Van Hire in New Orleans

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.

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)

After landing at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), your van hire collection follows a multi-step process that takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes from baggage claim to driving away.

• After collecting your bags on Level 1, exit through Door 9 towards the Long-Term Parking Garage.
• Proceed to Island 3 for the rental car shuttle. Shuttles run every 5 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• The journey to the consolidated Rental Car Centre at 600 Rental Blvd, Kenner, LA 70062 takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
• At the centre, locate your brand's counter (for example, Alamo and other major partners are all housed in this single facility) and complete check-in at the counter or kiosk.
• Counter hours vary by brand; some operate 06:00 to 00:00 daily, with after-hours assistance available via the National counter or key dropboxes for returns.

If you are collecting a van in New Orleans from a downtown location such as Avis at 1317 Canal St, no shuttle is needed. Walk-up or hotel delivery options apply, but hours are more limited (typically 08:00 to 14:00), so plan accordingly.

Yes, there are a small number of toll roads relevant to van hires in New Orleans, though Louisiana has far fewer tolls than states like Florida or New York.

• The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (connecting Metairie to Mandeville, approximately 24 miles) is the most notable toll road near New Orleans. The one-way toll for a standard 2-axle van is US$5.00, with a round trip costing approximately US$9 to US$10.
• Other crossings such as the Huey P. Long Bridge or ferry routes typically cost US$1.00 to US$3.00 per crossing.
• Louisiana does not use a statewide electronic toll system like E-ZPass or SunPass. Tolls are collected at cash booths or via licence plate photography (Toll-by-Plate style) on cashless segments.

For your van hire, the rental company will likely have a pay-per-use toll programme (such as PlatePass or e-Toll) that charges actual tolls plus a daily convenience fee of approximately US$3.95 to US$12.99. If you do not enrol and drive through a toll, the company will bill the toll at the highest undiscounted rate plus an administrative fee of approximately US$5.95 to US$7.95 per day tolls are incurred.

There are no congestion charges or emissions zones in New Orleans.

To collect your van hire in New Orleans, you must present all documents in physical form. Digital copies are not accepted at the counter.

• A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name.
• If your licence is not in English and does not use a Latin (Roman) alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script), an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. For licences in English or a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required.
• A physical major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, in the main driver’s name, for the security deposit hold. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the deposit.
• A valid passport or government-issued photo ID.
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher (required for certain hires).
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from outside the United States).

The IDP is a translation document only and must be carried alongside your original licence. It cannot be used as a standalone document. If you believe you may need one, obtain it in your home country before travelling to New Orleans, as U.S. issuers such as AAA do not issue IDPs to non-U.S. licence holders.

Yes, all bookings include Tolls Cashback, which lets you recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your van hire in New Orleans.

This is especially useful if you cross the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (US$5.00 one-way for a standard van) or other toll bridges near New Orleans during your trip. The cashback does not replace paying tolls; you pay them normally and then submit a claim afterwards.

To claim your cashback after returning your van in New Orleans:

• 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 signed hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid.
• Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for the booking.

Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted.

Yes, New Orleans has an unusually dense network of speed and red-light cameras that van drivers should be aware of before getting on the road.

• More than 40 school zone cameras enforce a 20 mph speed limit during peak school hours. Enforcement windows vary by location; for example, cameras on Canal St operate from approximately 06:45 to 09:15 and 14:00 to 16:30 on school days.
• Seven red-light and speed cameras operate downtown at intersections such as Poydras St at Loyola Ave, running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• One additional speed-only camera site is also active in the city.

For van hires specifically, the narrow one-way streets of the French Quarter and surrounding historic districts present added challenges. Many residential streets are less than 12 feet wide, and U-turn restrictions are common near parade routes. Vans longer than 20 feet may find certain streets difficult to navigate.

During Carnival season (January through February, peaking before Fat Tuesday), major arteries such as St. Charles Ave are closed for parade routes, and entire neighbourhoods shift to pedestrian priority. Plan your van route in New Orleans well in advance during this period, as detours can be significant.

Fines from traffic cameras are not covered by CDW/LDW or any hire insurance and will be billed to you separately after the hire.

When you pick up your van hire in New Orleans, the rental company will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card. This is not a charge; it reduces your available credit until the hold is released after you return the vehicle.

• Typical deposit holds in the United States range from US$300 to US$400 for standard vehicles. Vans and larger vehicle classes may carry a higher hold amount.
• The hold must be placed on a physical major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, in the main driver’s name. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted.
• After returning your van in New Orleans and closing the hire contract, the hold is released. Your bank or card issuer controls when the funds become available again, which can take up to 15 business days.

To avoid issues at the counter, notify your bank of your travel dates before arriving in New Orleans so that the in-person authorisation is not flagged as suspicious. Bringing a backup credit card in your name is also recommended in case your primary card is declined.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your van hire in New Orleans, either as an included benefit depending on your rate, or by paying a fee at the counter.

If your booking confirmation states "Additional driver free of charge," the first extra driver is included at no cost. If it is not included, daily fees apply:

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

The additional driver must be present at the New Orleans collection point with a valid driver’s licence (and an IDP if their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet). Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement. Anyone who drives the van in New Orleans without being listed on the agreement is not covered by CDW/LDW or liability protections.

Note that for Avis, Budget, and Payless, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old at the time of collection.

Most bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be valuable if an emergency occurs during your van hire in New Orleans or on the road in Louisiana.

Core benefits typically include:

• 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 is designed for travellers renting abroad and does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. If you are a U.S. or Canadian resident hiring a van in New Orleans, this benefit does not apply to you.

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 cover does not replace CDW/LDW for damage to the van or LIS/ALI/SLI for third-party liability. Review your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your reservation.

Yes, there is a minimum age requirement to hire a van in New Orleans, and vans are among the vehicle classes with the strictest age restrictions in the United States.

• Drivers must be at least 25 years old to hire a van. Vans, minivans, and other large vehicle classes are typically restricted to renters aged 25 and older across all major hire brands.
• Drivers aged 21 to 24 are generally not eligible to hire a van in New Orleans, even with a young-renter surcharge. This is a vehicle-class restriction, not just a fee.
• Louisiana is not one of the states (New York and Michigan) that require hire companies to rent to drivers aged 18 and older, so the standard 25-minimum policy applies.

If you are under 25 and need a larger vehicle in New Orleans, consider booking a standard SUV or intermediate SUV instead, as those classes are more commonly available to renters aged 21 to 24 (subject to a young-renter surcharge). Contact customer service via WhatsApp at +1 786 999 8312 if you are unsure which vehicle classes are available for your age at your specific New Orleans collection point.

Van hires in New Orleans follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy by default. You receive the van with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

• At collection, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge.
• During your hire in New Orleans, use the correct fuel type as shown in the vehicle documentation. Using the wrong fuel is not covered by any policy and may generate significant charges.
• Before returning the van, refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location (the Rental Car Centre at 600 Rental Blvd for MSY returns, or the downtown branch address if applicable) 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 van in New Orleans with less than a full tank, you may be charged for the fuel shortfall at the hire company's refuelling rate (typically higher than pump price) plus a refuelling service fee. Returning the van full is always the most cost-effective option.

Yes, after-hours van returns are possible in New Orleans, but the process depends on your collection location.

• At the MSY airport Rental Car Centre (600 Rental Blvd, Kenner), after-hours returns are supported. Follow signs to the Rental Car Garage and use the designated return lanes on Level 3. Park as instructed and use the key dropbox. The shuttle back to the terminal runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Downtown New Orleans locations such as Avis at 1317 Canal St have more limited hours (approximately 08:00 to 14:00) and may not offer after-hours return options. Confirm with your specific branch before planning a late return.

For after-hours drops at any location, leave the fuel receipt in the return envelope and take a photo of the fuel gauge showing a full tank. Also photograph any pre-existing damage documentation you received at collection. Note that liability for the van may remain with you until the hire company formally checks it in during business hours, so document the vehicle's condition thoroughly before leaving.

If your flight is delayed and you expect to arrive outside counter hours, your booking will generally be held for up to 24 hours from the original collection time.

It depends on your specific rate. Louisiana does not universally mandate that hire companies include state-minimum third-party liability cover, so you should verify what is included in your booking confirmation before collecting your van in New Orleans.

• If your confirmation shows LIS, ALI, or SLI as included, you have supplementary liability cover that protects against bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving the van.
• If it is not included, you can add it at the counter or during checkout. Adding Liability Insurance Supplementary (up to US$300,000) is strongly recommended for van hires in New Orleans, particularly given the city's dense pedestrian activity during events like Carnival.
• Third-party liability cover does not cover damage to the van itself (that requires CDW/LDW) or your personal injuries (that requires PAI).

Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered. If someone drives the van in New Orleans who is not named on the contract, cover may be void. Always add all drivers at the counter and verify the agreement before leaving the hire centre.

Yes, one-way van hires from New Orleans to a different city are possible, but a drop-off fee typically applies and the amount varies by route, hire brand, and vehicle class.

• The drop-off fee is route-specific and is shown during the booking process under the "To pay at destination" section. Review this before confirming your reservation.
• Vans and other large vehicle classes often carry higher repositioning fees than standard cars because they are more costly to move between locations.
• Same-city returns (for example, collecting at MSY airport and returning to a downtown New Orleans location) may not incur a drop-off fee, but this depends on the specific partner and route.
• Cross-border one-way hires (for example, New Orleans to Mexico) are generally restricted or not permitted. Driving across state lines within the UK is usually allowed; confirm with your hire agreement.

If the drop-off fee shown at the counter differs from what appeared on your booking confirmation, keep all paperwork and contact support after the hire. The No Extra Charges© guarantee covers undisclosed fees that were not listed on your confirmation at the time of booking.