Rental Car question--should I take a chance?

[RweTHEREyet]

I will be going down to visit Mom for Christmas and will be flying into Pensacola. My car rental period misses the weekly period by just a few hours. If I indicate I am arriving a couple hours earlier and leaving a couple hours later, I qualify for a better weekly rate and can use a better coupon--otherwise I fall into no man's land as far as the deals are concerned. Should I fudge my hours to save about $40.00? What do they do when flights arrive late, etc., do they adjust rental car rates?

 

[safetymom]

Are you going for a week or 4-5 days? They will charge if you return the car early to get the better rate. They will also charge if you return the car late.

You could put in different flight information but they might base the rental on when you actually pick it up. I have not seen a consistent policy on this.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Actual time would be from 5:30 on Wed to noon on Sunday. So I am about 5 hours short of the 5-day that would let me use the weekly coupon. That coupon makes all the difference.

 

[robinb]

Actual time would be from 5:30 on Wed to noon on Sunday. So I am about 5 hours short of the 5-day that would let me use the weekly coupon. That coupon makes all the difference.

I wouldn't do it. Car companies charge for actually time rented and you will pay a higher rate.

Have you looked into a Weekend rate? You might qualify .

Here's a thread on FatWallet with all kinds of discounts:
http://www.fatwallet.com/t/63/521905/

 

[disneyldwjr]

Actual time would be from 5:30 on Wed to noon on Sunday. So I am about 5 hours short of the 5-day that would let me use the weekly coupon. That coupon makes all the difference.

It does not matter what you put in for arrival or departure, it matters when you pick up and drop off. 5 hours will put you into a daily rate.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

Glad I read this post. We're heading to WDW in March. I've reserved a car through Budget for 8 days...though we'll actually be a few hours shy of that. Guess I'd better recheck rates, eh?

 

[CarolMN]

Glad I read this post. We're heading to WDW in March. I've reserved a car through Budget for 8 days...though we'll actually be a few hours shy of that. Guess I'd better recheck rates, eh?

In your case, there is nothing to worry about. Even if you return the car a few hours early, you'd still be paying for a week plus 1 day. If you return it in 7 days and just a few hours, you might be allowed to pay the hourly rate for the 8th day (which would be less expensive). I don't know how many hours it takes before they just charge you for the day. Anyway, I don't think you have any problem at all, so don't worry. Unless you keep the car longer than 8 days, you're going to pay the quoted rate for 8 days.

The problem with the OP is that the minimum keep to qualify for a weekly rate is 5 days. (The max is 7 days). If the OP returns the car without keeping it for 5 days, she will be charged the daily rate rather than the less expensive weekly rate. The daily rate will not allow you to use a coupon meant for a weekly rental, so it will end up more expensive for her.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

Thanks for the insight. I was just concerned because at Budget when I input our days at the 7 day x hour mark it was more expensive than the 8 days. I didn't want to turn the car in early and have to pay the original quote since we will be just shy of the 8 days. Thanks again!

 

[kaytieeldr]

AllesonWonderland: Just to be ABSOLUTELY sure - what time/day do you plan to pick up the car and what time/day do you plan to return it?

 

[AllesonWonderland]

AllesonWonderland: Just to be ABSOLUTELY sure - what time/day do you plan to pick up the car and what time/day do you plan to return it?

Our flight gets in at 10:45 3/24 and our return flight leaves at 7:20a on 4/1. All the other rental agencies that I checked rates with would show the 1 week plus one day rates no matter what times I used. Budget doesn't break it out that way, but using the above times then using 10:45p-10:45p, the 8 day base rate was $40 cheaper.