Pick up rental early?

[LeslieG]

I have a car reserved through Enterprise at MCO, and I'm thinking of changing my flight to an earlier one, which would mean I would pick up the car about 2 hours earlier than what it's reserved for. If I change the pickup time, the price goes way up. Do you think there would be any problem picking it up 2 hours early? Anyone ever denied? Have their rate increased?

 

[seashoreCM]

It's luck of the draw.

I have both succeeded and failed in picking up a car early (same agency, not Enterprise). The reservation itself was not modified.

If it is a busy time like Daytona week, less of a chance of succeeding.

 

[LeslieG]

It's luck of the draw.

I have both succeeded and failed in picking up a car early (same agency, not Enterprise)..

If it is a busy time like Daytona week, less of a chance of succeeding.

What happened when you failed? Just couldn't get a car, or they changed the price?

I actually just called the MCO Enterprise office, and the girl told me no problem, just come on in. Now the problem with that I guess is that they might have a different story when I get there.

 

[crashbb]

Does picking it up early change how many 24 hour periods you will be renting for?

That can make a difference.

 

[LeslieG]

Does picking it up early change how many 24 hour periods you will be renting for?

That can make a difference.

No, it doesn't. Initially picking it up Monday 1 pm and returning Thursday 8 am. Now want to pick it up Monday 11 am and same return time.

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> ... Just couldn't ...

Actually they offered me a choice of upgrading to a higher priced car now or coming back later to get what I reserved. I chose the latter.

When I succeeded, I would to bring the car back correspondingly early if the return time used up the last 24 hour period completely. The return time would not be affected if the start time did not stretch the rental into another 24 hour period.

 

[LeslieG]

>>> ... Just couldn't ...

Actually they offered me a choice of upgrading to a higher priced car now or coming back later to get what I reserved. I chose the latter.

When I succeeded, I had to bring the car back correspondingly early to stay within the booked number of 24 hour periods.

Do you remember how much earlier you were picking it up?

 

[Lewisc]

Some of the weekend rates require a pickup after a specific day of the week and time of day. Expect to have your rental re-priced if that's the case. It doesn't look like this applies to you.

Otherwise most agencies will accomodate a customer if a car is available. Either pay $$$ to change your reservation or accept the fact that if Enterprise is short cars you may have to wait until your original pickup time.

edited to add I don't care what the rep told you on the phone. I'd hope Enterprise would give a car to the customer with a 11a reservation over a customer trying to pick a car 2 hours early (if they're short of cars).