Car Rental-Extra Couples Hours=Extra Day?

[brandilee8299]

I booked minivan through Dollar for our trip in December. I got a great rate ($199/week plus tax) with code OOAG. When I booked I didn't have airfare booked yet and just did a pick up of 12:00 12/12 and a 12:00 drop off on 12/19. I have since booked my airfare and land at 10:15 (figured about 11:00 for car pick up) and my flight home is at 6:00 (figured about 3:00 for drop off). I tried to put these into my current reservation and it raised the price about $70 with taxes ($40/day charge it said). They are charging me a whole extra day to have it those extra couple hours. I quickly changed it back to the 12:00 pick and drop off. What options do I have? Can I pick the car up early and drop it off a bit late? Is there are penalty? How early/late can I pick up and drop off do you think? What would you do? I can't see paying all that extra $$. TIA!

 

[Lewisc]

Your final rental rate will be based on your actual pick up and return times. An hourly rate is always high, two hours is the typical crossover where the extra day rate kicks in.

You need an extra 4 hours. You can change one of your flights, spend an extra 4 hours at MCO or spend the extra money. I'd spend the money. Too much extra time at MCO. I suspect at least half your rental savings will wind up going to an overpriced restaurant at MCO. Are you staying at a WDW resort. You could try to use DME.

You need to tie your plane reservations to a rental period. I got burned a little when my trip was basically a long weekend and I didn't qualify for a weekly rate.

 

[grimley1968]

Those car rental companies will use any means possible to wring as much from money from you as possible. The old "24 hours plus 1 minute equals 2 full days" is just one of those tricks.

Short of changing your flight times, though, I'm afraid you're either going to have to wait around a long time at the airport on both days, or be prepared to pay the cost and rent the car for the extra day.

 

[Brian Noble]

Your final rental rate will be based on your actual pick up and return times.

Yep. I also often do the late-morning arrival and mid-afternoon departure. It's worth the money to me not to have to sit around the airport doing nothing. I reserve for the longest window I expect---if my inbound flight is late, or I end up getting to the airport earlier for some reason, I might end up paying less. I know I won't have to pay more.

 

[brandilee8299]

That's just wrong! So they do have an hourly rate or just up to 2 hours? What would happened if I just kept my reservation the same, picked it up early and dropped it off late. They would go back and recharge my credit card for a whole extra day? Hmm... I really have to think about this. changing my flight isn't an option as there is only 1 direct flight a day to and from Syracuse/Orlando a day. I was excited to enjoy an extended stay for a couple hours, but now am bummed!

 

[Lewisc]

That's just wrong! So they do have an hourly rate or just up to 2 hours? What would happened if I just kept my reservation the same, picked it up early and dropped it off late. They would go back and recharge my credit card for a whole extra day? Hmm... I really have to think about this. changing my flight isn't an option as there is only 1 direct flight a day to and from Syracuse/Orlando a day. I was excited to enjoy an extended stay for a couple hours, but now am bummed!

You need the car for an extra 4 hours. Expecting a 4 hour "grace period" isn't a reasonable request. Sorry the rental agency isn't wrong. Double check your reservation and make sure you're not paying for any optional insurance that you don't need.

Your option is to pick up the car late, have lunch in the food court and return the car very early, have dinner in the airport.

You need the van for an extra day. The alternative is stay one fewer night.

The math sounds right. The weekly rate is usually cheaper then applying the daily rate for a rental period that exceeds 5 days. A $200 weekly rate suggests a $40 daily rate (200/5). A $40 daily rate suggests a $20 hourly rate. Would you rather pay $40 for an extra day or $80 for 4 extra hours ($20 X4)?

 

[kaytieeldr]

That's just wrong! So they do have an hourly rate or just up to 2 hours? What would happened if I just kept my reservation the same, picked it up early and dropped it off late. They would go back and recharge my credit card for a whole extra day?

The hourly rate is generally more than half the daily rate - so once you get to two hours, you WANT them to charge the daily rate for the extra day.
And - granted, under extreme conditions - if you 'just' pick up the car early and return it late, the rental agency could theoretically consider it stolen.

 

[dmank]

How does this work with priceline? I am definitely finding the best rates on Priceline, but have to prepay the whole thing.

My flight arrives Sat at 11:25; and then I fly out Wed at 3:30.

I could see us not leaving the airport until 1:00 on Sat as we deal with car seats and 3 kids and who knows what else. (and with my luck with flights it could be even later). And then would need to get the car back by 1:30 on Wed.

When are the timestamps set?

 

[Lewisc]

PL rentals aren't subject to the agencies normal policies. At least with some agencies PL customers don't get any grace period and the hourly rate if you go over may be based on rack rate and not based on the rate you pay.

dmank--Renting for 2 days with PL is likely to cost less then paying the fee for an extra hour. You have to assume you'll be charged an extra hour if you return the car one minute late (you won't know the agency and the agencies policy toward PL renters before you "bid".) That means if you pick up your car at 12:45p (it shouldn't take longer then that to get your luggage) you better be in line to return your car by 12:35-12:40 on the day you leave.

Suggestions:
1) Try to negotiate with the rental agency before you leave the airport. Clarify any grace periods and try to get a rate you can live with if you return the car late.
2) Rent for 2 days.
3) Plan on finishing your trip with lunch in the airport.

edited to add: From PLs site:

- Be sure to return your rental car at the agreed-upon time! If you return your car later than the drop-off date and time you choose you may be charged for additional rental hours or days at the discretion and prevailing rate of your rental car company.

No mention of a grace period. Pretty clear your extra hours/extra day will be at the prevailing rate and not based on your PL rate.