How To: Rent a Car

Vehicles are a fabulous convenience, but they're also a pain to get. When renting a car, thousands of new concerns and rules apply; What happens if I get into a car accident? Are the roads different and more busy here? What happened to the speed limit? Whats the age to get your licence here- are there 14 year olds on the road?

First off, lets figure out where to rent a car from and where's cheapest!

For this example, we're renting a car in Hamilton, Ontario (YHM).
We will be picking it up on Wednesday August 5th at 10 AM and will be returning it on Saturday August 15th, 2009 at 11 AM.
For the sites that ask your age, I will be selecting ages 25 and up.
Prices are per week

Budget
With Budget, you get your first 2,200 KM free, then have to pay 12 cents per KM.
If you want the additional waiver so you're not liable if the car is damaged or stolen, an additional $19/a day will apply.
Economy 2 or 4 door-$420.76 CAD
Compact 2 or 4 door- $420.76 CAD
Intermediate 2 or 4 door-$435.14 CAD
Standard 2 or 4 door- $455.46 CAD
Full size 2 or 4 door- $456.46 CAD
http://www.budget.com

Avis
With Avis, your Loss/Damage waiver would cost $26.95/day. $4.99/day will get you Personal Accident Insurance, and $3.00/day will get you Personal Effects Insurance. Hidden surcharges include 83 cents/day for 'Energy Recovery', and 70 cents/day for Air Conditioning. Don't forget the licencing fee which is $1.15/day!
Subcompact-$291.84 CAD
Compact-$291.84 CAD
Intermediate- $307.13 CAD
Standard Size- $337.71 CAD
Full Size- $337.71 CAD
SUV- $574.49 CAD
Luxury- $495.98 CAD
Intermediate SUV- $558.48 CAD
http://www.avis.ca/

Enterprise
* Enterprise is not at the Hamilton Airport, so I will be picking another Hamilton Location*
Without signing in and putting in a license number, I cannot see extra charges.
Economy- $178.99 CAD
Compact- $183.99 CAD
Intermediate- $188.99 CAD
Standard- $198.99 CAD
Full Size- $208.99 CAD
Premium- $238.99 CAD
Minivan- $364.99 CAD
Small SUV- $297.99 CAD
SUV- $326.99 CAD
Pickup Truck- $278.99 CAD
Large Pickup- $308.99 CAD
http://www.enterprise.com/

Hertz
*Hertz is set up so that way you see the cars available at the location rather than what class they are*
http://www.hertz.ca/


I decided to select the Economy Car for each website to see what it would cost you for 10 days, 1 hour including all liability options.
Budget- $717.91
Avis- $765.53
Enterprise- ??
Hertz- $453.21

If you want selection, Avis was the best at my location, but obviously Hertz's price beat the other contenders.

Happy Travels!