early retrun on rental car

[Mickeyfaniam]

I have a rental car with National for 7 days. I may now need to shorten my trip to 5 days. When I go in to either modify my existing res or make a new one for 5 days, the rate is very much higher. I have to pay more dollars for less time. SO my question is can I just use my 7 day reservation and return it 2 days early? without penalty?

 

[crashbb]

It depends.

If your original rate was contingent on it being a 7 day rental then you cannot remove days and you will be charged at the walk-up daily rate times 5 (i.e. a lot of money).

However, many "weekly" rentals consider 5 days to be a week, so the rate would still hold. I'll figure out the details of your rate before you leave - don't return the car two days early and hope.

 

[OKW Lover]

The answer is most likely no. The rental car companies are smart enough to realize that if they allowed this, people would start booking cars for a week and then return them early to avoid the higher daily rate.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

thanks
the rate says weekly
and when I put in 5 days it comes up with a daily rate

I guess I'll look into something else instead

 

[justplaingoofy]

thanks
the rate says weekly
and when I put in 5 days it comes up with a daily rate

I guess I'll look into something else instead

also, if you are using any coupons they not be valid. Some of the coupons are for 5+ days, but depends what the actual time of pick up and drop off. Even if you are there for 5 days say you are picking up at 3pm, but dropping off at 11am, thats not a full 5 days.

I know, I am running into the same thing. We are doing a short 4 day trip (does not involve a weekend) ....all the coupons are either for 3+ day weekend rental, or weekly rental. Rates are WAY too high!

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

also, if you are using any coupons they not be valid. Some of the coupons are for 5+ days, but depends what the actual time of pick up and drop off. Even if you are there for 5 days say you are picking up at 3pm, but dropping off at 11am, thats not a full 5 days.

!

WOW, never thought of that and that would apply to me...but wait...if they charge me a full 5 days than I should get the 5 day coupon

I did book a 5 day car just in case. It was $30 more than my 7 day. May or may not keep it.

I used contract ID 5602728 ( I think that's EA) and national coupon. Anyone know any better contract ID's?

 

[justplaingoofy]

WOW, never thought of that and that would apply to me...but wait...if they charge me a full 5 days than I should get the 5 day coupon

I did book a 5 day car just in case. It was $30 more than my 7 day. May or may not keep it.

I used contract ID 5602728 ( I think that's EA) and national coupon. Anyone know any better contract ID's?

Personally I would only book a car for the number of days I intend to use it for. I would not want to get any suprise charges on my credit card. I would think if you're not sticking with the contract (days and times) then the rates are out of the window.

I usually check our mousesavers.com site for codes. And I usually get better rates with Alamo then National.

 

[Lewisc]

Be careful if you call your rental agency. They may, truthfully, tell you there is no penalty. You won't be meeting the terms of your rental, minimum number of days and/or keeping the rental over a Saturday night. Charging you the correct (daily) rate based on the time you actually keep the car isn't (technically) a penalty. A penalty would be if the charged you the correct rate and added a penalty on top of the increase.