Can I pick the rental up early?

[mekia2001]

We are leaving on Friday @ 10pm. This wasn't our original plan but we have the ability to leave a little sooner and we want to take advantage of that. The problem is based on our original plan I am scheduled to pick up the rental at 6pm. I want to go pick it up at maybe 3pm instead. Will these cause my rate to change or add additional fees? If I pick it up early I will return it early too so the reservation will still be the same but the times would change. Has anyone ever done this?

I want to get the van packed and ready to go and then nap before we hit the road. Plus the kids are really excited to ride in a mini van...I don't know why but they are fascinated with them. But I am not ready to part with my SUV for a mini van.

 

[seashoreCM]

Sometimes you can pick up the car early with nothing unusual.
Sometimes you can't.
Sometimes they will take the opportunity to charge you more to pick it up early.

I have run into the first and third situations on different vacations, with the same rental company.

 

[n2mm]

Some companies give you 29 minute grace time. After that, they will often recalculate the reservation to the current price. I would call and try to sort it out on the phone, or be prepared to have to negotiate at the counter. Good luck -- I had a great price for a minivan, but yesterday I cancelled it because I could not modify it without it doubling in price. I was arriving 12 hours earlier, but still within the one week price I had and it went from $300 to $700, so I gave up. I have until mid-August and booked the Budget minivan deal as a backup.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Some companies give you anywhere from 30-60 minute grace time. After that, they will often recalculate the reservation to the current price.

I'm not aware of any agency that still offers 60 minute grace periods, all the ones I am aware of are 29/30 minute grace periods.

For the OP, you should try to change your reservation, I would definately not try to go into the situation blindly.

 

[n2mm]

I'm not aware of any agency that still offers 60 minute grace periods, all the ones I am aware of are 29/30 minute grace periods.

For the OP, you should try to change your reservation, I would definately not try to go into the situation blindly.

I stand corrected, you're right it is 29 without a fee. Since these are fees for returning late, not sure how they are calculated on trying to pick up early. Here is the info from the National website:

The Grace Period for National is as follows:

You will not be charged for the first 29 minutes that you are late.

You will be charged for one hour if you are 30-89 minutes late.

You will be charged for two hours if you are 90-149 minutes late.

An additional day is charged if you are 2 1/2 hours or more late.

Additional fees are based on the daily rental rate.

Not sure about the rental company the OP is using, but it's probably similar.

 

[mekia2001]

Thanks everyone. I guess I will just stick with my original pick up time. I will just have to find something to do all day until 6pm.