A one way car or truck rental can at times be difficult to plan, costly if you don’t do your research in advance, but unavoidable when you just need to get to your destination and aren’t planning a return trip. Whether it is because you’re planning an extended stay like college or university, an out of town work contract, or you've found another way to get home, you need to find a company that can get you exactly what you need. That being said, a one way car rental is a different process than return trip car rentals, where you bring the car back to the same location you rented it from. Here’s what you need to do differently:
Make sure that the car rental company offers one way car rental service
Not all car companies offer this service, so it is imperative that you research this beforehand. An easy way to determine this is to visit the rental car company's website and determine whether they have multiple drop off location options. Or, just call Discount Car & Truck Rentals, as this is a service we provide to our customers.
Make sure that the car rental company has national/international locations
If a rental car company only has two locations in one province, then their one way car rental services may not be right for you. Double check to make sure that they have drop-off locations near where you are going. With over 300 locations across Canada, Discount makes this possible and feasible for most one way trips within Canada.
Make sure that the one way rental service extends far enough
Even with national/international locations and one way car rental service availability, some car rental companies will only allow you to drop off the vehicle within the same city, province or country that you picked it up in. If you need to go out of the country or province, be sure to inquire about this beforehand.
Make sure that the car rental company has the type of vehicle that you need
If you need a one way car rental for a move, then chances are that a compact car won't work for your trip; if you plan on shuttling six or more people, the same logic applies. If, on the other hand, you are taking a two person trip (with light packing) and you want to save on gas, an SUV or truck rental might not be the right choice. Ensure that the rental company you choose has the right kind of vehicle for your one way car rental.
Find out about all costs and fees beforehand
The packages offered for a one way car rental can vary greatly from traditional car rentals. As such, you shouldn't assume that everything will be the same, even if you work with a rental car company regularly. Here are the things you need to find out:
The rental fee
This is usually higher than normal, since the rental car company has to take extra steps to manage their vehicle inventory and/or get the car back to its original location
Drop off charges
In addition to a higher upfront rate, you may be subject to drop off fees to compensate for the cost of getting the car back to the original rental location
Mileage fees
If you are taking a long one way trip, find out how many KM’s are included, and what the rate is per KM afterwards. The cost can really add up, and you want to know your costs in advance so there are no surprises when you drop the rental off
Gas fees
Fill your tank up when you return the car, as the gas fees are normally much higher than the price at the pump
Insurance costs
Insurance costs may also be higher for a one way car rental, especially if you plan on traveling between countries
Now you know what to expect and how to prepare for a one way car rental
Renting a car for a one way trip requires a different approach. To start the process of renting a car for your one way trip ASAP, contact Discount Car and Truck Rentals.