Hertz Car Hire in Illinois

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire 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 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 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 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)

To pick up your Hertz hire car in Illinois, you must present all of the following physical documents 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 (debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold)
• A passport or valid government photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad

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 alongside your original licence. For other non-English licences, an IDP is strongly recommended. All documents must be physical; digital copies are not accepted at the Hertz counter in Illinois.

Yes, Hertz in Illinois requires a physical major credit card in the main driver’s name with the driver’s name printed on the card to place an authorisation hold at pick-up.

For standard vehicles at Hertz locations in Illinois, the typical hold is around US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount varies by location, vehicle class, and season. Premium or specialised vehicles may carry a higher hold.

• Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the deposit
• The hold is a temporary authorisation, not a charge, and is released after you return the vehicle
• Your bank controls how quickly the hold disappears from your available credit, which can take up to 15 working days

It is advisable to bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined, and to notify your bank of your travel plans before arriving at the Hertz counter in Illinois.

Yes, Illinois has an extensive toll road network that Hertz customers will very likely encounter, especially around Chicago where most Hertz locations are concentrated.

The main toll roads in Illinois include:

• Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90, Chicago to Rockford): US$2.75 to US$5.50
• Illinois Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80): US$2.35 to US$4.70
• Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88, Chicago to Dixon): US$5.10 to US$10.20
• Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355): US$3.80 to US$7.60
• Chicago Skyway (I-90/I-94 to Indiana border): US$4.80 to US$47.60

Illinois toll roads utilise I-Pass and E-ZPass transponders, as well as a cashless pay-by-plate system that automatically bills the vehicle’s licence plate. There are no traditional cash booths on most modern gantries. Toll rates also vary by time of day: daytime rates (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) differ from overnight rates (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.). Illinois has no congestion charges or city-centre driving fees beyond these toll roads.

When you pick up your Hertz hire car in Illinois, you have two main options for handling tolls:

• Purchase an unlimited daily toll package at the Hertz counter, which typically costs between US$11 and US$25 per hire day depending on location. This covers all tolls incurred and adds convenience, but the daily fee applies even on days you do not use toll roads.
• Decline the Hertz toll programme and rely on Illinois’s pay-by-plate system, where cameras automatically read the vehicle’s licence plate and bill the registered owner. This charges the standard plate rate, which is slightly higher than the discounted I-Pass rate, but avoids daily service fees.

If you drive through a toll in Illinois without enrolling in any programme, the toll is still recorded and eventually billed to the Hertz vehicle’s licence plate. Hertz will then charge the toll to your credit card along with an administrative processing fee. Ignoring toll bills can lead to escalating penalties. Always review the toll terms in your hire agreement before leaving the Hertz counter in Illinois.

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 Hertz hire in Illinois.

Given that Illinois toll roads such as the Tri-State Tollway, the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway are commonly used routes near Hertz locations in Chicago and across the state, this benefit can meaningfully offset your toll costs.

To claim your cashback:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA followed by your confirmation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals confirmation, the signed Hertz hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the tolls paid

The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

The minimum age to hire a car from Hertz in Illinois without a young-driver surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will be charged an additional daily underage fee at the Hertz counter in Illinois.

For Hertz in Illinois, the young-driver surcharge is US$13.50 per hire day plus taxes, with a maximum cap of US$189 plus taxes for the hire period.

Additional restrictions for drivers under 25 at Hertz in Illinois include:

• Most premium, luxury, full-size SUV, minivan, and convertible vehicle classes are restricted to renters aged 25 and older
• Economy, compact, and intermediate vehicle classes are generally available to younger renters
• A major credit card in the main driver’s name is still required regardless of age

Illinois does not have a state law requiring Hertz to hire to drivers under 21, unlike New York and Michigan. Drivers under 21 are generally not eligible to hire from Hertz in Illinois.

You can add an additional driver to your Hertz hire in Illinois, but whether the fee is included or charged at the counter depends on the rate you booked.

If your booking confirmation shows the additional driver as included, no extra fee applies for the first additional driver. If it is not included, Hertz in Illinois charges US$13.50 per hire day plus taxes, with a maximum cap of US$189 plus taxes.

Requirements for adding an additional driver at the Hertz counter in Illinois:

• The additional driver must be physically present at pick-up
• They must present a valid driver’s licence and any required IDP
• They must sign the hire agreement at the counter
• They must meet the minimum age requirements; drivers aged 21 to 24 may be subject to a young-driver surcharge

Only drivers listed on the Hertz hire agreement in Illinois are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW. Anyone not named on the contract who drives the vehicle may void cover and result in additional charges.

The insurance cover included in your Hertz hire in Illinois depends on the rate plan you selected when booking.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial liability for damage to the Hertz vehicle itself from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may still apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. CDW/LDW does not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.

For third-party liability protection in Illinois, you may need to add Liability Insurance Supplementary (LIS/ALI/SLI), which covers bodily injury and property damage to others. Some U.S. states require hire companies to include state-minimum liability, but not all do. Hola Car Rentals strongly recommends adding LIS cover up to US$300,000 for your Hertz hire in Illinois.

Common exclusions from CDW/LDW at Hertz in Illinois include:

• Tires, wheels, undercarriage, and roof damage
• Damage caused by prohibited use such as off-road driving or driving under the influence
• Incidents involving drivers not listed on the Hertz hire agreement

Always review the hire agreement at the Hertz counter in Illinois to confirm exactly what is covered and what deductible applies.

Hertz hires in Illinois follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy by default. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.

To avoid fuel charges on your Hertz hire in Illinois:

• Check the fuel gauge with the agent at pick-up and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge at pick-up
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 km of the Hertz return location so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address

If you return the Hertz vehicle in Illinois 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 retail pump prices, plus a refuelling service fee. Some Hertz locations in Illinois may offer a prepaid fuel option at the counter; if you accept it, any unused fuel is generally non-refundable.

Yes, most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can help if you experience an emergency during your Hertz hire in Illinois, such as a breakdown on the Illinois Tollway or a medical situation far from a major city.

The travel assistance benefit typically includes:

• Medical cover 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

To reach assistance 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 Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

Important: this travel assistance benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. It also does not cover damage to the Hertz hire vehicle itself, which is handled by CDW/LDW, or third-party liability, which is handled by LIS/ALI/SLI. Always check your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your Illinois hire.

Yes, Hertz offers one-way hires in Illinois, allowing you to pick up at one location and return at a different city or airport. However, a drop-off fee may apply depending on the route.

How one-way fees work for Hertz in Illinois:

• Same-city airport to downtown: often no drop-off fee
• Between different Illinois cities such as Chicago to Peoria or Chicago to Bloomington: a drop-off fee typically applies and varies by distance and vehicle class
• Illinois to another state: a drop-off fee usually applies and can be higher for long-distance or cross-country routes

The drop-off fee for your Hertz one-way hire in Illinois is shown during the booking process under the section labelled as the amount to pay at destination. This fee cannot be prepaid and is paid directly at the Hertz counter. If no fee appears during checkout, no drop-off fee applies to your specific route.

If you change your return location after booking, the hire will be re-priced and a new drop-off fee may apply. Always confirm the fee on your booking confirmation before arriving at the Hertz counter in Illinois.

Hertz operates hire counters at several Illinois airports, each with its own pickup process.

At Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), the Hertz counter is located at 10255 West Zemke Road, Chicago, IL 60666. Customers typically follow car hire signage from the terminal to reach the hire area. At Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Hertz also maintains a dedicated airport counter accessible from the terminal.

Other Illinois airports with Hertz locations include:

• Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI) in Bloomington
• Rockford Airport at 2 Airport Circle, Rockford, IL
• General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport

In addition to airport counters, Hertz has numerous neighbourhood and city centre locations across Illinois, including multiple sites in Chicago such as 401 N State St and 181 W Washington St, as well as locations in Aurora, Elgin, Schaumburg, Effingham, and other towns. Always confirm your specific Hertz pickup address from your booking confirmation before travelling, as counter hours and access routes can vary by Illinois location.

If you return your Hertz hire in Illinois after the agreed drop-off time, additional charges may apply. Hertz typically allows a grace period of around 30 minutes, but this is not guaranteed at every Illinois location.

If you exceed the grace period on your Hertz hire in Illinois:

• You may be charged for additional hours or a full extra day, depending on how late the return is
• A late return fee may also apply on top of the extra time charges

If you know in advance that you need more time with your Hertz vehicle in Illinois, it is best to request an extension before the scheduled return time. Contact the Hertz location directly or reach out through your booking to arrange additional days, as availability and pricing may change.

For after-hours returns at Hertz locations in Illinois, check your hire agreement for key drop instructions and understand that liability for the vehicle may continue until the counter formally checks in the car the next working day. Always confirm the return process with the specific Hertz location in Illinois where you are dropping off.