Is there a penalty to turning in a rental?

[MinnieForMe]

Does it matter if you are early turning in a rental car by a few hours? I want to book our rental car but I don't have our return flight yet. It will either be a 1pm or 4 pm flight.

 

[Hannathy]

Depends on if it affects your 24 hour period. If you have it for a "week" and by turning it in 3 hours early you shorten the 24 hr periods to not add up to a "week" then yes it can alter your rate.

 

[kaytieeldr]

There could be. You'll have to check with your specific rental company, but if the early return changes the 'day' count, it could well change the price.

 

[fan1080]

Penalty for early return?

I may be a green-horn with car rentals, but that just seems really odd. I can't imagine any car rental company charging extra to do so.

 

[DebbieB]

Penalty for early return?

I may be a green-horn with car rentals, but that just seems really odd. I can't imagine any car rental company charging extra to do so.

It depends on the rate. If it's a rate or coupon that requires a 5 day minimum rental and you turn it in at 4 days, you will lose the 5 day rate.

 

[happymommy]

Yes - if it's a weekly rate and you turn it in after only 4 days, it can significantly change what you are charged.

Only a few hours difference won't make a difference. I rent for 24 hours sometimes and only need a couple of hours. Or add a day for a few hours rental onto a week.

I'd reserve a car if you can get a good rate, and you can always change if your dates change.

I always reserve noon to noon if I can at airports, though. It sometimes affects the price, but they usually are doing so much business that they don't care exactly the time you're going to pick up the car.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Penalty for early return?

I may be a green-horn with car rentals, but that just seems really odd. I can't imagine any car rental company charging extra to do so.

Extreme example:

The KaytieEldr Car Rental company owns ONE car, which it rents to consumers (hey, everybody's gotta start somewhere ).

MinnieforMe arranges to rent the car from 4 PM Sunday to 4 PM Sunday, at a rate of $25 per day (although the actual price truly doesn't matter).

DebbieB tries to reserve my rental car starting at noon on Sunday until noon the following Sunday, but she can't because MinnieforMe will still have it - so I lose out on that rental income.

Then MinnieforMe turns in the car at 10 AM instead of 4 PM. Now I have the car back sure - but nobody scheduled to rent it because my next potential customer had to go elsewhere, because at the time she tried to reserve the car, her pickup time wasn't available.

MinnieforMe violated our contract by returning the car early; my terms and conditions allow me to change her rental cost to reasonably cover the missed income from DebbieB's failed rental attempt.

 

[richmo]

What I'd probably do is make two reservations: one with the 1 PM return and one with the 4 PM return, then once your flight time is known, cancel the one you don't need.

 

[fan1080]

Yes - if it's a weekly rate and you turn it in after only 4 days, it can significantly change what you are charged.

Only a few hours difference won't make a difference. I rent for 24 hours sometimes and only need a couple of hours. Or add a day for a few hours rental onto a week.

I'd reserve a car if you can get a good rate, and you can always change if your dates change.

I always reserve noon to noon if I can at airports, though. It sometimes affects the price, but they usually are doing so much business that they don't care exactly the time you're going to pick up the car.

Precisely, a few hours will not make a difference, which is what the OP was asking about.

All the other examples posted are not in line with the OP's question.

 

[Hannathy]

Precisely, a few hours will not make a difference, which is what the OP was asking about.

All the other examples posted are not in line with the OP's question.

You admit to being a greenhorn so why are you answering something you obviously don't know? You are giving her mis-information. A few hours can most certainly make a difference and it can be a significant difference. I'm sure you would be willing to reimburse her if she follows your advise and finds out her $225. weekly rate suddenly becomes 4 days at $125 per day? ( example prices not real rates)

OP you need to check what you reserved and when your 24 hour periods are and make sure.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Precisely, a few hours will not make a difference, which is what the OP was asking about.

All the other examples posted are not in line with the OP's question.

Respectfully, a few hours in a car rental contract CAN make a big difference; and all the responses you feel aren't in line with the OP's question come from DISers with repeated car rental experience, as well as a knowledge of the business in general.

But if you really want, one of my coworkers came from a car rental company. I'll ask her, and post the response when I get home tonight (well, really, probably after midnight since I first have to watch the season premiere of "Psych", then the re-airing of part one of the "Launch My Line" finale.

 

[fan1080]

You admit to being a greenhorn so why are you answering something you obviously don't know? You are giving her mis-information. A few hours can most certainly make a difference and it can be a significant difference. I'm sure you would be willing to reimburse her if she follows your advise and finds out her $225. weekly rate suddenly becomes 4 days at $125 per day? ( example prices not real rates)

OP you need to check what you reserved and when your 24 hour periods are and make sure.

I am not giving out erroneous information. I'm simply pointing out that the OP asked about returning a rental car 3 hours early, not 3 days, a significant difference with what has been posted as YES answers to the OP's question.

Yes, I'm a green horn with car rentals. But, if someone can provide proof that turning in a rental 3 hours early will cost more, let's see it. I will gladly apologize if it's true, I'm simply questioning the responses here.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I am not giving out erroneous information. I'm simply pointing out that the OP asked about returning a rental car 3 hours early, not 3 days, a significant difference with what has been posted as YES answers to the OP's question.

Please reread my extreme example, post number 7.

The car rental agency takes (and keeps, Seinfeld notwithstanding) reservations based on rental periods. They expect a certain amount of money from a rental; and the rental involves a signed contract which includes the agencies' terms and conditions. There really COULD be a penalty for returning a car early.

 

[fan1080]

Please reread my extreme example, post number 7.

The car rental agency takes (and keeps, Seinfeld notwithstanding) reservations based on rental periods. They expect a certain amount of money from a rental; and the rental involves a signed contract which includes the agencies' terms and conditions. There really COULD be a penalty for returning a car early.

I did read it. It was too extreme, and has no bearing on the OP's question.

 

[rlduvall]

Yes, I'm a green horn with car rentals. But, if someone can provide proof that turning in a rental 3 hours early will cost more, let's see it. I will gladly apologize if it's true, I'm simply questioning the responses here.

I don't mean to jump into the fray here, but this thread discusses how even a few hours early could potentially make your rate go up.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2342431&highlight=returning

 

[dudspizza]

just wanted to add that I had a rental last week that was similar to the scenario listed by the OP. I was renting from 7pm Sat to 3pm Thurs. If I put in 7pm Sat to 7pm Thursday instead, THE RATE CHANGED. It was still considered a week (5 days or more is a week in the rental car world), yet the price changed......

Duds

 

[fan1080]

I just called and asked about my upcoming reservation.

When I asked If I would be charged more for early return. She laughed (in a very cool southern accent BTW ), and said: "Well, of course not sir, you would be charged less if anything, not more".

7 day rental, pickup 22:00 on Feb 17, return Feb 24, 06:45.

Your mileage and opinions may vary. Always a good idea to check with your rental company to be sure.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Not sure with which company your rental reservation is, but according to Budget's website (bolding mine):

May I return the car to a Budget location if it’s temporarily closed?
Renters must return the vehicle to Budget on the due date and at the time and to the location specified by you at the time of reservation. If you return it earlier or later, a different or higher rate may apply and, if returned later, you may be charged a late return fee.

http://www.budget.com/budgetSearch/...earchtype=WebSearch&question_box=early return

Written contract agreement signed by the renter supersedes what any rep might say on the phone.

 

[Hannathy]

I just called and asked about my upcoming reservation.

When I asked If I would be charged more for early return. She laughed (in a very cool southern accent BTW ), and said: "Well, of course not sir, you would be charged less if anything, not more".

7 day rental, pickup 22:00 on Feb 17, return Feb 24, 06:45.

Your mileage and opinions may vary. Always a good idea to check with your rental company to be sure.

Did you change it from 5- 24 hr periods to 4 -24 hr periods plus 20 hours? You don't seem to get what people are telling you or being completely obtuse on purpose so I won't be adding anything else BUT if the OP wants to follow your advise I suggest they get your CC number to cover any surprise charges.

 

[fan1080]

Not sure with which company your rental reservation is, but according to Budget's website (bolding mine):

May I return the car to a Budget location if it’s temporarily closed?
Renters must return the vehicle to Budget on the due date and at the time and to the location specified by you at the time of reservation. If you return it earlier or later, a different or higher rate may apply and, if returned later, you may be charged a late return fee.

http://www.budget.com/budgetSearch/...earchtype=WebSearch&question_box=early return

Written contract agreement signed by the renter supersedes what any rep might say on the phone.

You conveniently left out the "or later", which would be in ref to the higher fee.

I checked with my rental reservation, no charge for early return. I suggested the OP do the same, check with their rental company. Seems pretty simple.

Continually trying to tell me I wrong will not matter.