VERIFIED REVIEWS
About hiring a car in Birmingham
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking with Budget in Birmingham include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Birmingham, 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 Birmingham.
Will I face unexpected charges at the Budget counter in Birmingham when I book through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Birmingham 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 Birmingham 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 Budget counter at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport?
The Budget counter at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is located inside the terminal, near the baggage claim area. After completing check-in at the counter and receiving your keys, vehicles are either located in the parking garage at section 1B on the ground level of the parking deck, or accessed via a courtesy shuttle bus.
Budget's operating hours at the Birmingham airport are:
- Sunday through Thursday: 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Friday and Saturday: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
If you are arriving at Birmingham on a flight, plan to proceed directly to the Budget counter after collecting your baggage. Allow extra time if you need the shuttle to reach the parking deck.
Does Budget have a downtown Birmingham location, and what are its hours?
Yes, Budget has a downtown Birmingham location at 2301 Third Ave S, near 23rd Street and 3rd Avenue South. Unlike the airport, both the counter and vehicles are on-site at this address, so no shuttle is needed.
Operating hours for the Budget downtown Birmingham location are:
- Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
This is an important difference from the Birmingham airport location, which stays open until midnight on weekdays. If you plan to pick up or return your Budget hire outside these hours at the downtown Birmingham branch, you will need to adjust your schedule accordingly, as after-hours returns are not available. A key drop may exist, but you remain responsible for the vehicle and any damages until the contract is closed the next business day.
Can I return my Budget hire car after hours in Birmingham?
No, after-hours returns are not available at either Budget location in Birmingham. Both the airport location at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) and the downtown Third Avenue location require you to return the vehicle during office hours.
If you leave the car outside of operating hours, a key drop may be available, but you remain fully responsible for the vehicle, including any damage or theft, until a Budget agent processes the return the next business day.
To avoid complications, plan your return to arrive before closing time. The Birmingham airport Budget location closes at midnight Sunday through Thursday and at 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday. The downtown Birmingham location closes at 5:00 PM on weekdays and at noon on Saturdays, and is closed on Sundays.
What toll roads might I encounter on a Budget hire in Birmingham, Alabama?
Alabama operates several toll roads that you may encounter while driving your Budget hire in or around Birmingham. The state uses the Alabama Freedom Pass system, and tolls can be paid with a transponder, credit or debit card, or cash at toll booths.
The four main toll roads in Alabama and their costs for standard 2-axle vehicles are:
- Montgomery Expressway Bridge (Alabama River Parkway): US$1.50
- Tuscaloosa Bypass (Joe Mallisham Parkway): US$1.50
- Emerald Mountain Expressway (Dozier Road): US$1.75
- Foley Beach Express Toll Bridge: US$2.75
Your Budget hire vehicle may include an electronic toll device. At pickup you can choose an unlimited toll package, typically priced between US$11 and US$25 per day depending on the programme, or pay per use with the actual toll amount plus an administrative processing fee billed after the hire ends.
All bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Birmingham hire. Submit your claim within 30 days of returning the vehicle.
What documents do I need to pick up a Budget hire car in Birmingham?
To pick up your Budget hire car in Birmingham, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:
- A valid, original driver's licence (physical copy only; digital or photocopied versions are not accepted)
- A major credit card in the main driver's name, with the driver's name printed on the card, for the security deposit hold
- A passport or valid government-issued photo ID (required for international visitors)
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher, especially if picking up at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)
If your driver's licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, or Japanese characters, you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original licence. The IDP is a translation only and is not valid without the original licence.
All drivers listed on the Budget hire agreement must be present at pickup with their own valid licence and any required IDP. Budget may also conduct a driving record check at the Birmingham counter.
Is a credit card required to pick up a Budget hire in Birmingham?
Yes, a major credit card in the main driver's name is required at the Budget counter in Birmingham to cover the security deposit hold. The card must be a physical card with the driver's name printed on it. Digital wallets, virtual cards, and prepaid cards are not accepted for the deposit.
The security hold is a temporary authorisation placed on your card at pickup, not an immediate charge. It reduces your available credit until the hire is closed and your bank releases the hold, which can take up to 15 business days after the vehicle is returned.
For a standard vehicle at a Birmingham location, typical holds in the United States range from approximately US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount is set by the Budget counter and may vary by vehicle class or hire duration.
It is a good idea to bring a backup credit card in your own name in case your primary card is declined, and to notify your bank of your travel plans to prevent fraud blocks on in-person authorisations.
Is my foreign driver's licence valid for a Budget hire in Birmingham?
Yes, a foreign driver's licence is generally valid for renting a Budget car in Birmingham, Alabama, provided it meets certain conditions.
If your licence uses Latin (Roman) alphabet characters, you can present it directly at the Budget counter in Birmingham. If your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, you must also carry a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original licence.
Keep in mind:
- The IDP is a translation document only and is not valid without your original licence
- You must obtain the IDP in your home country before travelling, as it cannot be issued abroad
- International visitors must also present a valid passport or government-issued photo ID at the Budget Birmingham counter
- All documents must be physical originals; digital or photocopied versions are not accepted
If you are unsure whether your licence requires an IDP for your Birmingham hire, obtain one before departure to avoid any issues at the counter.
Does Budget in Birmingham charge a young driver surcharge for renters under 25?
Yes, Budget in Birmingham applies a young-driver surcharge for renters between the ages of 21 and 24. In the United States, the standard minimum age to hire without an additional fee is 25.
For Budget hires in Birmingham, the young-driver surcharge is US$13 per hire day, plus applicable taxes, with a maximum charge of US$65 plus taxes for the hire period.
Additional restrictions that apply to under-25 renters at Budget in Birmingham include:
- Vehicle class limitations: categories such as full-size, SUV, premium, luxury, convertible, minivan, and van are typically restricted to renters aged 25 and older
- The surcharge applies to the main driver; additional drivers aged 21 to 24 may also be subject to fees or may not be accepted
One exception: if you are a main driver aged 21 to 24 from Latin America or the Caribbean, certain Hola Car Rentals rates with Budget may waive the underage fee. Check your booking confirmation to see if this waiver is included and whether your vehicle category qualifies.
How does the Tolls Cashback benefit work for Budget hires in Birmingham?
All bookings made through Hola Car Rentals, including Budget hires in Birmingham, include the Tolls Cashback benefit. This reimburses you for tolls paid during your hire, up to 5% of your total booking value.
For example, if your Birmingham Budget booking totals US$500, the maximum cashback is US$25. If you paid US$15 in tolls on Alabama roads, you receive US$15 back. If you paid US$40, you receive the capped amount of US$25.
To claim your cashback after returning your Budget hire in Birmingham:
- Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
- Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - followed by your reservation confirmation number
- Attach your Hola Car Rentals confirmation, your signed hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid
Refunds are issued to the original payment method used for your booking and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit does not mean tolls are included in your rate; you still pay tolls normally and claim reimbursement afterwards.
Can I add an additional driver to my Budget hire in Birmingham?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Budget hire in Birmingham, but the additional driver must be present at the counter at pickup with their own valid driver's licence.
If the additional driver fee is not included in your rate, Budget in Birmingham charges US$13 per hire day plus taxes, with a maximum of US$65 plus taxes for the hire period. Check your booking confirmation to see whether an additional driver is already included at no extra cost.
Important conditions for adding a driver to a Budget hire in Birmingham:
- The additional driver must meet the same document requirements as the main driver, including an IDP if their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet
- For Budget, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old at the time of pickup
- Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement
- Only drivers listed on the agreement are covered by the hire protections
If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a Budget branch in Birmingham to update the agreement, as this typically cannot be done by phone or chat alone.
What is the fuel policy for Budget hires in Birmingham?
Budget hires in Birmingham follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.
To avoid extra fees on your Birmingham Budget hire:
- Check the fuel gauge with the agent at pickup and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
- Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge at pickup
- Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location before dropping off the car
- Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
If you return the Budget vehicle in Birmingham 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 pickup, ask the Budget agent to record the exact starting level on the agreement. You are then only required to return it at that same level.
What insurance coverage is included in a Budget hire in Birmingham?
The insurance and protection options available for your Budget hire in Birmingham depend on the rate plan selected when booking through Hola Car Rentals.
Common coverages to understand for a Birmingham Budget hire:
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the hire vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation states zero deductible. CDW and LDW do not cover damage to third parties.
- Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving the Budget hire in Birmingham. Some U.S. states require a minimum level of liability; confirm whether it is included in your rate or available as an add-on.
CDW and LDW do not cover tyres, undercarriage, roof, keys, or personal belongings. Always review the hire agreement at the Budget Birmingham counter to confirm which protections are active and what deductible applies before driving away.
Is travel assistance included with a Budget hire in Birmingham?
Yes, most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals, including Budget hires in Birmingham, include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection. This benefit is designed for situations such as a medical emergency or accident while driving in or around Birmingham.
Coverage typically includes:
- Travel insurance with medical coverage for up to 5 passengers
- Legal assistance in the event of an accident
- Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
- Flight cancellation insurance
If you need assistance during your Budget hire in Birmingham, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free), via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001, or by email at [email protected]. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.
Important: this travel assistance benefit applies only to non-North American customers. Residents of the United States and Canada do not qualify for this coverage. It also does not cover damage to the Budget hire vehicle itself (that is handled by CDW or LDW) or third-party liability (covered by LIS/ALI/SLI).
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