I’m arriving at an airport at 1:00, so I put in 1:30 to pick up car. It’s $35 less if I put in 2:00. Do you think my car will be ready earlier than 2:00 if I just show up after departing the plane? We really want to just take off, so don’t want to wait around more than we have to. I’m reluctant to put in 1:00 .
What time did you enter for returning the car? I think you were right on the edge of going into another day of rental and that’s why the cost increased. From my experience, they are going to charge you based on how long you keep the car, not based on what time you enter into the reservation. I doubt there is any reason they wouldn’t have a car ready for you when you arrive at the airport.
If you pick the car UP before 2:00, you will be charged the more expensive rate. It doesn’t matter what time you put on your reservation form. It’s the actual pick up time. SO…if you pick the car up at 1:30 for a 2:00 reservation, you will be charged from 1:30…not 2:00.
I disagree with that. You will be charged the rate that you have booked it for, however, if you go past 24 hours, you will be charged extra (but maybe just on an hourly rate). If they have a car early, they will give it to you, if they don’t, they won’t. It is very common for people to pick up a car a little bit early or late at the airport, flights arrive early or are delayed all the time. Is the reason the car is $35 extra for picking it up at 1:30 because you are going past a 24 hour period and being charged for an extra day?
The car rental places are busier at certain times of the day - but certainly mid-day should not be a problem. Chances are that if you arrive early, they will have it for you and it very likely will be ready. If you are using a service like Hertz where you don’t check in at any desk, just walk to the lot and see your name on the board, they usually plan to have those ready at least an hour before your arrival. Some might depend on what type of car you’re getting (luxury or minivans, which they may have fewer of as a pct of the fleet), and where you are renting from, etc.
Go with the lower cost reservation, for 2:00. Worst case scenario you have to wait, but not likely
Thumper is correct. If you put in 2, and try to check the car out at 1:30, the rate will be higher. I just had this happen and the counter person was very nice and told us that if we waiting 10 minutes it would be $40 less. We waited.
Make the reservation for 2. Then take your time in the airport, grab a cup of tea or coffee…and head over to the car rental place. The cup of coffee will cost you far less than $35.
Thanks all. We don’t wanthink to wait, we have another 3 hour drive when we get there.
Thanks all. We don’t want to wait, we have another 3 hour drive when we get there.
conmama, you never did answer the question of why the price is higher. What time are you putting in to drop off the car? What does the system say if you book 1:30-1:30, the same as if you book at 2-1:30, or $35 higher?
I put on 1:30 to 1:30 and it is $375. I put 2:00 to 2:00 and it is $342. We actually ended up deciding to get a smaller vehicle are will pay $242.