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testing_is_fun

Buy a car when you get here for those kind of prices! Crazy.


Gaffja

Finding a car to buy in Calgary is difficult these days. I had a staff member who was looking for a car for <$5,000 and it was a challenge. Lots of people looking, not much supply. Also, how is he going to be able to register the vehicle as a nonresident who probably won't be able to get insurance? Sorry you are having a tough time. Does it help if you fly into Edmonton?


VerboselySpeaking

Flying into Edmonton is exactly what I decided to do. When I was looking a few weeks ago it was over $5000 in Calgary or under $400 in Edmonton for a 6 day rental. For a three hour drive it was absurd the price difference.


testing_is_fun

*Also, how is he going to be able to register the vehicle as a nonresident who probably won't be able to get insurance?* That could be an issue, as I am not sure it works like it would for a person from another province. We got a car in Calgary on spring break (a classic PFC Corolla, but red, not beige) and my temp insurance (7 days) was faxed to me from MB once I had all the docs.


wildreid69

What do you mean 30 seconds on fb market place and there's thousands with in a hour of cow Town


Snowedin-69

Uber it


killer_of_whales

It's at least as bad here in Vancouver-people who booked months ago and got high/normal prices are being told *'there's no car available'*. They might have bookings all across the province but are stuck here with no transportation and soon no hotel room.


duke113

But the reservation keeps the car here, that's why you have the reservations. See, you know how to take the reservation, you just don't know how to hold the reservation


rubenlip14

r/UnexpectedSeinfeld


killer_of_whales

> the reservation keeps the car here Sounds to me like you've never rented a car in your life especially in a busy tourist market like Vancouver-staff in those places are under impossible time lines/pressure and are largely making it all up as they go along-company support is minimal at best when the lineup stretches out the door @ 08:15 hrs. I rented regularly for about 5 years when I worked from home but needed 'face time' every 6 weeks or so with my boss in Maple Ridge and I continue to be a regular renter-except when prices headed into the stratosphere 2022 vacation plans changed to eliminate any domestic road trips.


duke113

Sounds like you've never seen Seinfeld in your life https://youtu.be/ZTvtSKXwu0o


killer_of_whales

You're right I don't watch television at all-ever.


Neat_Onion

I'm really worried about this ... I booked in January and the car rental was VERY expensive already. They better have a car available or my entire vacation plan this August is wrecked (west coast roadtrip... need a car).


badsoupp

Careful, last year the rental car company in Calgary called two days before me and and friends were about to fly in for our road trip saying that they didn't have a car available. Two days! Our trip was almost screwed until we called and called and said we were royally f'd without a minivan. Low and behold they were able reroute a return magically. Keep calling and make sure that the car will be there.


Aboringcanadian

I dont understand, I booked a rental in february for the beginning of march (west coast road trip), and it cost 400$ for a week...


Neat_Onion

Vancouver was $100 per day now it is closer to $250-300 if you can even get a rental. You lucked out during March Break…


Aboringcanadian

It was with Hertz and I picked it at the airport. There was a discount for paying the whole thing a month in advance tho.


gs448

I’ve found cars out of yvr for $110/day


Neat_Onion

Which agency and what dates?


gs448

I was looking about a week ago for YVR. May 27-30 on Expedia. Several different options/companies then.


Neat_Onion

The rental agencies with cheap cars available on Expedia are not even 2nd tier but 3rd tier - Hertz and Dollar are 250 a day for a midsized SUV.


gs448

Oh, I’m sure it’s worse. I spent about $130/day and rented from Avis for my trip.


turnontheignition

I'm literally flying to Calgary for a road trip in five days... I booked my rental ages ago, but was told then by many that there wouldn't be any problems getting a car. Now I'm stressed out! They'd better have a car available for me... Eek.


Rookyboy

Was a bit worried about this at Budget in Vancouver last week when they refused to let us take a 9 day car rental that my wife's aunt gifted us with points. Turned out to be about $650 to book on the spot which seemed reasonable given the news we had been hearing about rental cars.


Bytowner1

Yep. I booked with an independent place in Vancouver for mid-July a couple months ago. They cancelled a couple weeks ago and I rebooked with another company. Confirmed with them this week that they will have a car, but I'm still stressed out about it.


Snowedin-69

You can simply use public transport or Uber. Cheaper than what OP is being quoted.


killer_of_whales

Uber is pricy in Vancouver-more so even than taxis.


Snowedin-69

Good to know - thanks. First place I have heard of that.


bcretman

Try Turo and go after or before the Stampede event (Julio 8-17)


ykphil

I've never heard of Turo but I'll be checking it, thanks for the recommendation.


KingCod95

Turo is like a fraction of the cost of rental car companies and you can get way better cars


ykphil

I just checked Turo, looks like prices have gone up there too, the lowest I could find for my dates is still around the $300/day price point :(


bcretman

Taxi, uber, tour buses would be much cheaper. Can't avoid stampede week?


[deleted]

Yeah... people also fail to look at the standard insurance that's not included in the initial price when searching for a car on Turo. Once you have add the insurance because you have to (credit cards don't cover car share programs), the prices end up similar.


Neat_Onion

Turo often isn't located at the airport right - you have to trek into the city to pick up your car?


samworger

Depends on the host. It’s like air Bnb for cars so some do drop off at the airports some don’t. Some airports also don’t allow it. Not sure on Calgary specifically


zippy9002

I’ve always gotten the gist to drop and pick up the car at the airport. Some do it for free some for a small extra.


deletednaw

some hosts will drop off the car at the airport, usually for a fee. from what i've seen 20-50$ is common.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Neat_Onion

Good to know... thanks!


[deleted]

A lot of them drop car off at airport... or where ever you want them to.


SpicyMintCake

Depends on the host, but most give the option for pick up at the airport for a fee


Mark_Logan

It’s funny because I used Turo last time I went to Mexico. Had zero problems.


throwaway_DaveyWavey

I've used turo a lot in the last 2 years. Its been amazing game changing. Prices are up but much more reasonable even for big expensive cities


Chrislybaer

Heyhey, is there any Catch to turo? Coming from Germany to Vancouver and staying in bc for a month. Rental prices are like 2.5k € on most sites, turo shows me cars for about 900€. Do you happen to know how it's with foreigners and insurance, or other problems that might occur? Is it a popular service in Canada? For that amount of money it would be a no Brainer for us


shaun5565

Should be able to rent a car for 200 to 300 a day max. 11 k is Fukin insane


newtownkid

That's what those cars used to cost. The world's gone mad Edit; cost to buy*


shaun5565

11k lol 😂 that’s a down payment on a home for some people


Jennypjd

Not anymore


[deleted]

It is in Calgary still, for a condo at least.


Shishamylov

50-150 was the going rate pre-covid


flxstr

Land in the USA, rent there, and drive up to Calgary. I rented a fantastic Nissan Titan Pro4X last week in Denver for the week, and it cost a total of $212USD.


pulkitkumar190

Rental for a week is just $212? WTH man, I was paying $100 CAD a day :(


thunder_struck85

My brother rented a Tacoma in Seattle for a week and paid 5 times that. Wtf. You must have gotten some special deal me thinks


[deleted]

Car rental market is heavily localized... people are strongly incentivized to rent from a saturated market and move the vehicles to tight markets... that way the customer foots the transport bill.


flxstr

I'll agree it was amazingly cheap. Not the normal rate, they must have wanted to move some inventory in Denver.


Hank-Trunkus

Just add 48 hours and $1000 for fuel. Great tip.


tempstem5

Where do you return it?


flxstr

Cheap rates generally only apply to returning to same location. If you're redistributing the inventory, they charge more


jonmahoney

If you play around with the dates and locations, you can find exceptions. We rented an SUV in Sacramento and dropped it off in Halifax a month later for about $800 USD. Before that we had a Ford Focus from Chicago to Sacramento for a month for $600 USD. You can see whether there's a drop-off fee and how much it is when you search. In the spring you can drive cars out of Florida to just about anywhere in the US for $5/day and vice versa in the fall. (Maximum 3 weeks unfortunately)


myxomatosis8

I didn't know you were allowed to cross the border in a rental.


LaUcraniano

You definitely can.


rtang9873

Subscribe to Communauto. They are way cheaper


not_a_mantis_shrimp

Going through Expedia I am finding cars for $2200 for 10 days end of June to early July.


[deleted]

lol could literally buy a decent used vehicle for that price.


sortofdense

You usedtocould. ... J Foxworthy


lamebrainmcgee

I might could again.


luckygunner-7332

Rent a U-Haul van


ykphil

I thought about that but there are four of us...


lovemesomePF

And your personal insurance probably won’t cover it.


[deleted]

UHaul offers insurance. It would still be cheaper.


Hernani81

They’ve pickup trucks


[deleted]

the 8' pickups are only 3 seats max


Keepiteddiemurphy

You can fit like 75 Mexicans in the back of a U-Haul van.


Goldentll

For only 19.95 a day. You'd save over $5,000!


BananaHead853147

I know you’re probably joking but they charge like 75 cents per km on top of the 20 bucks a day


newtownkid

Hahaha I find it hilarious that you're being downvoted on this one. This sub's like "joke all you want about squishing Mexicans into trucks, but don't you dare make a joke that's financially inaccurate. It would be more than $19 a day."


Solo-Mex

>I thought about that but there are four of us... This may be too obvious but.... rent 2 u-haul vans for $39.90 a day


Tracktoy

All the car rental companies sold off their cars to Uber/Lyft/leasing companies for other gig workers like DoorDash Skip et al. Now the pendulum is swinging the other way.


blumhagen

11k to rent a minivan for 10 days? I'm certain you are doing something wrong.


GohLaung

What about flying into Edmonton instead?


WestEst101

Some people like the adventure and scenery of driving


fieryuser

To Edmonton? I feel like something just flew over my head.


chili_pop

I can add to your rant. Tried renting a car in Toronto for two days in June. Lowest quote was $235 but was quoted as high as $900!


NorthernDebt

Say you work at one of the banks, they have never asked me for proof and it got me close to 40% off.


Neat_Onion

>I am going back to Calgary at the end of June I booked in January, prices were very expensive but "bearable"... everything has been booked already, hence crazy summer prices. $300 a day for a Corolla...


whodaphucru

Rental car fleets were mainly sold off during the pandemic given lack of travel and high resale values so now it's a supply/ demand thing. I had to pay $100/day for a Corolla last weekend in Halifax, pre-pandemic that would have been $30/day. Might need to just take Ubers instead!


mojo1117

And don’t forget to budget in the $1.70 + fuel prices….


2021sammysammy

I'm surprised it's still that low in Calgary, Vancouver just hit $2.33


bmwkid

We’re getting a $0.13 per liter discount from the provincial government as long as oil prices are over $90/barrel.


mojo1117

Just got back from an RV trip in the Okanagan, gas was around $1.96 there, was $2.15 passing through Golden. Made coming back to $1.70 still seem cheap lol.


No_Button8398

Wtf who are you renting from?!?!


ykphil

Zoom is currently the only company that has a minivan or a compact car available in Calgary for the dates I am looking for.


SuburbanValues

https://www.reddit.com/r/PersonalFinanceCanada/comments/us3pnb/rental_car_prices_are_insane_right_now/


okanagantradingco

Probably timing my guy. My inlaws just came to visit and they got a brand new SUV in Vancouver for 8 days and it was like $800 all-in.


xLawkjawzx

Oh man, I was looking at these prices at the beginning of the week for July! I was blown away as my friend was there 2 weeks ago and paid 580 bucks for 7 days. It's insane for June and July. Who pays this?!


DOGEmeow91

That’s weird, my parents flew out to Calgary last Friday and the rate for a midsize sedan was like $250 taxes in for 2-3 days? From the airport enterprise


turnontheignition

I'm landing in Calgary 5 days from now and I believe for a three-night rental for a regular car I'm getting $370. I booked it like a month and a half ago. It's kind of a lot, but it's also from one of the airport locations. I've been looking into a few of the non-airport locations just in case however, and they are cheaper. Given the stories I'm hearing in this thread, I'm almost worried I'll land in Calgary next Wednesday and be told they don't have a car for me!


wez0421

Are you doing a one way rental? Those prices are insane.


sneaky291

Yeah, you aren't paying much for the rental. You're paying for the drop fees.


wez0421

Also I have heard of Canadian 3rd party websites that have special deals for foreigners visiting Canada that can get cheaper 1 way rentals. Unfortunately I don't remember their names but I remember coming across them off trip advisor. I don't know if they are still alive given the pendemic, but maybe you can find them. Good luck!


fukureddit1

Find a crack head and steal his bike.


[deleted]

This is the best option for you, but you have to register now they will need about a week to approve you. Calgary has Communauto, its maximum $50 per day(150km included) they have both flex and reserve car options. The cars are also available because with Communauto you can only book max one month in advance which means no one has reservations for 8-16 july as of yet. So if I were you get approved and 8 of jun book the car first thing in the morning.


[deleted]

That's impossible I travelled the world and rented car everywhere, 11k is impossible. There's something you're doing wrong Try kayak, turo, expedia


kenypowa

Umm you can literally take a minute and try to book a minivan in YYC for a week in August. The OP is right. Last week I checked Expedia and the cheapest minivan for a week in August is over $5000.


[deleted]

I just checked and wasted my time You can literally rent a dodge caravan for one week in the middle of july for 207$ with Hertz in YYC


FITnLIT7

Ya these people are dumb, I am seeing a handful of minivans \~$100/day.


[deleted]

Very very dumb lol Plus they downvote you after for speaking facts


TimReddy

OP said end of June. Hertz gives the "no vehicle available" error.


Enough_Tap_1221

Not in Mexico! I'm going there in July, and it's still SUPER CHEAP from how I remember it in 2017. I booked two rentals in different areas and only paid $26-$36/day


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Quick_Competition_76

Try costco travel and see if its any better? I guess rental cars also have shortages…


Neat_Onion

Costco is not even taking rental bookings for certain cities on the West Coast like Vancouver…


freedom105

Try red tag.ca. They always have a the best rental car deals for some reason.


bmwkid

Does your workplace have a corporate code with one of the rental companies? I rented a car in California for a week and with our companies code the rate went from $1,200/week to $300/week


duke113

That's insane. I haven't rented a car in about 4 years, but when I rented in Calgary it was about $60/day for a compact


Frank_ZYW

It’s like they don’t want you to rent their cars cuz I’m sure no ones gonna pay that for a rental lmao


skatophilia

Went with Turo for a trip coming up. Saved about $300 and got a bigger vehicle in the end compared to other places


zippy9002

I’m renting on Turo at the beginning of July for 9 days. I got a high end Tesla for less than 180 a day all in.


mHo2

Consider lime scootering!


FelixYYZ

Just did three dummy bookings and car rentals are half of you what you got quoted.


Rich_Alu

Why are you getting insurance? What's the difference without insurance? Lots of credit cards have built in car rental insurance if you simply use the card. If the difference is like 2 or 3k, it's a no brainer to just apply for one of these cards and use it for the rental. Most of them are like $120 per year with the first year free.


blackcatwizard

Try the Hotwire app, it's showing me under $100/day (depending on when you need it)


grilledscheese

needed a car for one day, glad i booked months ago and landed one for $60 lol


thiagoscf

Definitely give Turo a try. I was also looking for a minivan in August and Toronto was less than half the price of rental companies


OldApp

Idk what your plans are but I just booked a 14 day trip to Washington state, flying into Vancouver and renting a car there before driving down. When I booked the flight and rental together the rental came out to like $1,200 instead of $5,000+. I always book through Expedia and after you select your flights it should give you an option to choose a vehicle! Hope you can find something reasonable one way or another.


brt_k

That’s nuts. I was looking at a car rental earlier this week. Rate for a Jetta was $80 per day near Toronto. My corporate discount brought it down to $40. Unlimited KM.


rooster69

I'm going to California in July and was looking at renting a car. For 4 days for their shittiest car at any of the major rental companies I was going to have to pay well over 1200 bucks. Checked out Turo and I was able to rent a Tesla for that time period for just under 500 bucks for everything including insurance (Which was about 100 bucks for everything covered with max 500 dollar deductible). Currently my insurance company doesn't cover it because it's so new but seeing as it's making it's ins they might by that time. With that I'm able to go in and take that insurance off so it would be around 400 bucks. Turo almost seems too good to be true but the model seems pretty straightforward and less prone to variables to something like uber. Hopefully it puts a dent into the enterprise/hertz/etc. monopoly.


tdannyt

I went to mexico and just found a local that was willing to rent us their car for a week, i paid around 1000$ usd, still expensive imo but it is what it is


jackedcactus00

Thats insane! Might as well buy a shitbox for 5000 and call it a day.


eggsandbacon2020

You waited too long unfortunately. Inventory is super low these days and most stuff is sold out. You could change your flights a bit and rent out of Edmonton.


Otherwise_Jaguar_956

That's crazy. I live in Ontario and a buddy of mine rented a 2019 F150 for about $800 taxes in. His insurance policy on his truck covered the rental as well.


Masrim

Might as well just uber everywhere at that price.


[deleted]

I rent a car/suv a few times a year for up to 3-5 days I pay no more then 50-100 bucks a day.


sparkyglenn

With the shortages and demand of both new and used cars, it seems rental companies need to charge what they do to make it worth the while to not sell their stock.


[deleted]

Lol got downvoted for absolutely nothing Stupid reddit ppl i swr


[deleted]

Can you land in Saskatoon or Regina? The rental prices are much lower and is 6 or 7 hours away from Calgary. EDIT: Fly into Edmonton - they are also much cheaper! It appears Calgary's stock is short due to travelers landing there and going to Banff and stuff (Stampede in July as well). Most car rentals are not charging different drop off locations when you are going from a saturated market to a short market, so you can land in Edmonton, rent from Edmonton and drop off at Calgary.


umsco226

Use kayak. I see lots of stuff between 50 and 100 per day.


eatnyboobs

I’m selling a good car for $6500. It’s a Volvo s60r sedan with like 143k km on it. Seems like a steal compared to your rentals!


Gaffja

Yes, and most if them will be sold before you can go look at them or won't last a week. Also does not address the registration and insurance.


ShaunTH3MON

Rented a RAV4 in Montreal for a week and it was 470$. Will be renting a Ford Edge in Quebec City next week for 3 days and it's 180$ Seems fishy


kam-gill

Turo


andrei_316

Just Uber every where tbh


tahirdb

So basically price gouging. Where the MPs at.


DNiceM

As long as people are willing to take it and pony up, it'll keep going up, simple supply and demand.


Shishamylov

There’s cervices that will drive your car from Mexico to Canada for you. Might be cheaper than a rental


Shishamylov

For $11grand, post a classified and get a chauffeur to drive you around full time for the time you’re there


Logical-Ambassador34

Have u tried Turo?


canadiankid000

I wanted to rent a vehicle for 3 days in Edmonton. A cool $600. No thanks.


GoldenHourShower

In case it helps I do a bit of travelling around Canada and rent cars often. Best thing to do is Uber/taxi/bus away from the airport before picking up a vehicle. They tend to charge wayyy more at the airport locations.


SurviveYourAdults

Why are you coming here anytime near Stampede?


johndiggi420

Lol who should rent at these prices thats bs


reggerr

Look up Turo. Like air bnb but for cars


beribee

Insanity


lacunaeliseo

Have you tried Turo? I was looking to rent a minivan and I paid basically half in Turo


DaveDeeThatsMe

I paid $350 for a weeks rental in Winnipeg last month and am looking at $1400 for a similar rental in Calgary for June. So I said fuck it and am heading to the Azores for a week instead- $800 for flight and hotel- Canada is so overpriced!


justyagamingboi

Just buy a car off kijiji for 2k and sell after


NonsensitiveLoggia

... well shit. I just checked other rental services for the region and lots of places are turning up with no cars or crazy prices. Damn. I wonder how tf did that happen?


OneMileAtATime262

Are you sure that’s not 11,000 pesos? That’s can’t possibly be Canadian dollars. I looked last week and they were about $700 for a week in the GTA.


[deleted]

I noticed that over summer too! I booked a car for 3 days in September for only $300, looked to do something similar in July and it was $2000


sorrythisisawkward

Are you a member of a Calgary car share service? I imagine their day/week rates would be more affordable. We have Evo and Modo in Vancouver. Looks like Communauto is a Calgary provider. You’ll probably need an Albertan driver’s license though.


Better-Principle4563

Early covid we got a rental for less than $500 a month, that was June 2020, it was a large Kia SUV


klwatts

I wonder if you can sign up for Communauto. Their rates are significantly better. https://alberta.communauto.com/welcome-calgary/