Car Rental Question, penality for late pickup?

[DisneyWorld Delight]

I am reserving a car for our trip. (Budget) I am arriving at the airport at 2:45, so idealy I'd chose 3pm as my pickup time. I need the car over the next nine days to return at 1pm.

Basically the rental will be for 7 days and 22 hours. The quoted price is $450.53.

By accident, I got a quote for a 1pm pickup to a 1 pm return, or 8 days total, price was $346.07.

$104 difference.

So, can I rent the car from 1 pm on pickup day, knowing I won't even be arriving at the counter till a little after 3pm, and still get the car for the $346.07 price?

 

[disneyldwjr]

I am reserving a car for our trip. (Budget) I am arriving at the airport at 2:45, so idealy I'd chose 3pm as my pickup time. I need the car over the next nine days to return at 1pm.

Basically the rental will be for 7 days and 22 hours. The quoted price is $450.53.

By accident, I got a quote for a 1pm pickup to a 1 pm return, or 8 days total, price was $346.07.

$104 difference.

So, can I rent the car from 1 pm on pickup day, knowing I won't even be arriving at the counter till a little after 3pm, and still get the car for the $346.07 price?

Nope, the rental time starts when you pick up the car and ends when you drop it off. You will be over the 59 min. grace period, so, you will pay for the extra day. I think it would be wise to modify your reservation. Often the late charge is more than you would have paid for the correct term of the rental.

 

[seashoreCM]

If you show up late to pick up your rental car, the rental company may cancel the reservation on you.

Whether or not this happens depends largely on the demand for cars and on how low a rate you booked at.

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

 

[szymon]

What are the dates for your trip?

In my experience, if you are 2 hrs late it shouldn't be an issue, but if it's going to be more you should call them and tell them "your plane is late."

Szymon

 

[AllesonWonderland]

I noticed the same thing on my dates...cheaper for an 8 day rental vs. a 7 day. Perhaps put your correct starting rental time and fudge on your end time? You should still get the 8 day rate, but not be late picking up your vehicle. Then, when returning, get yourself all checked in for your flight and return the vehicle last. I think this would be a bigger deal if you were stretching your times to get a week rate when you're not actually renting for a week, since you're already over, I think you'll be okay. Let us know how it works out.

 

[tbrenk]

I am reserving a car for our trip. (Budget) I am arriving at the airport at 2:45, so idealy I'd chose 3pm as my pickup time. I need the car over the next nine days to return at 1pm.

Basically the rental will be for 7 days and 22 hours. The quoted price is $450.53.

By accident, I got a quote for a 1pm pickup to a 1 pm return, or 8 days total, price was $346.07.

$104 difference.

So, can I rent the car from 1 pm on pickup day, knowing I won't even be arriving at the counter till a little after 3pm, and still get the car for the $346.07 price?

I had the same thing happen on my rental. I called Dollar and told them that my flights changed. My original rental was $363 and they then quoted me almost $800. The woman was nice, put me on hold and was able to change the time without a rate increase.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

Thanks for helping me brainstorm this one.

What I ended up doing: We are going to a conference and when I registered on that site, I received a discount on a car rental. So, I tried that for my dates, and got a bigger vechicle for the exact correct time for $375.00. So, even tho it is a few dollars more, it's still a better deal in the long run. I won't have to play timing games with the renter and we will be assured of enough room. Now I just need to figure out if I can drive a big car! I usually zip around in a Ford Taurus.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Two years in a row, I was bumped overnight from NY to Orlando. Each time I had a rented from National, on President's Week,which is was one of the busiest times to rent. My rental rate with all of the codes were in the ball park of $130.00 compact car for the week.

Both times, when I called National, to let them know that I would be there the next morning, they told me I had a grace period of 12 hours, & they would honor the rate & contract. I have to admit, I was quite nervous, until I was there with the car & the contract with the above rate was in my hands.

Never had a problem.

Hope this helps

Patricia