National Car Hire
in Birmingham

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

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

The National counter at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is located in the consolidated hire car facility in section 1B on the ground level of the car park, near baggage claim. After collecting your bags, follow the signs towards the hire car area, cross to the multi-storey car park, and look for the National counter on the left side.

National operates at Birmingham Airport daily from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight). If your flight arrives within those hours, a counter agent will be available to finalise your agreement. Vehicles are located in the same car park structure, so there is no separate shuttle needed once you reach the facility.

Allow approximately 15 to 45 minutes from landing to driving away, depending on baggage collection times and queue length at the counter.

To collect your National hire car in Birmingham, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• A valid, original driving licence in the main driver’s name
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on it, used for the authorisation hold
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from outside the United States)

If your driving licence is not in English and does not use a Latin (Roman) alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory at the Birmingham counter. For licences in English or using a Roman alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies on a phone or tablet are not accepted. Debit and prepaid cards cannot be used for the authorisation hold at the Birmingham counter.

When you collect your National hire in Birmingham, the counter will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card. For standard vehicles rented in the United States, this hold is typically around US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount varies by vehicle class, hire duration, and specific Birmingham location.

A few key points:

• The hold is not a charge. It temporarily reduces your available credit and is released after you return the vehicle.
• Your bank controls how quickly the hold is released after the vehicle is returned. It can take up to 15 working days to reflect on your statement.
• Only a major credit card with the driver’s name printed on it is accepted. Debit cards and prepaid cards are not permitted for the deposit at the Birmingham counter.
• Premium or specialised vehicle classes may require a higher hold amount.

Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined, and notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid fraud blocks on the authorisation.

Yes, Alabama has toll roads that you may encounter when driving your National hire car in and around Birmingham. The state operates several toll facilities via the Alabama Freedom Pass system, with costs for standard two-axle vehicles as follows:

• Montgomery Expressway Bridge (Alabama River Parkway): US$1.50
• Tuscaloosa Bypass (Joe Mallisham Parkway): US$1.50
• Emerald Mountain Expressway (Dozier Road): US$1.75
• Foley Beach Express Toll Bridge: US$2.75

Alabama toll booths accept cash, credit or debit cards, and the Alabama Freedom Pass transponder. Unlike many other US states, Alabama is not fully cashless, so you have payment options.

Your National hire vehicle in Birmingham may be equipped with an electronic toll device. At the counter, you can select an unlimited toll package (typically US$11 to US$25 per day depending on the programme) or pay per use. If you decline, National will bill actual tolls plus administrative fees to your card after the hire. Toll charges may appear on your statement days or even weeks after returning the vehicle.

Yes, all bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, allowing you to recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your National hire in Birmingham or on any Alabama toll road you drive.

To claim your cashback:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning your vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation number (e.g., HOLA1000000)
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed hire agreement from the Birmingham counter, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid

The refund is the lesser of the actual tolls paid or 5% of your Hola Car Rentals booking total. For example, if your booking total was US$500, the cap is US$25. If you paid US$15 in tolls on Alabama roads, you receive US$15 back. Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically processed within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Submissions after 30 days are not accepted.

The National counter at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport operates daily from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight). There is no 24-hour service, so if your flight lands after midnight, you will need to wait until the counter reopens at 5:00 a.m.

If your flight is delayed, National will generally hold your reservation for up to 24 hours from the original pickup time, provided you arrive during counter opening hours. If your delay exceeds 24 hours, contact Hola Car Rentals support as soon as possible via WhatsApp at +1 (786) 999-8312 or by email at [email protected].

A few practical tips for late arrivals at Birmingham Airport:

• Check your flight status and estimate your arrival time relative to the midnight closing time
• If you expect to land close to midnight, contact the Birmingham location directly to confirm they will still be staffed
• Plan your pickup time carefully, especially if connecting through other airports before Birmingham

Yes, one-way hires with National from Birmingham are available. You can collect at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) and return the vehicle at a different National location, such as another airport in Alabama or a city in a neighbouring state.

Important points to note before booking a one-way hire from Birmingham:

• A drop-off fee may apply depending on the route. This fee is route-specific and varies by distance, vehicle class, and season.
• The drop-off fee, if applicable, will be shown during the booking process under the charges due at the destination. It cannot be paid in advance.
• Some routes between nearby airports may not incur a drop-off fee. Always check the booking details page for your specific Birmingham origin and destination.
• Cross-border one-way hires (e.g., from Birmingham to outside the United States) may be restricted or require special authorisation from National.

If you change your return location after booking, the hire may be repriced and a new or higher drop-off fee may apply. Review your confirmation carefully before finalising any changes.

Yes, a young driver surcharge applies to renters aged 21 to 24 at the Birmingham counter. The standard daily fee for National, Alamo, and Enterprise is US$15 per day, plus applicable local taxes, payable at the counter.

Additional restrictions for younger renters at Birmingham include:

• The minimum age to hire with National in Birmingham is 21. Drivers under 21 cannot hire.
• Certain vehicle classes are restricted to drivers aged 25 and over, including full-size sedans, SUVs, minivans, vans, convertibles, luxury, and premium vehicles.
• Drivers aged 21 to 24 are generally limited to economy, compact, intermediate, and compact SUV categories.

Alabama is not one of the states (like New York or Michigan) that legally requires hire companies to serve drivers aged 18 and over, so the 21-year minimum set by National applies at Birmingham.

If you are aged 21 to 24 and booking through Hola Car Rentals, the young driver surcharge will be disclosed during the booking process. Budget for this daily fee in addition to your prepaid rate.

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

Here’s what to do at each stage of your hire:

• At collection: Check the fuel gauge with the Birmingham agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on your hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the gauge and odometer.
• During the hire: Use the correct fuel type as indicated in the vehicle. Keep any fuel receipts in case of dispute.
• Before returning: Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the Birmingham Airport return location so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive. Keep the final receipt showing the date, time, and station address.

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, National will charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is usually higher than the pump price, plus a service fee. For after-hours returns at Birmingham Airport, leave the fuel receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge on your phone.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your National hire in Birmingham, either as part of your rate or for a fee payable at the counter.

For National, Alamo, and Enterprise, the additional driver fee is US$15 per day plus local taxes when not included in your rate. Check your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation to see if your specific rate includes one additional driver at no extra cost.

Requirements for adding a driver at the Birmingham counter:

• The additional driver must be present at the counter at the time of collection
• They must present a valid driving licence and any required identification
• If their licence is not in English or uses a non-Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit is required
• They must meet the minimum age requirement (21 in Birmingham, with a young driver surcharge for those aged 21 to 24)
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement

Only drivers listed on the Birmingham hire agreement are covered by the vehicle’s protections. Anyone who drives without being named on the contract may void cover entirely.

Downtown Birmingham is undergoing an ongoing conversion of historic one-way street pairs to two-way traffic, which can catch drivers unawares, especially those unfamiliar with the city.

Key points when driving your National hire car in Birmingham’s downtown area:

• Streets such as 17th Street North and 18th Street North are converting from one-way to two-way operation. Lanes and traffic flow may differ from what navigation apps show if map data has not been updated.
• The 4th Avenue North corridor, a 1.5-mile stretch including the Historic 4th Avenue Business District, is also being converted to two-way traffic. This area was split by I-65 construction in the 1960s, creating an irregular grid.
• Intersections along these converted streets may use unsignalled STOP signs rather than traffic lights, requiring extra caution.
• Navigation apps may lag behind the actual road layout. Pay attention to physical signage rather than relying solely on GPS directions.

These changes are part of Birmingham’s city master plan to improve accessibility. When driving your National hire car in Birmingham, allow extra time in the downtown area and follow posted signs carefully.

When collecting your National hire in Birmingham, you will have the option to add or confirm insurance coverages. Understanding what each covers helps you avoid paying for duplicates or leaving gaps in protection.

The main coverages to consider are:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): Reduces your financial liability for damage to the vehicle itself from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may still apply unless your confirmation shows zero excess. This does not cover damage caused to other vehicles or persons.
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): Covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving the hire vehicle in Birmingham. Some US states require a minimum level of liability, but not all do. Alabama does not mandate a specific minimum for hire companies, so adding supplementary liability cover is strongly recommended.

Neither CDW nor LIS covers your personal injuries (which would be Personal Accident Insurance) or your belongings (Personal Effects Cover). Only drivers listed on the Birmingham hire agreement are covered by these protections.

Yes, most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be valuable if something goes wrong during your National hire in Birmingham or whilst travelling in Alabama.

Core benefits typically include:

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

This cover is particularly useful if you experience a medical emergency or need legal support after a road incident during your Birmingham hire. To contact assistance 24/7, call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free) or contact Terrawind via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001.

Important: This travel assistance benefit applies only to customers who are not residents of the United States or Canada. If you are a US or Canadian resident hiring a vehicle in Birmingham, this benefit does not apply. Check your Hola Car Rentals confirmation for the specific terms and coverage limits included in your rate.