HELP! Car Rental Freak Out--Am I in for a big problem??

[goodfaerie]

Hi everyone! I've two potential problems:
Considering the rate hikes, I got a pretty decent rate last week on a car rental from Hertz via AAA for our upcoming trip. I just realized that even tho I entered in my pick-up and drop-off times, the system defaulted to 9:00 a.m. for both. I won't be arriving until 11:00 a.m., which is bad enough, but my drop off time won't be until 2:00 pm. Will that nullify my confirmed quote?

I will be using my debit card, which has the MasterCard logo, and plenty of money to cover the rental plus the required $200.00 additional for incidentals, but they say in the agreement they may base the acceptance of my card on my credit as well. A couple of years ago, I was in financial deep water, finally got myself out of credit card debt, but my credit is still recovering. (I've paid for my trip up front, in cash, in case anyone is wondering). Do you all think I'll have a problem with this in regard to Hertz's acceptance of my card? Is there any way to know if they'll accept it BEFORE I get to the airport?

Thanks so much for your help

 

[msjprincess]

I don't know how Hertz works but I know with Dollar they do the credit check on the spot.

Have you checked Alamo's rates? All you need is proof of a roundtrip ticket they don't do a credit check.

 

[Rpsemont]

Considering the rate hikes, I got a pretty decent rate last week on a car rental from Hertz via AAA for our upcoming trip. I just realized that even tho I entered in my pick-up and drop-off times, the system defaulted to 9:00 a.m. for both. I won't be arriving until 11:00 a.m., which is bad enough, but my drop off time won't be until 2:00 pm. Will that nullify my confirmed quote?

Here's my thoughts"

YOu can probably still get the "rate" by picking up at 11AM, but you would have to drop at 11AM. To drop at 2PM will result in either an additional daily fee or additional hourly fee. Does you quote give give day and hour fees? If not, you may not know those amounts until you pick up. You might be able to call and ask what the hourly rate is if you were to return the vehicle late, based on those quoted rates. I would continue to search for a reservation that will match more precisely what you need, but keep in mind that when you pick up at one time and drop off at a time more than 1-2 hours later, frequently results in a higher fee based on an additional day.
I've heard the rental car companies will sometimes give you a 1 hour grace period. If you choose to try to use this reservation, I would call them in the morning and let them know you're going to be late. When I've done this, they've honored my original rate (they just like knowing that you're going to show up) That's not going to help with the "late" drop off though.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I've heard the rental car companies will sometimes give you a 1 hour grace period. If you choose to try to use this reservation, I would call them in the morning and let them know you're going to be late. When I've done this, they've honored my original rate (they just like knowing that you're going to show up) That's not going to help with the "late" drop off though.

I don't know of any rental agency that has a 60 minute grace period anymore, most are now 29 minutes. Rental periods in 24 hour increments are charged one day, hourly increments up to 3 hours are charged by the hour with each hour being 1/3 of the daily rate (thus why at 3 hours it becomes another day).

 

[goodfaerie]

I called Hertz and switched the reservation to my mom's name. They were GREAT about it all. She comes in on a later flight, so now the rate doesn't go up. As far as the card goes, if it won't take mine, we'll use hers. Thanks for all your help and info!!! You all are the best!

 

[tinka-belle]

Had a client this summer with similar credit problems a few years ago, using a debit card for Hertz, not in Florida though.

He was very concerned ahead of time, I even had a backup res at a different car rental company for a higher rate just in case. He had absolutely no problems with the Hertz rental, apparently was told current problems matter to them more than past ones from a few years ago. However, even when calling Hertz ahead of time they could tell us nothing, said it had to be a rental and run the checks through the system to approve or not. Due to privacy considerations I was told the res counter agents don't know what the parameters are, it's all in the programing.

FWIW, I think the card paying has to be in the renter's name, or at least one of the listed drivers. You could probably switch that at the counter if you want to pay with your debit card.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I was told by a Hertz employee that they do run a credit check on all customers who use a debit card.

As for returning the car at 2 p.m you will be charged a full day even though you are only using the car for four hour.
See you are billed in 24hr increments. So if you pick the car up at 11:00 a.m. your rental cycle begins and ends at 11:00 a.m. By returning the car at 2 p.m. which is 4 hours after your 24 hr rental cycle you will be charged for a full day even though you will only be using the car for an extra 4 hours.
Since your reservation defaulted to a pick of 9:00 and a drop off at 9:00 chances are that your quoted rate will increase when you alter the times to what you actually need the car for.

What I would suggest so that there are no suprises once you get there, is to try priceline. One ...to see if you can get a better rate. Two... once your bid is accepted your credit card is charged so if there is an issue with have a debit card and having the a credit check run, you will find out now rather than trying to deal with the issue once you are already there. But I would not try priceline until you are close to leaving for your trip. You may have a better chance of get a lower rate on the car.

 

[goodfaerie]

Thanks everyone for so many great thoughts and ideas! I changed everything with Hertz over the phone, moved the reservation to fit my mom's schedule for both pick up and drop off. Got to keep the good rate, and I am getting a ride back to the airport from a friend, and will be there when my mom arrives, so can be a listed driver (aka chauffeur!)

 

[jlewisinsyr]

What I would suggest so that there are no suprises once you get there, is to try priceline. One ...to see if you can get a better rate. Two... once your bid is accepted your credit card is charged so if there is an issue with have a debit card and having the a credit check run, you will find out now rather than trying to deal with the issue once you are already there. But I would not try priceline until you are close to leaving for your trip. You may have a better chance of get a lower rate on the car.

Just a note, the payment of the rental via Priceline does not absolve you from any agency requirements, including a credit check. All pre-paying does is take care of the final bill outside of any additional insurance/coverages or fuel. When you pick-up the car, they will ask for a credit card, or in the case of no credit card ask for a debit card and follow their policies and procedures (including a credit check as applicable).

 

[safetymom]

If you are a member of #1Gold with Hertz you will have no problems renting with Hertz and a debit card.