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Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking with Thrifty in Montreal include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is a premium partner of the leading car rental companies in Montreal, including Thrifty, 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 Thrifty rental experience with complete protection and peace of mind during your trip in Montreal.
Will I face unexpected charges at the Thrifty counter in Montreal when I book through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your Thrifty booking in Montreal 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 Thrifty 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 Thrifty counter in Montreal 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 Thrifty 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)
How does the Thrifty pickup process work at Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (YUL)?
When picking up your Thrifty rental at Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), you have two options depending on how the counter is configured at the time of your visit.
- Go directly to the Thrifty counter inside the YUL terminal, or
- Take the shuttle bus to the off-site Thrifty desk at 975 Boulevard Romeo-Vachon Nord, Dorval, where vehicles are located in the terminal parking area within walking distance of the lot.
At the counter, present your valid driver's license, a major credit card in your name with your name printed on the card, and your booking confirmation voucher. Thrifty also accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover debit cards for payment at the end of the rental, though a major credit card is still required for the security hold at pickup.
If you are renting from a downtown Montreal Thrifty location instead, such as 1080 Rue Stanley or 249 Rue Saint-Antoine O, no shuttle is needed. Simply go directly to the counter at the street address shown on your confirmation.
What documents do I need to pick up my Thrifty rental car in Montreal?
To collect your Thrifty rental in Montreal, you must bring the following physical documents to the counter:
- A valid, unexpired driver's license (original, not a digital copy)
- A major credit card in the main driver's name, with the driver's name printed on the card, for the security hold
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
- A passport or valid government photo ID
- Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad
If your driver's license 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 at the Thrifty counter in Montreal. For licenses in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original license.
At the Thrifty downtown Montreal location at 249 Rue Saint-Antoine O, the counter specifically requires your original driving license plus an IDP for foreign renters. Thrifty also requires that your license has been held for at least one year with no major endorsements. All documents must be physical; digital versions are not accepted.
Is a credit card required to rent from Thrifty in Montreal, or can I use a debit card?
Yes, a major credit card is required to rent from Thrifty in Montreal. The card must be in the main driver's name, with the driver's name printed on the physical card, and must have sufficient available credit to cover the security hold placed at pickup.
Debit cards linked to Visa, Mastercard, or Discover are accepted by Thrifty in Montreal for payment at the end of the rental, but they cannot be used for the security deposit hold. Prepaid cards and virtual cards are not accepted for the deposit under any circumstances.
In Canada, the typical security hold at Thrifty and similar partner desks ranges from approximately CAD 300 to CAD 500, though some Montreal locations may hold up to CAD 750. The hold is a temporary authorization, not a charge, and your bank controls how quickly it is released after you return the vehicle, which can take up to 15 business days.
To avoid issues at the Thrifty counter in Montreal, notify your bank of your travel plans in advance and bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined.
How do tolls work when driving a Thrifty rental car in Montreal and Quebec?
Quebec operates a cashless toll system, meaning you cannot pay with cash at toll booths. All tolls must be paid electronically or online. When you pick up your Thrifty rental in Montreal, you will typically have a toll device already installed in the vehicle.
At the Thrifty counter in Montreal, you can choose between two options:
- Purchase an unlimited toll package, which typically costs between US$11 and US$25 per rental day depending on the program, covering all tolls during your rental period.
- Opt out and pay per use, in which case Thrifty will charge the actual toll amounts plus administrative or processing fees to your credit card, sometimes weeks after the rental ends.
If you plan to use your own transponder, inform the Thrifty agent at the Montreal counter at pickup and ask them to deactivate the vehicle's default toll device to avoid duplicate charges.
Note that toll charges billed through the rental company may take four to eight weeks after your rental to appear on your statement. Always review the toll terms in your rental agreement before signing at the Thrifty counter in Montreal.
Is there a young driver surcharge at Thrifty in Montreal for drivers under 25?
Yes, Thrifty in Montreal applies a young driver surcharge for renters between the ages of 20 and 24. At the downtown Montreal Thrifty location at 249 Rue Saint-Antoine O, this fee is approximately CAD 15 per day.
For the Thrifty airport location near YUL, young driver fees follow the general Thrifty policy. Across Thrifty locations, the additional driver fee structure for the Hertz Group (which includes Thrifty) is approximately US$13.50 per rental day plus taxes, with a maximum charge of US$189 plus taxes, though local Montreal rates in Canadian dollars may differ.
Drivers under 20 are generally not permitted to rent from Thrifty in Montreal. If you are between 20 and 24, Budget for the daily surcharge when calculating the total cost of your Montreal rental. The surcharge is paid directly at the Thrifty counter and is not included in your prepaid booking rate.
All drivers, regardless of age, must present a valid license held for at least one year with no major endorsements at the Thrifty counter in Montreal.
Can I get Tolls Cashback on my Thrifty rental in Montreal?
Yes, all bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, which lets you recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Thrifty rental in Montreal.
Since Quebec uses a cashless toll system, you will likely encounter electronic tolls during your Montreal rental. After you return the vehicle, you can submit a claim to recover those costs up to the 5% cap.
To claim your Tolls Cashback after your Thrifty rental in Montreal:
- Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
- Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA followed by your confirmation number
- Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the rental agreement signed at the Thrifty counter, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid
Refunds are issued to the same payment method used for your original booking and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted, so keep your toll receipts and rental agreement from your Montreal trip.
Can I pick up my Thrifty car in Montreal and return it to a different city?
Yes, one-way rentals are available through Thrifty in Montreal. The airport location at 975 Boulevard Romeo-Vachon Nord near YUL offers multiple drop-off locations, so you can return your vehicle to a different city or airport.
A drop-off fee may apply depending on your route. This fee is set by Thrifty and varies based on the cities involved, the distance, the vehicle class, and the season. You will see any applicable drop-off fee listed under the "To pay at destination" section during the booking process on the Hola Car Rentals website, and it will also appear on your booking confirmation.
A few things to keep in mind for one-way rentals from Montreal:
- Cross-border one-ways (for example, Montreal to a US city) may be restricted or carry higher fees depending on Thrifty's partner rules
- Changing your drop-off location after booking may reprice the rental and recalculate the drop-off fee
- The drop-off fee is paid at the Thrifty counter and cannot be prepaid
If the drop-off fee shown at the Montreal Thrifty counter differs from what appeared on your confirmation, keep all paperwork and contact support after the rental.
What driving rules in Montreal should I know before picking up my Thrifty rental?
Montreal has several local driving rules that can catch visitors off guard when driving a Thrifty rental in the city.
- No right turn on red: Unlike most of Quebec and the rest of Canada, turning right on a red light is prohibited throughout the island of Montreal. This applies at all intersections unless a specific sign permits it.
- Extensive one-way street network: Approximately 25% of streets on the island are one-way, with a heavy concentration downtown. Recent changes have made additional streets one-way only, so GPS navigation is strongly recommended in your Thrifty rental.
- Turcot Interchange complexity: The Turcot Interchange, linking Autoroutes 15, 20, and 136 southwest of downtown, is one of the busiest and most complex interchanges in Quebec. It carries over 300,000 vehicles daily and requires precise lane selection well in advance, particularly if you are heading to the Champlain Bridge or back to YUL airport to return your Thrifty vehicle.
- Separated bike lanes (REV): New separated one-way bike lanes on some streets reduce available car space unexpectedly.
- Seasonal road closures: Some commercial streets are closed to through traffic in summer for pedestrian use.
Familiarize yourself with these rules before driving your Thrifty rental in Montreal to avoid fines and navigate safely.
Does Travel Assistance come with my Thrifty booking in Montreal?
Yes, most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Travel Assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, and this applies to Thrifty rentals in Montreal as well. However, this benefit does not apply to Canadian or US residents; it is available only to travelers from outside North America.
If you qualify, the coverage typically includes:
- Travel insurance with medical coverage for up to 5 passengers
- Legal assistance in the event of an accident, which is particularly relevant given Montreal's complex road network and busy interchanges like the Turcot
- Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
- Flight cancellation insurance
If you experience a medical emergency or accident during your Thrifty rental in Montreal, contact the assistance line before incurring expenses where possible:
- Phone (24/7, toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
- WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
- Email: [email protected]
Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. Check your booking confirmation for the exact coverage terms and limits that apply to your specific Montreal reservation.
How does the fuel policy work for Thrifty rentals in Montreal?
Thrifty rentals in Montreal follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy by default. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.
At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the Thrifty agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on your rental agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge before leaving the Montreal counter.
When returning your Thrifty vehicle in Montreal:
- Refuel within approximately 15 km of the return location so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive
- Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
- Show the full gauge to the agent at the Thrifty return facility at 975 Boulevard Romeo-Vachon Nord (airport) or your downtown Montreal location
If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, Thrifty may charge you for the fuel shortfall at the partner's refueling rate, which is typically higher than retail pump prices, plus a refueling service fee.
Note that the Thrifty airport return facility in Montreal does not have a fuel station on site, so plan to refuel at a nearby station before driving to the return lot.
What insurance coverage is included in a Thrifty rental in Montreal?
The insurance included in your Thrifty rental in Montreal depends on the rate plan you selected when booking through Hola Car Rentals. Here is a general overview of the main coverages relevant to a Montreal rental:
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): Reduces your financial liability for damage to the Thrifty rental vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. This does not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.
- Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): In Canada, provincial law requires every vehicle to carry third-party liability insurance. This statutory liability follows the car and is included by default when you rent in Canada through Hola Car Rentals. You can purchase higher supplemental limits if desired.
Additional coverage options such as excess insurance can be purchased at the Thrifty counter in Montreal if needed. Review your booking confirmation carefully to understand exactly what is included in your rate before arriving at the Montreal counter.
CDW/LDW does not cover personal injuries, personal belongings, or prohibited use such as off-road driving. Only drivers listed on the Thrifty rental agreement in Montreal are covered.
How do I add an additional driver to my Thrifty rental in Montreal?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Thrifty rental in Montreal, but the additional driver must be present at the counter at the time of pickup with their own valid driver's license.
Whether the additional driver fee is included or charged at the counter depends on the rate you selected. Check your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation for the line "Additional driver free of charge." If it is not listed as included, Thrifty (part of the Hertz Group) charges approximately US$13.50 per rental day plus taxes, with a maximum of US$189 plus taxes, for additional drivers in Montreal.
Steps to add an additional driver at the Thrifty counter in Montreal:
- The additional driver must be physically present at pickup
- They must present a valid driver's license (and an IDP if their license is not in English or uses a non-Latin alphabet)
- Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement
- Confirm the additional driver's name appears on your paperwork before leaving the Montreal counter
Only drivers listed on the Thrifty rental agreement in Montreal are covered by CDW/LDW and liability protections. Anyone who drives the vehicle without being listed on the contract may void those coverages.
What are the Thrifty counter hours at the Montreal airport and downtown locations?
Thrifty operates at multiple locations in Montreal, each with different hours.
- Airport location (975 Boulevard Romeo-Vachon Nord, near YUL): Open Monday through Sunday, generally from 07:00 to 23:59 with an additional window from 00:00 to 01:00. Hours may vary on certain days, so confirm the exact schedule on your booking confirmation before traveling.
- Downtown Montreal location (249 Rue Saint-Antoine O): Open Monday through Friday from 08:00 to 16:00, Saturday from 08:00 to 15:00, and closed on Sundays.
- Downtown Montreal location (1080 Rue Stanley): Hours are more limited than the airport; confirm directly via your booking confirmation.
No explicit after-hours pickup or key-drop service has been confirmed for any Thrifty location in Montreal. If your flight arrives late or you anticipate arriving outside counter hours, the Thrifty airport location near YUL offers the latest operating window.
Rental companies will generally hold your booking for up to 24 hours from the original pickup time if you are delayed. If your delay exceeds 24 hours, contact Hola Car Rentals support as soon as possible via WhatsApp at +1 (786) 999-8312 or by email at [email protected].
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