If you have a back-up car rental reservation...

[debknight]

Do you call and cancel the back-up, once you have picked up the car from your first-choice car rental company?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

1. Don't have a back-up rental reservation, it messes up the inventories of rental companies, resulting in higher rates.
2. Cancel a previously booked rental as soon as you make a new rental reservation, waiting until you pick up the car reverts back to 1.

There is no reason to have a back-up rental if you are using codes and discounts you are eligible for.

 

[debknight]

bump

 

[Lewisc]

I doubt most people cancel a backup reservation. It's polite to do so, particularly if you're renting a vehicle that might be in limited supply (mini-van/SUV)

A few posters have had to wait for a reserved vehicle. The rental agency ran out of their class of car. Partially as a result of overbooking; too many unused reservation.

A person can be using 100% legit codes and still want to make a backup reservation as insurance against the agency running out cars in your class. The agency will generally upgrade you to the next class of cars. This isn't an issue if you're reserving an economy car but is an issue if you're booking a class of car that doesn't have class to upgrade you to (mini-van). Other posters might want a backup reservation as protection against very long lines.

 

[debknight]

Thank you for your polite reply.

 

[wdwrich]

IMHO, making a backup car reservation is like double-booking ADRs. It takes availability away from others and is therefore inconsiderate.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

...A few posters have had to wait for a reserved vehicle. The rental agency ran out of their class of car. Partially as a result of overbooking; too many unused reservation.

A person can be using 100% legit codes and still want to make a backup reservation as insurance against the agency running out cars in your class. The agency will generally upgrade you to the next class of cars. This isn't an issue if you're reserving an economy car but is an issue if you're booking a class of car that doesn't have class to upgrade you to (mini-van)...

This is due to the problem with volume forecasting in part of bookings that are not kept. Agencies oversell their inventory because they know many bookings will never be used. This is especially common in cities with large volumes of tourists who shop around for best prices.

I firmly believe all rentals should have cancellation fees just like airlines.

...Other posters might want a backup reservation as protection against very long lines.

Just so I understand, if it means someone doesn't have to wait in line, they should double book which will reduce inventory and generate higher rates for others? Seems selfish and inconsiderate to me.

 

[Lewisc]

This is due to the problem with volume forecasting in part of bookings that are not kept. Agencies oversell their inventory because they know many bookings will never be used. This is especially common in cities with large volumes of tourists who shop around for best prices.

I firmly believe all rentals should have cancellation fees just like airlines.



Just so I understand, if it means someone doesn't have to wait in line, they should double book which will reduce inventory and generate higher rates for others? Seems selfish and inconsiderate to me.

Double booking doesn't reduce inventory or generate higher rates if the rental agency can accurately predict "no-shows". Almost all airlines overbook but very few passengers are subject to idb.

Requiring a credit card and having some kind of cancellation fee makes some sense but it's up to the rental agency to make the rules. We're not obligated to follow imaginary rules made by posters on internet boards.

I have no problem if a person double booking is reserving a larger mini-van and is concerned the agency might not have a vehicle available.

I have an issue with customers who use rate codes they're not entitled to use. I sort of agree, they compound their bad behavior when they make a backup reservation they're only going to use if they're "caught".

 

[keishashadow]

It's my understanding (after trying to plow thru the various master rental agreements one must sign in order to use several of the rental reward programs) that since a CC is on file & associated with the rental if the reward number is used...

you 'can' be charged if you don't cancel the reservation. I have a feeling they don't or it'd be posted here & FT in a flash.

imo, it's a valid practice to free up the inventory.

Conversely, only in MCO am i not above booking 2 or more rental res & holding on tightly until the dust settles and I find my personal best rate typically 1-2 months prior to arrival. For some reason this is the only place that I rent where rates flucutate so wildly.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Double booking doesn't reduce inventory or generate higher rates if the rental agency can accurately predict "no-shows"..

Completely disagree, it does generate overall increased rates, this may not have been the case in the past, but with the overall reduced inventories in rental fleets overbookings have most definately increased overall rates as available fleet usage spikes quicker and earlier in the booking window.

Accuracy of no-shows is more of a guess then a science and with rates being higher then ever older models have fallen victim to statistical flaws as people book over and over again to try to obtain the "lowest rate".

Lets be honest the average person is not company loyal, rather then are price loyal and the issue with double bookings for the sake of vehicle availability is most likely significantly less then a price point issue.