Car Rental Budget
in Louisiana

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental brands operating in Louisiana, 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 Louisiana.

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

The Budget counter at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) in Louisiana is located at the Consolidated Rental Car Facility, reached by shuttle from the airport terminal.

After collecting your luggage, follow signs to the Consolidated Rental Car bus area and board the shuttle. The ride takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Once at the facility, proceed to the first-floor Avis/Budget counter, where an agent will verify your ID, finalize the rental agreement, hand over the keys, and direct you to your vehicle. Shuttles run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Counter hours at MSY are Sunday through Saturday, 5:00 AM to 2:00 AM. For returns, follow airport signs to the Car Rental Return/Consolidated Facility. Budget Fastbreak members can record mileage and fuel level, drop the agreement in the Budget box, and skip the counter entirely. A staffed return desk is available 24/7, and a key drop is also available.

If you are picking up at a smaller Louisiana airport such as Lafayette Regional (LFT) or Baton Rouge Metropolitan (BTR), the Budget counter is inside the terminal, with vehicles parked a short walk away.

To pick up a Budget rental car in Louisiana, you must present the following documents at the counter:

• A valid, original, physical driver's license in the main driver's name
• A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, used 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 (required for visitors traveling 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. For licenses in English or a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required at most Louisiana Budget locations.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the Budget counter in Louisiana or anywhere else in the United States. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit hold.

Yes, Louisiana has toll roads, though the network is limited compared to states like Florida or Texas. The most notable toll route for Budget renters in Louisiana is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, which runs approximately 24 miles between Metairie and Mandeville and costs around US$5.00 one way for a standard two-axle vehicle. Other crossings such as the Huey P. Long Bridge or certain ferry routes may charge US$1.00 to US$3.00 per crossing.

Louisiana does not operate a statewide electronic toll system like E-ZPass or SunPass. Tolls are collected either at cash booths or via license plate photography (Toll-by-Plate style) on cashless segments.

Budget, like other rental companies in Louisiana, offers a pay-per-use plate-based toll program. If you enroll, you pay actual tolls plus a daily convenience fee of approximately US$3.95 to US$12.99 per day. If you do not enroll, Budget will still receive the plate invoice from the toll authority and charge you the toll at the highest undiscounted rate plus an administrative fee of approximately US$5.95 to US$7.95 per day tolls are incurred.

Where cash booths are available, paying cash directly is an option to avoid program fees entirely. Plan ahead, especially if crossing the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway during your Louisiana trip.

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

This benefit is useful in Louisiana if you cross the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway or any other toll bridge during your Budget rental. You still pay tolls normally at the time of travel, and then submit a claim after returning the vehicle.

To claim your cashback:

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

The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your original booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit covers toll charges only, not administrative fees, fines, or parking tickets.

The minimum age to rent a Budget car in Louisiana without a young-renter surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can rent from Budget in Louisiana but will be charged a daily underage fee on top of the base rental rate.

Louisiana does not have a state law requiring rentals to drivers under 21, so Budget's standard policy applies: drivers must be at least 21 years old, with a surcharge for those aged 21 to 24. Drivers under 21 are generally not eligible to rent from Budget in Louisiana.

For Budget in Louisiana, the underage surcharge is approximately US$13 per rental day plus applicable taxes, with a maximum charge of US$65 plus taxes for the rental period. Vehicle class restrictions also apply: drivers under 25 are typically limited to economy, compact, intermediate, and similar standard categories. Premium, luxury, full-size SUV, minivan, and convertible classes are generally restricted to renters aged 25 and older.

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

Budget rentals in Louisiana follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy by default. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.

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

When returning your Budget rental in Louisiana, refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive. Keep the fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address. For after-hours returns at locations with a key drop, leave the receipt in the return envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge on your phone.

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, 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. To avoid this, always refuel near the return location rather than earlier in your Louisiana drive.

Yes, one-way rentals within Louisiana are possible with Budget, for example picking up in New Orleans and returning in Baton Rouge or another city where Budget operates. However, a drop-off fee may apply depending on the specific route, dates, and vehicle class.

Budget operates locations across Louisiana including Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), the Canal Street downtown location in New Orleans, Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR), the Siegen Lane location in Baton Rouge, Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT), Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH), Alexandria International Airport (AEX), and Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV), among others.

The drop-off fee for a one-way Budget rental in Louisiana is route-specific and will be shown during the booking process under the section labeled as charges due at destination. This fee cannot be prepaid and is separate from fuel, tolls, and taxes.

To confirm whether a drop-off fee applies to your specific Louisiana route, complete the search on the Hola Car Rentals website with your chosen pickup and return locations. The fee, if any, will appear on the rate details page before you confirm the booking.

When picking up a Budget rental in Louisiana, a temporary authorization hold is placed on your credit card at the counter. For standard vehicle classes in the United States, this hold is typically around US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount varies by location, vehicle class, and season.

The hold is not a charge. It temporarily reduces your available credit until the rental is closed and your bank releases the authorization, which can take up to 15 business days after you return the vehicle.

To be prepared at the Budget counter in Louisiana:

• Bring a physical major credit card with your name printed on the card and sufficient available credit to cover the hold
• Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the security deposit
• Notify your bank of your travel plans to prevent the authorization from being flagged as suspicious
• Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined

The hold amount at Budget in Louisiana may be higher for premium or specialty vehicle classes. If you prepaid your booking online, you are still required to present a physical credit card at the counter for the deposit hold.

Most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals, including Budget rentals in Louisiana, include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection. This benefit is particularly relevant in Louisiana, where some routes pass through remote areas along the Gulf Coast or rural parishes far from major cities.

The travel assistance coverage typically includes:

• Medical coverage for up to 5 passengers for accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses
• Legal assistance in the event of an accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

To reach the assistance line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free) or contact via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

Important: this travel assistance benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. It is designed for international visitors renting a Budget car in Louisiana while traveling from abroad. It does not cover damage to the rental vehicle itself (that is handled by CDW/LDW) or third-party liability (covered by LIS/SLI).

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not always mandatory to rent a Budget car in Louisiana, but whether you need one depends on your license.

If your driver's license uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an IDP is required at the Budget counter in Louisiana. Without it, Budget may refuse to complete the rental.

If your license is in English or uses a Latin (Roman) alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required in most cases. However, carrying one is a good precaution, as individual Budget agents in Louisiana may request it at their discretion.

Key points to remember:

• An IDP is a translation document only. It must always be presented together with your original driver's license, never alone
• Obtain your IDP in your home country before traveling. It cannot be issued to non-US license holders inside the United States
• Your original license must be valid and unexpired at the time of pickup

When picking up your Budget rental in Louisiana, present your passport, driver's license, and IDP together if applicable, along with your credit card and booking confirmation.

The insurance coverage included in your Budget rental in Louisiana depends on the rate plan selected when booking through Hola Car Rentals. It is important to review your booking confirmation carefully, as coverage varies by plan.

The main protections available are:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the Budget rental vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/SLI/ALI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to other people while driving the Budget rental in Louisiana. Some US states require a minimum level of liability, but coverage limits and inclusion vary by rate

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

Neither CDW/LDW nor LIS/SLI covers your personal injuries (that falls under Personal Accident Insurance) or your belongings (Personal Effects Coverage). Louisiana law requires Budget to disclose that coverage offered at the counter may duplicate your existing personal auto or homeowner's insurance, and purchasing it is not mandatory to complete the rental.

Budget operates counters at several smaller Louisiana airports, and hours vary by location. Confirming hours before your arrival is important, especially for late-night flights.

Known Budget counter hours at Louisiana airports include:

• Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT): Sunday through Friday 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH): Sunday 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Monday through Friday 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM, Saturday 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM
• Alexandria International Airport (AEX): Sunday through Friday 9:00 AM to 10:30 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): Sunday through Saturday 5:00 AM to 2:00 AM

For after-hours returns at locations like the Lake Charles off-airport Budget site, a key drop box is available. Be aware that if you return the vehicle after hours using a key drop, you remain responsible for the vehicle, including any damage or theft, until the next business day when Budget processes the return.

Always verify hours on your Budget booking confirmation before traveling to any Louisiana location, as hours may change on public holidays.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Budget rental in Louisiana, 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 listed, Budget in Louisiana charges approximately US$13 per rental day plus taxes, with a maximum of US$65 plus taxes for the rental period.

Important rules for additional drivers on Budget rentals in Louisiana:

• The additional driver must be at least 25 years old for Budget and Payless locations. Drivers aged 21 to 24 may be subject to an underage surcharge or may not be accepted as additional drivers
• The additional driver must meet the same document requirements as the main driver, including a valid license and IDP if their license uses a non-Latin alphabet
• Only drivers listed on the Budget rental agreement are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW. Anyone not named on the contract who drives the vehicle may void coverage

If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a Budget branch in Louisiana to update the agreement. This cannot typically be done by phone or chat alone.