National-Grace Period?

[mom_rules]

Does National have anything where they will allow you to return a rental and hour or two late and not charge ie. rent @ 1:00pm and return at 3:00pm and not be charged the 2 extra hours?

How long will they hold your vehicle-NOT renting at MCO- should your flight be delayed?

 

[Eeyore1954]

My experience with National (and most rental car companies) is that they give you a 59 min. grace period to return the car. If your reservation says "return at 1 p.m.", they will give you until 1:59 p.m. to return and not charge for the extra time. That said, a lot depends on the person checking you in ... you might get lucky, but given the way most rental companies are operating today, I wouldn't expect it. If you are going to return the car "late", expect to be charged for it.

I've arrived late many times -- a few times several hours late -- and the company has always had a car available. If they didn't have one in the class I reserved (usually a full size), they gave me a complimentary upgrade to the next class available.

 

[mom_rules]

Thanks, just what I wanted to know.

 

[seashoreCM]

Anecdotal evidence suggests that how lenient the car rental agencies are depends on the demand for cars, for example during Daytona Week they are not likely to cut you much slack.

People have lost their reservations because of getting to the airport late to pick up the car. Some agencies quote a grace period for this.

One rental agreement I had did quote an extra hour rate and an extra day rate but also stated that if I brought back the car late they had the right to refigure the entire rental at a higher rate.

I have heard of Priceline reservations quoting a USD $99.00 extra day rate for late returns.

If you think you will be late, at least call ahead to request extra time, although this is no guarantee your request will be granted.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[mom_rules]

Ouch! I had better read their policies more carefully.