What happens if you are late returning rental car?

[PaulaMurf]

We have ressies with National, our flights were changed by a couple of hours, I dont really want to sit in the airport, but, I dont want to cancel my amazing rate from National to pay the now much higher one for our travel dates, so, I was wondering how does it work if you return the car late? It would be less then 1 hour, do I get charged an hour? or a day? anyone know?

TIA
Paula in CT

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Most rental companies give you a "grace period" of 59 minutes from the scheduled return time. At the 1 hour mark you may be charged for an extra hour or an extra day, depending on how your contract is worded. Either way, those extra hour/day rates are quite high. I'd rather return it on time, bring a good book to read or get a snack/meal at MCO. It's cheaper in the long run.

 

[safetymom]

I agree with the other poster. If it is less than an hour you would be OK. There is plenty to see and do in the Orlando airport so for me I would just return the car at its scheduled time and not have to worry about any late charges.

 

[Jcricket Fan]

Paula,
have you tried to modify the reservation time? My flight home was changed and I went into the reservation (National) and changed the times. It kept the base rate I originally had.
You could give that a try....you are given the option to keep your original reservation so if you aren't happy with what the modification comes up with you can just keep what you have.

Colleen

 

[seashoreCM]

Car rental companies reserve the right to charge you much more than the daily and hourly rates printed on the contract if you do not bring the car back on time.

Read the fine print on the actual rental contract you get when you take the car. I'm not sure whether this information is on the rental companies' web sites. The contract also states the rules for extending a rental if the car is not committed to somebody else.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm