Car Rental: Early Return???

[myhouseofmouse]

any help would be great here....Here is my question? does anyone know if there is a charge for returning your rental car early? I was looking at prices for an upcoming trip thru "Dollar". I am the planning a trip for two families. Now My family is going for a full 7 days, while the other family is only going for 5. Now when I booked my car rental i got a weekly price of $120.00 (plus all the fees and taxes, so it should come out to $1200.00 when that's all added in) Now when i put in the dates for the other family (they arrive the same day, but leave 2 days earlier) the price came out to $320.00 (plus taxes and fees)
So again my question, can I just book it for the 7 days and just have them return the car 2 days earlier??? and not get any hidden fee for returning it early????

Thanks for any help....

 

[jlewisinsyr]

My guess is you are qualifying for a specific rate, ie Saturday night or Friday night keep. Failing to meet the rate requirements can (and often does) result in the original rate being quoted being bulled out and the next best rate applicable being applied.

Although typically a 5 day rental is the same price as a 7 day as both are considered a week, in cases where there could be other factors play, such as the specific day keep, that doesn't always hold true.

 

[linzbear]

You will get hit with a fee for returning early, otherwise everyone would do it as it is always cheaper.

 

[myhouseofmouse]

My guess is you are qualifying for a specific rate, ie Saturday night or Friday night keep. Failing to meet the rate requirements can (and often does) result in the original rate being quoted being bulled out and the next best rate applicable being applied.

Although typically a 5 day rental is the same price as a 7 day as both are considered a week, in cases where there could be other factors play, such as the specific day keep, that doesn't always hold true.

We both get there on Saturday....and we leave Friday afternoon and they would leave Wednesday afternoon..so not sure if its that, but maybe.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

We both get there on Saturday....and we leave Friday afternoon and they would leave Wednesday afternoon..so not sure if its that, but maybe.

The examples I provided were just that, examples, there could be all sorts of rate restrictions, from time, dates, certain day keeps, etc. It is also possible they do not need additional inventory starting on Wednesday, so a vehicle sitting in the garage is actually costing them more money then if it was being rented out (even if the period rental cost was less).

 

[NYDisneyKid]

any help would be great here....here is my question? Does anyone know if there is a charge for returning your rental car early? I was looking at prices for an upcoming trip thru "dollar". I am the planning a trip for two families. Now my family is going for a full 7 days, while the other family is only going for 5. Now when i booked my car rental i got a weekly price of $120.00 (plus all the fees and taxes, so it should come out to $1200.00 when that's all added in) now when i put in the dates for the other family (they arrive the same day, but leave 2 days earlier) the price came out to $320.00 (plus taxes and fees)
so again my question, can i just book it for the 7 days and just have them return the car 2 days earlier??? And not get any hidden fee for returning it early????

Thanks for any help....

$1200 ????

 

[myhouseofmouse]

i was just exaggerating how much in fees they charge

 

[NYDisneyKid]

i was just exaggerating how much in fees they charge

i was gonna say,,,i hope it was a Rolls Royce. lol

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

They can, and will, flip you to the daily walk up rate when you do this. Sometimes you just get away with a fee, but sometimes.....

Daily walk up rates can be very high at certain times of the years.

I would suggest you not do this. There will be SOMEONE who posts "I got away with it" but the truth is that just because one agent failed to enforce the rules does not mean you will be successful.

As a business traveler I often have to change my plans and if I do then my "weekly" deal goes away. Luckily my contract only lets National revert to our contract rate of around $35 a day for a midsize!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You absolutely can be charged extra fees, because as noted, renting for 7 days is usually cheaper than renting daily. Reserve the car for the actual amount of time needed.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

and im sure if you return it like 1/2 hr to an hr late they whack the crap out of you feewise. (like an extra day charge)

 

[mainelyj]

Would your friends trust you to keep the car and return it when the time is up. If you have two drivers, you could do this???

 

[myhouseofmouse]

Would your friends trust you to keep the car and return it when the time is up. If you have two drivers, you could do this???

That could possibly work, not only is he my best friend, but my brother in law, so that might work....

...i just can not believe that they would just not be happy to have the car back two earlier, I would be paid for, for 7 days but only using it for 5, so they could turn around and make more money on it....

 

[NYDisneyKid]

Would your friends trust you to keep the car and return it when the time is up. If you have two drivers, you could do this???

and hope you dont wreck it

 

[jlewisinsyr]

That could possibly work, not only is he my best friend, but my brother in law, so that might work....

...i just can not believe that they would just not be happy to have the car back two earlier, I would be paid for, for 7 days but only using it for 5, so they could turn around and make more money on it....

You are making an assumption that a car on the lot will make money, which is not always the case. Because you agreed to rent from say Friday to Friday, and if you bring it back on Wednesday, they have no customer really standing by on Wednesday or Thursday, because the contract stated the car wouldn't be returned until Friday.

 

[5boyz]

I have a car rented thru Hotwire also with Dollar, I have it til 5pm but will be returning it at 11amish...is that ok?

 

[azdizzymom]

I have a car rented thru Hotwire also with Dollar, I have it til 5pm but will be returning it at 11amish...is that ok?

Instead of relying on 2nd hand information here......pick up the phone and call the rental car company you have your car rental through and ask. Some companies might charge more...especially IF it is a rental that might have a weekly rate and the returning it half a day earlier might change that rate.

People, it isn't that hard. If you rent a car your rate is based on the information YOU give. It is a contract between you and the rental company. If you change that time period, they can change the rate. You have changed the terms of the contract (rental agreement) and the company CAN AND WILL CHANGE THE RATE. It is the same as using an 'iffy' rental code for a discount....they can ask for ID and if you can't provide the proper ID when ask they don't have to honor that rate.

As others have stated some people get away with returning a car early. If you are willing to play with it go for it....but don't come crying WHEN you get charged more.

Also, suggesting that this OP of the thread have other party return the car 2 days later is idiotic. That is a non-authorized driver and the person probably would NOT be covered under any insurance if in a wreck...and around Disney and MCO I would be terrified!

When asking questions like these sometimes it is better to pick up the phone and call and ask or email. You will get all different answers...some correct, some incorrect. Some based on luck and some unlucky. I apologize if this comes off as blunt or rude but sometimes it is better to call than rely on message boards. Even will meaning people can be wrong!

 

[azdizzymom]

Would your friends trust you to keep the car and return it when the time is up. If you have two drivers, you could do this???

Sorry stupid stupid stupid advice. They are not authorized driver's of that car. IF there is an accident all kinds of issues will arise FOR THE FRIEND'S.

I don't care if it was a family member...I wouldn't do it.

 

[5boyz]

Instead of relying on 2nd hand information here......pick up the phone and call the rental car company you have your car rental through and ask. Some companies might charge more...especially IF it is a rental that might have a weekly rate and the returning it half a day earlier might change that rate.

People, it isn't that hard. If you rent a car your rate is based on the information YOU give. It is a contract between you and the rental company. If you change that time period, they can change the rate. You have changed the terms of the contract (rental agreement) and the company CAN AND WILL CHANGE THE RATE. It is the same as using an 'iffy' rental code for a discount....they can ask for ID and if you can't provide the proper ID when ask they don't have to honor that rate.

As others have stated some people get away with returning a car early. If you are willing to play with it go for it....but don't come crying WHEN you get charged more.

Also, suggesting that this OP of the thread have other party return the car 2 days later is idiotic. That is a non-authorized driver and the person probably would NOT be covered under any insurance if in a wreck...and around Disney and MCO I would be terrified!

When asking questions like these sometimes it is better to pick up the phone and call and ask or email. You will get all different answers...some correct, some incorrect. Some based on luck and some unlucky. I apologize if this comes off as blunt or rude but sometimes it is better to call than rely on message boards. Even will meaning people can be wrong!

WOW!!! Who peed in your cornflakes

FYI I called and they said a few hrs doesnt matter

 

[azdizzymom]

WOW!!! Who peed in your cornflakes

FYI I called and they said a few hrs doesnt matter

Excuse me...I apologized for the tone and see no reason for your snarky comment. It is just risky to rely on information here. You see some people saying shouldn't be a problem for the OP to return 2 days early. You see others suggesting it is o.k. to have no-authorized driver drive a car. I stated facts about rental cars. I stated they are contracts. I stated the best way to get reliable answer is to call rental car company. I apologized for the blunt tone...but sometimes people post for information they are better getting the answers to on the phone or via email WITH THE CAR RENTAL COMPANY. As we all know it depends on the person at the counter whether you will be charged more, asked for ID, bullied into paying for insurance, etc. I stated there are well meaning people here but sometimes advice isn't always correct. What is wrong with that?

That is great that you were told a few hours doesn't matter....hope you documented name of person who told you that. This is based on experience. Document names/times, etc. Have a fun trip....