USA / Canada Carnet Processing Time and Payment Options
 

I'm a US resident and want to get a Carnet for my bike.
It seems the only option is to go through the Canadian Auto Association (CAA)
I've called their number but the lady responsible is on vacation till 9 January.

What is the usual processing time to get the Carnet?

Also I can't find what the payment options are for deposit and application fee.
Credit card? Bank transfer? Check?

The lady's name is Suzanne Danis and is extremely helpful. When I did my carnet, she only worked a 3 day week, so there was always a delay in her getting back to me; however in saying that, she was very good at returning my emails when she was in the office.

I found emails worked better with her than calling. In terms of timing, I did mine 4 weeks prior to departure and had it in my hand before leaving.

Some good info here in the FAQ's
Carnet de Passages en Douane - FAQs - Canadian Automobile Association | Association canadienne des automobilistes

Just out of interest where are you headed? you might get advice that you don't need one.

Yep. Trans-Africa on the eastern route, or Iran, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Australia or Japan... if your plan is taking you through these countries/areas, then you are going to need it (Iran might be negotiable, though). But that´s about it; elsewhere you can probably do without it.

I was actually surprised to see, that the German ADAC lists on their website several countries in South America, for example, as ´requiring´ the carnet. While info and many reports here at the HUBB point almost directly the other way. May be it is in their interest to ´sell´ as many carnets as they can (...but do also note, that the carnet CAN be helpful, when crossing borders – it is important to distinguish that, and the countries, that definitely will NOT let your bike enter without it, and then make your decision about the carnet).

Planning to start in Papua New Guinea then ride and ferry west across the Indonesia islands. Go up through Malaysia and Thailand. Either drive across or ship around Burma then through a bit of India and finish in Kathmandu, Nepal. 3 Month timeline.