VERIFIED REVIEWS
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking with National in New Orleans include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in New Orleans, 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 New Orleans.
Will I face unexpected charges at the National counter in New Orleans when I book through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 is the National counter at New Orleans airport (MSY)?
The National counter at New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) is located inside the Consolidated Rental Car Facility at 600 Rental Blvd, Kenner, LA 70062, on the first floor alongside other hire brands.
To reach it, exit the terminal on Level 1 near Baggage Claim and follow signs to the Rental Car Shuttle stop, located outside near the Long-Term Parking Garage (look for doors 9, 10, or 11). Board the airport-provided shuttle, which runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, departing approximately every 5 minutes. The ride to the facility takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
Once inside the Consolidated Rental Car Facility, proceed to the National counter to complete your hire agreement. If your flight is delayed, the National desk provides after-hours assistance at the facility. Plan for a total of 30 to 45 minutes from deplaning to driving away, accounting for baggage claim, the shuttle ride, and counter processing.
How do I return a National hire car at New Orleans MSY airport?
Return your National hire car to the first floor of the Consolidated Rental Car Facility at 600 Rental Blvd, Kenner, LA 70062, the same building where you collected it in New Orleans.
- Pull forward into the designated return lane on the first floor.
- Remove all personal belongings from the vehicle before handing it over.
- For after-hours returns, place the keys in the drop box located near the front return lanes.
- Keep a photo of the fuel gauge and odometer at return in case any post-hire charges are disputed.
After dropping off the vehicle, take the 24-hour shuttle back to the MSY terminal, which runs every few minutes and takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The National facility in New Orleans operates around the clock, so returns are accepted at any time. Your final receipt can be retrieved online after the hire concludes. Refuel before arriving at the facility to comply with the full-to-full fuel policy and avoid refuelling service fees.
Are there toll roads near New Orleans and how does National handle them?
Yes, there are toll roads near New Orleans, and National hire cars are equipped to handle them automatically through a plate-based billing system.
The most notable toll road in the area is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, a roughly 24-mile bridge connecting Metairie to Mandeville, with a one-way toll of approximately US$5.00 for standard two-axle vehicles. Some smaller bridges and crossings in the region charge US$1.00 to US$3.00 per crossing. Louisiana does not use a statewide electronic toll network such as E-ZPass or SunPass, so tolls are collected either at cash booths or via licence plate photography on cashless segments.
For National hire cars, if you do not enrol in a toll programme at the counter, the hire company will receive the plate invoice from the toll authority and charge you the toll at the highest undiscounted rate, plus an administrative processing fee of approximately US$5.95 to US$7.95 per day tolls are incurred. Alternatively, you can opt into a pay-per-use plate programme at the counter, which charges actual tolls plus a daily convenience fee of roughly US$3.95 to US$12.99.
To avoid programme fees entirely on routes where cash booths are available, you may pay cash directly at the booth.
Can I get cashback on Lake Pontchartrain Causeway tolls paid in a National hire car in New Orleans?
Yes, you can get cashback on tolls paid while driving a National hire car in New Orleans, including tolls on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and other Louisiana bridges.
All Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses you up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire period. For example, if your booking total is US$500, the maximum cashback is US$25. If you paid US$15 in tolls on the Causeway or other New Orleans area roads, you would receive US$15 back. If you paid US$40, you would receive the US$25 cap.
To claim your cashback after returning your National vehicle:
- Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle.
- Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - Reservation {Your Confirmation Number}.
- Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the hire agreement signed at the National counter, and a toll receipt or invoice showing the charges.
- Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for the booking.
Refunds are processed to your original payment method within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions beyond 30 days are not accepted.
What documents do I need to pick up a National hire car in New Orleans?
To pick up a National hire car in New Orleans, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:
- A valid, unexpired driver’s licence with your photograph. Digital licences are not accepted; the physical card is required.
- A major credit card in the main driver’s name, with the driver’s name printed on the card, for the security deposit hold. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the deposit.
- A passport or valid government-issued photo ID (required for international visitors).
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher if applicable.
- Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors travelling from abroad).
If your driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a translation alongside your original licence. The IDP is not a standalone document and will not be accepted without the original licence. Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling, as it cannot be issued abroad.
All documents presented at the National counter in New Orleans must be originals. No digital copies will be accepted.
Can I use my own E-ZPass or toll transponder in a National hire car in New Orleans?
Using your own transponder in a National hire car in New Orleans is possible in some cases, but requires careful coordination at the counter to avoid duplicate charges.
Louisiana does not operate a statewide interoperable toll network like E-ZPass or SunPass, so a personal transponder from another state may not be recognised on Louisiana toll roads such as the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Tolls on many Louisiana bridges are collected via cash booths or licence plate photography rather than transponder readers.
If you intend to use a personal transponder on roads where it is compatible:
- Inform the National counter representative at pickup in New Orleans.
- Ask them to deactivate the vehicle’s default plate-based toll device to prevent the hire company from also billing you for the same tolls.
- Confirm in writing on the hire agreement that the vehicle’s toll programme has been deactivated.
If the vehicle’s toll device is not deactivated and you also use your own transponder, you risk being billed twice for the same toll. On routes where cash booths are available, paying cash directly is the simplest way to avoid any programme fees entirely.
What is the security deposit for a National hire car in New Orleans?
When picking up a National hire car in New Orleans, the counter will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card as a security deposit. For standard vehicles in the United States, this hold is typically around US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount can vary based on the vehicle class, hire duration, and location policies.
Key points to keep in mind:
- The hold is a temporary authorisation, not a charge. It reduces your available credit until released after the hire ends.
- Only a physical, major credit card in the main driver’s name with the driver’s name printed on the card is accepted. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the deposit.
- After returning the National vehicle in New Orleans, the hold is released, but your bank controls when it appears back on your account, which can take up to 15 business days.
- Premium or speciality vehicle classes may carry higher hold amounts.
Notify your bank before travel to prevent fraud blocks on the in-person authorisation. Bringing a backup credit card in your name is also recommended in case your primary card is declined.
Is there a young driver surcharge for renters under 25 at National in New Orleans?
Yes, a young driver surcharge applies to renters under 25 years old at National in New Orleans. Louisiana is not one of the states (such as New York or Michigan) that requires hire companies to rent to drivers aged 18 and over without restriction, so standard National policy applies.
- Drivers aged 21 to 24 may hire but will be charged a daily young-renter surcharge at the National counter in New Orleans. For Alamo, National, and Enterprise, this fee is approximately US$15 per day plus applicable taxes.
- Drivers under 21 are generally not permitted to hire at National locations in the United States.
- Certain vehicle classes, including full-size SUVs, minivans, premium, and luxury categories, are typically restricted to renters aged 25 and older.
The young-renter surcharge is paid directly at the National counter in New Orleans and is not included in your prepaid booking rate. When selecting a vehicle, drivers aged 21 to 24 should choose economy, compact, or intermediate categories to avoid class restrictions. If you are unsure about eligibility for a specific vehicle class, contact customer service before booking.
What happens if my flight is delayed and I miss my National pickup time in New Orleans?
If your flight is delayed and you arrive later than your scheduled National hire pickup time in New Orleans, your reservation will generally be held for up to 24 hours from the original pickup time.
- If the delay is less than 24 hours and you arrive during counter operating hours, proceed to the National counter at the Consolidated Rental Car Facility (600 Rental Blvd, Kenner, LA 70062). The facility operates 24 hours a day, and the National desk provides after-hours assistance for flight-delayed customers.
- If the delay is greater than 24 hours, contact Hola Car Rentals support as soon as possible via WhatsApp at +1 (786) 999-8312 or by email at [email protected]. Changes in this situation are not guaranteed but the team will assist where possible.
Because the Consolidated Rental Car Facility and its shuttle service at New Orleans MSY operate around the clock, arriving late at night or in the early morning should not prevent you from reaching the National counter, as long as your delay falls within the 24-hour hold window. Always keep your booking confirmation accessible so the counter agent can locate your reservation quickly upon arrival.
How do I add an additional driver to a National hire in New Orleans?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your National hire in New Orleans, either as an included benefit or for a fee depending on your rate.
Check your booking confirmation first. If it states additional driver free of charge, the first extra driver is included at no cost. If it is not included, National (along with Alamo and Enterprise) charges approximately US$15 per day plus taxes for each additional driver.
To add a driver at the New Orleans counter:
- The additional driver must be physically present at the National counter at pickup.
- They must present a valid, unexpired driver’s licence and any required ID.
- If their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit is also required.
- Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement.
- Verify the additional driver’s name appears on your printed contract before leaving the counter.
Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by protections such as CDW and liability cover. Anyone not named on the contract who drives the vehicle may void those protections and result in additional charges.
Are there confusing highway interchanges in New Orleans I should know about before driving a National hire car?
Yes, New Orleans has several highway features that can confuse drivers unfamiliar with the area, and knowing about them before collecting your National hire car can save significant frustration.
- Ghost interchanges on I-10 east of the Industrial Canal are abandoned, overgrown ramps that appear on some navigation maps but lead to dead ends, impassable trails, or gated-off areas. These were built prematurely for anticipated development that never materialised. Do not follow GPS directions onto these ramps.
- The Claiborne Expressway (I-10) is an elevated structure running through residential neighbourhoods with tight, overloaded ramps and limited ground-level alternatives. Drivers accustomed to open urban interstates may find the access points and merge patterns unexpectedly complex.
- The Earhart Expressway (LA 3139) has incomplete interchanges, including unsigned entrances and an unbuilt exit, which can cause confusion when transitioning between Orleans and Jefferson Parishes.
- Narrow, one-way streets in the French Quarter (Vieux Carré) funnel through-traffic onto routes not designed for volume.
When driving your National hire car in New Orleans, use a GPS application with up-to-date maps and exercise caution when approaching any ramp that appears unused or unmarked. Staying on well-travelled sections of I-10 and I-610 will help you avoid most of these problem areas.
Does travel assistance cover a breakdown on the highway in New Orleans with a National hire?
Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance cover provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can help in situations such as a breakdown or accident on the highway in New Orleans, including on routes like I-10 or the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.
This cover is available for up to 5 passengers per event and typically includes:
- Medical cover for accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses during your trip.
- Legal assistance in the event of an accident.
- Compensation for luggage lost by the airline.
- Flight cancellation insurance.
Important: this travel assistance benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. If you are a US or Canadian resident hiring a National car in New Orleans, this benefit is not available to you.
For roadside assistance specific to the National vehicle itself, such as a flat tyre or mechanical failure, use the roadside assistance number provided in your hire agreement. Travel assistance and vehicle roadside assistance are separate services.
To reach Terrawind assistance 24 hours a day: call +1 888 980 9992, contact WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001, or email [email protected]. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.
What is the fuel policy for a National hire in New Orleans?
National hire cars in New Orleans follow a full-to-full fuel policy by default. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.
Steps to follow:
- At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the National agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the gauge and odometer.
- During your hire, use the correct fuel type as indicated in the vehicle. Keep any fuel receipts.
- Before returning to the Consolidated Rental Car Facility at 600 Rental Blvd, Kenner, refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive.
- At return, take a photo of the full gauge as evidence. For after-hours returns, leave the fuel receipt in the key envelope and keep a copy for yourself.
If you return the National vehicle in New Orleans 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. Refuelling near the airport before returning is the most cost-effective approach.
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