Car rental question-weekly vs daily rate.

[Bea]

I just reserved a car for our trip next week with Thrifty ($82.00/week!!!). We only need it for 10 days. I reserved for 2 weeks as opposed to 10 days because it was cheaper to book the weekly rate. When we return it early, will they still charge us the weekly rate, even though we are dropping it off early? Thanks.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Bea
I just reserved a car for our trip next week with Thrifty ($82.00/week!!!). We only need it for 10 days. I reserved for 2 weeks as opposed to 10 days because it was cheaper to book the weekly rate. When we return it early, will they still charge us the weekly rate, even though we are dropping it off early? Thanks.

No, they will probably revert anything over one week to a daily rate. They take a very dim view of people booking for longer than they are planning to keep the car and are very wise to that "trick".

 

[safetymom]

Be prepared for a higher rate when you return the car if you do that. Just keep looking to see if you can lower the rate with codes, etc.

 

[CarolA]

I would rebook it with your actual dates of stay. Returning early can and probably will void your rate and cause them to charge you the daily rate. In theory they could charge you the FULL fare daily rate for 10 days. (Think somewhere in the $30 to $40 a day rate before taxes).

 

[Lewisc]

You'll (probably) be charged the daily rate listed in your contract (for at least 3 days) which may be higher than the daily rate if you make the proper reservation. You shoouldn't be paying much more, 3 X the daily rate shouldn't be much more than the weekly rate.

If you really want to play around make 2 five day reservations. Five days is usually enough to get a weekly rate. Problem, if National won't combine your reservations you may have to pay tolls, gas and time to go back to Thrifty to do a return and re-rent.

Best solution is to use your real dates and shop for the best deals.

Gail is correct, they are very wise to this trick.

 

[seashoreCM]

You should book for your actual usage.

If you return the car late without permission they may refugure the entire rental at a higher rate, h igher than the extra day rate shown on your paperwork. Unfortunately if you telephone at the end of your rental asking for permission for more time there is a chance they will deny you. You can sometimes argue that you should only pay the extra hourly rate if you are delayed for a widespread publicly known reason such as a major traffic tieup.

If you book for one week or less and return it early they almost always refigure your rate using daily rates if you didn't meet the weekly threshold which is usually five full days.

If you book for a little over a week they give you the weekly rate plus the extra days at daily rates.

If you book for two full weeks and return it a few days early (I think) they give you the first week at weekly rates and refigure the remaining days at daily rates.

If they are late giving you the car you can argue (get it in writing it before pickup) that what was a weekly rate that now becomes too short should still be a weekly rate.

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

 

[eljojo]

for BEA

how did you get such a good rate? I was looking to rent a car for just 3 days, but am finding that it's almost cheaper to rent for the full week. We might as well get a car at the airport and let it sit at our hotel than pay a higher rate for 3 days to go to Universal, Cocoa Beach etc.

 

[Bea]

eljojo, I use orbitz.com to compare car rental companies. 2 weeks ago Thrify's was at about $149.00/week and last week went to $107.00 a week and then 2 days ago, it was down to $82.99/week. Plus I have a code for 10% off. It is frustrating that the weekly rate is cheaper than daily. I took everyone's advice and booked for the 10 days (works out to be $82.99 a week x 4 days - $25.99/day). Better be safe that sorry.

T

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Bea
eljojo, I use orbitz.com to compare car rental companies. 2 weeks ago Thrify's was at about $149.00/week and last week went to $107.00 a week and then 2 days ago, it was down to $82.99/week. Plus I have a code for 10% off. It is frustrating that the weekly rate is cheaper than daily. I took everyone's advice and booked for the 10 days (works out to be $82.99 a week x 4 days - $25.99/day). Better be safe that sorry.

T

Frustrating yes, but, an advantage to those who rent weekly, like you. Who would rent for a week if they had to pay the daily rate? Daily rates factor in the cost to get it ready for the next renter. Which is more cost effective? Rent it out for a week only have to ready it once a week or rent it daily and have to ready it daily? This is possibly one of the few times that the savings is passed on to us.