Car rental return grace period?

[Letsbgoofy]

I remember a few years ago reading that car rental agencies give you an hour or 2 grace period on your return time. I'm wondering if anyone has had recent experience with this to know if it still holds true? We are renting with Avis in Tampa and returning to the Royal Pacific; I'm worried that we will hit traffic on i-4 and be late returning.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You're renting and returning the sameday? No need to worry about a brace period. You rental is for a 24 consecutive hour period. Only companies like Zipcar rent by the hour.

But, 29 minute grave period.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Thanks kaytieeldr. We are renting next Sunday, spending the night in Tampa, and then driving to USO Monday morning.

 

[spiders]

It’s not a grace period. The two hours is the limit until it converts to a daily rate.

Things may have changed but the actual grace is 15 minutes and then you get charged an extra hour. 1 hour 15 results in a two hour charge and then after that it’s an extra day. The hourly rate is not simply 1/24th of your rate but usually something much higher. It will be listed on your agreement.

Keep in mind, I don’t think return agents at the airport have any control over the time. So if you’re late then you’re late. Returning to off airport locations can give you a break.

 

[Jimsig]

Keep in mind, I don’t think return agents at the airport have any control over the time. So if you’re late then you’re late. Returning to off airport locations can give you a break.

It depends on the reason. I once was returning in Maui and I was back in in the rental lot 20 min early. However there were about 15 cars in front of me to return and by the time I went though I was over the limit by 5 min. I asked the check in agent outside if there was anything they could do about adjusting it and he said he could not as it was automatically done by the computer, but to go in side and it could be adjusted there. Went in and told the agent why it got checked in late and they adjusted my bill.

 

[georgina]

I rented a car at Avis at Cabana Bay a couple of weeks ago, about 1 PM, returning the next day by 5 PM. I asked the agent about what happens if I am later than 5, he said I am paying the 2 day rate already so it wouldn't matter. So in the OP's case it may depend on the type of rate and if they go over the time to push it into a different rate.

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

Make sure you are on top of your bill. We checked into Royal Pacific with Avis in August right and I mean right at our cut off time due to traffic and heavy rain and had a late fee charged to us. It was removed finally but it took several phone calls

 

[zoo2tycoon]

OP
You are hearing many different things. Only your rental agency can tell you their policy relating to your rental times. Call and ask or email

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to email Avis tonight and ask. We are allowing 3 hours to get from Tampa to the RPR, Google maps says 1 1/2 hours, so hopefully being a little late won't even be an issue.