Confused as to what the times mean on car rental bookings

[proud_canadian]

If I book a car for 1:00 pm, does that mean I will be there by 1:00 (as in 1:00 at the latest), or does it mean I will be there at 1:00 or later (as in 1:00 is the earliest I'll be there).

Thanks!

 

[safetymom]

Car rentals are rented by 24 hours. If you arrive at 1:00 it must be back 24 hours later. If you don't get there until 3 PM most car rental places will allow your reservation to start then. If you are later within reason it isn't a problem. If you show up early there may not be a car available.

So you need to take a look at your arrival and departure times to make sure that you don't go over the 24 hour period. If you are to return the car at 1 and you show up at 2 you will be charged a late fee. Some discounts require you to pick up your car after a certain time.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Safetymom pretty much covered it. I would add that if you're arriving via a flight, input the airline and flight number into your reservation because if your flight is running late, the rental people can see that and still hold your car and not call you a no-show.

Regardless of the time in your reservation, the 24 hours begins when you complete the transaction at the rental counter or input your information into the rental company kiosk (quick service machines available at some rental company counters).

Thus, make your reservation based on approximately 30-60 minutes after your official landing time. It can easily take a half hour to get off the plane and walk to baggage claim and it can take a half hour there too. Then factor if the rental counter is there in the terminal or you have to take a bus/van to an off-site facility first.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Detailor]

Bob's advice is very good.

When checking baggage I generally designate my pick-up time as a half hour after the airline's expected arrival time for rental companies that are at the airport and 45-60 minutes for off-site companies.

In addition to the first level safeguard of including your flight information when you're renting, it's always a good idea to call the rental company if you know that you're being delayed so that you can be assured of having a vehicle when you eventually get to your destination.

Finally, if you haven't already I'd suggest that you join the frequent renter program of your car rental company - most of them are free and you can join others', like National's, without a charge by going through the special deal that mousesavers.com makes available - so you can save time when you rent by skipping the 'regular' renters line. Even if you will never rent again that one tip will get you on your way to your vacation, where you'll wait in other lines but they'll be more fun. If you've already made your reservation with a frequent renter program number you can call the company and have it added when you get one.

Dick Taylor

 

[backyardponder]

Some rental companies give a grace period on drop off time. Some allow you 30 minutes beyond the 24 hours. Some 2 hours.

Also, some rental companies (I think Enterprise still does this) rents on a calendar day basis. Let's say you pick up at 4PM on a Monday and drop off at 9AM on Tuesday, this is 2 days.

Check with your rental company for their specific charges.

 

[phred52]

Last time I rented a car, my suitcase was the first one to appear then I went directly to the rental counter which had no line.

As I was reading the contract prior to signing, I noticed the rate was higher than my printed reservation from the internet....

I had reserved for 1:00 PM. It was 12:48 PM according to my cell phone. I was 12 minutes early, and I was being charged for an extra hour....even though I was scheduled to return the car @ 10:00 AM a few days later.

I asked a manager to waive the fee.....nope.....I then asked for the time to be altered so I would rent from noon to noon.......nope.... Nothing to be done but to get back in line and start the whole rental process over again after 1:00 PM.

yiesh.

That was Budget, btw.