VERIFIED REVIEWS
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking in Portland include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Portland, 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 Portland.
Will I face unexpected charges at the counter when I hire a car in Portland through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Portland 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 Portland 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 do I pick up my hire car at Portland International Airport?
At Portland International Airport (PDX), all major hire companies operate from a Consolidated Hire Car Facility located on the first floor of the car park. After landing, proceed to Baggage Claim, then take the South Tunnel and follow signs to the Hire Car Centre.
The hire desks are on the lower level of the terminal, and the vehicle lot is on-site, a short walk from the desk. Most Portland airport hire brands, including Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, and National, are all housed in this consolidated facility, so you do not need a shuttle to reach your vehicle.
Alamo offers a touch-screen kiosk option at the Portland desk, allowing you to skip the queue, receive a receipt-sized hire agreement, and proceed directly to your vehicle. Desk-to-vehicle time is typically 10 to 15 minutes for standard transactions.
Airport desk hours generally run from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM. After-hours key drop boxes are available for returns outside those hours. If you are collecting from a downtown Portland location instead, hours are more limited, typically Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with reduced weekend hours.
How do toll roads work for hire cars in Portland, Maine?
Portland, Maine sits along the Maine Turnpike, which is operated by the Maine Turnpike Authority and uses the E-ZPass electronic toll system. E-ZPass is accepted across 19 states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, and cash toll booths have been largely eliminated in Maine, making a transponder or plate-based billing arrangement essential for driving the turnpike near Portland.
Your hire vehicle in Portland will already have an electronic toll device installed. At the desk you have two options:
- Enroll in the hire company's toll programme, which typically costs between US$11 and US$25 per day, covering unlimited toll use for that day
- Decline the programme and pay per use, in which case the hire company will charge you the actual toll amount plus an administrative processing fee per transaction
If you drive through an E-ZPass lane near Portland without enrolling in a toll programme, the hire company will receive a notice and bill your credit card for the toll plus fees. Charges often appear on your statement four to six weeks after the hire ends.
National's TollPass charges US$3.95 per usage day (capped at US$19.75 per hire period) plus actual tolls. Enterprise's TollPass charges US$4.95 per day (capped at US$34.65) plus tolls. No service charge applies on days when you do not use a toll road.
What documents do I need to pick up a hire car in Portland?
To collect your hire car in Portland, you must present the following physical documents at the desk:
- A valid, original driving licence in the main driver’s name
- A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, used 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 visitors from outside the United States)
Digital copies of any document are not accepted. All documents must be physical originals.
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 alongside your original licence. For licences in English or a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required. The IDP is a translation only and cannot be used without your original licence.
Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold in Portland, even if you prepaid your booking online. Bring a major credit card with sufficient available credit to cover the hold, which is typically US$300 to US$400 for standard vehicles at US locations.
Can I get tolls cashback on my Portland hire?
Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which lets you recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Portland hire.
This is especially useful when driving the Maine Turnpike near Portland, where E-ZPass cashless tolling is the standard and toll charges can accumulate over a multi-day hire.
To claim your cashback after returning the vehicle in Portland:
- Email [email protected] within 30 days of vehicle return
- Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA followed by your confirmation number
- Attach your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid
- Include your full name, travel dates, and the last four digits of the card used for the booking
The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your reservation and typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted. The cashback covers toll charges only, not hire company administrative or processing fees.
Can I return my hire car after hours at Portland International Airport?
Yes, after-hours returns are available at Portland International Airport (PDX) for most major hire brands. Each company has a designated key drop box located at the Consolidated Hire Car Facility on the first floor of the car park.
For National, pull into the return lane on the first floor, leave the keys on the dashboard, and the agent will process the return. For SIXT, return to Level 2 and drop the keys in the drop box behind the podium. Most other Portland airport brands follow a similar key-drop process.
Before an after-hours drop at Portland airport, follow these steps:
- Refuel within 10 to 15 miles of the return location so the tank reads full on arrival
- Take a photo of the dashboard showing the fuel gauge and odometer
- Keep your fuel receipt with the station address, date, and time
- Leave the receipt in the return envelope if provided, and keep a photo for your records
Note that Oregon does not permit self-service fuel pumping, so allow extra time at the petrol station near Portland airport before your return. A 7-Eleven just outside PDX is one option reported by travellers. Liability for the vehicle typically continues until the hire company formally checks it in the next morning, so document the car's condition carefully at drop-off.
Is a credit card required to hire a car in Portland?
Yes, a major credit card in the main driver’s name with the driver’s name printed on the card is required to hire a car in Portland. The card is used to place a temporary authorisation hold at the desk, which is typically US$300 to US$400 for standard vehicles at US locations.
Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or single-use card numbers are not accepted for the authorisation hold in Portland, even if you prepaid your booking online. The card must be a physical card, not a digital wallet or screenshot.
A few things to bear in mind before collecting your Portland hire:
- The card must have sufficient available credit to cover the hold amount in addition to any other charges
- The name on the card must match the name on your driving licence and hire agreement
- Notify your bank of your travel plans to prevent fraud blocks on an in-person authorisation
- Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined
The hold is released after you return the vehicle, but your bank controls how quickly the credit becomes available again, which can take up to 15 business days.
What are the age requirements to hire a car in Portland?
In Portland, Maine, the minimum age to hire a car without a young-driver surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will be charged a daily young-driver surcharge, and most vehicle classes are restricted to drivers 25 and older.
Vehicle classes typically restricted to drivers under 25 in Portland include full-size saloons, full-size SUVs, minivans, vans, convertibles, luxury, and premium categories. Drivers aged 21 to 24 are generally limited to economy, compact, medium saloon, standard saloon, compact SUV, and medium SUV classes.
Young-driver surcharge amounts vary by hire partner:
- Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per hire day plus taxes, capped at US$65 plus taxes
- Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$13.50 per hire day plus taxes, capped at US$189 plus taxes
- Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day plus taxes
If you are between 21 and 24 and from Latin America or the Caribbean, certain Hola Car Rentals rates with Avis or Budget may waive the young-driver surcharge for the main driver. Check your booking confirmation to see if this waiver applies to your Portland reservation.
How do Portland's one-way streets affect driving a hire car downtown?
Portland's downtown area operates on a well-established one-way street grid that has been in place since the late 1940s. For visitors driving a hire car in Portland for the first time, this layout can be disorienting, particularly when navigating back to a hire return location or a downtown pickup address.
A few practical points to bear in mind when driving a hire in Portland:
- The central west side business district is almost entirely one-way, meaning you often cannot simply reverse your route to return to a starting point
- Compact 200-by-200-foot blocks amplify the rigidity of the one-way system, so missing a turn requires going around the block rather than turning back
- Some streets use alternating one-way blocks, where the direction of travel changes over consecutive blocks, which can be confusing without GPS
- Cyclists frequently use contraflow lanes on one-way streets in Portland, meaning bikes may travel toward you on a street where cars move in the opposite direction
Using a GPS or navigation app is strongly recommended when driving a hire car in Portland, especially for reaching downtown pickup or return locations such as the SW Washington Street car park. Allow extra time when returning your vehicle to account for one-way detours.
Does travel assistance cover me if something goes wrong during my Portland hire?
Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance coverage through Terrawind Global Protection, which can help if an unexpected situation arises during your Portland hire, such as a medical emergency, a flight cancellation on the way to Portland, or baggage lost by the airline.
Core benefits typically included are:
- Travel and medical cover for up to 5 passengers
- Legal assistance in the event of a road accident
- Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
- Flight cancellation insurance
If you need assistance during your Portland trip, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free) or via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.
Important limitations to be aware of:
- This benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada
- Pre-existing medical conditions are not covered
- Damage to the hire vehicle itself is not covered by travel assistance; that is handled by CDW/LDW
- Third-party liability to others is handled separately by LIS/ALI/SLI cover
Always review your Portland booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your reservation.
Can I add an additional driver to my Portland hire?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Portland hire, either as part of your rate or by paying a fee at the desk. Check your booking confirmation first, as some Hola Car Rentals rates include one additional driver at no extra cost.
If an additional driver is not included in your Portland rate, the daily fees are:
- Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per hire day plus taxes, capped at US$65 plus taxes
- Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$13.50 per hire day plus taxes, capped at US$189 plus taxes
- Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day plus taxes
The additional driver must be present at the Portland desk with a valid driving licence and any required ID. Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement. Anyone who drives the vehicle without being listed on the agreement will not be covered by CDW/LDW or liability protections.
For Avis, Budget, and Payless hires in Portland, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old. If the additional driver is under 25, a young-driver surcharge may apply or the request may be declined depending on the location's policy.
What fuel policy applies to hire cars in Portland?
Hire cars in Portland 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. If the tank is not full at pickup, the starting level must be recorded on the hire agreement, and you return it at that same level.
One important local detail for Portland, Oregon: Oregon law does not permit self-service fuel pumping. You must wait for an attendant to pump fuel for you, which can add time, especially at busy stations near Portland International Airport. Plan for this when refuelling before your return.
Steps to avoid fuel charges on your Portland hire:
- Confirm the starting fuel level with the agent at pickup and ensure it is written on the hire agreement
- Take a photo of the dashboard showing the fuel gauge and odometer at both pickup and return
- Refuel within 10 to 15 miles of the Portland return location so the gauge does not drop before arrival
- Keep your final fuel receipt with the station address, date, and time
If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, the hire company may charge you for the fuel shortfall at their refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus an administrative service fee.
Can I pick up a hire car in Portland and return it in a different city?
Yes, one-way hires are possible from Portland, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your destination, the hire company, the vehicle class, and the season.
Common patterns for one-way hires from Portland:
- Portland airport to downtown Portland (or vice versa): often no drop-off fee
- Portland to another city in the same state: a drop-off fee typically applies and varies by distance and vehicle class
- Portland to a city in a different state: a drop-off fee usually applies and can be higher for longer distances
- Cross-border returns (for example, Portland, Maine to Canada): may be restricted or carry significant fees; confirm with the hire partner before booking
The drop-off fee for your Portland booking is shown during the booking process under the section labelled as charges due at the destination. It is not included in any All Inclusive or All Inclusive+ rate and cannot be prepaid through Hola Car Rentals.
If you need to change your return location after booking your Portland hire, the route will be re-priced and the drop-off fee may change. Mid-hire route changes must be approved by the partner location. Always verify the fee on your confirmation before pickup to avoid surprises at the Portland desk.
What insurance coverage do I need for a hire car in Portland?
When hiring a car in Portland, two main types of cover are worth understanding: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW) for the hire vehicle itself, and Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) for damage or injury you may cause to others.
CDW/LDW reduces your financial liability if the Portland hire car is damaged or stolen. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. CDW/LDW does not cover damage to other vehicles or injuries to other people.
Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others while driving in Portland. Not all US states require hire companies to include minimum liability cover, so this is an important add-on to consider. Hola Car Rentals strongly recommends adding Liability Insurance Supplementary (up to US$300,000) to your Portland hire.
What CDW/LDW does not cover in Portland:
- Damage to other vehicles or third-party property (covered by LIS/ALI/SLI)
- Tires, undercarriage, roof, or keys unless specifically included
- Incidents involving unlisted drivers
- Prohibited use such as off-road driving or driving under the influence
Review your Portland booking confirmation carefully to confirm which coverages are included in your rate and whether a deductible applies.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.
Suggested Currencies
- $ USD - United States Dollar
- € EUR - Euro
Other Countries
-
Albania
-
Algeria
-
Andorra
-
Angola
-
Antigua & Barbuda
-
Argentina
-
Australia
-
Austria
-
Bahamas
-
Bahrain
-
Bangladesh
-
Barbados
-
Belgium
-
Belize
-
Benin
-
Bermuda
-
Bolivia
-
Bosnia & Herzegovina
-
Botswana
-
Brazil
-
British Virgin Islands
-
Bulgaria
-
Burkina Faso
-
Burundi
-
Cameroon
-
Canada
-
Cape Verde
-
Cayman Islands
-
Central African Republic
-
Chad
-
Chile
-
Colombia
-
Comoros
-
Congo - Brazzaville
-
Congo - Kinshasa
-
Costa Rica
-
Côte d’Ivoire
-
Croatia
-
Curaçao
-
Cyprus
-
Czechia
-
Denmark
-
Djibouti
-
Dominica
-
Dominican Republic
-
Ecuador
-
Egypt
-
El Salvador
-
Equatorial Guinea
-
Eritrea
-
Estonia
-
Eswatini
-
Ethiopia
-
Finland
-
France
-
Gabon
-
Gambia
-
Germany
-
Ghana
-
Greece
-
Grenada
-
Guatemala
-
Guinea
-
Guinea-Bissau
-
Guyana
-
Haiti
-
Honduras
-
Hong Kong SAR
-
Hungary
-
Iceland
-
India
-
Iraq
-
Ireland
-
Israel
-
Italy
-
Jamaica
-
Japan
-
Jordan
-
Kenya
-
Kuwait
-
Latvia
-
Lebanon
-
Lesotho
-
Liberia
-
Libya
-
Liechtenstein
-
Lithuania
-
Luxembourg
-
Madagascar
-
Malawi
-
Mali
-
Malta
-
Mauritania
-
Mauritius
-
Mexico
-
Moldova
-
Monaco
-
Montenegro
-
Morocco
-
Mozambique
-
Namibia
-
Netherlands
-
New Zealand
-
Nicaragua
-
Niger
-
Nigeria
-
Norway
-
Oman
-
Palestinian Territories
-
Panama
-
Paraguay
-
Peru
-
Philippines
-
Poland
-
Portugal
-
Qatar
-
Romania
-
Russia
-
Rwanda
-
San Marino
-
São Tomé & Príncipe
-
Saudi Arabia
-
Senegal
-
Serbia
-
Seychelles
-
Sierra Leone
-
Singapore
-
Sint Maarten
-
Slovakia
-
Slovenia
-
Somalia
-
South Africa
-
South Korea
-
South Sudan
-
Spain
-
St. Lucia
-
St. Vincent & Grenadines
-
Sudan
-
Sweden
-
Switzerland
-
Taiwan
-
Tanzania
-
Togo
-
Trinidad & Tobago
-
Tunisia
-
Türkiye
-
Turks & Caicos Islands
-
Uganda
-
Ukraine
-
United Arab Emirates
-
United Kingdom
-
United States
-
Uruguay
-
Vatican City
-
Venezuela
-
Yemen
-
Zambia
-
Zimbabwe