Car Hire
 

Hi all

We are taking a "final" research trip partly to get over the depression brought about by recent stories of increases in processing times and in an attempt to increase our motivation.

We are looking to hire a largish vehicle for 2 weeks in March/April. 2 adults and 2 kids (3 + 6). Any suggestions of companies/deals to look out for/avoid like the plague ??

Many thanks

Re: Car Hire
 

Hertz, Discount, Budget, Avis, Thrifty, Dollar are all ok.

Re: Car Hire
 

I have used The Airline Network to hire a car three times, they where the cheapest I could find. Try this web site.

Re: Car Hire
 

If you do a word search, there are umpteen previous threads on the topic.

I recall a previous poster providing a poor review of a company called Cheap Car Rental. But I have not used them myself, so am not going on personal experience.

If you do a word search, you might want to search for both "hire" and "rent," as both terms are used on this forum.

Speakers of Canadian English usually hire people and rent machines.

Re: Car Hire
 

Hi all - thanks for the responses

Can anyone tell me what the laws are regarding booster seats etc for children. Are they compulsory in Alberta ? A charge of $8 per day seems excessive if they're not compulsory - my youngest uses a booster over here.

Many thanks

Re: Car Hire
 

It appears that booster seats are not compulsory in Alberta but highly recommendedthat. For instance:

As in this PDF document put out by the Alberta Occupancy Restraint Program.

Cheers
Steve

Re: Car Hire
 

If your entry point into Alberta will be Calgary, perhaps Radar's Rentals will rent a booster seat for less than the car rental company. That may not be the case, but I think it's worth an enquiry. I guess the logistical challenge, even if the rental rate is acceptable, is that you also would need to exit from Calgary, so that you could return the booster seat before flying out.

Re: Car Hire
 

Our friends were stopped and fined because thier 5 & 6 year olds were not in child seats!!! The police officer followed them because he has seen the children turn around to look out of the back window.
Children under 40lb have to be in a child seat.

Linda

Re: Car Hire
 

$8 per day does seem a little excessive.

Seeing as they are not compulsary you could do without until you get to a major store like Sears, where you could purchase one like this for $39.99 plus GST making it $42.79 total. I can't say for sure that they would have this model in the store you might go to, but it's an idea.

Now that still gives you the problem of disposing of it when you return to the UK, but that is not insurmountable.

Cheers
Steve

Re: Car Hire
 

Another option to consider is buying a secondhand seat. Again if Calgary will be your entry point, here's a list of secondhand stores in this city:

Value Village is a large thrift store that has all kinds of stuff -- clothing, camping gear, kitchen equipment, you name it. You may be able to find something there.

There are three branches of Value Village:

104 - 58th Avenue SE
Tel (403) 255-5501

3405 - 34th Street NE
Tel (403) 291-3323

240 Midpark Way SE
Tel (403) 201-5350

Here are some secondhand stores that are specifically for children's clothing and gear:

Kids Around
Vista Landing
(beside Marlborough Mall)
920-36 Street NE
Tel (403)204-3392

Kids on the Grow Konsignment
Village Square
2640 - 52 Street NE
Tel (403) 590-1536

Lollipop Children's Fashions
(not sure if this place sells gear or just clothing)
763 Northmount Drive NW
Tel (403) 220-0154

Carousel Consignment
(not sure if this places sells gear or just clothing)
3501- 18 Street SW
Tel (403) 287-8043

All that traipsing around may be a nuisance, and may not be worth the difference in price between a secondhand seat and a new seat from a place like Sears, which Hangman (Steve) mentioned.

On the other hand, since you'll be on a recce trip, all that traipsing around would serve to familiarise you with some parts of Calgary.

Re: Car Hire
 

I ued them back in October but I think I saw in posts a few weeks later that Thrifty had stopped taking their vouchers as they had not been paid. We had a superb rate and a free tank of petrol but perhaps we were lucky.

Re: Car Hire
 

Why dont you take the booster with you? we always take the car seats (even the really bulky Britax Club class has flown with us on numerous occasions) Just wrap them in plastic at the airport and they are checked in with the rest of your baggage. Airlines are fine with this as you are allowed up to 2 checked in pieces each. We hired through cars abroad last year (part of Dial a flight) no excesses like some of the companies. Good luck :)

Re: Car Hire
 

Excellent point, in fact is it worth considering taking it on the plane so the child can use it en-route? :)

Seems to me I read about someone on here doing this not too long ago.

Cheers
Steve

Re: Car Hire
 

I used this company when we landed in Calgary and they were great.

http://www.rentawreck.ca/

OK, so they company name may put you off, but they gave a great service to me and my family.

Re: Car Hire
 

Do you shop at Tesco's and get clubcard points? We convert our Tesco clubcard points to Airmiles and then exchange them for Car Hire every time we go over. We are now busy saving enough airmiles so that it can pay for a 4 week car hire when we first land to give us plenty of time to buy one. They use Alamo and we have had no problems. We get the 'Alamo Gold' which includes everything damage waiver/second driver/first full tank of fuel.

Good Luck