Is there a penalty to turning in a rental?

[fan1080]

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.

The only advice I offered was to check with their rental company. Anything else I contributed was nothing more than an opinion.

 

[crashbb]

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.

Do you really not know what "OR" means?

Given the sentence,

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.

It means that in EITHER instance (early or late) a different or higher rate may apply. The only thing exclusive to returning it later is the late return fee.

A higher fee will not always occur if you return it early, but it may.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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

Um. No. I didn't 'conveniently forget' anything. I highlighted the specific wording appropriate to the question.

If Budget meant only "or later", the website would have stated only "later".

I have to agree with Hannathy's assessmemt - you appear to be being intentionally obtuse to 'prove' your erroneous point, and the OP would be ill-advised to take your advice (unless, as suggested above, you're willing to give them your credit card number to cover any surprise charges).

As for checking your rental reservation, respectfully, big deal. That's NOT the contract you sign, and it doesn't represent all the terms and conditions associated with the rental.

Five different experienced car renters have provided the OP with responses based on repeated experience; it would make more sense for her/him to take that advice over the suggestions of someone who admits to having little to no car rental experience.

 

[fan1080]

Do you really not know what "OR" means?

Given the sentence,

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.

It means that in EITHER instance (early or late) a different or higher rate may apply. The only thing exclusive to returning it later is the late return fee.

A higher fee will not always occur if you return it early, but it may.

lololololol..... I think folks are getting carried away.

Yep, I know what it means, I simply pointed out what was "conveniently" left out of the response I was responding to.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Anything else I contributed was nothing more than an opinion.

Actually, at one point you stated

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

While this may be an opinion, it was posted as fact.

The rest of us are trying to tell the OP that an early return may well result in additional charges, especially if it changes the rental period conditions.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yep, I know what it means, I simply pointed out what was "conveniently" left out of the response I was responding to.

No, see, 'conveniently left out' would mean it was omitted, i.e. not included in the response. It must have been included in my response, because you were able to quote it. Again, I emphasized the applicable portion of Budget's terms & conditions.

 

[fan1080]

No, see, 'conveniently left out' would mean it was omitted, i.e. not included in the response. It must have been included in my response, because you were able to quote it. Again, I emphasized the applicable portion of Budget's terms & conditions.

Actually, you BOLDED everything EXCEPT what I pointed out.

Yes, that's "conveniently" leaving something out, to highlight YOUR point.

I've added all I can to this.

My advice, once again: It's best to check with your rental company to be sure. I checked, no charge for early return for my rental.

 

[crashbb]

No, see, 'conveniently left out' would mean it was omitted, i.e. not included in the response. It must have been included in my response, because you were able to quote it. Again, I emphasized the applicable portion of Budget's terms & conditions.

I'm going to give the PP the benefit of the doubt and assume that they just didn't understand the question, rather than assume that they are being obtuse.

I mean, they obviously weren't able to understand the sentence you posted or what "left out" means.

OP - in many (I'd argue most) cases, a couple of hours will not make a difference in your car rental price. However, you should look at the times - if a few hours changes a 24 hour block and especially if this changes you from a weekly rental or weekend rental (usually based on a minimum number of 24 hour periods), I'd be concerned. If, on the other hand, it changes you from (random example) 4 days 19 hours to 4 days 16 hours, I would not be concerned.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Actually, you BOLDED everything EXCEPT what I pointed out.

Yes, that's "conveniently" leaving something out, to highlight YOUR point.

Perhaps you can explain why, when the OP didn't ask about late returns, it would be necessary or even appropriate to highlight wording that did not apply to the question? I quoted the entire statement from Budget's website; I didn't leave anything out. I merely emphasized the portion of the policy that applied specifically to the question.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I checked, no charge for early return for my rental.

And again, I will point out, it doesn't matter what a random customer service rep states during a phone conversation that may or may not be recorded. What matters is the company policy, and whatever is stated on the contract. You might want to read yours carefully and make sure you understand every statement on it before you sign it.

 

[rlduvall]

Just google "charge for returning car early" and you will find numerous hits about people being charged more for returning their rental car a few hours early. I would have posted the links, but some were for competing websites.

I will post this link explaining the danger even though the customer did finally receive a refund for the charge, but only because they protested it. Just be aware that it is possible.

http://www99.epinions.com/review/trvl-Transportation-Auto_Rental-All-Hertz/content_450065043076

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh, by the way, rlduvall - nobody yet complimented you for your wise suggestion of booking TWO rentals, temporarily, while the OP looks for airfare (and then, of course, cancels the rental they don't need as quickly as possible ). Smart thinking!

 

[rlduvall]

Oh, by the way, rlduvall - nobody yet complimented you for your wise suggestion of booking TWO rentals, temporarily, while the OP looks for airfare (and then, of course, cancels the rental they don't need as quickly as possible ). Smart thinking!

While I love being complimented on my brains that actually was richmo that suggested that. But sounds like a plan to me.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Oh, by the way, rlduvall - nobody yet complimented you for your wise suggestion of booking TWO rentals, temporarily, while the OP looks for airfare (and then, of course, cancels the rental they don't need as quickly as possible ). Smart thinking!

Not a big fan, even temporarily booking to rentals, so no compliment here, it can effect pricing (not that disimilar to airline seats) and jump rates not just for the OP but for other travelers.

 

[rlduvall]

Here's a screenshot from December of 2007 of a very reputable website discussing it more in depth:

Alamo early return policy can double your costs

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Alamo has a clever way to double or triple the bill of unsuspecting customers.

Through Expedia, I arranged to rent a car from Alamo for 5 days and received a special weekly rate of $149. My return plans changed and I had to return the car on the fourth day. I fully expected to pay the entire $149 as I agreed and wasn't looking for a pro-rated charge - in fact the confirmation email states that early returns on special weekly rates are not entitled to a proportionate refund.

Fine. What I wasn't expecting was that for returning the car *early* my bill jumped from $149 to $288. When you return a car early Alamo considers the contract specifying the special weekly rate to be terminated and instead charges you its default daily rate. Although this clause apparently exists deep in the rental agreement, there was no mention of this in my confirmation email and the when I rented the car the rental agent only mentioned a $15 early return fee, nothing about doubling my bill.

When you rent a house at the beach for a week and decide to leave on Friday instead of Saturday, do you expect to pay double for leaving early?
I've tried to figure out any coherent rationale for a company treating its customers like this and can think of none.

As a footnote, after one angry exchange with a customer service rep who yelled at me that it is my "responsibility to read the contract" (maybe I need to bring my attorney next time) and a second follow up call, Alamo did agree to charge me only the original weekly rate.

See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18964550 for another story on the same topic.

I guess it's a personal choice.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm not sure why a "greenhorn" continue to post incorrect or misleading information.

I know it's only a play on words but there are two different issues.

Some agencies are starting to charge a penalty if you return a car early. They charge it because returning a car early affects inventory. kaytieeldr provided an extreme example. This charge might be imposed even if your rental term stay the same (you still qualify for the weekly rate).

The second issue is if returning the car early disqualifies you from the rate you originally booked. The most common example would be not renting the car long enough to qualify for a weekly rate. Technically you're not paying a penalty. Rather you're paying the "correct" rate for the period you actully rented the car.

 

[NotUrsula]

Let's not descend to semantics, folks.

The fact is that it *IS* possible for the renter to be charged a different rate if he/she fails to adhere to the terms of the contract that he/she actually signs. Early or late is irrelevant. The fine print on that document counts, and it really doesn't matter what someone who answers the phone says about it, because their comments will never override a signed contract. Rental company counter personnel offer all kinds of assurances to customers off the top of their heads; it is a VERY high-pressure job, and they are paid to convince people to stay with their services.

Day of the week and the time of day can matter in these cases. Look at the fine print on your rental agreement. If you have a particular rate on your reservation, open it up and click on the active link in the code so that you can see the Terms and Conditions for the rate. If there is a penalty, that will tell you what it will be. If you cannot find a link there, print off the page and send an email to the company asking for the details of the Terms and Conditions of that particular rate -- they will send you the information.

 

[fan1080]

Here's a screenshot from December of 2007 of a very reputable website discussing it more in depth:

Alamo early return policy can double your costs

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Alamo has a clever way to double or triple the bill of unsuspecting customers.

Through Expedia, I arranged to rent a car from Alamo for 5 days and received a special weekly rate of $149. My return plans changed and I had to return the car on the fourth day. I fully expected to pay the entire $149 as I agreed and wasn't looking for a pro-rated charge - in fact the confirmation email states that early returns on special weekly rates are not entitled to a proportionate refund.

Fine. What I wasn't expecting was that for returning the car *early* my bill jumped from $149 to $288. When you return a car early Alamo considers the contract specifying the special weekly rate to be terminated and instead charges you its default daily rate. Although this clause apparently exists deep in the rental agreement, there was no mention of this in my confirmation email and the when I rented the car the rental agent only mentioned a $15 early return fee, nothing about doubling my bill.

When you rent a house at the beach for a week and decide to leave on Friday instead of Saturday, do you expect to pay double for leaving early?
I've tried to figure out any coherent rationale for a company treating its customers like this and can think of none.

As a footnote, after one angry exchange with a customer service rep who yelled at me that it is my "responsibility to read the contract" (maybe I need to bring my attorney next time) and a second follow up call, Alamo did agree to charge me only the original weekly rate.

See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18964550 for another story on the same topic.

I guess it's a personal choice.

Ok, maybe I'm not done...... lol

Both of those folks were charged for early return, but subsequently refunded for the overcharge.

But, yes, I'll concede the fact that it can happen, in extreme cases. That's why i suggested to check with the rental company.

It's not my intention to pass along misinformation.

 

[rlduvall]

Both of those folks were charged for early return, but subsequently refunded for the overcharge.

Yes, I did mention that. BUT, only because they continued to press the issue, even after returning home. Many people do not know to do this.

 

[livie1205]

I have 2 rentals reserved for my april trip...one for dollar and one for budget...I will be returing a few hours early so I just called the city office here and was told "sure no problem returning a little early,we are not going to change your rate".I have rented cars every vacation for years and always return a little early and have never been charged..one time I returned a day early (had a week rate) and got a lower charge.