Thrifty Car Hire
in Kelowna

Hola Car Rentals is a premium partner of the leading car hire 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 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 Kelowna.

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 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)

The Thrifty counter in Kelowna is located at 5533 Airport Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1S1, approximately 0.455 miles from the Kelowna International Airport (YLW) terminals. Thrifty does not operate a shuttle between the terminal and this location, so you will need to arrange your own transport, such as a taxi or rideshare, or walk if conditions allow.

A second Thrifty-associated location operates at 5505 Airport Way at the Four Points by Sheraton Kelowna Airport, also near the airport grounds. There is also an off-airport city location at 1075 McCurdy Rd, Kelowna, BC, V1X 2P9, which may suit renters who do not need airport-specific services.

When you arrive at the Thrifty counter in Kelowna, bring your booking confirmation, a valid driver’s licence, and a major credit card in the main driver’s name for the authorisation hold.

To pick up your Thrifty hire car in Kelowna, you must bring the following physical documents:

• A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, for the 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 other non-English licences, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and cannot be used without your original licence.

All documents presented at the Thrifty counter in Kelowna must be physical originals. Digital copies are not accepted. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold.

When you pick up your Thrifty hire car in Kelowna, a temporary authorisation hold is placed on your credit card. This is not a charge, but it reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the hire ends.

For Canada, typical holds range from CA$ 300 to CA$ 500 for standard vehicles, though some Kelowna locations may require a minimum authorisation of approximately CA$ 750. Premium or speciality vehicle classes may carry higher holds.

To be prepared at the Thrifty counter in Kelowna:

• Bring a physical major credit card in the main driver’s name with the name printed on the card
• Confirm your available credit covers the hold plus any expected charges
• Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined
• Notify your bank of international or in-person transactions to avoid fraud blocks

After you return the vehicle, the hold is released, but your bank controls when it appears back on your statement, which can take up to 15 working days.

Most roads in and around Kelowna are toll-free. British Columbia does not operate a general toll road network, and there are no electronic toll systems such as E-ZPass or congestion charges in the Kelowna area.

The only tolled crossing in British Columbia is the Port Mann Bridge in the Greater Vancouver area, which uses cashless plate-based billing. If your Thrifty hire itinerary takes you from Kelowna towards Vancouver and you cross the Port Mann Bridge, the toll will be captured electronically and billed to the hire company, which will then charge it to you along with any applicable administrative fees.

There are no congestion charges, emissions zones, or city-centre driving fees in Kelowna or anywhere in British Columbia.

If you do incur toll charges during your Thrifty hire in Kelowna or on routes beyond the city, you can claim up to 5% of your total booking value back through the Tolls Cashback benefit included with your booking. Submit your claim to [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle, along with your hire agreement and toll receipt.

Picking up your Thrifty hire car at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) means your rate will include several local fees and taxes beyond the base hire price. These typically include:

• British Columbia Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of 8% on hires under 30 days
• Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 7%
• An Airport Improvement Fee (AIF) of approximately CA$ 15 to CA$ 20 for one-way trips
• A concession recovery fee charged by Thrifty for operating on airport grounds, typically 10% to 15% of the base rate

If you prefer to avoid airport concession fees, the Thrifty off-airport location at 1075 McCurdy Rd in Kelowna may offer lower base rates, as it does not carry the same airport surcharges. Off-airport locations in Kelowna can save 20% to 30% on base rates compared to airport collection.

Your booking confirmation will show which taxes and fees are included in your prepaid rate and which are due at the Thrifty counter in Kelowna at collection.

Yes, one-way hires from Thrifty in Kelowna to other cities in British Columbia or Canada may be available, but a drop-off fee will typically apply depending on the route, distance, and vehicle class.

Common patterns for one-way hires from Kelowna include:

• Short regional routes (for example, Kelowna to Penticton or Kelowna to Vernon) may carry a modest drop-off fee
• Longer routes to cities in different regions, such as Vancouver, usually incur a higher one-way fee
• Cross-border one-ways between Canada and the United States are often restricted or carry significant fees; confirm availability with Thrifty before booking

The drop-off fee for your Thrifty Kelowna hire will be shown during the booking process under the section labelled as charges due at the destination. This fee cannot be prepaid and is not covered by No Extra Charges© unless it was not disclosed at the time of booking.

To change your drop-off location after booking, contact support, as changes may reprice the hire and recalculate the one-way fee.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Thrifty hire in Kelowna, either as part of your rate or by paying a fee at the counter.

For Thrifty in Kelowna, the additional driver fee is CA$ 13.50 per hire day plus applicable taxes, with a maximum charge of CA$ 189 plus taxes, unless your booking confirmation explicitly states that an additional driver is included at no charge.

To add an additional driver at the Thrifty counter in Kelowna:

• The additional driver must be present at collection with a valid driver’s licence
• If their licence is not in English or uses a non-Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit is also required
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement
• The additional driver must meet the minimum age requirements for Kelowna hires

Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW and liability cover. Anyone not named on the contract who drives the vehicle may void those protections.

Thrifty hires in Kelowna follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy by default. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

To avoid fuel charges on your Thrifty hire in Kelowna:

• Check the fuel gauge with the agent at collection and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge at collection
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles or 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
• Show the gauge at Full when returning the vehicle

If you return the Thrifty vehicle in Kelowna with less than a full tank, you may be charged for the fuel shortfall at the partner’s refuelling rate, which is typically higher than retail pump prices, plus a refuelling service fee.

For after-hours returns, leave the fuel receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge as evidence.

Kelowna has a few local driving features that can catch first-time visitors off guard, especially when navigating with a Thrifty vehicle.

The downtown core uses a one-way couplet system tied to Highway 97 (Harvey Avenue). Key points to know:

• Richter Street runs northbound and Water/Pandosy Street runs southbound through the downtown area, creating a directional loop rather than a standard two-way grid
• Left turns are restricted at several intersections, including no left turn from Abbott Street to the Lake Okanagan Bridge, and right-turn only at Water/Pandosy to Harvey Avenue
• Continuous medians between Water and Ellis streets limit cross-traffic access

Highway 97 through downtown Kelowna is posted at 50 km/h and has sequential choke points with dedicated turn lanes at Ellis and Richter, which can be confusing for drivers unfamiliar with the layout.

KLO Road between Leader and Hall is currently undergoing bridge replacement work, with single-lane alternating traffic and a new roundabout at Spiers Road, affecting east-west travel across the Okanagan.

Shoulders on many Kelowna roads are narrow or gravel and are shared with cyclists and pedestrians, so exercise caution when pulling over with your Thrifty vehicle.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not always mandatory for a Thrifty hire in Kelowna, but it depends on your licence.

The rules for Kelowna and the rest of Canada are as follows:

• If your licence is in English or uses a Latin alphabet, you can generally drive with your valid foreign licence without an IDP
• If your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an IDP is mandatory alongside your original licence at the Thrifty counter in Kelowna
• For all other non-English licences, an IDP is strongly recommended even if not strictly required

The IDP is a translation document only. It is not a standalone licence and will not be accepted at the Thrifty counter in Kelowna without your original licence. You must obtain the IDP in your home country before travelling, as it cannot be issued abroad.

All documents presented at collection must be physical originals. Digital versions are not accepted.

When collecting your Thrifty hire in Kelowna, you will have the option to add or confirm insurance coverages. The main types to understand are:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the Thrifty vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation states zero deductible. CDW/LDW does not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving. In Canada, provincial law requires every vehicle to carry third-party liability, so a statutory minimum is included by default when you hire in Kelowna. You can purchase higher supplementary limits at the counter.

CDW/LDW and third-party liability are separate protections and should be considered together. CDW/LDW covers the Thrifty vehicle itself; liability cover protects others.

Review your booking confirmation before arriving at the Thrifty counter in Kelowna to confirm which coverages are already included in your rate and which are optional extras.

Most bookings include Travel Assistance cover provided by Terrawind Global Protection, but this benefit does not apply to Canadian or US residents. If you are visiting Kelowna from outside North America and renting a Thrifty vehicle, you are likely eligible.

Cover typically includes:

• Travel and medical insurance for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in the event of an accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This is particularly relevant if you experience a medical emergency or accident while driving your Thrifty hire in Kelowna or on routes through the Okanagan region, where distances between towns can be significant.

To use the cover, contact the assistance line before incurring expenses where prior authorisation is required:

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

Have your booking confirmation number ready when you call. Check your confirmation for the exact terms and limits that apply to your Thrifty Kelowna reservation.

Yes, all bookings include a Tolls Cashback benefit that reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Thrifty hire in Kelowna or on any routes you drive during the hire period.

While Kelowna itself has no toll roads, if your Thrifty hire takes you towards Vancouver and you cross the Port Mann Bridge, the only tolled crossing in British Columbia, those charges are eligible for cashback.

To claim your Tolls Cashback after returning your Thrifty vehicle in Kelowna:

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

Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted.