4 day car rental $990?
Mar 23, 2014, 6:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 94
4 day car rental $990?
So I just tried to book a car (full size) on June 27th Pick up 1:30am Calgary YYC (landing at 1am, domestic flight) and dropoff June 30th 9pm at Vancouver YVR, and I'm being quoted $990CAD after taxes with all fees included.
Seems ridiculous to me for the price. Is this common for this time of year? Any suggestions on how to get it down to a more reasonable price?
Budget seems to be sold out, and Hertz I got quoted $1100!
Thanks!
Seems ridiculous to me for the price. Is this common for this time of year? Any suggestions on how to get it down to a more reasonable price?
Budget seems to be sold out, and Hertz I got quoted $1100!
Thanks!
Mar 23, 2014, 7:44 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
It's a one-way dropped off a long way away. Expect to pay a mileage charge, a drop off fee, or a very high inclusive daily rate. Unless some agency thinks it needs to move a lot of cars from YYC to YVR in a hurry and establishes a promo, this is unlikely to be cheap. You did your comparison and Avis is competitive with Hertz.
Mar 24, 2014, 11:48 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
YYC is often relatively short on cards, and now you're "stealing" one away from them (as they have no easy way to get it back from YVR), making them all the shorter on cards after you take it away.
They'll have high costs bringing the car back (or getting a replacement car from somewhere else), so why shouldn't they charge you an arm and a leg for that?
But to make sure it's that, what's the rate you get if you pretend you're going to return it to YYC instead of dropping it at YVR (but you otherwise keep everything the same)?
They'll have high costs bringing the car back (or getting a replacement car from somewhere else), so why shouldn't they charge you an arm and a leg for that?
But to make sure it's that, what's the rate you get if you pretend you're going to return it to YYC instead of dropping it at YVR (but you otherwise keep everything the same)?
Mar 24, 2014, 7:49 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 94
YYC is often relatively short on cards, and now you're "stealing" one away from them (as they have no easy way to get it back from YVR), making them all the shorter on cards after you take it away.
They'll have high costs bringing the car back (or getting a replacement car from somewhere else), so why shouldn't they charge you an arm and a leg for that?
But to make sure it's that, what's the rate you get if you pretend you're going to return it to YYC instead of dropping it at YVR (but you otherwise keep everything the same)?
They'll have high costs bringing the car back (or getting a replacement car from somewhere else), so why shouldn't they charge you an arm and a leg for that?
But to make sure it's that, what's the rate you get if you pretend you're going to return it to YYC instead of dropping it at YVR (but you otherwise keep everything the same)?
I'm seeing $480 for the same pickup time/drop off, except the location would be YYC in both instances (vs YVR for dropoff for my $990 rate).
Edit 2: Also checked picking up from YVR and dropping off at YYC instead. Only $370.
Edit 2: So instead, I searched online and I simply booked on www.avis.co.uk (versus .ca) and for the exact same itinerary and vehicle, I was able to snatch the rental price for $435CAD, pick up in YYC drop off in YVR. Very odd, but just saved $550. Expedia.co.uk lowest rate was $600CAD, which was still $390 cheaper than .ca/.com. Does anyone know why?
Last edited by cysnows; Mar 24, 2014 at 8:34 pm
Mar 25, 2014, 3:11 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: 90210
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 121
Mar 25, 2014, 5:23 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 196
Mar 25, 2014, 8:59 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 94
"Basic price includes: All Mandatory Charges, Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), Additional Liability Insurance, Tax, One Way Fee, Unlimited kilometres. Please note, that in the case of cancellation, no show or modification of your Pay Now reservation, your payment will be refundable subject to the fees set out in Booking Terms and Conditions."
I believe this means I have unlimited miles as well.
Even if the charge was $0.25/km, assuming 1500KM drive, it would be $435+$375 = $810, which is still $180 cheaper than $990.
I believe this means I have unlimited miles as well.
Even if the charge was $0.25/km, assuming 1500KM drive, it would be $435+$375 = $810, which is still $180 cheaper than $990.
Mar 25, 2014, 9:43 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bahamas
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 958
"Basic price includes: All Mandatory Charges, Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), Additional Liability Insurance, Tax, One Way Fee, Unlimited kilometres. Please note, that in the case of cancellation, no show or modification of your Pay Now reservation, your payment will be refundable subject to the fees set out in Booking Terms and Conditions."
I believe this means I have unlimited miles as well.
Even if the charge was $0.25/km, assuming 1500KM drive, it would be $435+$375 = $810, which is still $180 cheaper than $990.
I believe this means I have unlimited miles as well.
Even if the charge was $0.25/km, assuming 1500KM drive, it would be $435+$375 = $810, which is still $180 cheaper than $990.
Mar 26, 2014, 7:44 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: 90210
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 121
For using an international rate yes you do. You must have either a non us license or passport, in some cases a return flight also works (non domestic of course).
Mar 27, 2014, 11:32 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 94
Dec 1, 2014, 6:46 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,209
YYC is often relatively short on cards, and now you're "stealing" one away from them (as they have no easy way to get it back from YVR), making them all the shorter on cards after you take it away.
They'll have high costs bringing the car back (or getting a replacement car from somewhere else), so why shouldn't they charge you an arm and a leg for that?
Cars are usually not sent "back" for one-ways between corporate stores. The higher prices are to limit demand for outbounds from cities with inventory shortages, and to direct demand outbound from cities with a surplus to those predicted to run low.
They'll have high costs bringing the car back (or getting a replacement car from somewhere else), so why shouldn't they charge you an arm and a leg for that?
Cars are usually not sent "back" for one-ways between corporate stores. The higher prices are to limit demand for outbounds from cities with inventory shortages, and to direct demand outbound from cities with a surplus to those predicted to run low.