car rental advice on Vancouver Island
Jul 3, 2015, 1:12 pm
#1
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Location: Canada
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car rental advice on Vancouver Island
So renting a car on Vancouver Island turns out to be one expensive proposition.
One way rentals carry substantial drop fees ($250) due to the franchise nature of the car rental operations. Then, it turns out the companies are being investigated for price fixing:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/compe...sing-1.2274711
Not to be outdone, Budget settled a class action lawsuit for charging customers for false repairs:
http://www.hdas.com/cases/2013/budge...s-class-action
I just want to rent a car in YCD. Any suggestions/recommendations for honest operators appreciated, thanks.
One way rentals carry substantial drop fees ($250) due to the franchise nature of the car rental operations. Then, it turns out the companies are being investigated for price fixing:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/compe...sing-1.2274711
Not to be outdone, Budget settled a class action lawsuit for charging customers for false repairs:
http://www.hdas.com/cases/2013/budge...s-class-action
I just want to rent a car in YCD. Any suggestions/recommendations for honest operators appreciated, thanks.
Jul 4, 2015, 4:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
Jul 4, 2015, 7:07 pm
#3
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
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I wanted to drop the car @ YVR - but the $250 makes that untenable.
Now, I am looking for a 1-2 day rental (return to same location) @ YCD in August. The best available rates for an intermediate are pricing at $70/day all in. In YOW, the equivalent is 1/2 that.
Normally, I check the downtown locations to avoid airport surcharges. That does not work in YCD, as the airport is the only game in town.
There are a couple of Rent a Wreck outlets in town, but I wonder how reliable they are. I want to drive to a) Victoria and b) Sechelt so I need unlimited kms.
Now, I am looking for a 1-2 day rental (return to same location) @ YCD in August. The best available rates for an intermediate are pricing at $70/day all in. In YOW, the equivalent is 1/2 that.
Normally, I check the downtown locations to avoid airport surcharges. That does not work in YCD, as the airport is the only game in town.
There are a couple of Rent a Wreck outlets in town, but I wonder how reliable they are. I want to drive to a) Victoria and b) Sechelt so I need unlimited kms.
Jul 5, 2015, 8:28 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
$70 for a midsize on the Island in August feels about right.
Nanaimo <-> Victoria + Nanaimo <-> Sechelt in 1-2 days seems optimistic.
I guess if you're on the 6:20 ferry out of Nanaimo heading for Horseshoe Bay you could make the 9:40 ferry out of Hoseshoe Bay bound for Langdale, putting you in Sechelt by lunchtime, but it's an early start:
https://goo.gl/maps/Ct4kZ
As you're planning to travel in Early August, If haven't done so already I would make your ferry reservations now, as that's typically a very busy time.
Nanaimo <-> Victoria + Nanaimo <-> Sechelt in 1-2 days seems optimistic.
I guess if you're on the 6:20 ferry out of Nanaimo heading for Horseshoe Bay you could make the 9:40 ferry out of Hoseshoe Bay bound for Langdale, putting you in Sechelt by lunchtime, but it's an early start:
https://goo.gl/maps/Ct4kZ
As you're planning to travel in Early August, If haven't done so already I would make your ferry reservations now, as that's typically a very busy time.
Last edited by gglave; Jul 5, 2015 at 8:51 am
Jul 6, 2015, 12:37 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
That's a pretty tough itinerary. Rentals are pretty reasonable from YYJ, the further up island you get, the more expensive everything is. If you plan to just drive the car in a big loop then no matter what you do you're paying to cross the Strait of Georgia twice, with a vehicle, which is going to eat up most of your drop charge savings, not to mention your time. Where are you flying in to?
Jul 7, 2015, 5:17 am
#6
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an update & clarification
Thanks for all of the advice......
I need to clarify I want to pick up/drop off at YCD. I prefer to pick up downtown - but all of the rental locations appear to be at the airport?
We are spending 6 days in Nanaimo - two of which involve day trips to Victoria (for tea!) and Sechelt (to take the pm boat to Port Alberni).
I am prepared to rent from the secondary market (Practicar, Rent-a-Wreck) but I am looking for reviews/recommendations?
Last but not least, we just returned from NZ - where one way rentals and $35/day all in are widely available. So I don't appreciate being gouged by a franchise owner who has made millions off visitors. Esp. when they hire local kids for "competitive" i.e. min wage:
http://nanaimo.craigslist.ca/lab/5093356892.html
I need to clarify I want to pick up/drop off at YCD. I prefer to pick up downtown - but all of the rental locations appear to be at the airport?
We are spending 6 days in Nanaimo - two of which involve day trips to Victoria (for tea!) and Sechelt (to take the pm boat to Port Alberni).
I am prepared to rent from the secondary market (Practicar, Rent-a-Wreck) but I am looking for reviews/recommendations?
Last but not least, we just returned from NZ - where one way rentals and $35/day all in are widely available. So I don't appreciate being gouged by a franchise owner who has made millions off visitors. Esp. when they hire local kids for "competitive" i.e. min wage:
http://nanaimo.craigslist.ca/lab/5093356892.html
Jul 7, 2015, 9:32 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
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https://goo.gl/maps/RMoRp
How are you getting to Nanaimo? Are you flying there from YVR?
You may find it cheapest to rent a car in Vancouver and take it to Nanaimo on the ferry. The numbers are easy to crunch.
This makes no sense. There is no "PM boat to Port Alberni" from Sechelt.
The only boat out of Port Alberni is the Frances Barkley down the Alberni Inlet and out to the communities in Barkley Sound.
http://www.ladyrosemarine.com/
It's a beautiful journey, but no way near Sechelt.
Sechelt is here: https://goo.gl/maps/R305O
Port Alberni is here: https://goo.gl/maps/Pqy69
An hour north of Sechelt there is the Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay car ferry, for people making their way to Powell River.
30 minutes south of Sechelt is the Langdale to Hoseshoe Bay car ferry, for people making their way to Vancouver.
You may find it cheapest to rent a car in Vancouver and take it to Nanaimo on the ferry. The numbers are easy to crunch.
This makes no sense. There is no "PM boat to Port Alberni" from Sechelt.
The only boat out of Port Alberni is the Frances Barkley down the Alberni Inlet and out to the communities in Barkley Sound.
http://www.ladyrosemarine.com/
It's a beautiful journey, but no way near Sechelt.
Sechelt is here: https://goo.gl/maps/R305O
Port Alberni is here: https://goo.gl/maps/Pqy69
An hour north of Sechelt there is the Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay car ferry, for people making their way to Powell River.
30 minutes south of Sechelt is the Langdale to Hoseshoe Bay car ferry, for people making their way to Vancouver.
Last edited by gglave; Jul 7, 2015 at 9:39 am
Jul 7, 2015, 1:56 pm
#8
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Yes, gglave, the ferry is from Ucluluet to Pt. Alberni. My mistake:
http://www.ladyrosemarine.com/schedule-rates
FYI, I did not ask for trip planning advice. You offered it (gratuitously).
I asked for car rental advice at YCD. I am still waiting to read your experiences in this regard??
http://www.ladyrosemarine.com/schedule-rates
FYI, I did not ask for trip planning advice. You offered it (gratuitously).
I asked for car rental advice at YCD. I am still waiting to read your experiences in this regard??
Jul 9, 2015, 6:10 am
#9
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Location: Canada
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Nanaimo confirmed
Thanks, FT, for all the advice!
Booked a one-day rental with Hertz for Aug 21. Used a weekend rate (incl. AP miles) of $43.
Before booking, I read the TA reviews for Practicar and did not like what I saw. Buyer beware!
Also, I learned another gimmick with Island rentals. Budget, National, and Enterprise all have 200/km per day limits - insufficient for a return trip to Ucluluet.
ps Please PM me if any FTs are interested in joining in...........I hear the boat ride ($39) is stupendous.
Booked a one-day rental with Hertz for Aug 21. Used a weekend rate (incl. AP miles) of $43.
Before booking, I read the TA reviews for Practicar and did not like what I saw. Buyer beware!
Also, I learned another gimmick with Island rentals. Budget, National, and Enterprise all have 200/km per day limits - insufficient for a return trip to Ucluluet.
ps Please PM me if any FTs are interested in joining in...........I hear the boat ride ($39) is stupendous.