Rental Car Pick up/ drop off times

[Cant wait for Disney]

How much of a buffer around flight times do you give yourself for picking up and dropping off your rentals? We get into Orlando at 8:15 am and leave at 7:15 pm. What would you put as your pick up/drop off times for holding a rental?

 

[BrerMama]

I'd put 8:30 am for picking up and 5 pm for dropping off, but I like to get back to the airport in plenty of time, especially around rush hour. I wouldn't count on much of a buffer. I think the buffer time is like 15 minutes before they charge you over. Maybe a half hour.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

After 3 hours, I think most companies have you pay a full day, so the return time really isn't important.....

Given your schedule, I'd suggest 8 AM pick-up and 7 PM drop-off. I don't want to sit around waiting for a car if flight gets in a little early, and there's no reason to commit to dropping off early if you're already paying for the full day.

 

[snesguy]

After 3 hours, I think most companies have you pay a full day, so the return time really isn't important.....

Given your schedule, I'd suggest 8 AM pick-up and 7 PM drop-off. I don't want to sit around waiting for a car if flight gets in a little early, and there's no reason to commit to dropping off early if you're already paying for the full day.

It's usually less than 3 hours. Some it's a 1/2 hour. You're right that the OP is way over so he'll be paying for an extra day anyway so it doesn't matter when he puts the drop off time. You'll see if you put the times in and get an online price quote that the cost will be the same.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

It's usually less than 3 hours. Some it's a 1/2 hour. You're right that the OP is way over so he'll be paying for an extra day anyway so it doesn't matter when he puts the drop off time. You'll see if you put the times in and get an online price quote that the cost will be the same.

I wasn't talking about a short grace period that the companies might extend if you're running late...I believe all the major agencies will have hourly rates if you have to rent for slightly more than a 24 hour increment.

I'm renting a car this weekend (not in Orlando, but I've had the same situation there) for 25 hours, and this is the way my rate is quoted:

Base Rate - Standard (USD)
(1) Day Rate ($16.59/day) $16.59
(1) Hour Rate ($5.70/hour) $5.70

 

[Cant wait for Disney]

thanks everyone! So if I hold the car for 8, and dont get to it til closer to 9, it will still be there when i show up? How long before they think i'm not coming?

 

[GrnMtnMan]

thanks everyone! So if I hold the car for 8, and dont get to it til closer to 9, it will still be there when i show up? How long before they think i'm not coming?

Yes, they'll have cars for you. At a place like Orlando, they don't have a specific car set aside for you....they have hundreds of cars in inventory and there people coming and going all the time. When you get to the counter, they look at the available cars and assign you one. Some agencies actually have you walk out to the cars in the garage and pick out the one you want yourself, from the appropriate car class category.

The reservation time is not that precise....I'm not sure the specific policy of how long a reservation is held (though I think it's 24 hours). But they know that they are in an airport and that people arriving on airplanes often have their arrival delayed for hours and hours.

 

[Cant wait for Disney]

great, that is so helpful. thank you!