No-show fee at National?

[Rash]

This is from National's website:

No Show


In the case of a "no show" of a customer, the reservation will be canceled. National charges a fee on the renters credit card for vehicles that are reserved but not rented, if the reservation was not canceled within 24 hours of the anticipated arrival.

Cancellations are accepted up to one calendar day before reservation date. If the reservation is not cancelled, a No Show Fee of $50.00 (plus applicable taxes, surcharges, and lessor fees) will be charged to the credit card on the Guaranteed Reservation.

Guaranteed Reservations are required on all specialty vehicles, such as minivan, 4-wheel drive, and convertible car classes at all Corporate locations and at participating licensee locations.

The following credit cards are accepted for Guaranteed Reservations:

American Express
Diners Club
Discover
Carte Blanche
MasterCard
Visa


So, question - how can they charge you a no-show fee if they don't have your credit card #? I'm asking because I got a very good rate on a minivan using a certain code. However, since I don't actually qualify for that code, I made a backup reservation in case they refuse the code. If the first reservation works, and thus my backup becomes a no-show, can they charge me the fee after getting my credit card info from the first reservation? Hope that's not too confusing.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Guaranteed Reservations are required on all specialty vehicles, such as minivan, 4-wheel drive, and convertible car classes at all Corporate locations and at participating licensee locations.

Most likely (a) National does not consider your minivan a specialty vehicle, and (b) specialty vehicle rentals do require a credit card deposit.

 

[Carriemel]

Most likely (a) National does not consider your minivan a specialty vehicle, and (b) specialty vehicle rentals do require a credit card deposit.

The OP said specifically that minivans ARE considered a specialty vehicle.

" Guaranteed Reservations are required on all specialty vehicles, such as minivan, 4-wheel drive, and convertible car classes""

I think they may very well charge her for not cancelling that minivan.

 

[Lewisc]

The OP also said she didn't provide a credit card number which might make it harder to charge BUT
the OP has one reservation using a code she's not entitled to use and a "backup" reservation. Obviously she won't be using both. She understands National has a $50 charge if she doesn't pick up her car. Her question is how can they charge her if she didn't give a credit card.

It's possible, but not likely, National will charge whatever card she uses for the other car. I'm assuming both reservations are with National/Alamo.

It would be harder to charge if the other reservation is with a completely different company.

 

[mareed]

If you need a backup reservation, I'd suggest making it with another company if you want to eliminate the chance of being charged for a no-show. And I wouldn't consider Alamo & National separate since they share so many things and are under the same parent company (or something like that!).

It has definitely gotten harder to find a good or even reasonable legitimate rental card deal!

 

[Lewisc]

I re-read the OP. It sounds like she's using National/Alamo for both reservations.

Although I don't think they'll charge you for the reservation you don't use they could, and JMO should charge you.

You're trying to use a rate you're not eligible to use. You want National to reserve two vans for you. You don't want to pay the $50 charge for reserving a car you neither pick up nor cancel.

Make your backup reservation with a completely different company and make sure they don't have a no show penalty.

 

[mmmgood]

Your reservation is not a guaranteed reservation if you were not required to enter your credit card to make the reservation.

Guaranteed reservations are very rare. When you make one of these reservations National require that you enter your credit card information to make the reservation. If you did not enter your credit card information you do not have a guaranteed reservation and will not be charged a cancellation fee.

The cancellation fee only applies to guaranteed reservations where you have entered your credit card information specifically to make the reservation..

If you make a guaranteed reservation you will know it as National make it pretty clear. They can charge a cancellation fee as they do have your credit card information.

I have booked thousands of vehicles and have probably only seen two or three guaranteed reservations.

 

[Alexander]

mmmmgood is correct. You are not guaranteed a minivan even though you've rented one. You are only guranteed one if you held it with a credit card. That means, they won't let the last one go out the door unless you are in it. They will hold one for you because if you've agreed to the $50 penalty, you most likely aren't going to be a no-show.

Why use a rental code you don't qualify for? I would be very embarassed if they questioned me on something I wasn't eligible for.

 

[MarkinNM]

mmmmgood is correct. You are not guaranteed a minivan even though you've rented one. You are only guranteed one if you held it with a credit card. That means, they won't let the last one go out the door unless you are in it. They will hold one for you because if you've agreed to the $50 penalty, you most likely aren't going to be a no-show.

Why use a rental code you don't qualify for? I would be very embarassed if they questioned me on something I wasn't eligible for.

Good point, no CC# no way they can charge you.............

Do you use coupons???

Rental codes are the same thing....

Why not try to save a few $$ .................