Rental car question

[mikkiblueeyes]

I have a reservation at National to pick up our rental tomorrow at 4pm. Do you think if I show up earlier (maybe 3pm?) I might be able to get the car?

I've tried checking my rates to see if they've gone down any but it won't let me go any further, says the car I want isn't available.

What if I get there and there are no more vans available?

Thanks for all your help!!

Michelle

 

[seashoreCM]

My experience (not with National): Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. One rental agency offered to give me a car early in exchange for a higher rate. I declined and came back at the reserved hour.

Unfortunately you can be out of luck if you reserved a van and none are available. You'd have to negotiate, possibly long and hard, to have them get a van from another agency. Contrast that with reserving smaller more common cars which if not available usually result in your being offered something larger for the same rate.

Car rental hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/carrent.htm

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[safetymom]

Sometimes they also change your rental return time based on the earlier pickup. Will changing the return time cause problems?

I would call National and have them check your reservation.

 

[mikkiblueeyes]

There wouldn't be a problem returning it the same time as I picked it up. I have alot of stuff to pack in it and wanted to start earlier for the light.

I'll call them, thanks!

 

[leebee]

I've never had a problem picking up vehicles a little earlier than the reservation said...just remember that your drop-off time will be earlier, or you'll pay for extra days. Once you have a ressie there usually isn't a problem...what would happen if your flight was changed/delayed, or if it arrives early, or something.

 

[DebbieB]

I once had a vehicle reserved for noon and ended up picking it up at 8:00am with no problem. The only problem may be if they don't have a vehicle, you would have to wait until your reserved time.