If I return a car (one day rental) later than scheduled but within 24 hours from pick up time, will I be charged extra?

[mom2mikel]

Going on a cruise and got a great deal for a rental car for the night before/dropping off at the port. I initially put 12pm in as return time, but it sounds like it might need to be later (perhaps 1-2pm). I'm picking up the car around 7:30 pm the night before. Will I be charged anything extra or will my rate be okay since it's still under a full 24 hours? This is with Alamo. (Checking today, the rates in general are much higher so I'd like to keep original ressie if possible).

THX!

 

[sam_gordon]

Look at what is booked. Is it a 24 hour rental or a 17 hour rental?

You're probably fine. But your receipt/confirmation should tell you exactly.

 

[spiders]

You’ll be fine. There is no such thing as a 17 hour rental at the majors.

 

[mom2mikel]

Thanks! I assumed I would be okay but hoped to get some confirmation! It comes up as 1 day @ daily rate so I feel much better (didn't think to look at wording on confirmation).

 

[sam_gordon]

You’ll be fine. There is no such thing as a 17 hour rental at the majors.

I was thinking a "per hour" type of rate. Didn't think they did that, but better to check.

 

[shoegal9]

I had to pay extra with Enterprise. Grace period was only 30 mins. Returned 2 hours late and paid another $30 or so.

 

[NYCgrrl]

You’ll be fine. There is no such thing as a 17 hour rental at the majors.

Maybe it depends on the location of the rental office. In metropolitan NYC, you’d be charged for an extra day and possibly a late fee if you didn’t call and receive permission to continue the rental in advance.

 

[spiders]

I was thinking a "per hour" type of rate. Didn't think they did that, but better to check.

A “per hour” rate is always listed but that doesn’t apply until you hit 24 hours. Generally, it’s a 30 minute grace once you hit 24 hours, the 1 hour rate is usually half of the daily rate and once you hit 2 hours then you’re an extra day.

 

[spiders]

Maybe it depends on the location of the rental office. In metropolitan NYC, you’d be charged for an extra day and possibly a late fee if you didn’t call and receive permission to continue the rental in advance.

I have never heard of that but also never rented from a local office in NYC. It’s particularly weird since Enterprise does so many insurance replacement rentals (that’s where you’re in a wreck and the insurance is paying). Those types of rentals are actually calendar day rentals.

To the OP, if you’re really worried then just modify the return time on your rental. In fact, don’t even put in 2PM…just put in 5PM.

 

[OKW Lover]

Its a good question - one that doesn't have a pat answer. It really depends on the car rental company and the actual rate you booked. You need to read through all the "fine print" on your booking. Don't rely on what others have experienced.

 

[Lynne G]

For the first time ever, when I rented from Alamo at Orlando airport, they asked for my return flight info. And first time ever, since I guess since I have the Alamo app, my phone flashed Alamo’s notice that your rental is due to return in 2 hours. And it was about 2 hours from when I had put in when I would return the car, when the app’s 2 hour Alamo notice flashed. I did turn it in 10 minutes early.

I agree, about 1/2 hour late, they may not say anything, or charge more. After that, may vary as to whether since you are within 24 hours, they would charge you more.

 

[_19disnA]

Depends on the rental company and exactly what wording is in their agreement. Likely, each rental company has their own policy so general comparisons aren't of much value.

 

[sam_gordon]

For the first time ever, when I rented from Alamo at Orlando airport, they asked for my return flight info. And first time ever, since I guess since I have the Alamo app, my phone flashed Alamo’s notice that your rental is due to return in 2 hours. And it was about 2 hours from when I had put in when I would return the car, when the app’s 2 hour Alamo notice flashed. I did turn it in 10 minutes early.

I agree, about 1/2 hour late, they may not say anything, or charge more. After that, may vary as to whether since you are within 24 hours, they would charge you more.

How long did you have the car? Was it over a 24 hour (48, 72, etc) time frame? I would expect most "large" rental places you pay for a day (24 hours), have 30 minute grace, then it start charging by the hour until you get so many hours that you'll be charged for an additional day.

 

[Lynne G]

Sam, I had the car 6 days. From 11 am day 1 to 5:30 pm day 6, though was charged a week rate.

 

[OpieDoodle]

Most car rental companies do daily, weekly, and monthly rates. So if you book for less than a day you get charged a full day regardless. Usually for a one day rental the time you picked up is the time its due the next day. So say you pick up at 7am Monday then your return time is usually 7pm Tuesday. Most will offer a small 15-30 minute grace period but outside that you get charged another day.

Week rates usually are 5-7 days you get charged for a week as daily rate costs more

 

[Willow1213]

If you haven't picked up the vehicle already, just edit the drop time on your reservation. As long as it's still being dropped within 24 hours of pickup you should still be at the same rate.

 

[Lewisc]

. Most will offer a small 15-30 minute grace period but outside that you get charged another day.

Week rates usually are 5-7 days you get charged for a week as daily rate costs more

Outside the grace period you're GGenerally charged an hourly rate. after 2 hours a daily rate

 

[mom2mikel]

Thanks everyone! Thankfully, the rates came back down to my original great rate so I was able to extend my return time without my rate going up any more. I do think it's a daily (24 hr) rate, but just glad to have it all in their system now!