What exactly is National's no-show policy at MCO?

[dishguy1977]

So I've got a minivan booked through National in 2 days that I may end up not using (depends on when everybody ends up getting to MCO on different flights). I am Emerald Club so they do have my credit card on file. If I don't cancel and don't end up needing it will I be charged? What about if I switch it to a mid-size (Emerald Aisle)? I've read that sometimes they charge for certain types of cars but not others. What's my best course of action here?

TIA!!

 

[OKW Lover]

To answer this question you just need to look at the reservation you made for the vehicle. It will say on it if there is a no-show penalty.

 

[dishguy1977]

To answer this question you just need to look at the reservation you made for the vehicle. It will say on it if there is a no-show penalty.

Here in the fineprint?? Don't see it... It's the same "fine print" (I think) that I read when making the reservation.

Important Policy Information: All renters and additional drivers must meet the minimum age requirements for the renting location. A major credit card or debit card and a valid driver's license both in the name of the renter will be required at the time of rental. Debit and check cards, considered to be any non-credit card bearing the VISA or MasterCard logo (except for gift/prepaid cards) may only be used in conjunction with proof of round trip ticket (airline, cruise ship and the like). Without proof of roundtrip ticket, debit or check cards are only accepted on return. Any other non-credit card without the VISA or MasterCard logo is not accepted. Customers planning to rent with cash must bring the following documentation to the rental counter: valid Driver's License, a return ticket from an airline, cruise ship or train, verifiable employment, verifiable home phone number or a current verifiable gas or electric bill with the renter's name and address. All documentation must be in the renter's name. A cash deposit will be required in addition to the cost of rental. If you or any driver operate the rental vehicle in Northern California, Florida, Colorado, or Texas, and generate an unpaid toll, you will be charged our Toll Pass Convenience Charge of $2.00 for each day you use a toll road or bridge plus the cost of all unpaid tolls. The maximum Toll Pass Convenience Charge for the rental period is $6.00, plus the cost of all unpaid tolls. For information call (877) 860-1283. If you or any driver operate the rental vehicle in areas not served by TollPass and generate any unpaid toll(s) then you will be charged for all unpaid tolls and an administrative charge of up to $25.00 per rental.Toll Road Usage Program: www.htallc.com/nationalcar. Espanol: www.es.htallc.com/nationalcar. Francais: www.fr.htallc.com/nationalcar. Portugues: www.pt.htallc.com/nationalcar.

 

[klynn]

From National's website:

Is There a Cancellation Fee?

Guaranteed Reservations: Cancellations are accepted up to one calendar day before reservation date. If the reservation is not cancelled, a No Show Fee of $50.00 (plus applicable taxes, surcharges, and lessor fees) will be charged to the credit card on the Guaranteed Reservation.

"No show"customers: if the reservation is not canceled within 24 hours of the booked arrival time, National will charge a fee on the renter's credit card for vehicles that are reserved but not rented.

 

[WeLuvTink!]

I recommend you email National and just ask. We went to WDW last March and had 2 ressies - a mid-size at Alamo and a minvan at National (we had lots of luggage and if the mid-size wasn't large enough I had the minivan as a backup). I'm a member of both their frequent renter programs, so I knew they had my credit card on file.

I emailed both companies a few days before our trip and they said that there wasn't a penalty for no-shows. I kept that email just in case I needed it but I never did.

 

[dishguy1977]

From National's website:

Is There a Cancellation Fee?

Guaranteed Reservations: Cancellations are accepted up to one calendar day before reservation date. If the reservation is not cancelled, a No Show Fee of $50.00 (plus applicable taxes, surcharges, and lessor fees) will be charged to the credit card on the Guaranteed Reservation.

"No show"customers: if the reservation is not canceled within 24 hours of the booked arrival time, National will charge a fee on the renter's credit card for vehicles that are reserved but not rented.

Interesting....however, that does not show up when making the reservation nor on my confirmation so I think they may have a hard time enforcing it. They may have something under the terms and conditions of the Emerald Club membership so I will have to check that out. It looks like you can make a reservation without a credit card if you don't do it through the Emerald Club so I think I may just do that.

 

[dishguy1977]

I recommend you email National and just ask. We went to WDW last March and had 2 ressies - a mid-size at Alamo and a minvan at National (we had lots of luggage and if the mid-size wasn't large enough I had the minivan as a backup). I'm a member of both their frequent renter programs, so I knew they had my credit card on file.

I emailed both companies a few days before our trip and they said that there wasn't a penalty for no-shows. I kept that email just in case I needed it but I never did.

So perhaps the no-show policy isn't strictly enforced and is just there to "scare" people so that they don't make multiple reservations and screw up their inventory tracking.

 

[dishguy1977]

From National's website:

Is There a Cancellation Fee?

Guaranteed Reservations: Cancellations are accepted up to one calendar day before reservation date. If the reservation is not cancelled, a No Show Fee of $50.00 (plus applicable taxes, surcharges, and lessor fees) will be charged to the credit card on the Guaranteed Reservation.

"No show"customers: if the reservation is not canceled within 24 hours of the booked arrival time, National will charge a fee on the renter's credit card for vehicles that are reserved but not rented.

Where did you actually find that? I've been looking and can't seem to come across it. Also, what is a "Guaranteed Reservation"? Is that just a regular reservation? I've heard of people having reservations and showing up to find no car availbable and being told that a reservation does not guarantee them a vehicle - is a "Guaranteed Reservation" a special kind of reservation that does guarantee a car??

 

[n2mm]

Where did you actually find that? I've been looking and can't seem to come across it. Also, what is a "Guaranteed Reservation"? Is that just a regular reservation? I've heard of people having reservations and showing up to find no car availbable and being told that a reservation does not guarantee them a vehicle - is a "Guaranteed Reservation" a special kind of reservation that does guarantee a car??

I found the same clause too. I searched under FAQ and it also came up for us. I think it's there so if they do decide to charge you, there's nothing you can do about it. I too was struggling between two different reservations and was curious and found the same info. BTW -- I think guaranteed reservation would be a reservation that you guaranteed with a cc.

Go to Help and you'll see a FAQ section. Type in cancellation fee and you'll get "cancel or modify". Once you open that it will have the no show fee and information.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[dishguy1977]

I found the same clause too. I searched under FAQ and it also came up for us. I think it's there so if they do decide to charge you, there's nothing you can do about it. I too was struggling between two different reservations and was curious and found the same info. BTW -- I think guaranteed reservation would be a reservation that you guaranteed with a cc.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Yes, I think you are right about the "guaranteed reservation" being secured with a credit card. So in other words, if you don't make the reservation with a credit card than the no-show policy doesn't apply as you are technically not guaranteed a vehicle and they can turn you away if they are "sold out". Whereas, if you do make the reservation with a credit card , which looks like you can only do that with an Emerald Club membership, than you are guaranteed a vehicle and subsequently the no-show policy would apply as there is probably a clause in the Emerald club terms that allows them to charge you.