Double Car Rental Ressies?

[jekjones1558]

We leave for WDW on Sat. I have a mid-sized SUV (Equinox) and a minivan reserved because I am not sure if the SUV will be large enough for 4 adult women and luggage. I called National and asked if I can wait until we actually arrive and look at the SUV before we cancel one vehicle. I was told this was okay and that I would not incur any charge or penalty. Has anyone ever done this? Somehow it seems too good to be true. I don't totally trust what the National customer service guy said. TIA.

 

[safetymom]

You can be charged for not cancelling one of the reservations.

 

[jekjones1558]

You can be charged for not cancelling one of the reservations.

So if I cancel one car AFTER we arrive at MCO, I will be charged? What is the latest I can cancel without charge?

 

[safetymom]

Their language states you can be charged. You won't know for sure until it happens. I would look on the National site to see if there is a certain time you are supposed to cancel by.

 

[Tinkim]

We have an Equinox reserved too. My suggestion is could you possibly go to a local Chevy dealer and check out the size of the Equinox? I was worried about the size too but my DH is a finance manager at a car dealership and he checked out an Equinox that someone brought in today to determine if it was big enough for us. I was going to go to the Chevy dealership and check them out if he didn't come across one soon. I would hate for you to get charged for not cancelling the second reservation soon enough. Good luck.

 

[Poorman]

I was charged by National for not canceling 24 hours before the reservation. I actually had canceled and printed out the cancelation notice. After I recieved my bill I called and told them I had cancelled, they removed the charge.

 

[Frantasmic]

Unless the four women are very light packers, I would suggest going with the minivan. The Equinox is based on the Saturn Vue. It looks good, but I doubt it has a lot of space in the back, especially for more than 4 suitcases.

 

[julfre]

poorman
Was it the MCO location that charged you? I never heard of car companies charging for uncancelled reservations before! Is this something new?

 

[DebbieB]

This is from National's Website:

>>>No Show

When a customer books a Guaranteed Reservation and does not rent their car, a No-Show fee may apply.

If the guaranteed reservation is canceled at least 24 hours prior to the anticipated arrival time there will be no fee charged.

If the guaranteed reservation is canceled less than 24 hours in advance, or you fail to pick up the car, a no show fee of $50.00 (includes applicable taxes, surcharges, and lessor fees) is charged to the credit card on the reservation.

Guaranteed Reservations are required on all specialty vehicles, such as minivan, 4-wheel drive, and convertible car classes at all Corporate locations and at participating licensee locations.

The following credit cards are accepted for Guaranteed Reservations:

American Express
Diners Club
Discover
Carte Blanche
MasterCard
Visa
Central Bill <<<<<<<<<<

 

[Poorman]

poorman
Was it the MCO location that charged you? I never heard of car companies charging for uncancelled reservations before! Is this something new?

It was over at the Dolphin. It was a one day rental for a minivan.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

I used EA at TPA in August. When I was at the booth, the woman said I had another reservation (I guess I forgot to cancel it) - she said "no problem" I will cancel it now. I was never charged. Maybe it's different in MCO?

 

[DebbieB]

I used EA at TPA in August. When I was at the booth, the woman said I had another reservation (I guess I forgot to cancel it) - she said "no problem" I will cancel it now. I was never charged. Maybe it's different in MCO?

What size car? According to the National website, the 24 hour rule applies to specialty cars (vans, convertibles, 4 WD). If you were using EA, which would be intermediate, then it might not apply.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Yes, I used EA.

 

[jekjones1558]

Update:
There were no Equinoxes available so we got a Saturn Vue (similar car). It had plenty of room for our luggage, so when we checked out I told the agent that I wanted to cancel the minivan. She said "No problem, as long as you have not pre-paid." So far at least, the Vue rental has been charged to my credit card but nothing has been charged for the canceled minivan. I wonder if agents have some latitude on this or if there is a difference based on how many cars are available at the time.
Poorman:
Did you rent another car from National at the same time? If you didn't, could that influence the charging of a fee?

 

[n2mm]

THis is new for me! But I got an email from National 3 days ago. I leave tomorrow. The email was a reminder from national telling me according to their records I have a rental reservation for Wednesday, Oct. 26th. If I do not plan to keep it, they need me to cancel it prior to arriving. I plan to be there, so all is well. After renting from National over 30 times I've never gotten a message like this before, which leads me to think that they may be changing their cancellation policy. It was nice for them to remind me, but since they have my credit card on file, I surely would never have a reservation that I don't plan to keep lingering around. I am confirmed on the Executive Aisle, so only a full size, not a specialty car.

 

[lawgs]

n2mm

this is new with the upgrade to the national website

they also have a section when you login called my itineraries where all your reservations for the future are listed

one of the better things that came from the upgrade

one which is NOT..... the inability now to print off coupons from entertainment.com

 

[n2mm]

n2mm

this is new with the upgrade to the national website

they also have a section when you login called my itineraries where all your reservations for the future are listed

one of the better things that came from the upgrade

one which is NOT..... the inability now to print off coupons from entertainment.com

Yes I agree, the "my itineraries" section is one of the best additions they added. It really helps keep track of my reservations. I also just received a "one free day coupon" from the new one-two-free program. I received an email and it allowed me to print out the certificate "once"....so if you mess up, you have to call them. It has a ID number on it. I should get another one and they are stackable, according to the coupon.

 

[lawgs]

n2mm

what was the heading in the email that they sent you, we have one coming according to National but nothing in the email box yet ( plus our email server went belly up on the weekend for two days )

just want to make sure we do not miss it

thanks in advance

 

[n2mm]

From: reservations@nationalcar.com
To: xxxxxx@aol.com
Cc:
Bcc:
Subject: Friendly Email Reminder from NationalCar.com for reservation # 000000
Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 06:09:16 +0000 (GMT)

This is the header of the email message I got reminding us to cancel if we are not keeping this reservation.

This is part of the text:

"Thank you for using National to make your reservation. Below is your
confirmation number. You will need it when you get to the rental facility.

If you do not plan to pick up your car from National, please click on the link
below to cancel your reservation."

I guess National is trying to make more of an effort of not having "no shows".

 

[lawgs]

n2mm

what was the header for the email about the free day from the "rent two get one free" deal?

thanks