When you rent a car, I bet you don’t give much thought to the times you say you’ll pick up and drop off the vehicle. Most people enter in the time their flight is due to arrive and then maybe give themselves an hour or two (or nowadays, three) before their flight is scheduled to leave.
But what if you change your departure time at the last minute to get on an earlier plane, and get your rental car earlier, too? Or if your flight home is delayed and you know you’re going to be stuck at the airport, you might decide to just show up a bit later (Be careful. Flight can become undelayed). Those decisions could cost you an entire day’s worth of rental car charges if you’re not careful.
Unlike most of us who think of Monday as one day and Tuesday as the next day, car rental companies go by a 24-hour clock. If you check out your car at 1:00 PM, you better return that car by 1:00 PM or be ready to pay up. That’s one reason it pays to plan your flights to save on car rental charges. Even if you plan your trip correctly, you may get stuck in traffic on the way to the airport.
Rental car companies offer a grace period on rental returns, but they’re nowhere as generous as they used to be. I was able to take advantage of one of these grace periods in Hawaii when I forgot to fill up my rental car with gas before returning it. I didn’t prepay for the gas, so I was prepared to pay through the nose. The rental agent told me I had 30 30-minute grace period so I could drive out of the airport and across the street to the gas station that doesn’t overcharge tourists for gas and fill up, which I did. That saved me about $20 in fuel charges, but that’s Hawaii for you!
Here are the grace period policies of the major rental car companies if you return the car past the 24-hour mark. You may get a more lenient policy with a particular group code but I decided to list the base rules that’ll apply to almost everyone.
Alamo
There is generally a 29 minute grace period for daily rentals. If the vehicle is returned within 2 hours of the time it was rented on a subsequent day additional hourly charges will apply. If you return the vehicle 2 hours or more from the time it was rented on a subsequent day, you will be charged for an additional day of rental.
Avis
Most rental car reservations are based on a daily, 24-hour rate. If a rental car is returned beyond the 24-hour period, the renter will be charged an additional hourly rate. Make sure to return your vehicle on time to avoid extra fees.
Budget
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 $20/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.
Dollar
Late returns beyond our 30-minute grace period may be subject to extra hour and/or extra day charges, in addition to any other rental charges. If the renter fails to comply with the conditions applicable to the rate, including any geographic driving restrictions, a mileage charge, surcharge or other rates may apply.
Enterprise
Great news! There is generally a 29 minute grace period for daily rentals.
If the vehicle is returned within 2 ½ hours of the time it was rented on a subsequent day, additional hourly charges will apply. Hourly charges for your location and rental can be found on your rental contract.
If you return the vehicle 2 ½ hours or more from the time it was rented on a subsequent day, you will be charged for an additional day of rental.
Fox Rent A Car
Fox offers a 59 minute grace period when returning a vehicle. If you return more than 59 minutes late, the rate will increase by USD/25.00 per day each day the vehicle is kept beyond the return date at the time of rental.
Hertz
Rentals have a grace period of 29 minutes. Optional coverages do not have hourly charges/grace period, but are charged as a full day. Extra hour charges will be incurred at the 30 minute mark if the vehicle is returned more than 29 minutes past the original rental time. Vehicles returned more than 12 hours late will be charged an additional $12 per day.
National
There is generally a 29 minute grace period for daily rentals. If the vehicle is returned within 2 ½ hours of the time it was rented on a subsequent day additional hourly charges will apply. If you return the vehicle 2 ½ hours or more from the time it was rented on a subsequent day, you will be charged for an additional day of rental.
Payless
Rental is based on a 24-hour period. The customer receives a 29-minute grace period. If he/she keeps the vehicle after this time, an hourly rate will apply from minute one.
Sixt
We do allow a 30-minute grace period for your convenience at return. For example, if you picked up at noon on day one and returned at noon on day two you are within the 24-hour billing period and will be charged for one day. However, if you return your vehicle at 1:00 PM, you will be charged an additional day.
Thrifty
Late returns beyond 30 minute grace period may be subject to extra hour and/or extra day charges, in addition to any other rental charges. If the renter fails to comply with the conditions applicable to the rate, including any geographic driving restrictions, a mileage charge, surcharge or other rates may apply.
Final Words
It’s important to know that the grace period only applies to car rental charges. Even if you return a car within a grace period, if it’s late by just one minute, you’ll be charged for any additional fees such as insurance, airport fees, local fees, add-ons like car seats, GPS, or radio, and applicable taxes on those charges.
If you have a car rental where the check-out and return times are close, it may pay for you to leave for the airport early, when possible. There might be some great places in the airport to spend some time like a Centurion Lounge or a nice airport restaurant where you can spend the money you saved by returning the car a little bit earlier.
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