Van Hire in Alberta

Hola Car Rentals is a premium partner of the leading car hire companies in Alberta, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes extra benefits that no other company can match:

• Full vehicle coverage with no excess (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: get back up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls charged during your hire
• Premium travel medical assistance for up to 5 passengers in case of emergency, covering up to CAD 200,000 (pre-existing conditions excluded)
• No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification

All at no additional cost, ensuring a unique hire experience with complete protection and peace of mind during your trip in Alberta.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Alberta are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.

On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter in Alberta charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the hire partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.

The only costs outside this guarantee are:

• Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
• Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)

No, there are no toll roads anywhere in Alberta, so driving a van across the province is completely toll-free. You will not encounter any toll booths, cashless toll gantries, transponder requirements, or congestion charges on any Alberta highway or city road.

This means there are no toll programmes to enrol in, no daily toll passes to purchase at the counter, and no risk of post-rental toll invoices for travel within Alberta.

However, if you plan to drive your van from Alberta into a neighbouring province that does have tolls, such as British Columbia on certain routes, any tolls incurred outside Alberta would still apply. In that case, the Tolls Cashback benefit included with your booking lets you claim back up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during the rental. Submit your claim to [email protected] within 30 days of returning the van, along with your rental agreement and toll receipts.

To collect your van hire in Alberta, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• Your original, unexpired driver’s licence in the main driver’s name
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, in the main driver’s name, for the security deposit authorisation hold
• A valid passport or government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad

If your driver’s licence is not in English and does not use a Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script), an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory alongside your original licence. For licences in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and is never valid without your original licence.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at any Alberta van hire counter. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit authorisation hold.

Not always, but it depends on your licence. In Canada, including Alberta, visitors can generally drive a van with a valid foreign driver’s licence. However, an IDP is mandatory if your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script. In that case, you must carry both your original licence and the IDP together.

If your licence is in a Latin alphabet but not in English (for example, a Spanish or Portuguese licence), an IDP is recommended but not strictly required by most Alberta van hire partners. Individual rental companies may apply stricter rules, so check your booking confirmation for any specific requirements.

Important points to keep in mind:

• The IDP is a translation booklet only, not a standalone licence
• You must obtain the IDP in your home country before travelling to Alberta
• All documents presented at the van hire counter must be physical originals

When you pick up your van in Alberta, the rental partner will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card. For Canada, typical holds range from GBP 200 to GBP 300, though some Alberta locations may require a minimum authorisation of approximately GBP 450, particularly for larger vans or premium vehicle classes.

Key things to know about the deposit hold:

• It is a temporary authorisation, not a charge, but it reduces your available credit until released
• You must present a physical major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card
• Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the deposit
• After you return the van, the hold is released, but your bank may take up to 15 working days to reflect this

The exact hold amount for your Alberta van hire is set by the rental company desk and may vary by location, season, and van class. Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined, and notify your bank of your travel dates to prevent fraud blocks on the authorisation.

Both Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Edmonton International Airport (YEG) in Alberta have on-site hire desks for major van hire brands including Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Thrifty, and others.

At both airports, follow the car hire signs inside the terminal after collecting your luggage. Your booking confirmation will show the operating brand name. Match that name to the signage at the hire desk area. If the brand you booked operates from a consolidated hire centre or requires a shuttle, instructions will be noted on your confirmation.

Practical tips for picking up your van in Alberta:

• Confirm the operating brand on your booking confirmation before arriving at the desk
• If no signage is visible, use the airport information desk or courtesy phones near the baggage claim area
• Bring all required physical documents, as digital copies are not accepted
• If you arrive after desk hours, check your confirmation for after-hours key-drop or alternative instructions

Desk hours at Alberta airports can vary by brand and season, so review your confirmation for the specific hours of your hire location.

Yes, provincial law in Alberta requires every hire vehicle to carry third-party liability insurance, so a statutory minimum liability cover is included by default when you hire a van in Alberta through Hola Car Rentals.

This means you are not driving an uninsured van on Alberta roads. However, the included statutory liability may only cover the minimum required by law. If you want higher protection, you can add a Supplementary Liability Insurance (SLI/ALI/LIS) option, which can provide cover up to US$300,000 for bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others.

Important distinctions to keep in mind:

• Third-party liability covers injury or property damage to other people, not damage to your van
• Damage to the van itself is covered by CDW/LDW, which is separate
• Only drivers named on the hire agreement are covered
• Driving outside permitted areas or in breach of the hire agreement can void cover

Review your booking confirmation to confirm exactly what liability cover is included in your Alberta van hire rate.

CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) or LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) on your Alberta van hire reduces your financial liability if the van is damaged in a collision, stolen, or vandalised during your hire period.

What CDW/LDW typically covers for your van in Alberta:

• Collision damage to the hire van up to the vehicle's value, minus any applicable excess
• Theft or vandalism of the van
• Standard claim handling when you report the incident promptly

What CDW/LDW does not cover:

• Damage to third parties (other vehicles, property, or injuries), that requires LIS/SLI/ALI
• Tires, wheels, undercarriage, roof, or keys unless specifically included
• Damage caused by prohibited use such as off-road driving, drink-driving, or unauthorised drivers
• Incidents not reported promptly to the hire partner

Check your booking confirmation to confirm whether CDW/LDW is included in your Alberta van hire rate and whether a excess applies. If an excess is listed, that is your out-of-pocket amount per incident. Always photograph the van at pickup and return to document its condition.

Yes, most bookings include travel assistance through Terrawind Global Protection, which can be especially valuable if your van breaks down in a remote part of Alberta such as the David Thompson Corridor or along the Icefields Parkway, far from the nearest city.

The travel assistance benefit typically includes:

• Medical cover for up to 5 passengers for accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses
• Legal assistance in case of an accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

If you need assistance whilst driving your van in Alberta, contact the provider immediately:

• Phone (24/7, toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Provide your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your location in Alberta, and a description of the situation. Follow the coordinator's instructions and keep all receipts and reports.

Important: this benefit does not apply to Canadian or US residents. It is designed for travellers visiting Alberta from outside North America. It also does not cover damage to the van itself; that is handled by CDW/LDW.

The standard fuel policy for van hires in Alberta is Full-to-Full. You receive the van with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

How to follow the Full-to-Full policy correctly:

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge
• Use the correct fuel type for your van (petrol or diesel) to avoid damage charges
• Refuel within approximately 15 km of the return location so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address

If you return the van in Alberta with less than a full tank, the hire partner may charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus an administrative service fee.

For after-hours returns at Alberta airport locations, leave your fuel receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge on your phone as evidence.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your van hire in Alberta, either as an included benefit or for a daily fee paid at the desk, depending on your rate.

If your booking confirmation states "Additional driver free of charge" or "Additional driver included," the first extra driver is covered at no extra cost. If it is not included, the daily fees charged at Alberta desks are approximately:

• Avis, Budget, Payless: GBP 10 per hire day, capped at GBP 50
• Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar: GBP 11 per hire day, capped at GBP 154
• Alamo, National, Enterprise: GBP 13 per day

Requirements for adding a driver to your Alberta van hire:

• The additional driver must be present at the desk at pickup
• They must present a valid driver’s licence and any required IDP
• They must meet the minimum age requirements for Alberta
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement

Only drivers named on the agreement are covered by CDW/LDW and liability protections. Never allow an unlisted person to drive the van.

Yes, a young driver surcharge typically applies if you are under 25 and want to hire a van in Alberta. Most hire partners in Alberta require the main driver to be at least 25 years old, and drivers under that age may be subject to a young driver fee that varies by hire company and location.

For example, Enterprise in Canada requires renters to be at least 25 years old, and drivers under 25 may pay an additional daily surcharge at the Alberta desk. The exact amount is set locally and will be confirmed at pickup.

Additional points to be aware of:

• For Avis, Budget, and Payless, additional drivers must also be at least 25 years old at the time of pickup
• Some partners may decline to hire larger vans such as 12- or 15-seater models to drivers under 25
• Young driver fees are paid at the desk and are not included in your prepaid rate

Check your booking confirmation for any age-related conditions specific to your Alberta van hire, and confirm the surcharge amount directly with the hire partner at the desk.

Yes, one-way van hires between cities in Alberta, such as picking up in Calgary and returning in Edmonton, are generally available, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on the hire partner, vehicle class, and season.

How the one-way fee works for Alberta van hires:

• The drop-off fee is route-specific and set by the hire partner
• It will be shown under the "To pay at destination" section during checkout and on your booking confirmation
• The fee is not prepaid and is not covered by No Extra Charges© unless it was not disclosed on your confirmation
• Changing your return location after booking may reprice the hire and recalculate the fee

If no drop-off fee appears during booking, it means no one-way fee applies to that specific Alberta van hire route. Always review the "To pay at destination" section carefully before confirming your reservation to avoid surprises at the desk.

Cross-border one-way hires, such as picking up a van in Alberta and returning it in another Canadian province, may be restricted or carry higher fees depending on the hire company. Confirm cross-border permissions with the hire company before booking.

Alberta has no toll roads, so you will not pay any tolls whilst driving your van within the province. However, if your van hire takes you into neighbouring provinces or regions where tolls do apply, the Tolls Cashback benefit included with every Hola Car Rentals booking lets you recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during the hire period.

How to claim Tolls Cashback after your Alberta van hire:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the van
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - followed by your reservation confirmation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid
• Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for the booking

The refund is the lesser of the total tolls you paid or 5% of your booking total. For example, if your Alberta van hire booking totalled US$500, the maximum cashback is US$25. Refunds are processed to your original payment method within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted.