VERIFIED REVIEWS
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking in Louisville include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental brands operating in Louisville, 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 Louisville.
Will I face unexpected charges at the counter when I rent a car in Louisville through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Louisville 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 Louisville 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)
Where do I pick up my rental car at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport?
At Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), rental car counters are located on the lower level of the terminal, directly across from baggage claim C. Most major brands operating in Louisville, including Avis, Hertz, Budget, Enterprise, National, Dollar, and Alamo, have counters at this level.
Once you collect your bags, head to the lower level and follow signs for car rentals. Vehicles are available right outside the terminal, so you can typically be on your way within 15 to 30 minutes of arrival depending on counter traffic and paperwork processing. No shuttle or train is required to reach the rental facilities at Louisville SDF.
The airport address is 600 Terminal Dr, Louisville, KY 40209. Dollar operates its Louisville airport counter from 7:00 AM to 11:59 PM daily. Hours for other brands may vary, so confirm your brand's specific hours on your booking confirmation before traveling.
What extra fees and taxes apply when renting a car at Louisville airport?
Renting at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) adds several surcharges on top of your base rate. These Louisville-specific fees typically include:
- Airport concession recovery fee: approximately 10 to 12% of the base rate
- Customer facility charge (CFC): approximately US$4.50 per rental day
- Kentucky state vehicle rental tax: 6% state plus 2% Jefferson County local tax
- Louisville Metro rental car tax: 3% city-specific surcharge
Combined, these Louisville airport surcharges can add roughly 21 to 23% plus fixed daily fees to your total, which is higher than many non-metro U.S. airports.
If your booking confirmation shows taxes and fees as included, you should not be billed separately for those items at the Louisville counter. If you are charged for something not disclosed on your confirmation, No Extra Charges© Coverage may apply. To reduce airport surcharges, some renters choose off-airport Louisville locations, which can save US$25 to US$50 per day on compact cars compared to SDF rates.
How do tolls work on Louisville bridges crossing into Indiana?
Louisville has three major toll bridges connecting Kentucky to Southern Indiana: the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge, the Abraham Lincoln Bridge, and the Lewis and Clark Bridge. All Louisville area tolls are fully cashless, meaning there are no toll booths and traffic flows without stopping. Payment is collected electronically via license plate photography.
The primary toll system operating in the Louisville area is RiverLink, which also accepts E-ZPass and Pay-By-Plate. Current toll rates for a standard passenger car are approximately:
- With a transponder: US$2.68
- Prepaid account (no transponder): US$4.02
- No account (invoice billed later): US$5.36
If you drive across a Louisville bridge without enrolling in a toll program, the rental company will receive the invoice from the toll authority and can charge you the toll amount plus administrative fees, typically billed 4 to 6 weeks after your rental ends.
To avoid surprise charges after your Louisville rental, consider using your own personally owned transponder if it covers the RiverLink network, or enroll in the rental company's toll program at the counter.
Can I get cashback on tolls paid during my Louisville rental?
Yes, you can get cashback on tolls paid during your Louisville rental. All Hola Car Rentals rates include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during the rental period.
This is especially useful in Louisville, where crossing the RiverLink bridges between Kentucky and Southern Indiana adds cashless toll charges that are billed to your card weeks after the rental ends. To claim your Louisville toll cashback:
- 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 reservation confirmation, the signed rental agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid
The refund is processed to the same payment method used for your booking and typically takes 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted. Note that Tolls Cashback does not mean tolls are included in your booking; you still pay tolls normally and claim reimbursement afterward.
What is the rental company toll program fee in Louisville?
In Louisville, rental companies such as Alamo and National offer a TollPass service for drivers who use cashless toll roads, including the RiverLink bridges. This is a pay-per-use program, not an unlimited daily pass.
How the Louisville TollPass program works:
- Daily convenience charge: US$4.95 per day, only on days when you actually use a toll road
- Maximum charge per rental period: US$30 to US$34.65
- Actual toll amounts are charged on top of the daily fee, billed at the highest undiscounted toll rate
- Charges are billed to your card on file approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the toll authority sends data to the rental company
If you prefer to avoid the TollPass convenience fee during your Louisville rental, you may use your own personally owned transponder (confirm it covers the RiverLink network with your issuer) or use the NextPass app by adding the rental vehicle's license plate directly. If you drive a Louisville toll road without any program or payment method, you may face fines and additional fees beyond the original toll amount.
How does the one-way street system in downtown Louisville affect driving a rental car?
Louisville has one of the most extensive one-way street networks among U.S. cities, and it directly affects how you navigate a rental car, especially in downtown and surrounding neighborhoods like Shelby Park and Smoketown.
Key things to know before driving a rental car in Louisville:
- Louisville maintains a formal Through Road System with dozens of designated one-way streets, creating couplets that force detours and block intuitive navigation
- Some well-known one-ways include eastbound Goss Avenue from Shelby to Logan, and westbound Muhammad Ali Boulevard from Chestnut to 30th Street
- Right turns from certain one-ways, such as from Goss onto Shelby, remain restricted, which can frustrate drivers expecting standard grid navigation
- Several streets are currently being converted from one-way to two-way traffic through 2026, including Logan Street, Shelby Street, and sections of Muhammad Ali Boulevard, creating temporary signage confusion and construction disruptions
Drivers accustomed to bidirectional streets in other cities often find Louisville's one-way system requires frequent block circling. Using a GPS or navigation app set to real-time traffic is strongly recommended when driving a rental car in Louisville, particularly in the downtown core.
What documents do I need to pick up a rental car in Louisville?
To pick up a rental car in Louisville, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:
- Your original, unexpired driver's license in the main driver's name
- 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 valid passport or 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 mandatory at Louisville rental counters. For licenses in English or using a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required.
All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at Louisville rental counters. Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit hold; only a major credit card in the main driver's name qualifies.
What is the security deposit amount for a rental car in Louisville?
When picking up a rental car in Louisville, the partner desk will place a temporary authorization hold on your credit card. For standard vehicles rented in the United States, including Louisville, the typical hold is approximately US$300 to US$400.
This hold is not a charge; it temporarily reduces your available credit until the rental company releases it after you return the vehicle. Your bank controls how quickly the hold disappears from your statement, which can take up to 15 business days after release.
Important things to know about the Louisville deposit:
- Only a physical major credit card in the main driver's name with the driver's name printed on the card is accepted for the hold
- Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted
- Premium or specialty vehicles may carry higher hold amounts
- Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined
The exact hold amount is set by the rental company desk at the Louisville location and may vary by brand, vehicle class, and season. Confirm the amount with the agent before they process the authorization.
Is travel assistance included when renting a car in Louisville?
Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, and this applies to rentals picked up in Louisville as well. However, this benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada.
For eligible renters driving in Louisville and the surrounding Kentucky and Indiana region, the coverage typically includes:
- 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
If you experience a medical emergency or accident while driving your Louisville rental, contact the assistance line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free). You can also reach support via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001 or by email at [email protected]. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.
Coverage amounts, sub-limits, and exclusions vary by booking. Check your Louisville booking confirmation for the exact terms that apply to your reservation.
Can I return a rental car after hours in Louisville?
Yes, after-hours return options are available at select Louisville rental locations, though the process and conditions vary by branch.
- Budget at Crittenden Dr (4330 Crittenden Dr, Louisville, KY 40209) offers after-hours returns via a key drop box. However, you remain responsible for the vehicle and any damages or theft until the contract is officially closed on the following business day.
- National at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (600 Terminal Dr) also offers after-hours return capability.
If you use a key drop box at a Louisville location, leave the keys in the designated drop box and keep a photo of the vehicle's condition, the fuel gauge, and the odometer reading as evidence. Under the standard fuel policy, the car must be returned with the same fuel level recorded at pickup. Any shortfall may result in refueling charges billed after the contract closes.
Always confirm after-hours return availability for your specific Louisville branch before your rental begins, as hours and procedures can change. Your booking confirmation will include the return address and any special instructions for your chosen Louisville location.
Can I rent a car in Louisville and return it in a different city?
Yes, one-way rentals from Louisville to other cities are available through select partner brands. Budget, for example, offers one-way rentals from Louisville airport to other Kentucky locations, and other partners may offer routes to cities in neighboring states.
A drop-off fee typically applies when you return the vehicle to a different location than your Louisville pickup. This fee varies by route, rental company, vehicle class, and season. It is shown during the booking process under the section labeled as charges due at destination, so you can see the exact amount before confirming your reservation.
Things to keep in mind for a one-way rental from Louisville:
- The drop-off fee cannot be prepaid and is paid directly to the rental company at pickup or return
- Cross-state one-ways may carry higher fees or may not be permitted for all vehicle classes
- Changing your return location after booking may reprice the rental and recalculate the drop-off fee
If the counter charges a different drop-off fee than what appeared on your Louisville booking confirmation, keep all paperwork and contact support, as No Extra Charges© Coverage may apply.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Louisville?
In Louisville, the minimum age to rent a car without additional surcharges is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can rent but will be charged a daily young-renter surcharge, and most vehicle classes are restricted to renters aged 25 and older.
Vehicle classes typically restricted to drivers 25 and older in Louisville include full-size sedans, full-size SUVs, minivans, vans, convertibles, luxury, and premium vehicles. Younger renters are generally limited to economy, compact, intermediate, and compact SUV categories.
If you are between 21 and 24 and booking a Louisville rental through Avis or Budget, a special exception may apply if you are a citizen or resident of Latin America or the Caribbean. This waiver must be explicitly shown on your booking confirmation and applies only to eligible vehicle categories.
Regardless of age, all Louisville renters must present a valid driver's license and a physical major credit card in the main driver's name for the security deposit. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the hold.
Should I add an additional driver to my Louisville rental car?
Yes, if someone else will be driving the rental car in Louisville, they must be added to the rental agreement as an additional driver. Any person who drives the vehicle without being listed on the contract is considered an unauthorized driver, which can void your CDW/LDW coverage and expose you to full liability for any damage.
Additional driver fees in Louisville vary by partner 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
Some Louisville rental rates include one additional driver at no extra cost. Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads additional driver free of charge to confirm whether this applies to your reservation.
The additional driver must be present at the Louisville pickup counter with their own valid driver's license and, if required, an International Driving Permit. Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement before leaving the Louisville location.
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