Can I book a rental car for a week and turn it early?

[momoflizandains]

I am looking for a rental Feb 11-15. If I reserve a car for those dates, it is about $40 more than if I reserved for an entire week. Can I go ahead and book for the week and return early? It seems simple enough to me. Is there any reason not to?

 

[azdizzymom]

I am looking for a rental Feb 11-15. If I reserve a car for those dates, it is about $40 more than if I reserved for an entire week. Can I go ahead and book for the week and return early? It seems simple enough to me. Is there any reason not to?

No you may not. You have a contract for one week car rental and if you change the terms of that contract (by returning the car technically almost 3 days early depending on pick-up and drop-off times) the rental car company does not have to honor the rate and in could be substantially more than just $40.

Some people have said they have returned maybe a day early and not been charged BUT some have been. I would not try it and if you do and they charge you more there is no way a dispute with a credit card would go anywhere as YOU changed the contract terms.

 

[dudspizza]

No you may not. You have a contract for one week car rental and if you change the terms of that contract (by returning the car technically almost 3 days early depending on pick-up and drop-off times) the rental car company does not have to honor the rate and in could be substantially more than just $40.

Some people have said they have returned maybe a day early and not been charged BUT some have been. I would not try it and if you do and they charge you more there is no way a dispute with a credit card would go anywhere as YOU changed the contract terms.

Agreed. It may seem simple enough, since you paid for a weeks rental, but the company now has an extra car on the lot. Shorter rentals normally cost more for a reason and you are circumventing the contract by attempting to return it early... most likely, you will be charged a much higher rate..... not a good thing to do...

Duds

 

[jlewisinsyr]

A contract works both ways. You agreed to keep the vehicle for the period of time when you reserved and rented the car, if you adjust the rental period after the rental, you changed the contract and the agency no longer is required to honor the contract rate previously agreed to.

Some companies are more clear on this then others at the time of reserving a car, but if I recall, either Dollar or Thrifty now has a disclosure clearly marking this. But one should understand that a car rental is a contract and you're held to the agreed contract terms regardless of the rental agency.

 

[phred52]

I rented two different cars within the last 2 weeks. Both times it stated right in the contract that IF I returned the car before xxx date and xxxx time the rate quoted would no longer be valid and additional charges would apply. Caught my attention because I didn't remember that particular language before .... AND they had me initial that I'd read and agreed to those terms.
Interesting.

 

[OKW Lover]

Don't forget to read the responses you got to this same question.

 

[momoflizandains]

Thanks. For some reason, I could not search. I appreciate all of the answers but can say I will think twice before asking a question again. FWIW, I did priceline for my exact dates and got a great rate.

 

[azdizzymom]

Thanks. For some reason, I could not search. I appreciate all of the answers but can say I will think twice before asking a question again. FWIW, I did priceline for my exact dates and got a great rate.

What type of answers did you expect when you asked a question that you can search online with the rental car company or google? I did that before posting and found numerous answers after typing "returning rental car early". Also this has been discussed here too so I imagine it would be found here easily also. It should be common sense that you have a contract and if you try and change the terms of the contract the company doesn't have to abide by the quote. It should also be common sense that it would not be allowed or everyone would rent for a week as the rates are much lower normally.

No one was rude to you. Everyone just answered in BOTH posts by you in regards to the same question.

Care to share what you bid on Priceline...someone might benefit from knowing.

Have a good trip....

 

[momoflizandains]

Whoa! Again, thanks. I never said anyone was rude; I just thought at least one of the answers was rather abrupt. I was simply seeking advice. I wonder, azdizzymom, if you would respond that way if I was sitting in front of you? Just curious.

Moderator, you are welcome to close this thread. Thank you.

 

[azdizzymom]

Whoa! Again, thanks. I never said anyone was rude; I just thought at least one of the answers was rather abrupt. I was simply seeking advice. I wonder, azdizzymom, if you would respond that way if I was sitting in front of you? Just curious.

Moderator, you are welcome to close this thread. Thank you.

1. You said you'd think twice before asking a question again.
2. You posted the same question 2 hours apart...maybe hoping for different responses. Not an "accidental" duplicate post. Why the need for 2 posts of exact same question
3. Yes I would have spoken the same way because it amazes me how people can't simply do a google search or pick up the phone and call and ask questions. By calling you get the correct answer. You stated you searched and I said how I put in the simple question you asked and found the answer.
4. I never did say you said anyone was rude to you. I just pointed the fact that no one was rude they answered the question honestly in BOTH posts.

Anyway like I said glad you found a good price. Have fun with your family on your trip.

 

[Alexander]

Question was asked and answered. No snarky, rude or short comments. Remember everyone...."There's no pixie dust on the Transportation boards" Only straight up answers that may not be what you wanted to hear.

 

[goofy4tink]

Whoa! Again, thanks. I never said anyone was rude; I just thought at least one of the answers was rather abrupt. I was simply seeking advice. I wonder, azdizzymom, if you would respond that way if I was sitting in front of you? Just curious.

Moderator, you are welcome to close this thread. Thank you.

No one was rude, or abrupt. Question was asked, answers were given. Sometimes 'attitude' is assumed when it wasn't intended. Here on the Transportation Board, answers sometimes can seem abrupt, but they shouldn't be taken as rude. Posters are just trying to give out the best info they can..and sometimes the answer is very simple.

 

[Lewisc]

I have an issue with the OP (possibly inadvertently) starting a second thread. Otherwise I don't have an issue. This is a question which is asked a couple of times a month. It's not the kind of question that lends itself to a search. Its not an unreasonable question, particularly when asked by a leisure traveler who doesn't understand that rental rates and policies are designed to "overcharge" business travelers and "undercharge" price sensitive leisure travelers.

I can buy a case of whatever at COSTCO. I can throw out half of whatever and still save money vs purchasing whatever at a different store. The same principle doesn't apply when renting a car.

This is almost the same question as wanting to using multiple days of a non-hopping ticket at different parks the same day. Once you know the answer it makes sense but otherwise a person thinks they found a "loophole".

 

[mmmgood]

Just to help some one out in future with this issue - sometimes you can get the weekly rate with a rental that is four days and one hour. I have seen it mostly with Alamo and National but it can vary by location and agency. e.g MCO Feb 11th to Feb 15th - Alamo - compact - 12pm to 12pm - $257.69 - $50.28 per day. Same rental 12pm to 1pm - $154.54 - $108.36 per week.

 

[annacali]

Is there a problem returning a car earlier than booked on the same day? I got a good rate on a minivan in July and was anticipating booking a 5pm flight home. Now that flight has gone up a lot so looking at a noon flight. Is this going to be a problem with the car? The rental is currently a 9 day 4 hour rental, and with the new time I would return it before the 9 day mark.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Is there a problem returning a car earlier than booked on the same day? I got a good rate on a minivan in July and was anticipating booking a 5pm flight home. Now that flight has gone up a lot so looking at a noon flight. Is this going to be a problem with the car? The rental is currently a 9 day 4 hour rental, and with the new time I would return it before the 9 day mark.

Anything beyond 3 hours is considered another rental day, so you really have a 10 day rental rate. What the rental consists of, probably two week rentals (5 Day + 5 Day), or maybe a week rental and daily rate rentals, is what matters. If it is two week rentals and you move to 9 days instead of the original 10, it could be re-rated at the best combination, which could be more expensive.

The easiest way to find out is do a trial booking using your original booking dates/times and check out the price. Then try another booking, adjusting the dates/times and check out the price. Note the difference.

 

[annacali]

Thanks! It actually ended up less expensive to rebook at the new time amazingly enough, so I just rebooked and cancelled the original one now that I have our flights actually booked. Now I just have to hope Air Tran doesn't change the flight time too much...