VERIFIED REVIEWS
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking in Kelowna include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is a premium partner of the leading car rental companies in Kelowna, 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 deductible (applies only for certain rates and itineraries)
- Toll cashback: get back up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls charged during your rental
- 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 rental experience with complete protection and peace of mind during your trip in Kelowna.
Will I face unexpected charges at the counter when I rent a car in Kelowna through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Kelowna 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 Kelowna 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 rental 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)
Are there toll roads to worry about when renting a car in Kelowna?
No, there are no toll roads in Kelowna or anywhere in the British Columbia interior. Most roads you will drive around Kelowna, including Highway 97 and the Coquihalla Highway, are completely toll-free.
The only tolled crossing in British Columbia is the Port Mann Bridge in the Greater Vancouver area. If your Kelowna trip includes a drive to Vancouver, be aware that the Port Mann Bridge uses a cashless, plate-based billing system with no cash payment option at the crossing. Charges are captured by camera and billed to the registered vehicle owner, which in a rental means the charges flow through the rental company to your credit card, often with an administrative processing fee added.
To avoid surprises on a Vancouver side trip from Kelowna, ask the rental counter about their toll program options. Some partners offer a daily transponder service so tolls are handled automatically. Alternatively, you can opt out and pay per use, but expect the toll amount plus an administrative fee to appear on your card days or weeks after the rental ends.
What documents do I need to pick up a rental car in Kelowna?
To collect your rental car in Kelowna you must present the following physical documents at the counter:
- A valid, original driver's license in the main driver's name
- A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, used for the security deposit hold
- A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
- Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from outside Canada
If your driver's license is not in English and does not use a Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script), you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original license. The IDP is a translation only and is never accepted without the original license.
All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at Kelowna rental counters. Bring a backup credit card in your name as well, in case your primary card is declined during the deposit authorization.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Kelowna?
Not always, but it depends on your license. In Kelowna, as throughout Canada, visitors can generally drive with a valid foreign license. However, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended if your license is not in English, and it is mandatory if your license uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script.
The IDP is a translation booklet only. It must always be carried together with your original license and is not valid on its own. Rental counters in Kelowna will not accept an IDP as a standalone document.
If you think you may need an IDP, obtain it in your home country before traveling to Kelowna. Canadian or US automobile associations do not issue IDPs to holders of foreign licenses, so you cannot get one after you arrive.
Can I get Tolls Cashback on my Kelowna car rental?
Yes, Tolls Cashback is included with every booking, and it applies to your Kelowna rental even though most roads in the Kelowna area are toll-free.
If your trip takes you west toward Vancouver and you cross the Port Mann Bridge or encounter any other tolled road, you can claim back up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during the rental period. Here is how it works:
- Pay tolls normally during your rental, whether through the rental company's transponder program or plate-based billing
- After returning the vehicle, email [email protected] within 30 days
- Include your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the signed rental agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges
The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit reimburses toll charges only, not administrative or processing fees added by the rental company.
What credit card do I need for the security deposit in Kelowna?
You must present a physical major credit card with the main driver's name printed on the card at the Kelowna rental counter. The card is used to place a temporary authorization hold, not an immediate charge, and it reduces your available credit until the rental is closed and your bank releases the hold.
For rentals in Canada, typical deposit holds range from CAUS$ 300 to CAUS$ 500 for standard vehicles, though some Kelowna locations may authorize up to approximately CAUS$ 750. Premium or specialty vehicles may carry higher holds.
- Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or single-use card numbers are not accepted for the deposit
- Digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay are not accepted at the counter for the hold
- The card must be in the main driver's name, not a third party's name
Even if you prepaid your Kelowna booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at pick-up. 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 an in-person authorization in Kelowna.
Is third-party liability insurance included with a rental car in Kelowna?
Yes, basic third-party liability coverage is included by default when you rent a car in Kelowna. Under British Columbia provincial law, every vehicle on the road must carry third-party liability insurance, and rental cars are no exception. This statutory liability follows the vehicle and is included in your rental when you book through Hola Car Rentals.
However, the included statutory minimum may not be sufficient for all situations. You can purchase supplemental liability coverage (LIS/ALI/SLI) to increase your protection limits up to US$300,000. This additional coverage protects you against bodily injury and property damage claims made by third parties if you are involved in an accident in Kelowna or elsewhere in Canada during your rental.
Keep in mind that third-party liability coverage does not protect the rental vehicle itself. For damage to or theft of the car, you need Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), which is a separate coverage. Review your booking confirmation to confirm exactly what is included in your Kelowna rate before you arrive at the counter.
Can I add an additional driver to my Kelowna rental car?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Kelowna rental car, either at no cost if your rate includes it or for a daily fee paid at the counter if it does not.
Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads additional driver free of charge. If it is not listed, fees at Kelowna counters vary by partner:
- Avis, Budget, and Payless: approximately US$13 per day plus taxes, capped at US$65 plus taxes
- Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: approximately US$13.50 per day plus taxes, capped at US$189 plus taxes
- Alamo, National, and Enterprise: approximately US$15 per day plus taxes
The additional driver must be present at the Kelowna pick-up counter with their own valid driver's license and any required IDP. Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement. Anyone who drives the car in Kelowna without being listed on the agreement is not covered by CDW, LDW, or liability protections, so never let an unlisted person drive.
Does travel assistance cover me if something goes wrong during my Kelowna rental?
Yes, most bookings include travel assistance through Terrawind Global Protection, and this benefit can be valuable if you encounter a medical emergency or other covered event during your Kelowna rental, for example on a remote stretch of Highway 97 or in the mountains around the Okanagan region.
Coverage typically includes:
- Travel insurance with medical coverage for up to 5 passengers
- Legal assistance in the event of an accident
- Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
- Flight cancellation insurance
To reach assistance 24 hours a day, call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free) or contact WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.
Important: this benefit applies only to travelers who are not residents of Canada or the United States. Canadian and American residents do not qualify for this coverage. It also does not cover damage to the rental vehicle itself (that is CDW/LDW) or liability to third parties (that is LIS/ALI/SLI). Always review your Kelowna booking confirmation for the exact terms and limits that apply to your reservation.
What is the fuel policy for rental cars in Kelowna?
The standard fuel policy for Kelowna rentals is Full to Full. You receive the car with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.
Here is what to do at each stage of your Kelowna rental:
- At pick-up: check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the rental agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and gauge
- During the rental: use the correct fuel type as shown in the vehicle. Keep fuel receipts in case of any dispute
- Before return: refuel within approximately 15 km of the Kelowna return location so the gauge does not drop below full on the drive back. Take a photo of the full gauge and keep the final receipt
If you return the car in Kelowna with less than a full tank, the rental company will charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refueling rate, which is typically higher than pump prices, plus a refueling service fee. For after-hours returns, leave the fuel receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo as your record.
Can I pick up a car in Kelowna and drop it off in another city?
Yes, one-way rentals from Kelowna to another city are possible with most partner brands, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on the route, vehicle class, and rental company.
Common patterns for Kelowna one-way rentals:
- Kelowna to Vancouver or other major British Columbia cities: a drop-off fee typically applies and varies by distance and vehicle class
- Kelowna to a location in another province: fees are usually higher and availability may be limited
- Cross-border one-ways (Canada to the United States): often restricted or subject to specific partner rules and higher fees
The drop-off fee for your Kelowna route is shown during the booking process on the rate details page under the section labeled to pay at destination. It is not prepaid and is not covered by No Extra Charges© unless it was not disclosed at the time of booking. Changing your return location after booking may reprice the entire rental and recalculate the fee. Always confirm the fee on your booking confirmation before arriving at the Kelowna counter.
What happens if my flight to Kelowna is delayed?
If your flight to Kelowna is delayed, your rental reservation will be held for up to 24 hours from the original pick-up time, provided you arrive during the counter's operating hours.
- Delay under 24 hours: the rental company will hold your Kelowna booking. Make sure you arrive while the counter is open, as after-hours pick-up may not be available at all locations
- Delay over 24 hours: contact Hola Car Rentals as soon as possible via WhatsApp at +1 (786) 999-8312 or by email at [email protected]. Changes are not guaranteed but the team will assist where possible
It is a good idea to check the Kelowna counter hours on your booking confirmation before you travel, since hours can vary by partner and may be reduced on holidays. If you arrive outside operating hours without prior arrangements for after-hours pick-up, you may not be able to collect the vehicle until the counter reopens. Planning your arrival time carefully and keeping the rental company's contact number from your confirmation handy will help you manage any delay smoothly in Kelowna.
How does CDW insurance work for a rental car in Kelowna?
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduce your financial liability for damage to or theft of the rental vehicle during your Kelowna trip. If the car is damaged in a covered incident, you pay only up to the deductible or excess amount stated in your agreement, rather than the full repair cost.
What CDW and LDW typically cover in Kelowna:
- Collision damage to the rental car
- Theft and vandalism
- Other covered incidents named in the rental agreement
What is not covered:
- Damage to third parties or their property (that requires LIS/ALI/SLI)
- Tires, wheels, undercarriage, and roof damage unless a specific add-on is purchased
- Incidents involving prohibited use such as off-road driving, driving under the influence, or an unlisted driver
- Incidents not reported promptly to the rental company
If an incident occurs during your Kelowna rental, prioritize safety first, then contact local authorities if needed, and notify the rental partner immediately using the number on your confirmation. Check your Kelowna booking confirmation to confirm whether CDW or LDW is included and what deductible applies.
Where do I find the rental car counter at Kelowna Airport?
Rental car counters at Kelowna Airport (YLW) are located inside the terminal building. After collecting your baggage, follow the car rental signs within the terminal to reach the counters for partner brands such as Avis, Hertz, Alamo, Enterprise, Budget, National, and others.
To locate your specific counter in Kelowna:
- Check your booking confirmation for the operating brand name, as some brands share a counter or are served by a partner desk
- Match the brand name on your confirmation to the signage at the Kelowna Airport terminal
- If you cannot find the counter, ask airport information staff or use the courtesy phones near the rental area
Kelowna Airport is a compact regional airport, so the rental area is generally easy to reach on foot from the arrivals hall without a shuttle. Confirm counter hours on your booking confirmation before you travel, as hours may vary by partner and on public holidays. If you are arriving after hours, review your confirmation for any after-hours pick-up instructions specific to your Kelowna booking.
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