Rental car return ?

[msmama]

This may be a better question for the budget board, but I tend to frequent here more so I'm asking here.

The question:

How much am I locked into a rental car return time?

The background info:

Realized that I can save $100 on my rental car by letting family cart me around for a day and a half (after our Disneyland trip). When I am rent a car (going through SW as it's the best rate I'm finding) it wants me to choose a Return time.

Usually it'd be close to my flight time, but I'm not getting on an airplane. The day I'd be returning the car is really the extra day of our trip and I have NO IDEA what we'll be doing. It might be a partial disney day, it might be a beach day so at this point I have no idea what time I'd be returning the car and probably won't until that day or the day before.

I obviously want to save the money but don't want to be surprised by any fees either. Any experiences? (If it matters, I'm currently booked through Hertz, but will most likely change to Budget as it's slightly cheaper. I have read the "fine print" I can find and it doesn't mention return times at all).

 

[JenLanDisney]

What if I don't return my car on the designated return time or day?
Answer: Vehicles are rented on a daily (24-hour) basis. There is a 29-minute grace period for returns. After 30 minutes late, hourly car rate charges and taxes may apply. After 90 minutes late, full-day late charges and taxes may apply. After 7 hours late, if you didn't call to extend your rental, an additional $10/day late fee applies. There is no grace period for rental fees, surcharges and optional equipment or protections charges. Full-day late charges will apply for these items.

If you wish to extend any U.S. rental beyond 7 hours from the original return time, you must contact a Budget reservation agent at 800-824-6287. To extend a rental in another country, please call the rental location directly. We will be happy to accommodate your request, if possible. Please note that at U.S. and Canadian corporate-operated locations, a service fee of $10 will apply and your original rental rate may no longer be available. Your reservation agent will provide all details when you call. If you don't call within 7 hours of your originally scheduled return time to extend your rental, a $10/day late fee will apply.

Also, if you choose not to return the car on or before your originally scheduled return date, we will place an additional hold on your debit or credit card to cover any additional expected rental charges. Upon your return of the car, the holds will be released, and the actual cost of the rental will be charged. Please note that your bank may take up to two weeks to post the released credit hold to your card. Unfortunately, we cannot be held responsible for any returned checks due to debit card hold processing.

 

[msmama]

Well now I feel silly - I couldn't find that anywhere!!

But that makes it sound like I should plan on returning it at the end of the day (my rental starts at 9pm at night a week earlier) and there is no penalty for returning early).

Agree?

 

[Ranger111]

Return your car a little early, an hour or two...no problem.

Return your car much earlier than that and you may face some fees.

Return your car a day early and you will nearly always be paying $$$ extra.

They base rates on hours/days rented. They rationalize that they give better rates for longer rentals, so return early and get hit with fees.

Methinks it is just an excuse to pick up some extra $$$....