Returning rental car 2 hours early?

MDsMomma

Mouseketeer
Joined
May 17, 2009
Messages
260
I just realized when I made my reservation for the rental car I messed up on the return time. I chose 5 pm and our flight is at 5 pm. I would think we would be returning the car between 230-3 pm.

Do you think this is a problem? If I go online to try to modify my price skyrockets because my coupon code I used isn't valid for booking anymore.

Any advice?
 
I returned a car 2 hours early last week and it was fine. A few years back I returned one 3 hours early and they charged me extra.
 
I just realized when I made my reservation for the rental car I messed up on the return time. I chose 5 pm and our flight is at 5 pm. I would think we would be returning the car between 230-3 pm.

Do you think this is a problem? If I go online to try to modify my price skyrockets because my coupon code I used isn't valid for booking anymore.

Any advice?

I typically return mine early so it should OK. The only issue would be if the rate requires a 5 day minimum and the early return makes it 4 days 23 hours.
 
I typically return mine early so it should OK. The only issue would be if the rate requires a 5 day minimum and the early return makes it 4 days 23 hours.

This would still be 5 days in most cases as it's beyond 4 days 3 hours; the bigger issue would be if you cross the threshold of moving to lesser days; example:

Original Rent: 05/01/2013 12:00 PM
Original Return: 05/05/2013 8:00 PM

New Return: 05/05/2013 2:30 PM

This should reset your rate to daily because you now are not at the threshold for 5 days. Other things that can effect your rate are Saturday keeps and time of days on Monday and Thursday (weekend versus weekday rates).
 

I just realized when I made my reservation for the rental car I messed up on the return time. I chose 5 pm and our flight is at 5 pm. I would think we would be returning the car between 230-3 pm.

Do you think this is a problem? If I go online to try to modify my price skyrockets because my coupon code I used isn't valid for booking anymore.

Any advice?

When are you going? I am traveling in about 3 weeks and the price of the rental cars is down to $145 for an 8 day rental (with promo codes of course). I'd keep the car you have locked in for now but keep trying as your trip gets closer. In my June 2013 thread here in the transportation section I gave out two promo codes

ENBKWY2 Enterprise

AD2338FDF Alamo (provided to me from another DIS forum member)

Thrifty also partners with AAA to give discounts now. It might be worth checking then out.

My advice keep checking the deals. I found my Alamo deal at 11:45am today and now the price is up to $164 which is still a steal.

Good Luck!
 
When are you going? I am traveling in about 3 weeks and the price of the rental cars is down to $145 for an 8 day rental (with promo codes of course). I'd keep the car you have locked in for now but keep trying as your trip gets closer. In my June 2013 thread here in the transportation section I gave out two promo codes

ENBKWY2 Enterprise

AD2338FDF Alamo (provided to me from another DIS forum member)

Thrifty also partners with AAA to give discounts now. It might be worth checking then out.

My advice keep checking the deals. I found my Alamo deal at 11:45am today and now the price is up to $164 which is still a steal.

Good Luck!

I check daily several times a day.. we need a minivan. We are going next week.

Our rental is Saturday - Friday it would make it from 6 days to 5 days 22 hours
 
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As long as it doesn't make you not have the car long enough for a week long deal, the rental company will be happy to have that car back early.
 
I returned my car 2 hours early last month and I was charged LESS than originally quoted.....
 
I check daily several times a day.. we need a minivan. We are going next week.

Our rental is Saturday - Friday it would make it from 6 days to 5 days 22 hours

Anything over 5 days is considered a weekly rental. Keep in mind, the clock starts ticking when you leave the garage and stops when you return. It does not go by the times on your reservation.
 
Anything over 5 days is considered a weekly rental. Keep in mind, the clock starts ticking when you leave the garage and stops when you return. It does not go by the times on your reservation.

More specifically, between 5 and 7 days. More than 7 days and you're in different territory. :)
 
I have never had a problem returning a car early:). They are happy to have them back to use for someone else:). Never been charged either:)
 
I have never had a problem returning a car early:). They are happy to have them back to use for someone else:). Never been charged either:)

Try saying that IF you have a 5 day rental and you return it at less than 5 days or it needs a Sat. night keep and you return in on a Sat. morning. While they may be absolutely delighted to have the car back, being a profit motivated company, they are also delighted to take your money too and they love having contracts adhered to.
 














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