Save
with CAA
get member-only
perks at enterprise,
alamo and
national car rental
caask.ca/enterprise
Members also earn CAA Dollars on
full-size or larger vehicle rental.
You can also rent a car via your local
CAA Travel Consultant or online:
caask.ca/travel/flights-cars-hotels.
Consider extra insurance
Your existing auto insurance policy
may already include some level of car-
rental insurance. And many credit
cards also include some insurance
coverage if you pay the rental with
that card. But it’s still a smart idea to
purchase a CAA PlatesPLUS policy,
which offers additional coverage for
vehicles beyond that provided by SGI
auto plate coverage. As a CAA Member,
your PlatesPLUS auto policy includes
the downtime rider in the amount of
$750 to pay for “downtime” charges
in the event you have a loss to a rental
car in your possession. To learn more:
caask.ca/insurance/auto-insurance.
auto iq
Wheel and deal
Do a thorough inspection
tips and tricks for saving money and scoring
member-only perks on your next car rental
By Kellie Davenport
Where and when to rent
If driving a newer make and model
is important to you, consider renting
at the airport. Most rental companies
start new vehicles at airport locations,
from which they eventually get distrib-
uted throughout the fleet. And for the
widest selection and availability, try to
rent on a Thursday or Friday. While
there’s no exact science to getting the
best rate, booking as early as possible is
your best bet: As inventory goes down,
prices go up. Be mindful of when you
return the vehicle as well. Returning it
early seems like a helpful thing to do,
but some companies charge an early-
return fee.
Flash your Caa card
CAA has teamed up with Enterprise
Holdings Inc., which includes Alamo,
Enterprise and National Car Rental.
Members get exclusive discounts on
rentals worldwide and extra perks in
Canada and the U.S., including free
unlimited mileage, two free additional
drivers, a discount on GPS, a free child
seat and 10 percent off prepaid fuel.
You know you should pay attention
during the inspection, but it’s tempting
to rush through it. But if you don’t
point out existing damage at the
inspection, you’ll be dinged for any
dents, scratches, loose parts and other
damages. Look for malfunctioning
mechanisms, like power windows,
mirrors and wipers, loose bumpers,
exterior marks or missing parts. Take
a video or snap photos as you check
the car, inside and out.
Before you leave the lot
Take a few minutes in the car to get to
know it. Adjust the heat/AC settings
and radio. Locate window and wiper
controls, lights and high-beam toggle,
and turn signals. A little time now will
help you avoid distracted driving when
you’re on the road.
Sa Sk atc he wa
Cross-Border
rentals
a few tips for
driving and renting
abroad
n dr ive r’S
lic en ce
g. Smi th
getting shifty right seat driver may i have your papers, please
manual transmissions
are the norm in
many countries. Be
prepared to pay
a premium for an
automatic. going to the u.k., australia
or Jamaica? make sure
you—and any additional
drivers—are comfortable
driving on the other side
of the road. an international Driving Permit (iDP) is a translation
of your driver’s licence into 10 languages. if you’re
renting abroad, you may be asked to show it along
with your regular licence. caa is the only authorized
issuer in canada—if you get one elsewhere, it’s a fake.
apply for an iDP through caa: caask.ca/iDP
CAA saskatchewan
winter 2018
21