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Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking with National in Philadelphia include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental brands operating in Philadelphia, including National, 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 rental 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 National rental experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in Philadelphia.
Will I face unexpected charges at the National counter in Philadelphia when I book through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your National booking in Philadelphia 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 National 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 National counter in Philadelphia 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 National 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 car rental counter at Philadelphia International Airport?
National car rental at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is not located inside any terminal. Instead, all rental brands including National operate from a consolidated Rental Car Center located approximately 1.5 miles from the terminals on Island Ave.
After collecting your luggage at baggage claim, follow the overhead signs for Ground Transportation and Rental Car Shuttles to Zone 2 on the arrivals roadway. Board the free, clearly marked rental car shuttle, which runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every 5 to 10 minutes. The ride to the Rental Car Center takes approximately 4 to 15 minutes depending on traffic and time of day.
Once at the Rental Car Center, proceed to the National counter or kiosk to complete check-in, then collect your vehicle from the adjacent bays. There is no option to walk directly from any Philadelphia terminal to the rental facility, so the shuttle is the only way to reach the National counter.
How long does it take to get a National rental car at Philadelphia airport?
From the moment your plane lands at Philadelphia International Airport to driving away in your National rental car, expect to spend roughly 45 to 90 minutes in total.
- Baggage claim: 25 to 45 minutes if you have checked bags, or 15 to 25 minutes with carry-on only
- Walking to Zone 2 on the arrivals roadway and waiting for the shuttle: 5 to 10 minutes
- Shuttle ride to the consolidated Rental Car Center: 4 to 15 minutes
- National counter check-in and vehicle inspection: 10 to 20 minutes
During peak travel periods, such as holiday weekends or summer months, allow extra buffer time at both baggage claim and the National counter. The Philadelphia shuttle service runs around the clock, so late-night or early-morning arrivals are not a concern for reaching the Rental Car Center.
What documents do I need to pick up a National rental car in Philadelphia?
To pick up your National rental car in Philadelphia, you must bring the following physical documents. Digital copies are not accepted at the counter.
- A valid, unexpired driver's license in the main driver's name (physical original, not a digital version)
- A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, in the main driver's name, for the security deposit hold
- A passport or valid government-issued photo ID (required for international visitors)
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
- Round-trip flight tickets or itinerary showing your return date (required for foreign visitors at airport locations)
If your driver's license is not in English and does not use a Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script), you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original license. The IDP is a translation only and is not valid without the original license.
At the National counter in Philadelphia, all documents must be physical. Name on the credit card, license, and passport must match the main driver on the rental agreement.
Does Hola Car Rentals offer toll cashback for National rentals in Philadelphia?
Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which applies to your National rental in Philadelphia and any toll roads you use in the region.
Philadelphia sits near the Pennsylvania Turnpike, one of the most heavily used toll corridors in the northeastern United States. The Turnpike is predominantly cashless, using E-ZPass transponders and a Toll By Plate system. Typical passenger vehicle tolls range from around US$1.94 per short segment with E-ZPass to US$3.88 with Toll By Plate. A longer trip such as Philadelphia to Harrisburg can total US$8 to US$12 or more.
With Tolls Cashback, Hola Car Rentals reimburses the lesser of the total tolls you paid or up to 5% of your total booking value. To claim:
- Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning your National vehicle
- Include your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the signed rental agreement, and a toll receipt or statement showing charges paid
- Refunds are processed to your original payment method within 7 to 10 business days after approval
This benefit does not mean tolls are free. You still pay tolls normally during the rental and claim reimbursement afterward.
How do tolls work with a National rental car in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia and the surrounding Pennsylvania region use a predominantly cashless toll system. Your National rental car will already have an electronic toll device installed, and most toll roads including the Pennsylvania Turnpike no longer have cash booths.
When you drive through a toll gantry, the charge is recorded either via the vehicle's transponder (E-ZPass) or by photographing the license plate (Toll By Plate). You are responsible for all tolls incurred during your rental.
At the National counter in Philadelphia, you will typically be offered two options:
- Unlimited toll package: a fixed daily fee of approximately US$11 to US$25 per day, covering all tolls during the rental period
- Pay per use: actual toll charges billed to your credit card after the rental, plus administrative or processing fees charged by National, often at the higher Toll By Plate rate
If you opt out of the toll program, tolls are still captured automatically and billed to your card days or even weeks after you return the vehicle. Pennsylvania Turnpike E-ZPass rates for a standard passenger vehicle start at around US$1.94 per segment, while Toll By Plate rates are roughly double that amount.
Philadelphia itself has no congestion charges or urban emissions zones. Tolls apply only to specific roads and bridges, not to driving within the city.
Are there speed cameras I should know about when driving a National rental car in Philadelphia?
Yes, Philadelphia has an unusually extensive network of automated speed enforcement cameras that can result in fines billed to the registered vehicle owner, which means they can be passed on to you as the National rental car driver.
- 30 speed cameras at 15 locations along Broad Street (Route 611) are active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Cameras trigger at 11 mph over the posted speed limit. On streets with a 25 mph limit, driving at 36 mph or faster generates a citation
- Fines range from US$100 for 11 to 19 mph over the limit to US$150 for 30 mph or more over the limit
- Additional automated cameras operate in school zones, with enforcement active as of April 2026
- Further camera installations are planned along several major corridors throughout Philadelphia
This level of automated enforcement is significantly more aggressive than most other American cities. Speed camera fines are typically billed to the rental company and then charged to your credit card after the rental ends, often with an administrative processing fee added by National. Drive at or below posted limits throughout Philadelphia to avoid unexpected post-rental charges.
Does Philadelphia's one-way street system affect navigation in a National rental car?
Yes, Philadelphia's downtown street network is almost entirely one-way, which can be disorienting if you are not familiar with the city layout.
Nearly every street in the central city was converted to one-way traffic decades ago. While the underlying grid is regular and easy to follow on a map, the one-way overlay means that reaching a specific address often requires driving one or two blocks past your destination and looping back. GPS navigation handles this automatically, but it is worth knowing that the route shown may seem indirect.
A few practical tips for driving your National rental car in Philadelphia:
- Always use GPS or a navigation app, as the one-way pattern is not intuitive for first-time visitors
- One-way streets tend to increase vehicle speeds because there is no oncoming traffic, so be mindful of posted speed limits and the active camera enforcement on Broad Street
- The city continues to modify traffic patterns on specific streets, so real-time navigation is more reliable than printed maps
The grid layout itself is straightforward once you understand the one-way system, and major routes in and out of Philadelphia are well signed from the highway network.
Is travel assistance included with a National car rental booked through Hola Car Rentals in Philadelphia?
Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, and this applies to your National rental in Philadelphia. However, this benefit does not apply to customers who are residents of the United States or Canada.
If you qualify, the coverage includes:
- Travel insurance with medical coverage for up to 5 passengers
- Legal assistance in the event of a road accident in or around Philadelphia
- Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
- Flight cancellation insurance
If you experience a breakdown on a Philadelphia highway, are involved in an accident, or face a medical emergency during your National rental period, you can reach the assistance line 24 hours a day:
- Phone (toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
- WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
- Email: [email protected]
When you call, have your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your current location in Philadelphia, and a brief description of the situation ready. Always check your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your reservation.
How do I return a National rental car at Philadelphia International Airport?
Returning your National rental car at Philadelphia International Airport follows a straightforward process using the same consolidated Rental Car Center where you picked up the vehicle.
- As you approach the airport, follow the Rental Car Return signs on the roadway leading into the airport complex
- Drive into the Rental Car Center and proceed to the National-designated return lanes or bays
- A National agent will inspect the vehicle and close out your contract
- After completing the return, board the complimentary shuttle back to your terminal. The shuttle stops are the same as the pickup stops, including Zone 2 on the arrivals roadway
Before entering the return lanes, refuel the vehicle to comply with the Full-to-Full fuel policy. Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the airport so the tank does not drop below full before you arrive. Keep your fuel receipt in case of any dispute. If you return the vehicle with less fuel than recorded at pickup, National may charge a refueling fee at a rate higher than the pump price, plus a service fee.
The shuttle service between the Rental Car Center and the Philadelphia terminals runs 24 hours a day, so late-night or early-morning returns are not a problem.
What is the security deposit for a National rental car in Philadelphia?
When you pick up your National rental car in Philadelphia, a temporary authorization hold will be placed on your credit card. This is not a charge but it reduces your available credit until the rental is closed and your bank releases the hold.
For standard vehicles rented in the United States, typical holds at National and similar brands range from approximately US$300 to US$400. The exact amount can vary based on:
- The vehicle class you are renting (premium or specialty vehicles may carry higher holds)
- The specific Philadelphia location (airport vs. city)
- The length of your rental period
- National's current policy at the time of pickup
You must present a physical major credit card with your name printed on the card. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual card numbers are not accepted for the deposit at the National counter in Philadelphia. Even if you prepaid your booking, a physical credit card is still required at pickup.
After you return the vehicle, the hold is released. Your bank or card issuer controls how quickly the credit becomes available again, which can take up to 15 business days in some cases.
Can I add an additional driver to my National rental in Philadelphia?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your National rental car in Philadelphia, either as part of your booking rate or by paying a fee at the counter.
For National, Alamo, and Enterprise, the additional driver fee is US$15 per day plus applicable taxes when not included in your rate. Check your Hola Car Rentals confirmation before arriving at the Philadelphia counter, as some rate plans include one additional driver at no extra cost.
Requirements for adding a driver at the National counter in Philadelphia:
- The additional driver must be physically present at pickup
- They must present a valid driver's license (and an IDP if their license uses a non-Latin alphabet)
- They must meet the minimum age requirements for the rental location
- Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement
Only drivers listed on the National rental agreement are covered by the vehicle's protections such as CDW/LDW and liability coverage. If someone drives who is not named on the contract, coverage may be void and additional charges could apply. If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a National branch to update the agreement.
Is there a young driver surcharge for under-25 renters at National in Philadelphia?
Yes, drivers under 25 years old are subject to a young-renter surcharge when picking up a National rental car in Philadelphia.
In the United States, the standard minimum age to rent without a surcharge is 25. National charges US$15 per day plus taxes as an underage fee for drivers aged 21 to 24. This fee is paid at the Philadelphia counter and is not included in your prepaid booking total.
Additional restrictions that apply to under-25 renters at National in Philadelphia:
- Many vehicle classes are restricted to drivers aged 25 and older, including full-size SUVs, premium, luxury, minivans, and convertibles
- Economy, compact, intermediate, and compact SUV categories are generally available to younger renters
- The additional driver fee also applies if an under-25 driver is added to the contract
Drivers aged 18 to 20 are generally not eligible to rent in Pennsylvania, as the state does not have the same exceptions as New York or Michigan. If you are 21 to 24 and traveling from Latin America or the Caribbean, check your Hola Car Rentals confirmation to see if an underage fee waiver applies for Avis or Budget rates, though this exception does not extend to National.
What insurance coverage is included with a National rental car in Philadelphia?
The insurance and protection options available for your National rental car in Philadelphia depend on the rate plan you selected when booking through Hola Car Rentals.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial liability for damage to the National vehicle itself, including collision, theft, and vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. CDW/LDW does not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.
Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving the National rental in Philadelphia. Some U.S. states require a minimum level of liability to be included, but not all do. Hola Car Rentals strongly recommends adding supplemental liability coverage up to US$300,000 for any rental in the United States.
What CDW/LDW does not cover:
- Damage to tires, wheels, undercarriage, or roof (unless specifically included)
- Incidents involving unauthorized drivers not listed on the National agreement
- Prohibited use such as off-road driving or driving under the influence
- Third-party injuries or property damage (requires separate liability coverage)
Review your Hola Car Rentals confirmation for the exact protections included in your Philadelphia booking before arriving at the National counter.
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