Renting cars: which rate will I be charged, daily or weekly?

January 26, 2010 3:17 PM

If a rental car's weekly rate is better than the daily rate I'd use for five days, can I rent the car for a week and just return it early?

For example, a rental I'm looking at is approximately $320 at the weekly rate, but $400 for five days. Can I rent it at the weekly rate and return it early, or will they change the rate upon my return?

posted by ocherdraco to Travel & Transportation (11 answers total)

Often they charge a daily rate if you return it early. Check the contract but that's very likely. They count on your car being off the lot, making room for other cars.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 3:25 PM on January 26, 2010

Depends on the agency, but when I did that and they changed the rate to the daily rate. Some rates also have things like a "Saturday keep" which will impact the rate if you turn it in early when you have weekend rates.

Maybe you'll get lucky and get billed $320, but don't be overly surprised if it is $400. If you complain when you turn the car in the site manager might be able to adjust it but don't hold your breath. I've argued unsuccessfully that by having the car back they can re-rent it out and make even more money from someone else but no dice.
posted by birdherder at 3:27 PM on January 26, 2010

Ditto on changing to the daily rate. I had a weekend rate for a petit getaway over the summer that had to be cut short. In the end I got charged the day rate, which was higher than what I would have paid had I kept it out the whole weekend.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 3:33 PM on January 26, 2010

Response by poster: Many thanks. I guess I'll go ahead and be honest, then.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:39 PM on January 26, 2010

Would it be possible to just keep the car and return it on time instead of early?
posted by theichibun at 3:41 PM on January 26, 2010

Response by poster: No; it's early only in the sense that it would be earlier than I said it would be returned. As the person I'm renting for would need to catch a flight to return home, the return time is fixed. In any case, the reservation is now made, and truthfully.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:48 PM on January 26, 2010

It depends on the rental agency. In my experience, Hertz will bill you for the week in that scenario, but Enterprise will look at the rate and charge you whatever comes out more.
posted by deadmessenger at 3:49 PM on January 26, 2010

Here's one person's experience with that situation with Hertz.
posted by Neiltupper at 8:42 PM on January 26, 2010

Can you pick up the car early?
posted by gjc at 7:52 AM on January 27, 2010

Response by poster: No; both the arrival and return time are fixed.
posted by ocherdraco at 7:56 AM on January 27, 2010

It depends on the agency.

If they charge you the daily rate, don't hesitate to bargain with them. They are absolutely able to adjust your rate.
posted by Nameless at 12:13 PM on January 27, 2010