Car Rentals Canada

Though Canada shares many things in common with the US, it is a totally different country. Many aspects of Canada resemble those in other member countries of the British Commonwealth. Visiting Canada is more than just crossing a state line.

Travel documents:

If you are a US citizen, you need to carry your passport, birth certificate, or baptismal certificate. If you are a permanent resident in the US, you need to carry your Green Card (US Form I-151 or Form I-551). If you are citizen or permanent resident of any other country, you need to carry your passport and a valid visa for travel to Canada. If children below18 accompany you, they need to take their birth certificate AND a letter from their legal guardians, permitting them to travel to Canada. Additionally, whatever be your nationality, you need to carry a legally valid travel document issued by the Government of Canada.

Metric conversions:

Like most other countries, Canada uses Metric system of measurement, which is different from that used in the United States. Distances are measured in “meters” and “kilometers”. One meter is slightly longer than one American yard. 80 kilometers is equal to 50 miles.

Speeds are expressed in kilometers per hour (km/h or kmph). Your car’s odometer may probably read in kmph.

Common Road Speeds in Canada:

30 km/h (U.S) = 20 mph (Canadian) - School Zones

50 km/h = 30 mph - City Driving

80 km/h = 50 mph = Highway

110 km/h= 68 mph - Freeway Speed

Gasoline is sold in “Liters”.

Weather bulletins in Canadian media are usually expressed in degree “Celsius”, the metric equivalent of the U.S. unit “Fahrenheit”. If the weather man says, “zero degrees”, he means “it’s freezing”, “twenty” means “it’s warm” and “thirty” means it’s hot”. Websites such as www.accelware.com provide downloadable unit conversion tools for instant reference.

Car rental tips:

1. If you have booked with a car rental canada company, it’s better to inform the company about your flight number and scheduled time of arrival at the airport. This will ensure your reservation even if by chance, your flight is delayed.

2. Go for weekend rentals rather than daily ones, as weekend car rentals are usually less expensive.

3. Like in hotel accommodation, car rental canada companies charge on a “24 hours” basis. If you take delivery of a car at 6 AM Monday, and return it at or before 6 AM Tuesday, it’s okay. If you return the car after this time, the company charges extra fees.

4. Book for an “Economy” sized car. If by chance, the car is not available at the time of taking delivery, you can sometimes get an upgrade to any other car that is available, at no extra cost. This will ensure that your program is not delayed.

5. As all car rental canada companies have their own websites [a few of which are appended with this article], locating and identifying a suitable car rental is very easy today. Online Web sites of companies such as Travelocity, Rental Cars or Expedia collect special car rental rates from different companies and display them on the Web. You can sometimes find better rates on these portals than those offered by individual car rental companies themselves. Besides, many companies offer “web only” discounts. Online searches and reservation save time and money. However it is important to ascertain that the company is an authentic and registered one.

6. Many multinational and large regional car rental canada companies offer special discount coupons to regular customers.

7. As demand increases, prices increases. This applies to car rentals as well. So, it works out best if you reserve a car rental at a time when there is not much demand for rental cars. It’s very much like how you would find it most economical to buy an air conditioner in winter, when there may not be many buyers.

8. Look into the car: Before you take delivery, have the car thoroughly examined by a mechanic or official from the rental company, for the speedometer reading and any minor drawbacks such as dents and scratches and get them noted down in writing. This will help a long way, when you return the car.

9. See that the car rental company has offices in Canada. This will avoid communication and logistic problems.

10. Nearly 30% of car rentals are made up of hidden costs as listed below:

Insurance: Car rental companies charge insurance fees under what they call collision damage or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). This provision usually offers only third party coverage. Your credit card, auto insurance or homeowner insurance may sometimes include this coverage. Only otherwise, you may need to buy Loss Damage Waiver from the car rental company.

Gasoline: Usually, when car rental companies deliver the car, they fill the fuel on your behalf, and charge for the gasoline. This cost is usually higher than when you buy the fuel from a gas station. If you want to save money, the best way is to refuel it at a gas station when you return the car. An empty tank can cost dearly.

Drop-off fees: These fees are charged if you drop your car off, at the end of the rental period, at a location different from the one where you took delivery of the car. It is always better to return the car at the same location where you took delivery.

Mileage: Car rental companies in Canada charge at “per-kilometer” basis. Some companies offer a flat rate when you exceed their “free mileage cap” [free mileage limit].

Airport Surcharge: These are fees charged by airports from car rental companies, which in turn, are passed on to the customer. Hence, this surcharge is lower if you take delivery of the car at "Off airport" locations. Though most car rental companies deliver cars at the airport, it is economical to commute by some public transportation such as bus, shuttle van etc. to get downtown and then take delivery of the car at the company’s pick up point. Most car rental companies have their pick up facilities in downtown metro areas.

Additional fees: Extra fittings such as Infant seat, CD players and roof racks will increase your car rental fees. It is cheaper if you use your own accessories. Using the services of an additional driver may increase the rental fees.

If you are careful, you can easily avoid these fees.

Once you are familiar with the above-mentioned ground rules, you are ready to begin your search for your companion in Canada!

Related Articles

Car Rentals
Car Rentals France
Rentals Cars