Can I Show Up Early to Pick up Rental Car

[keishashadow]

So, now my flight is arriving earlier @ MCO than I indicated on rental request...

almost an hour

if i change my time, the rate increases - substantially.

i've been late picking up a car before, no problem due to travel delays.

of course, i didn't add my flight info to the ressie as i wasn't sure if i was using SW or AT

Specifically, Dollar (using the express system). think they'll have a car for me on a Saturday @ 10:00 am instead of 11:00 a.m. or will i have to go sit in the corner & wait?

 

[safetymom]

You may have to wait. Does it affect your return time by picking it up earlier?

 

[keishashadow]

no, i always build in a few hours "hedge" when I return a vehicle; don't want to get burnt on an overage...so the return time would move up an hour too (i.e. still less than 24 hours)

fyi, the rate is almost $60 more with new info

 

[AllyBri]

We've been in this situation. The problem is, most garage attendants don't have to authority to ok the extra time, so they have to get a manager.
I'm talking about National but I bet most rentals are the same.
Even though we are Excutive Level, the one hour was a big deal, which I can undersatnd if you can't ok something.
Next time I would just hang out at the airport.
I don't have to tell you to keep checking.

 

[seashoreCM]

Just show up early. Often they will give you the car right away with no extra words and no extra charge. But if they do say there is an extra charge, just decline and say you will wait until the appointed time. Oddly enough, fter that, about half the time they will then change their mind and give you the car early with no extra charge.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[keishashadow]

thanks for the input, hopefully the rates will drop by then (hi ali , when's your next trip?) & I can just cancel & rebook.

was hoping by using the express option for Dollar (which i assume works the same was as QS & EA) it might go better for me?

 

[PlutoPony]

It will be an issue if you have a "special" rate based on specific time periods. For example, I had a weekend rate and weekends were defined as starting on Thursday at 10 am. My flight got in early and I went to p/u the car at 9:30am. Yikes - that meant I no longer qualified for the weekend rate and the price skyrocketed . So the attendant voided my contract and I waited until 10am to get the car....

 

[Detailor]

I'd suggest that you either e-mail or call Dollar's customer service department to help you with the adjustment to your reservation. They should be able to change the pick-up and drop-off times on your reservation without affecting the rate. They can add your flight information for you at the same time. Just tell them what you were trying to do online and that you wanted to make sure that your rate stayed the same. I've done this several times with Dollar without any problem.
And do keep checking for rate changes, you may well end up getting a better price.

Dick Taylor

 

[keishashadow]

wasn't sure as to the level of customer service @ Dollar, since we haven't used them before. i'll wait until a week or so prior & give them a call, all the while checking for a better rate.

 

[Befferk]

Opposite question.... I reserved my car before I got my flight times set. I reserved the car for 11:00 am, but by the time my flight comes in, it may be Noon or so before I can get to the rental counter. Does that matter?

 

[Colinsmom]

This happened to us a couple of years ago with Dollar (actually, I forgot to change the pick-up hour when I made the ressie after going on a discount hunt). I just called them, and they adjusted our arrival time without disturbing the great rate that we had.

 

[Detailor]

This happened to us a couple of years ago with Dollar (actually, I forgot to change the pick-up hour when I made the ressie after going on a discount hunt). I just called them, and they adjusted our arrival time without disturbing the great rate that we had.

And you'll want to make sure that they have your flight information in case of additional delays. All of the major car rental agencies have access to flight status so they should know whether your airline is making you late or you're just not showing up.

Dick Taylor

 

[seashoreCM]

Opposite question.... I reserved my car before I got my flight times set. I reserved the car for 11:00 am, but by the time my flight comes in, it may be Noon or so before I can get to the rental counter. Does that matter?

Yes this one matters more often. Rental agencies often use a late pickup as an excuse to void your reservation particulary during a busy time.

But then you might be lucky and they hold the car for you.

If the rental agency provides a blank to fill in your flight number and the designated flight is delayed with you on it, the agency should honor your reservation.

 

[Befferk]

Yes this one matters more often. Rental agencies often use a late pickup as an excuse to void your reservation particulary during a busy time.

But then you might be lucky and they hold the car for you.

If the rental agency provides a blank to fill in your flight number and the designated flight is delayed with you on it, the agency should honor your reservation.

So if my flight is scheduled to arrive at 11:20am in Orlando, what time would be safe to have for a rental pickup time? (On my return day, our flight leaves MCO at 1:15 pm). Right now my pickup is scheduled for 11:00am, so what should I change it to?

Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

One time I made a reservation with National for noon. Turned out we decided to fly in the night before and stay at an airport area hotel (much cheaper airfare). The rate was much higher if we changed it because the rates had gone up. We picked up the car at 8:00am with no problem, we kept the low rate.

 

[Detailor]

So if my flight is scheduled to arrive at 11:20am in Orlando, what time would be safe to have for a rental pickup time? (On my return day, our flight leaves MCO at 1:15 pm). Right now my pickup is scheduled for 11:00am, so what should I change it to?

Thanks!

I usually book our pick up time for a half hour after our scheduled arrival time. If the flight comes in early its usually only no more than fifteen minutes and I've never had a problem with pick up - almost always using Dollar. Regardless of the time that you indicate on your reservation, the rental car company will adjust the beginning of your rental period to the time that you actually pick up the vehicle.

Dick Taylor