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Cuz · 07-11-2014, 07:00 PM

I worked for over 5 years in the rental car industry, so here is my advice (some of which has already been mentioned).

Online will generally produce the lowest rates. If you have AMA or other discount types, these can possibly make these rates even lower. Shop around, usually the little companies, like Discount, will have lower rates, but usually not the same quality of cars (often base model cars).

If you can avoid it, do not rent from an airport location, even ones that are off site and provide a shuttle service from the airport. Rental companies like to charge an airport concession fee that can really add to the total of your bill, usually an extra 15% as a minimum.

Provide your own coverage (insurance) for the rental. Fortunately, since you're renting in Canada, the rental company must provide liability insurance so you don't need to worry about this aspect. If you purchase their LDW/CDW (Loss Damage Waiver/Collision Damage Waiver, the name varies from company to company but is the same thing), this can add an additional $25+ per day to your rental. Now, this coverage is great. If anything happens to the car, just hand them the keys, fill out a little paperwork and you're on your way (providing you don't break any terms of the rental agreement, which you won't as long as you drive like a normal person), but it adds a lot to your bill. Some companies will have no deductible with their LDW/CDW, while others will have a deductible.
The best way to provide your own coverage IMO, is through your credit card (Gold, Platinum whatever). Check with your credit card provider to see if you have this coverage for rental vehicles and to check for any exclusions for types of vehicles they will not cover or maximum value of vehicle they will cover (if you're just looking for a full size car, this should not be an issue). The only stipulation with using credit card coverage is this must be the card used at the initial check-out of the vehicle and used to pay for the rental. Obviously if nothing happens before you return the vehicle, it doesn't matter how you pay on return, just something that is worth mentioning.
Another way to cover the vehicle is if you have a rider or some other type of coverage for rental vehicles on your own car's insurance policy. The only negative with this coverage is that if something did happen with the rental car, it could possibly affect your own insurance rates. Check with your insurance provider if you have this coverage and any exclusions for coverage or if it will affect your rates if something did occur.

Don't buy the prepaid gas option. Unless you bring the car back on fumes, you will not save any money, it is simply a convenience option.

As for the rates you have checked out, they don't seem that out of whack for the summer. Rates are based on supply and demand and the summer is the busiest season for rental companies. One thing to keep in mind is that rates for rental cars have remained virtually unchanged since the 1980's while you can't say the same for the price of cars.

07-11-2014, 07:00 PM	#11
Cuz First Line Centre Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Royal Oak Exp:	I worked for over 5 years in the rental car industry, so here is my advice (some of which has already been mentioned). Online will generally produce the lowest rates. If you have AMA or other discount types, these can possibly make these rates even lower. Shop around, usually the little companies, like Discount, will have lower rates, but usually not the same quality of cars (often base model cars). If you can avoid it, do not rent from an airport location, even ones that are off site and provide a shuttle service from the airport. Rental companies like to charge an airport concession fee that can really add to the total of your bill, usually an extra 15% as a minimum. Provide your own coverage (insurance) for the rental. Fortunately, since you're renting in Canada, the rental company must provide liability insurance so you don't need to worry about this aspect. If you purchase their LDW/CDW (Loss Damage Waiver/Collision Damage Waiver, the name varies from company to company but is the same thing), this can add an additional $25+ per day to your rental. Now, this coverage is great. If anything happens to the car, just hand them the keys, fill out a little paperwork and you're on your way (providing you don't break any terms of the rental agreement, which you won't as long as you drive like a normal person), but it adds a lot to your bill. Some companies will have no deductible with their LDW/CDW, while others will have a deductible. The best way to provide your own coverage IMO, is through your credit card (Gold, Platinum whatever). Check with your credit card provider to see if you have this coverage for rental vehicles and to check for any exclusions for types of vehicles they will not cover or maximum value of vehicle they will cover (if you're just looking for a full size car, this should not be an issue). The only stipulation with using credit card coverage is this must be the card used at the initial check-out of the vehicle and used to pay for the rental. Obviously if nothing happens before you return the vehicle, it doesn't matter how you pay on return, just something that is worth mentioning. Another way to cover the vehicle is if you have a rider or some other type of coverage for rental vehicles on your own car's insurance policy. The only negative with this coverage is that if something did happen with the rental car, it could possibly affect your own insurance rates. Check with your insurance provider if you have this coverage and any exclusions for coverage or if it will affect your rates if something did occur. Don't buy the prepaid gas option. Unless you bring the car back on fumes, you will not save any money, it is simply a convenience option. As for the rates you have checked out, they don't seem that out of whack for the summer. Rates are based on supply and demand and the summer is the busiest season for rental companies. One thing to keep in mind is that rates for rental cars have remained virtually unchanged since the 1980's while you can't say the same for the price of cars.