Budget Car Rental
in New Orleans

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental brands operating in New Orleans, including Budget, 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 Budget rental experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in New Orleans.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your Budget 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 Budget 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 Budget 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 Budget 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)

When arriving at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, your Budget rental car is not located inside the terminal. After collecting your baggage, exit Level 1 near Baggage Claim and follow signs to the Rental Car Shuttle outside Door 9, near the Long-Term Parking Garage.

Board the airport-provided shuttle, which runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, approximately every 5 minutes. The shuttle takes 15 to 30 minutes to reach the Consolidated Rental Car Facility at 600 Rental Blvd, Kenner, LA 70062, where the Budget counter is located alongside other major brands.

Once at the facility, proceed directly to the Budget counter with your booking confirmation, driver's license, and a major credit card in the main driver's name. Allow at least 30 to 45 minutes total from baggage claim to driving away, and add extra time during busy periods or if your flight arrives with delays.

Budget operates a downtown New Orleans counter at 1317 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70112, approximately 0.54 miles from the city center. This location is a convenient alternative to the airport facility if you are already staying in or near the French Quarter or Central Business District.

Downtown counter hours are:

• Monday to Friday: 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM
• Saturday: 08:00 AM to 02:00 PM
• Sunday: 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM

No shuttle is required to reach this Budget location. If you are arriving by plane at MSY and prefer to pick up downtown rather than at the airport facility, keep in mind that the downtown counter has more limited hours than the airport consolidated facility. Always confirm your pickup location matches your booking confirmation before traveling to the counter.

Yes, there are a few toll roads and bridges in the New Orleans area that you may encounter during your Budget rental.

The most notable is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, one of the longest toll bridges in the world, connecting Metairie (near New Orleans) to Mandeville across the lake. The one-way toll for a standard 2-axle vehicle is US$5.00, with a round trip costing approximately US$9.00 to US$10.00. Payment is accepted in cash at toll booths or electronically via license plate billing.

Other crossings such as the Huey P. Long Bridge or certain ferry routes may cost US$1.00 to US$3.00 per crossing. Louisiana does not operate a statewide electronic toll system like E-ZPass or SunPass, so tolls are handled locally, either at cash booths or through license plate photography (toll-by-plate style).

Budget, like other rental companies, offers a pay-per-use plate-based toll program at the counter. If you do not enroll, Budget will still bill any tolls incurred at the highest undiscounted rate plus administrative fees. Where cash booths are available, paying in cash is often the most straightforward option to avoid program fees.

Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings, including Budget rentals in New Orleans, include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your rental period.

In the New Orleans area, tolls you may encounter include the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (US$5.00 one-way) and smaller bridge or ferry crossings. Any tolls you pay, whether at a cash booth or billed through the rental company's plate program, are eligible for the cashback claim.

To claim your reimbursement:

• 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 confirmation, the signed rental agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges

Refunds are issued to the original payment method used for your booking and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

To pick up your Budget rental car in New Orleans, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• A valid, original driver's license in the main driver's name (not a digital copy)
• A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, for the security deposit hold
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad

If your driver's license 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 required alongside your original license. For licenses in English or using a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not mandatory.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital versions displayed on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the Budget counter in New Orleans or at any other rental location.

Yes, Budget in New Orleans requires a physical major credit card in the main driver's name, with the driver's name printed on the card, to place a security hold at pickup.

A typical security deposit hold in the United States ranges from US$300 to US$400 for standard vehicles, though the exact amount depends on the vehicle class, location, and Budget's current policy. This is a temporary authorization, not a charge, and reduces your available credit until it is released after you return the car.

• Debit cards are not accepted for the security hold
• Prepaid or virtual cards are not accepted
• The card must be physically present, not a digital wallet
• The name on the card must match the main driver's name on the rental agreement

Even if you prepaid your Budget booking online, you are still required to present a physical credit card at the New Orleans counter. It is a good idea to bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined, and to notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid fraud blocks on in-person authorizations.

Yes, Budget applies a young driver surcharge in New Orleans for renters between the ages of 21 and 24. The standard fee is US$13 per rental day plus applicable taxes, with a maximum charge of US$65 plus taxes for the rental period.

Drivers under 21 are generally not eligible to rent with Budget in Louisiana. Drivers aged 25 and older are not subject to any underage surcharge.

Additionally, certain vehicle classes are restricted to renters aged 25 and older, including full-size sedans, SUVs, minivans, convertibles, luxury, and premium vehicles. Younger drivers in New Orleans are typically limited to economy, compact, medium sedan, standard sedan, compact SUV, and medium SUV categories.

One important exception applies to travelers from Latin America and the Caribbean aged 21 to 24: eligible Hola Car Rentals rates with Budget may waive the underage fee for the main driver, provided the waiver is explicitly shown on the booking confirmation and the driver presents a passport proving their nationality or residency. This exception does not apply to travelers from Europe, Asia, or other regions.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Budget rental in New Orleans, either at no cost if your rate includes it or for a fee if it does not.

When an additional driver is not included in your rate, Budget charges US$13 per rental day plus taxes, with a maximum of US$65 plus taxes for the rental period. Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads "Additional driver free of charge" to know whether it is already covered.

Requirements for adding a driver at the Budget counter in New Orleans:

• The additional driver must be physically present at pickup
• They must present a valid driver's license and any required ID
• For Budget, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement

Only drivers listed on the rental agreement are covered by the vehicle's protections, such as CDW/LDW and liability coverage. If someone drives the Budget car in New Orleans without being named on the contract, coverage may be void and additional charges could apply.

Most Hola Car Rentals bookings, including Budget rentals in New Orleans, include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection at no extra cost. This benefit is particularly useful if you experience an unexpected medical situation or travel disruption while driving around the New Orleans area or on longer routes such as the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway or highways heading toward Baton Rouge or the Gulf Coast.

Coverage typically includes:

• Travel insurance with medical coverage for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

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.

Important: this benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. It also does not cover damage to the Budget rental vehicle itself (that is handled by CDW/LDW) or third-party liability (covered by LIS/SLI). Always review your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your itinerary.

Yes, one-way rentals are possible with Budget, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your route. If you pick up your Budget car at the New Orleans airport consolidated facility and return it to the downtown Canal Street location, or vice versa, a drop-off fee may or may not apply depending on the specific route and dates.

For longer one-way trips, such as picking up in New Orleans and returning in another Louisiana city or a different state, a drop-off fee is more likely and can vary significantly based on distance, vehicle class, and season.

To know whether a fee applies to your specific route:

• The drop-off fee is shown during the booking process on the rate details page under the "To pay at destination" section
• Your booking confirmation will also list this fee if it applies
• This fee cannot be prepaid and is paid directly at the Budget counter

If you change your return location after booking, the rental will be repriced and the drop-off fee may increase or a new fee may be added. Always confirm the return location before finalizing your Budget reservation in New Orleans.

Budget rentals in New Orleans follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy by default. This means you receive the car with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

At pickup, verify the fuel level with the Budget agent and ensure the starting level is recorded on your rental agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the gauge and odometer before leaving the lot.

When returning your Budget car in New Orleans:

• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location, whether at the airport consolidated facility on Rental Blvd or the downtown Canal Street counter
• Keep your fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
• Show the gauge at full when you hand back the keys

If you return the car with less than a full tank, Budget may charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refueling rate, which is typically higher than retail pump prices, plus a refueling service fee. For after-hours returns at the New Orleans airport facility, leave the receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge as proof.

The insurance and protection options included in your Budget rental in New Orleans depend on the rate plan you selected when booking through Hola Car Rentals. It is important to review your booking confirmation carefully before arriving at the counter.

Common coverages available for Budget rentals in New Orleans include:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the Budget rental vehicle from a collision or covered incident. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation states zero deductible
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/SLI/ALI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving. In Louisiana, not all rental rates automatically include state-minimum liability, so it is strongly recommended to add this coverage

CDW/LDW does not cover third-party liability, and LIS/SLI does not cover damage to the Budget vehicle itself. These are separate protections that work together.

Optional add-ons such as personal accident insurance, child seats, GPS, and prepaid fuel are available at the Budget counter in New Orleans and are paid locally. Always decline any add-on you do not want before signing the rental agreement.

If your flight is delayed and you arrive later than your scheduled Budget pickup time in New Orleans, your reservation will generally be held for up to 24 hours from the original pickup time. The airport consolidated facility at 600 Rental Blvd operates with 24-hour shuttle access, which helps accommodate delayed arrivals.

Key points to keep in mind:

• If your delay is less than 24 hours, Budget will hold your booking, but make sure you arrive during counter service hours
• If your delay exceeds 24 hours, contact Hola Car Rentals via WhatsApp at +1 (786) 999-8312 or email [email protected] as soon as possible to discuss options
• The downtown Budget location at 1317 Canal St has more limited hours (closing as early as 1:00 PM on Sundays), so late arrivals are better handled at the airport facility

If you know your flight will be significantly delayed, it is best to contact support proactively. Bookings that are not picked up within 24 hours of the original time may be forfeited without a refund, so acting quickly is important for your New Orleans Budget reservation.