Car Rental Companies? Road Trip Planned-Please Help!!!

[John Stagliano]

Hello everyone!
I am planning a road trip from here in Canada to somewhere in the USA for a cross country vacation. The question I have is, first is there a car rental company anyone that can recommend with past experience that allows Canadians to travel into the US and do not tack on those extra $ for travel. I've called a few places and they all seem to charge extra for those kil or miles travelled. There used to be some rental places with unlimited clicks. Do they exist anymore and what is the best way to go about this? I was thinking on renting a utility vehicle. Thanks to all!

 

[RogerRabbit]

make sure you read the small print...before you sign the contract

hertz/ avis/ et cetera

 

[TheNiteHwk]

Rent-a-Wreck...

The only location that I know of that still exists is closed every time I walk by or ride by on the bus. But I tell you what... you couldn't pay me to drive one of those cars I seen parked on the lot there. I’ll bet if you try to cross the boarder in one you'll be arrested by Homeland Security for endangering the American public.

 

[Mao Tse Tongue]

Hello everyone!
I am planning a road trip from here in Canada to somewhere in the USA for a cross country vacation. The question I have is, first is there a car rental company anyone that can recommend with past experience that allows Canadians to travel into the US and do not tack on those extra $ for travel. I've called a few places and they all seem to charge extra for those kil or miles travelled. There used to be some rental places with unlimited clicks. Do they exist anymore and what is the best way to go about this? I was thinking on renting a utility vehicle. Thanks to all!

The answer is "no".

Plus, remember that many cc companies do not cover sport utilities AND expressly forbid any coverage outside of the country, so if you waive the rental company's coverage, you could be screwed.

 

[MajorWood]

Drive to the US, and rent the car in the States. A week for a car with unlimited mileage is around 200-250US, a little higher for a SUV(~300US). They'll try to sell you rental insurance. It's not required for US drivers since our auto policy covers most of it, might not be case for Canadian though. It is something you could look into.

 

[RogerRabbit]

If you rent in the USA, you may wish to use priceline.com

 

[svtcobra]

Enterprise. They they a worldwide car rentals.

 

[ck_nj]

If you go with Hertz, get NeverLost. Great GPS system. Magellan makes it. Works in both the US and Canada. Worth the extra 5 bucks a day.

CK

 

[John Stagliano]

Drive to the US, and rent the car in the States. A week for a car with unlimited mileage is around 200-250US, a little higher for a SUV(~300US). They'll try to sell you rental insurance. It's not required for US drivers since our auto policy covers most of it, might not be case for Canadian though. It is something you could look into.

Thanks to all of you and regarding this comment, will they allow Canadians to rent a car? I suppose they would considering you can rent one from an airport in the US. Just asking..........

 

[MajorWood]

Thanks to all of you and regarding this comment, will they allow Canadians to rent a car? I suppose they would considering you can rent one from an airport in the US. Just asking..........

Yes, Canadian with a valid driver license, auto insurance and a major credit card should be able to rent a car in the States. Check out all their websites(Enterprise, Budget, Avis etc.) and call their 800 numbers, they'll tell you all you need to know.

 

[doinker]

just my 2cents of info i rent on a when needed basis and i found that avis is the best unlimited kms and you can leave ontario. enterprise says you cannot leave ontario hertz is recomended by caa but they pay caa for advertising avis at dundas st west (high park) is $179 a week unlimited km plus insurance unless you have a credit card that covers insurance. for example i rented a brand new monte carlo in june it had 367 km when i picked it up and i returned it monday with 4326km total cost with taxes $122 and change

 

[GlavaMan]

Also check your own auto insurance policy to see if you are covered for rental cars. If you are, you can pick up a waiver from the rental company for $5-6 that pays the deductable and other comprehensive charges.

 

[goodtime]

Policy leaving province/state

Check the rental agreement whether the car can leave the province or state. In Toronto star few months ago, reports few cars have build-in GPS system that track if car left the state. One Canadian family figures unlimited mileage but got a nasty bill afterward in the mail.

Avis in Canada have unlimited. Alamo also is a great place with new cars. Friends did similiar search recently, no SUV but got a Ford F-150 Supercab truck, no unlimited mileage.

 

[impala77]

along the same lines as the GPS system, check to see if there are any destinations in the US where the Rental company will not authorize you to travel to. An example, I used to work for budget here in toronto and they do not permit travel to new york city, and they did put a satellite tracking system in to premium cars and SUV's which are checked twice a day.

 

[mister.b]

car rental

your best bet is to go the big 5 budget -avis-hertz-enterprize-national the reason is they have locations all over north america in case of breakdown either check inter-city locations or buffalo for unlimited milage make sure you tell them though that you are entering the states if not ,and there's an accident you are responsible for all damages. i worked that industry for 15 years