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Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking with Payless in Burlington include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Burlington, 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 Burlington.
Will I face unexpected charges at the Payless counter in Burlington when I book through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Burlington 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 Burlington 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 Payless counter at Burlington Airport and how do I pick up my car?
The Payless counter at Burlington International Airport (BTV) is located inside the main terminal, near baggage claim at 1200 Airport Dr, South Burlington, VT 05403. After collecting your luggage, follow the signs for Rental Cars or Ground Transportation to reach the Payless desk. No shuttle or consolidated hire centre is required since the counter is on-site and the vehicles are within walking distance in the adjacent airport car park.
Once at the Payless counter in Burlington, you will complete paperwork, present your documents, and receive your keys before walking to the designated vehicle area. Allow approximately 20 to 45 minutes from landing to driving away, accounting for baggage claim (10 to 20 minutes), the short walk to the counter (about 5 minutes), and the check-in process (10 to 20 minutes).
Counter hours at BTV for Payless are daily from 7:00 AM to 12:15 AM. If you arrive after closing, an after-hours key drop is available at the location.
What documents do I need to pick up a Payless hire car in Burlington?
To collect your Payless hire car in Burlington, you must bring the following physical documents to 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 international visitors)
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 at the Payless counter in Burlington. For licences in English or a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required.
All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold, so bring a major credit card with sufficient available credit.
Are there toll roads near Burlington that I should know about when driving a Payless hire?
Vermont has no interstate toll highways, so you will not encounter electronic toll systems like E-ZPass or cashless toll plazas on the main roads around Burlington. The only toll facilities in the state are three seasonal mountain toll roads, none of which are on typical commuting or airport routes.
- Mt. Equinox Skyline Drive (off VT Route 7A, Manchester): US$20 per car plus US$5 per extra passenger, paid in cash at the booth
- Burke Mountain toll road (off Mountain Road): US$5 per vehicle or US$15 all-day pass, paid in cash
- Mt. Mansfield toll road (off Highway 108, Stowe): US$26 per car plus US$9.50 per extra passenger, credit card only at the gate
Because these are manual pay-at-gate roads, the transponder programmes that Payless and other hire companies use for electronic tolling elsewhere in the US are not relevant for driving around Burlington. You simply pay at the gate with cash or a credit card depending on the specific road. There are no congestion charges or emissions zones in Burlington or anywhere in Vermont.
Can I get a Tolls Cashback refund on my Payless hire in Burlington?
Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings, including Payless hires in Burlington, include Tolls Cashback of up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire.
Vermont's main roads around Burlington have no electronic toll highways, but if you drive your Payless hire to other New England states such as Massachusetts or New Hampshire, you may encounter cashless toll roads where charges are billed through the vehicle's transponder or plate-based system. Those toll costs are eligible for the cashback benefit.
If you use any of Vermont's three mountain toll roads (Mt. Equinox, Burke Mountain, or Mt. Mansfield) and pay at the gate, those receipts also qualify.
To claim your refund, email [email protected] within 30 days of returning your Burlington Payless hire and include:
- Your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation
- A copy of the hire agreement signed at the Payless counter
- A receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid
Refunds are processed to your original payment method within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Late submissions after 30 days are not accepted.
Is a credit card required to hire from Payless in Burlington?
Yes, a major credit card in the main driver’s name with the driver’s name printed on the card is required to hire from Payless in Burlington. The card is used to place a temporary authorisation hold at the counter, not a permanent charge.
For a standard vehicle at a US location like Burlington, the typical hold is around US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount is set by the Payless desk and may vary by vehicle class or season. The hold reduces your available credit until it is released after you return the vehicle, which can take up to 15 working days depending on your bank.
Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or single-use card numbers are not accepted for the deposit at the Burlington Payless counter. Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at collection. 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 an in-person authorisation.
What are the age requirements and young driver fees for Payless in Burlington?
To hire from Payless in Burlington without any age surcharge, the main driver must be at least 25 years old. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will be charged a young-renter surcharge at the Burlington Payless counter.
Vermont is not one of the states (New York or Michigan) where law requires hires to drivers as young as 18, so the minimum age at the Burlington Payless location is 21 for young renters and 25 for surcharge-free hires.
Additional drivers added to a Payless hire in Burlington must also be at least 25 years old. Drivers aged 21 to 24 may not be accepted as additional drivers at the Payless counter.
Drivers under 25 are also restricted from hiring certain vehicle classes. Categories such as full-size, SUV, minivan, luxury, and convertible are typically reserved for renters aged 25 and older. Economy, compact, and intermediate vehicles are generally available to younger renters subject to the surcharge.
How do I add an additional driver to my Payless hire in Burlington?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Payless hire in Burlington, but the additional driver must be physically present at the counter at collection to show their valid driver’s licence and sign the hire agreement.
Whether the additional driver fee is included or charged at the counter depends on the rate you booked. If your confirmation does not show the additional driver as included, Payless charges US$13 per hire day plus taxes, with a maximum cap of US$65 plus taxes for the Burlington hire.
Requirements for the additional driver at the Burlington Payless counter:
- Must be at least 25 years old (Payless does not accept additional drivers aged 21 to 24)
- Must present a valid driver’s licence, and an IDP if their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet
- Must sign the hire agreement at the counter
Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW. If someone not named on the contract drives the vehicle, cover may be void. Check your booking confirmation before arriving at the Burlington Payless counter to confirm whether the fee is already included in your rate.
What local taxes and airport fees are added to a Payless hire at Burlington Airport?
When collecting a Payless hire at Burlington International Airport (BTV), expect several fees and taxes on top of the base rate. These are standard charges at the Burlington airport location and are not unique to Payless.
- Vermont state hire car tax: 7.5%
- Airport concession recovery fee (ACRF): approximately 10% to 12% of the base rate, typically US$5 to US$10 per day
- Customer facility charge (CFC): approximately US$4.50 per day
- Chittenden County vehicle hire tax: 1%
Combined, these Burlington airport fees and taxes typically add 18% to 25% on top of the base rate shown at booking. Whether these are prepaid or due at the Payless counter in Burlington depends on your booking confirmation. If your confirmation shows Taxes and Fees as Included, you should not be billed again locally for those items. If it shows a Total to Pay at Destination, those amounts are legitimately due at collection.
Review your confirmation carefully before arriving at the Burlington Payless counter so there are no surprises.
What travel assistance is included with my Payless hire in Burlington?
Most Hola Car Rentals bookings, including Payless hires in Burlington, include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection. This benefit is particularly useful if you experience a medical emergency or other travel disruption while driving your Payless hire around Burlington or elsewhere in Vermont.
Core benefits typically included:
- Travel insurance with medical cover for up to 5 passengers
- Legal assistance in the event of a road accident
- Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
- Flight cancellation insurance
This cover does not apply to US or Canadian residents. It is designed for travellers visiting Burlington from outside North America.
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. This benefit does not cover damage to the Payless hire vehicle itself (that requires CDW/LDW) or third-party liability (which requires LIS/ALI/SLI).
Check your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your Burlington Payless hire.
What is the fuel policy for a Payless hire in Burlington?
Payless hires in Burlington follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges at the Burlington Payless counter.
Steps to follow for a smooth fuel return:
- At collection, confirm the fuel gauge reads full and ensure the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
- Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge
- Refuel within approximately 10 miles of Burlington International Airport before returning the vehicle
- Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
If you return the Payless vehicle in Burlington 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 the retail pump price, plus an administrative service fee.
If the car was not full at collection, ask the Burlington Payless agent to record the exact starting level on the agreement. You only need to return it at that same recorded level, not necessarily full.
Can I pick up a Payless car in Burlington and return it in a different city?
Yes, one-way hires are possible with Payless in Burlington, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your return location. This fee is set by the hire partner and varies by route, distance, vehicle class, and season.
Common patterns for Burlington Payless one-way hires:
- Burlington airport to another Vermont city: a drop-off fee may apply
- Burlington to a different New England state: a drop-off fee typically applies and increases with distance
- Cross-border returns (US to Canada): may be restricted or carry higher fees depending on Payless partner rules
The drop-off fee for your Burlington Payless booking will be shown on the rate details page during checkout under the To Pay at Destination section. It is not prepaid and is not covered by No Extra Charges© unless it was not disclosed at the time of booking.
If you need to change your return location after booking, be aware that the route will be re-priced and the drop-off fee may change. Confirm the updated fee before finalising any modification to your Burlington Payless hire.
What driving rules in Burlington should I know before picking up my Payless hire?
Burlington has several road features that can catch first-time drivers off guard, especially when driving a Payless hire unfamiliar with the local layout.
- Complete streets design: Burlington has actively narrowed car lanes on key roads to add bike lanes and pedestrian crossings. Expect tighter turns and reduced lane widths on thoroughfares like University Place Street and Riverside Avenue compared to typical US cities.
- One-way street network: Downtown Burlington uses a patchwork of one-way streets, including sections of South Winooski Avenue. Navigation apps help, but be prepared for routes that feel indirect.
- Champlain Parkway: This newer two-lane limited-access road off I-189 has a 25 mph speed limit and transitions quickly from highway-style driving into neighbourhood streets near the Home Avenue interchange, which can disorient drivers expecting a wider arterial.
- Bike and pedestrian priority: Burlington's road culture strongly emphasises yielding to cyclists and pedestrians at crossings. Bike lanes are present on many routes, including Pine Street and Colchester Avenue, where four-lane roads have been reduced to three lanes.
Vermont drives on the right side of the road, the same as the rest of the US. Standard US traffic laws apply throughout Burlington. Allow extra time when navigating downtown in your Payless hire, particularly near the waterfront and Church Street area.
How does the return process work for a Payless hire at Burlington Airport?
Returning your Payless hire at Burlington International Airport (BTV) is straightforward. Drive to 1200 Airport Dr, South Burlington, VT 05403 and follow signs to the designated Payless or Budget vehicle return area near the terminal.
Steps for a smooth return of your Burlington Payless hire:
- Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the airport before arriving, and keep your receipt to avoid fuel charges
- Pull into the Payless return lane and wait for an agent to inspect the vehicle
- Confirm the fuel level and mileage are recorded correctly on the closing contract
- Request a final receipt before leaving the lot
If you are returning after the counter closes at 12:15 AM, an after-hours key drop is available at the Burlington Payless location. For after-hours returns, leave your fuel receipt in the key envelope and take a photo of the dashboard showing the full fuel gauge and odometer as documentation.
After return, the authorisation hold placed on your credit card at collection will be released. Your bank controls how quickly the hold disappears from your available credit, which can take up to 15 working days.
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