National - Returning Car Late

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Does anyone know if National still has a grace period for car rental returns (based off of the original pick-up time)? If exceeded, do they charge the 1-hour rate associated with the weekly/daily rates, or do they charge the hourly "going rate"? Willing to pay for keeping the car too long, but don't want to overpay and won't be sure until its almost time to return it. Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

National used to give you a 59 minute grace period. Most agencies reduced the grace period to 29 minutes, or got rid of it.

I can't find any mention of a grace period on Nationals website. You'll have to check your rental agreement. It might say on your confirmation. Either check your confirmation or make a "test" reservation.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Thanks, I've tried looking everywhere on the National site too, and on the actual reservation page. All I can tell is if I make the return time a half hour later, it charges for an extra hour. I wonder if I put in like 2 extra hours, and then return it earlier, if they would remove the hourly rate?

 

[DebbieB]

Thanks, I've tried looking everywhere on the National site too, and on the actual reservation page. All I can tell is if I make the return time a half hour later, it charges for an extra hour. I wonder if I put in like 2 extra hours, and then return it earlier, if they would remove the hourly rate?

Yes, I've had that happen, it's adjusted for the actual.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

On the contract it will say what each extra hour costs (it's usually some derivative of the equivalent daily rate of the rental). National's grace period is 29 minutes, so after 30 minutes you will be charged an extra hour (1/3 of daily rate). For each hour late, you will be charged 1/3 daily rate, up to three hours, at which time the rate is for a full day.

 

[seashoreCM]

Do not keep the car past the return time on your reservation without permission. Otherwise they reserve the right to refigure your entire reservation using a higher rate.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Do not keep the car past the return time on your reservation without permission. Otherwise they reserve the right to refigure your entire reservation using a higher rate.

Not true, rentals have explicit additional rental period rates, and these are only an additional fee, they do not impact the original rate. The only time I've seen an entire reservation repriced is a return early.

That said, if you plan to keep the car an entire additional day (ie. return on Sunday instead of Saturday), you might want to call the rental agency just so they can note the record.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Yes, I've had that happen, it's adjusted for the actual.

Thanks Debbie, would you recommend changing it to add an extra hour or two to the ressie, or just leave it as is?