Car Rental
in Birmingham

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental 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 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 rental experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in Birmingham.

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 rental 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)

At Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM), the rental car facility is consolidated in section 1B on the ground level of the parking deck at 5900 Messer Airport Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35212.

Major brands including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National all operate from this shared facility. Each company has a counter inside the terminal near baggage claim, and vehicles are located in the adjacent parking deck, reachable on foot or by a short shuttle depending on the brand.

Alamo customers can use a self-service kiosk to skip the counter, print the rental agreement, and proceed directly to the lot for exit booth verification. Enterprise directs customers from baggage claim straight to their counter.

Allow roughly 15 to 45 minutes from baggage claim to driving away, depending on queue length and whether you use an express or membership check-in program. Counter hours vary by brand, but most Birmingham Airport locations open between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM and close between 10:00 PM and midnight daily.

Counter hours at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) vary by brand. Based on available information, the general schedule for Birmingham Airport rental counters is:

• Alamo: 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM daily
• Avis: approximately 5:30 AM to 12:00 AM Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM Saturday, 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM Sunday
• Enterprise: 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM daily
• Hertz: 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM Sunday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM Saturday
• Budget: Sunday through Thursday 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Friday and Saturday 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

After-hours returns are available at most Birmingham Airport locations. Avis offers a 24-hour key drop box, and Budget has a Fastbreak drop box so you can return without visiting the counter. Always confirm current hours on your booking confirmation, as holiday schedules may differ.

Yes, there is a rental car location in downtown Birmingham separate from the airport. Budget operates a city center branch at 2301 Third Ave S (near 23rd Street), Birmingham, AL 35233.

Key differences from the Birmingham Airport location to keep in mind:

• Hours are significantly more limited: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, closed Sunday
• No shuttle or consolidated facility, vehicles are on-site at the address
• Returns must be made during office hours; after-hours key drop may be available but is not guaranteed
• Holiday closures apply: the Birmingham Budget location is closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day, and closes early on New Year's Eve (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM)

Enterprise also has multiple neighborhood locations throughout Birmingham, including Downtown Birmingham Central City and Downtown Birmingham Southside, which may offer more flexible hours. If you need a city center pickup, confirm hours directly on your booking confirmation before finalizing your reservation.

Yes, Alabama has toll roads that you may encounter when driving near or beyond Birmingham. The state uses the Alabama Freedom Pass system, and tolls can be paid with the Alabama Freedom Pass transponder, a credit or debit card, or cash at toll booths. Alabama does not use National systems such as E-ZPass or SunPass.

Common toll costs for standard 2-axle vehicles on Alabama roads include:

• 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

Rental vehicles at Birmingham Airport typically come equipped with an electronic toll device. At the counter you can choose an unlimited toll package (generally US$11 to US$25 per day depending on the brand) or pay per use, in which case the rental company will bill actual tolls plus an administrative processing fee after the rental ends. Toll charges can appear on your card days or even weeks after you return the vehicle.

If you prefer to pay cash at toll booths on Alabama roads, you can opt out of the rental company toll program at pickup. Inform the counter agent and ask them to deactivate the vehicle's default toll device to avoid duplicate charges.

To pick up a rental car in Birmingham, you must present all documents in physical form. Digital copies are not accepted at the counter.

• Valid driver's license (original, unexpired, physical card) in the main driver's name
• Major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, in the main driver's name, for the security deposit hold
• Passport or valid government-issued photo ID (required for international visitors)
• Booking confirmation or printed voucher if specified on your reservation
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad

If your driver's license uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, 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. Obtain it in your home country before traveling to Birmingham, as it cannot be issued abroad.

At the Birmingham Budget downtown location (2301 Third Ave S), debit card users must present one additional form of ID such as a passport, a utility bill dated within 60 days, or an insurance card. A major credit card remains the most reliable option for the security hold at all Birmingham locations.

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 Birmingham rental.

This is especially useful if you drive Alabama toll roads such as the Tuscaloosa Bypass or the Montgomery Expressway Bridge, or if your trip from Birmingham takes you into neighboring states with additional toll systems.

To claim your cashback after returning the vehicle in Birmingham:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of vehicle return
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - followed by your reservation confirmation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals confirmation, the signed rental agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the tolls paid

The refund is calculated as the lesser of the actual tolls paid or 5% of your booking total. For example, if your Birmingham booking totals US$500, the maximum cashback is US$25. Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

When you pick up your rental car in Birmingham, the rental company will place a temporary authorization hold on your credit card. This is not a charge but it reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the rental ends.

For standard vehicles rented in the United States, including Birmingham locations, typical holds range from US$300 to US$400 on a major credit card. The exact amount varies by rental brand, vehicle class, and location. Premium or specialty vehicles may carry a higher hold.

Important requirements for the deposit at Birmingham counters:

• A physical major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card is required. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the hold
• The card must be in the main driver's name
• You must have sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges

After you return the vehicle in Birmingham, the hold is released by the rental company. Your bank or card issuer controls when it appears back on your available credit, which can take up to 15 business days. Bringing a backup credit card is always a good precaution in case your primary card is declined.

Yes, drivers under 25 renting a car in Birmingham are subject to a young-renter surcharge, and most vehicle classes are restricted to drivers aged 25 and older.

In Alabama, the standard minimum age to rent without a surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can rent but will pay a daily underage fee that varies by brand:

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

Vehicle class restrictions also apply in Birmingham. Drivers under 25 are generally limited to Economy, Compact, Medium Sedan, Standard Sedan, Compact SUV, and Medium SUV categories. Classes such as Full Size SUV, Minivan, Luxury, and Convertible typically require the driver to be at least 25.

One exception: if you are a driver aged 21 to 24 from Latin America or the Caribbean, certain Hola Car Rentals rates with Avis or Budget may waive the underage fee. Check your booking confirmation to see if this waiver is shown.

Returning your rental car at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is straightforward. Follow the car rental return signs to the parking deck and proceed to section 1B on the ground level, which is the same consolidated facility where you picked up the vehicle.

Steps for a smooth return in Birmingham:

• Refuel before arriving at the airport. Under the standard Full-to-Full fuel policy, you must return the car with the same fuel level recorded at pickup. Refuel within roughly 10 miles of the return location so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge before leaving the car
• Keep your fuel receipt with the station address and time as proof
• For after-hours returns, Avis has a key drop box next to the booth, and Budget has a Fastbreak drop box so you can complete the return without visiting the counter. Leave the keys and contract in the envelope provided

If you return the car later than your scheduled time in Birmingham, a grace period of approximately 30 minutes typically applies before extra time charges are added. Returning significantly late may result in an additional day charge plus a late fee, so plan your departure accordingly.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Birmingham rental car, but the additional driver must be present at the counter at the time of pickup with their own valid driver's license.

Whether the additional driver fee is included or charged at the counter depends on your rate. Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads additional driver free of charge. If it is not included, fees at Birmingham locations are:

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

At Avis, Budget, and Payless locations in Birmingham, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old. All additional drivers must meet the same document requirements as the main driver, including an International Driving Permit if their license uses a non-Latin alphabet.

Only drivers listed on the rental agreement are covered by the rental protections such as CDW and liability coverage. If someone drives the Birmingham rental who is not named on the contract, coverage may be void and additional charges could apply.

Coverage included in your Birmingham rental depends on the rate plan you selected. It is important to understand the difference between the two main types of protection.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) covers damage to the rental vehicle itself from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly shows zero deductible. CDW 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 Birmingham rental. Some U.S. states require a minimum level of liability to be included, but not all do. Alabama does not mandate a specific minimum, so the level of liability coverage in your Birmingham rental depends on your rate and the rental partner's policy. Adding supplemental liability coverage of up to US$300,000 is strongly recommended.

Common exclusions that apply in Birmingham as elsewhere:

• Damage caused by prohibited use such as off-road driving, DUI, or unauthorized drivers
• Tires, undercarriage, and roof damage are often excluded unless a specific add-on is purchased
• Incidents not reported promptly to the rental company

Review your booking confirmation carefully to confirm which protections are included in your Birmingham reservation before pickup.

Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance coverage through Terrawind Global Protection, and this applies to rentals starting in Birmingham as well. However, this benefit is available only to travelers who are not residents of the United States or Canada.

If you qualify, the travel assistance included with your Birmingham booking typically covers:

• Travel insurance with medical coverage 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 coverage is particularly relevant for a Birmingham rental if you experience a breakdown on an Alabama highway, need emergency medical attention while traveling, or face a flight disruption affecting your rental period.

To use the assistance, contact Terrawind before incurring expenses where prior authorization is required:

• Phone (24/7, toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Provide your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your location in or around Birmingham, and a brief description of the situation. Keep all receipts and any police or incident reports. Check your booking confirmation for the exact coverage limits and conditions that apply to your reservation.

Yes, one-way rentals are possible from Birmingham, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your return location, the rental brand, and the vehicle class.

Common patterns for one-way rentals originating in Birmingham:

• Birmingham Airport to another Alabama city: a drop-off fee typically applies and varies by distance and car class
• Birmingham to a different state: a drop-off fee usually applies and can be higher for longer distances
• Cross-country or remote destinations: may carry high fees or may not be permitted by the rental partner

The drop-off fee is not included in any rate plan and cannot be prepaid through your booking. It will appear under the To pay at destination section on the Hola Car Rentals checkout page and on your booking confirmation. Review this section carefully before finalizing your Birmingham reservation.

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. Mid-rental route changes must be approved by the rental partner. If the counter charges a drop-off fee that was not disclosed on your confirmation, keep all paperwork and contact support, as the No Extra Charges© guarantee may apply after verification.