Keeping rental 1 hour longer

[mmouse50]

I aplogize for this because I know that it has been asked but I can figure out what words to put in the search.

Does anyone know if there is a fee if you don't bring the rental car back the time you said you would? I have a go rate on the rental car but now I can get a better price on the air if I leave 2 hours later than I originally booked. So if I bring the rental car back 2 hours later than the original reservation what would be the penalty? One day? 2 hours at the hourly rate or is there some type of leeway? It is Alamo if it matters.

 

[xlxo]

I recommend calling the agency to let them know your plans. Most rental agencies allow for 30 minutes grace, some places longer depending on how busy they are. They need to clean/prep the vehicle for another customer that day.

Something else to look at... your insurance. If the insurance is based on a day.... you might not be covered if you exceed that time. Some may charge you a full day for that extra time.

 

[DVC California]

It depends on the rental agency. Some have a 29 minute grace period, others a 59 minutes. Call and ask. Some also have hourly rates for late returns, but the grace period may not be granted in those cases.

At worst, you can always get to the airport a little early.

HTH, Steve

 

[LATJLP]

When I use Enterprise/National the contract states the hourly rate which is the daily rate divided by 24. The reservation also lists it.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Does anyone know if there is a fee if you don't bring the rental car back the time you said you would?

Airport car rental costs are normally calculated in 24-hour increments. If you go over a 24-hour mark, the hourly rate kicks in. Although it can vary by company, the hourly rate tends to be half of the daily rate. After two hours, you normally pay for another day. There can be a grace period of up to 59 minutes, but that varies by company. You rental reservation should show the weekly, daily, and hourly rate.

Let's suppose you pick up a car priced at $40 per day at 5:00 p.m. and you're scheduled to return it three days later at 5:00 p.m. If you actually return it at 6:00 p.m., your final rental cost will increase by $20.

Now let's suppose you pick up a car priced at $40 per day at 5:00 p.m. and you're scheduled to return it three days later at 2:00 p.m. If you actually return it at 3:00 p.m., your rental will cost the same as if your returned it at 2:00 p.m.

At some point, your rental car company will consider you to be late. But I've never heard of an hour or two being any sort of problem.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

When I use Enterprise/National the contract states the hourly rate which is the daily rate divided by 24. The reservation also lists it.

Perhaps you have a very unusual corporate contract with Enterprise/National.

The most renters, the hourly rate with Enterprise/National is one half the daily rate (the daily rate divided by 2, not by 24).

 

[Echo queen]

I was able to change my pick up time from 10:30pm to 3:30pm for free, no additional fee. Hertz, I made this change tonight for my March vacation. Good luck.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

There are two different things being discussed in this thread:

One thing is what happens if you keep a car into the next 24-hour period. This is where hourly rates and grace periods come into play.

The other if there are late fees for returning the car later than the return time on the reservation, and after how many hours such penalties kick in.​

Late fees and late fee rules vary by rental car company and corporate contract. You may find that your rental car company doesn't care unless your car is more than 7 hours late, after which a $10 late fee is added to your final bill. With my corporate contract, I don't even have to notify the car rental company unless I'll be more then 24 hours late. But I've also heard of cases of a $10 late fee for every 15 minutes after the scheduled return time.

Calling the car rental company is more reliable than relying on the experiences of others here on DISboards. Ask the agent for advice and help. Tell the agent you don't want to change your reservation unless you can keep exactly the same rate, but that you might be up to 2 hours late returning you car. The agent should know the best answer.

 

[robinb]

If the extra 2 hours is within your 24 hours day there should be no charge at all. For instance, if you pick up at 5:00 pm and were supposed to drop off at 10:00 am but will drop off at noon you are still within your last 24 hour rental period. If you were supposed to drop off at 5:00 pm but will do so at 7:00 pm then you will be over your 24-hour allotment.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Just call them and ask them to change your pick up time and they will tell you what the additional amt will be.

 

[DVC California]

Just call them and ask them to change your pick up time and they will tell you what the additional amt will be.

I believe that OP is saying they are dropping off later than planned. As Horace indicates, what isn't clear is whether that is beyond a 24 hr rental day or later than was reserved BUT before a 24 hr mark of when the rental began.

If the latter, there is no penalty. But if the former, I still say getting to the airport early isn't a terrible option.

 

[robinb]

Just call them and ask them to change your pick up time and they will tell you what the additional amt will be.

I would not do that because any change to the reservation may change the rate. If the drop off is within the 24-hour allotment I would just return it later.