New to Rental car Question

[jmkst58]

Hi,

I apologize ahead of time for the question. We rented our car for Christmas vacation months ago. Now we are contemplating adding a day to the end of our vacation, so I would need to add another day to the rental car. Rental car rates have skyrocketed since I've made the reservation, so I would hate to cancel my existing reservation and rate, in order to rebook. The price difference would be several hundred dollars.

What happens if I just bring the car back one day later than I had reserved it for? Again I apologize for having to ask- I actually have no idea what they'd do.

Thanks,
jmkst58

 

[skelooch]

If you return the car a day later than your reservation states, they have every right to charge you the current rate, not saying they will but they can. You are the one altering the reservation contract.
Your best bet would be to call them and explain the change in your plans, they may just add the day at the daily rate of your existing reservation, Alamo has done it for me on a couple of occasions, but you don't say who you are renting from, other companies may have different policies.
Don't cancel your existing reservation until you call them.

 

[jcarwash]

You should not chance showing up late -- by doing that you are not following your rental agreement.

If you booked online, you may be able to modify your existing reservation but using the original rate you booked under. For example, I know Hertz has this option when modifying a reservation online. Otherwise skelooch's advice is dead on right -- call to see what options are available to you.