illinois trip.

Yes, drivers under 25 renting a car in Illinois are subject to a daily young-renter surcharge, and most vehicle classes are restricted to renters aged 25 and older.

In Illinois, the general rules for under-25 renters are:

• Drivers aged 21 to 24 can rent but will pay a daily underage fee at the counter
• Drivers under 21 are generally not permitted to rent in Illinois
• Restricted vehicle classes for under-25 renters typically include full-size sedans, SUVs, minivans, vans, convertibles, luxury, and premium categories
• Economy, compact, and intermediate vehicles are usually the only classes available to younger renters in Illinois

Daily surcharge amounts vary by rental brand in Illinois:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: approximately US$13 per rental day, capped at US$65
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: approximately US$13.50 per rental day, capped at US$189
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: approximately US$15 per day

If you are aged 21 to 24 and from Latin America or the Caribbean, certain Hola Car Rentals rates with Avis or Budget may waive this fee for eligible vehicle categories. Check your booking confirmation to see if this exception applies to your Illinois rental.

Most bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be valuable if you experience a medical emergency or other covered incident while driving in Illinois, including on busy highways like I-55, I-90, or I-290.

Core benefits typically included are:

• Travel insurance with medical coverage for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in case of an accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This coverage is designed for travelers visiting Illinois from abroad. Residents of the United States and Canada do not qualify for this benefit.

If you need assistance during your Illinois rental, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day:

• Phone (toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Have your full name, Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, current location in Illinois, and a brief description of the situation ready when you call. Always contact assistance before incurring expenses, as some reimbursements require prior authorization. Check your booking confirmation for the exact coverage limits and conditions that apply to your Illinois trip.

The standard fuel policy for rentals in Illinois is Full-to-Full. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

To follow the Full-to-Full policy correctly during your Illinois rental:

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the rental agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge
• Ask the agent at the Illinois counter for the nearest gas station to the return location
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return point 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 vehicle in Illinois with less than a full tank, the rental company may charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refueling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a service fee. For after-hours returns at locations like the Chicago O'Hare MMF in Illinois, leave your fuel receipt in the key drop envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge as evidence.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Illinois rental car, either at no cost if your rate includes it or for a daily fee paid at the counter.

Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads additional driver free of charge. If it is not listed, the following daily fees apply at Illinois counters:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per rental day, capped at US$65 plus taxes
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$13.50 per rental day, capped at US$189 plus taxes
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day plus taxes

Requirements for adding a driver at an Illinois rental counter:

• The additional driver must be physically present at pickup
• They must present a valid driver's license and any required ID
• If their license is not in a Latin alphabet, an IDP is required
• For Avis, Budget, and Payless in Illinois, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement

Only drivers listed on the Illinois rental agreement are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW. Anyone not named on the contract who drives the vehicle may void your coverage.

Yes, Illinois has several driving rules and road conditions that are worth knowing before you pick up your rental car and head out on Illinois roads.

Key rules and hazards for rental drivers in Illinois:

• Move-over law: Illinois requires drivers to move over or slow down for any vehicle displaying hazard lights on the roadside, including disabled vehicles, not just emergency services
• School zones: Illinois enforces school zone speed limits strictly, with fines that are higher than general speeding penalties
• DUI enforcement: Illinois mandates breathalyzer compliance, and penalties are severe
• Aggressive lane changes: Urban Illinois highways such as I-55, I-90, and I-290 around Chicago see frequent lane-change incidents; maintain extra following distance
• Winter conditions: Ice and snow are common across Illinois in winter months, and pileups on major interstates are a documented hazard; reduce speed significantly in adverse weather

Illinois does not have a blanket ban on right turns on red (it is generally permitted statewide), and there are no emission zones or congestion charges in Illinois cities. The terrain is mostly flat, unlike neighboring Kentucky, but urban Illinois traffic density is significantly higher than in neighboring rural states like Iowa or Indiana. Always carry your rental agreement and insurance documents while driving in Illinois.

Yes, one-way rentals that start in Illinois and end in another state are generally available, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on the route, rental brand, and vehicle class.

How one-way fees work for Illinois rentals:

• The drop-off fee is route-specific and varies by the distance between the Illinois pickup location and the return city or state
• The fee is shown during the booking process under the section labeled to pay at destination
• It cannot be prepaid and is settled at the counter when you pick up in Illinois
• Not every Illinois-to-another-state route carries a fee; shorter or high-demand corridors may have no charge

Cross-border rentals, such as driving from Illinois into Canada, may be restricted or require prior authorization from the rental brand. Always check your booking confirmation for any territory restrictions before driving the vehicle across state or National borders from Illinois.

If the counter charges a drop-off fee that was not disclosed on your confirmation, keep all paperwork and contact support after the rental. Hola Car Rentals' No Extra Charges© Coverage may apply if the fee was not shown during the Illinois booking process.