Uber has launched its new Uber Rent service in Canada that allows riders (well, now drivers) to rent vehicles through the rideshare program. But it’s not exactly through Uber: you’re just able to now use the Uber app to rent a car through partner rental companies, including Avis, Hertz, and Budget.
With rentals available for single days up to multiple days, you might need one for a road trip or simply to run errands for the day while your car is in the shop or you are between vehicles. Maybe you live in the city and prefer not to own a car, but whenever you’re traveling to see family outside of the city, you want to have the freedom to drive.
With the app, you can select a rental car, enter the address where you want to pick it up and drop it off and the approximate start and end time for the reservation. You can choose from a selection of vehicle types and compare pricing to find the right one for you.
The advantage in using the Uber app is that you can pay in advance using your Uber account, though you can also choose to pay at the rental location. And the process is seamless for those who already use Uber. You may also need to hail an Uber to drive you to the rental spot to pick up the car, then back home once you drop it off.
Just as when you are renting direct from these outlets, you must show a valid driver’s license and credit card once you arrive to pick up the vehicle. Once done, return it as usual, ensuring that you top off the gas if needed and pay any required tolls. You can also choose, upon arrival, if you want to opt for additional insurance.
To kick off the feature, Uber is offering $10 off a ride that you can use to pick up the vehicle at a rental location for your first rental. The offer is only available, however, to those who rent a vehicle in Canada and arrive for pick-up at the date and time noted in the rental confirmation e-mail. But you can use it up to five times per user.