No Show after Online Check in

[PrincessNelly]

Hi All,

We have two car rental reservations through Alamo & Budget. (Both are pay later from Costco)
We completed online check in/skip the counter for both. My fiancé wants to keep both rentals in case something goes wrong or they don't have a car he prefers to drive. Does anyone know if this will be an issue? Will they charge us for not showing up to the other reservation?

I tried searching online but could only find info on prepaid rentals. We did have to provide our credit card information for both during the check in process. But I was hoping they won't charge it unless we pick up the car.

 

[Genie+]

Did you book it something like this?

I’d go look at the email confirmations you received and read the terms. That’s really the best way to be sure, just in case there’s some detail about your booking that makes it different from typical Pay Later bookings.

 

[PrincessNelly]

View attachment 987189
Did you book it something like this?

I’d go look at the email confirmations you received and read the terms. That’s really the best way to be sure, just in case there’s some detail about your booking that makes it different from typical Pay Later bookings.

Yes, that is what it says. I just wasn't sure if they will charge you card on the day of pick up regardless of if we pick up it.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

My experience with Alamo rentals where I have completed check-in online using the skip-the-counter feature has been that the anticipated charge is authorized/pending the morning of the reserved rental with actual charges posting when the car is returned. However, I’ve never not picked up the rental car, so I don’t have a clue as to what would happen in that situation.

 

[sam_gordon]

Look for "canellation" policies. I know with Hertz, I can cancel up until the scheduled pick up time.

If thats the case, I would set the pickup time an hour or so after when I expect to be there.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I always book two rental cars. I have never had to provide a credit card number with a pay at the counter.

I would not prepay or a car. I did that in 2022 (post covid there weren't many rental cars) and when I got to the final page, the price had increased substantially... I've been renting for 40+ years and it was not the tax or other fees, just an inflated price. I instantly did a chat to cancel and they said it would be $50 just to cancel. I said to go ahead and cancel. I copied the chat, thankfully. We picked up the other car only to get home and find Avis had charged us the full amount for the car we cancelled. I had to do a chargeback since they didn't cooperate. The bank told me Avis said we didn't "return it"!

Once you pick up one car, I would cancel the other. Watch your CC bill! Good luck!

 

[EACarlson]

I hope you do get charged. You completed the online check in, so now that's a car that is not available to others that would like it. This is what leads to overselling and vehicles not being available with a reservation. I would have a lot less of an issue if you had it booked and didn't pick it up compared to actually checking in and then not showing up.

 

[toesmom]

I hope you do get charged. You completed the online check in, so now that's a car that is not available to others that would like it. This is what leads to overselling and vehicles not being available with a reservation. I would have a lot less of an issue if you had it booked and didn't pick it up compared to actually checking in and then not showing up.

I actually agree with this statement. Holding two reservations is really not acceptable, especially doing the online check in so the agency will be holding the vehicle for you, expecting you to show up. Cancel one of the reservations, that is the right way to proceed. That is really what most of us who rent vehicles regularly do.

 

[Akck]

I’ve had a reservation and did online check-in. While at the airport, flying out, I happened to check Costco again and found even a cheaper rental. I reserved the new rental, but I did cancel the old reservation with no charge. Once, I was picking up a rental, but the price was higher because they offered a bigger car. They said the car I reserved would be ready in about a half hour. While waiting I happened to check Costco again and found a cheaper rental. I told them I didn’t want the rental anymore. I canceled the old one while driving to the other rental company.

I have made 2 reservations for the same period, but usually cancel one as the trip gets closer and I have a better idea of our needs. I don’t think this hurts anyone as the rental price I booked is still available most of the time.