Pick up rental car early?

[KLAIT]

When I originally made my car rental reservation, I had a flight that arrived at 7:30 pm so I made the car reservation for a 7:30 pickup.....and got an excellent rate through National when the rates were dropping daily...

Now, Northwest has changed our flight and we get in at 5:00 p.m.

Has anyone been able to pick up their car couple of hours early? I sure hate to cancel our excellent rate, but don't want to sit at the airport for 2 hours either.

FYI: It will not make a difference in the amount of days....we scheduled an early morning return time.

Advice?

 

[ksd1283]

Just try and modify your resv with a click on the modify word at the National Car site. Change your pickup time and see if your rate stays the same.If you like what you see pick the new resv --if not you can keep the original!! I did this yesterday and my rate did not change!!

 

[seashoreCM]

Depending on anticipated demand for cars, you rate may or may not show a change if yhou try to modify your ressie on line.

If you wish you can leave the ressie as-is and just show up early for the car. The rental agency may or may not give you the car early and may or may not offer you a car early for an increased price, seemingly at the whim of the agent but probably depending on the demand for cars. You can decide whether or not to pay the extra to get the car sooner.

I have seen rates show higher when trying to modify ressies.
I have been offered a car early at a higher rate.
I have been given a car early at no increase in rate.
All by the same agency and by more than one agency.

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

 

[KLAIT]

Thanks guys! I am so afraid to modify the ressie as it currently is over $200.00 more for the same reservation right now.

Not sure if it makes a difference, but it is through National EA...

thanks for the link, seashoreCM

 

[Poorman]

Seriously, if it is EA I wouldn't worry about it. As long as it doesn't change to an extra day.

I have never had a problem gettting in a little early, they have never mentioned it.