Has anyone had a problem with dropping off a car a few hours early?

[princesspumpkin]

When I put in a 3:30pm drop off time and a 12noon return timie, I get a much higher price than if i put in 3pm and 3pm. Has anyone ever had a problem with the rental car company changing the rate because the vehicle was returned a couple of hours too early?

 

[safetymom]

Is it just a couple of hours early or does it make it like you are renting it for one day less? What company? Usually it doesn't make a difference unless you are saying you are renting for a week and then return it early. They will then compute the charges at a daily rate instead of a weekly rate.

 

[princesspumpkin]

It's with National. The pick-up time is 3:30pm annd drop off time would be around 12noon. It's for 5 days. Maybe that's the problem. 5 days is considered weekly. But would dropping off 3 1/2 hours early be that much of a problem?

 

[safetymom]

So you aren't really keeping it for the weekly rate so they are quoting you a daily rate then. It isn't that it is a problem but lots of people book at the cheaper weekly rate and want to return the car early. The car rental agencies got wise to this and now charge you the more expensive daily rate when you return early.

 

[BonnieA]

But would dropping off 3 1/2 hours early be that much of a problem?

Not a problem at all, at least not for the car company. They'll take the car but will charge you the higher daily rate if it is less than the 5 days (weekly rate). If you were to rent it 7 days and return it a few hours early it wouldn't change the rate but you must keep it a minimum of 5 days for the weekly rate.

 

[goofy4tink]

I rented through Alamo last week. Rented on a Friday at 3:00 pm at the Dolphin. I was supposed to return the car at Tampa International on Sunday, at 5:00 pm, making it a three day rental. I paid $90 for the rental. But when I returned the car at 3:00, rather than 5:00, they refunded $20. At least that's what our bill said......we'll see what my cc statement says!!

 

[DebbieB]

They recalculate it based on the actual times, either more or less.

 

[Lewisc]

It's not a problem BUT you'll be charged the correct rate which in your case will be more.

You should play around with coupons, try to find a coupon that gives a free day.