Picking up a Alamo car early???

[springandmac]

I originally had a reservation for a fullsize car for a week for $102. Pick up on a Saturday at 10 p.m. and return on a Saturday at 3 p.m. Well.....now my flight has changed and I would need to pick it up by 3 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. but when I go to modify it they want to charge me double. I even tried calling and got the same result.

Anyone have any ideas or experience with this type of situation?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The price you were quoted is based on the pick-up and drop off times. When you change these, the price usually changes.

I would try a new search of car rental places to see if I could get a better price at the new times.

 

[mmmgood]

Try changing your pickup time from 3pm to 2pm. That should do the trick price wise.

 

[springandmac]

Try changing your pickup time from 3pm to 2pm. That should do the trick price wise.

Sadly it doesn't

It makes the cost go up to $250

 

[mmmgood]

What is your pick up date?

 

[corster]

I'd try calling one more time and ask if they can do it, otherwise i'd just keep your reservation and show up when your fight lands.

Your rate is likely a weekly rate - as long as you pick up your car after 3pm on the first Saturday and return it before 3PM on the second Saturday, you won't be exceeding one week, so you shouldn't have an issue - they'll just override your pickup time whenever you do pick up the car.

 

[eangel12]

I have the same issue...Airtran changed my flight time and I was told by Avis that it doesn't really matter. They hold your car from 24 hrs, so whatever time you pick it up...you pick it up!!

 

[azdizzymom]

I have the same issue...Airtran changed my flight time and I was told by Avis that it doesn't really matter. They hold your car from 24 hrs, so whatever time you pick it up...you pick it up!!

Be careful with that information as each rental car company is different. On National website they clearly say it is 12 hours. This is from the National site:

Flight Delay
My flight has been delayed; what do I do?

Airport Rental Locations in the US and Canada:

Vehicles will be held until the end of the business day on the scheduled pickup date or for 12 hours, whichever comes first, for any delayed flights.

If you are going to arrive after closing, the pickup date and time should be changed to the next day.

When booking your reservation on-line or with an agent include your airline and flight information. Providing us with your flight information allows us to serve you better because we can check with the airline to see if your flight has been delayed.

Please Note: Frequent flyer points are not automatically paid if you provide your flight information. To receive credit for your miles you must add your Frequent Flyer number to your profile and include the information with your reservation.


This is from Alamo..

Vehicles will be held until the end of the business day on the scheduled pickup date or for 12 hours, whichever comes first, for any delayed flights.

If you are going to arrive after closing the pickup date and time should be changed to the next day.

Each rental car company is different. Picking up late is one thing but several hours early could make a difference at some locations. It is probably a YMMV depending on location, agent, etc.

BTW...Avis is NOT 24 hours. Direct from their website:

Most Avis airport locations will remain open to meet incoming customers who have made advance reservations and who have encountered flight delays. If a customer is delayed, it is Avis' policy to honor a reservation up to 16 hours beyond the stated pick-up time. If you anticipate a delay in picking up your car, Avis would greatly appreciate your notifying us at 800-331-1212 as soon as possible

If someone told me something different over the phone I'd get their name or ask them to email me. I would honestly email a question and then save and take the response if it is different from website with me just in case.

OP--what are your dates as others asked. Maybe some of us can find a rate for you. Did you try calling again....it doesn't seem like if you are picking up at 3PM and returning no later than 3PM that it should make a difference but maybe they don't have your size car during that time, maybe rates are different. Someone on FW posted that changing their pickup times changed rate by over $$$ hundred.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have the same issue...Airtran changed my flight time and I was told by Avis that it doesn't really matter. They hold your car from 24 hrs, so whatever time you pick it up...you pick it up!!

I have a hard time believing that any car rental company will hold your reservation for 24 hours. They may say that they do, and they may try, but if a paying customer shows up and wants a car and your hold is available, they are probably going to get it. Don't count on this policy.

 

[keishashadow]

I originally had a reservation for a fullsize car for a week for $102. Pick up on a Saturday at 10 p.m. and return on a Saturday at 3 p.m. Well.....now my flight has changed and I would need to pick it up by 3 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. but when I go to modify it they want to charge me double. I even tried calling and got the same result.

Anyone have any ideas or experience with this type of situation?

yes

when you booked did u link your flight information? If so, you might be in luck.

Did the airline change the arrival or did you do a self-change? If arriving flight number hasn't changed, call & state your case (through no fault of your own). If denied, ask to speak to a supervisor.

I'd had it happen a few times when booking w/AirTran in the past and haven't had a problem with National.

Let us know how it goes for you.

 

[eangel12]

I have a hard time believing that any car rental company will hold your reservation for 24 hours. They may say that they do, and they may try, but if a paying customer shows up and wants a car and your hold is available, they are probably going to get it. Don't count on this policy.

My flight change was 2 hours...so I am not too worried about the 24 hour thing. We originally had the rental as a pick-up for 1pm and instead are picking it up at 11am...and it might even be later if we have any flight delays, gate delays, etc!!