What happens if your flight is delayed? Car rental pickup explained

Flight delays are already frustrating enough, but what makes it more stressful is when you have a rental car waiting for you at the airport. So many questions come up - Will your reservation be canceled? Will the vehicle still be available? Will you be charged a penalty?

The good news is that many companies have procedures already in place to handle flight delays. To know exactly what happens if your flight is delayed, how car rental pickup works in these situations and what you can do to avoid any problems, continue reading!

Why flight delays affect car rental pickups

Car rental reservations are typically linked to a specific pickup date and time, Right? So basically, all the rental companies use this information to:

• Manage vehicle availability at different locations
• Schedule their staff according to the demand
• Release cars to other customers if someone doesn’t show up

By chance, your flight is delayed and you arrive late, the rental company may treat it as a late car rental pickup or a no-show, depending on the circumstances.

So what exactly happens if your flight is delayed

• If you provided your flight number

  If you are an attentive customer & have correctly entered your flight number during the booking process, (which is highly recommended!), most airport rental locations will:

  • Monitor your flight’s status time to time
  • Hold your reservation even if you arrive late
  • Adjust pickup time based on your actual arrival

  In most cases, your car will still be waiting when you land, especially with major rental brands.

• If you did not provide flight details

  Booking in hurry at the last minute? Or are already consumed with other things in mind that you forget to link your flight details in your reservation? Then be ready to:

  • The supplier may only hold the hired car for a limited grace period of 1 to 2 hours, depending on the supplier's rental terms
  • After that, the car may be released to another customer
  • You could lose your reservation or be assigned a different vehicle

  Yes, this is exactly why some travelers face issues at the counter. You don’t want to be among them? Do you?

Will your reservation be canceled entirely?

Well, some suppliers charge a no-show fee if you don’t arrive within the allowed window and it also depends on the rental company’s policy and your booking type:

• Prepaid reservations are held longer but may still be canceled after a certain time period
• Pay-at-counter reservations are more likely to be marked as a no-show
• Major airport locations are more flexible than off-airport locations

In case you arrive after the rental desk is closed

Our customer support team told us that they face such kind of issues, especially at smaller airports. It happens when you do not inform the supplier about the delay and your flight arrives after the supplier’s business hours.

Chances are that you may not be able to pick up your car until the next day, and sometimes, your reservation could be canceled entirely.

Not informing the supplier may also result in your booking being treated as a no-show. Avoid such situations by:

• Keeping track of the operating hours of your rental location
• Calling the rental provider the moment you know that your flight is delayed & ask about after-hours pickup options
• Choosing companies with 24/7 airport counters whenever it is possible

Will you be charged extra for a late car rental pickup?

In most cases, you will not be charged extra for arriving late due to a flight delay, considering you have correctly entered your flight schedule in your booking. You need to keep in mind:

• Your rental period still starts on the original pickup date
• You may lose rental time but not money
• If the delay causes a same-day cancellation, fees may apply

What if your reserved car rental is no longer available?

If flight delays result in increased demand at the airport, the exact car model you reserved may no longer be available when you arrive at the rental desk. This can happen when vehicles are reassigned to other customers during busy periods.

You need not worry because in these situations, rental companies may:

• Offer a free upgrade to a higher vehicle category
• You get a similar vehicle within the same category
• In rare cases, offer compensation, a partial refund or a discount

Availability issues are more common during peak travel seasons, holidays and at high-traffic airport locations. Arriving on time and notifying the supplier of any delays can help reduce this risk.

Best practices to protect your car rental reservation during a flight delay

• Things work in your favor if you provide your flight number in the booking form. This is the most important step to protect your reservation.
• Well-known brands like Avis, Sixt, National, Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, etc., are generally more flexible with delays, keep them on your priority list when comparing deals.
• Unfortunately, if your flight is delayed by several hours, call the rental counter or customer service. Ask them to note your delayed arrival.
• Choosing a booking platform with flexible cancellation policies is the best thing you can do for such situations.
• Make a point to save your rental supplier’s phone number, as having direct contact can make all the difference during unexpected delays.

At the end, we would like to conclude that flight delays don’t have to spoil your travel plans, but they can complicate your hired vehicle’s pickup process if you are unprepared. By providing accurate flight details, choosing flexible rental options & communicating early with the supplier, you can avoid most issues and collect your vehicle with minimal hassle.

You must understand that a little planning goes a long way in keeping your journey on track, even when your flight doesn’t!

People also ask

• What should I do if my flight is delayed overnight?

  If your flight is delayed overnight, contact your rental supplier as soon as possible. The chances are that your original reservation may be canceled, you may need to rebook at a new rate and the availability is not guaranteed. So it is best to speak to the provider before midnight to discuss all the options.

• Will my car rental be canceled if my flight is delayed?

  In most cases, no, especially if you provided your correct flight number. Most airport rental suppliers track flights and hold reservations for delayed arrivals.

• Is after hours car rental pickup possible if my flight is delayed?

  Yes, after hours car rental pickup may be possible if your flight is delayed, but availability depends on the supplier, airport location and local operating hours. Many major airport car rental providers offer after-hours pickup options or extended service for delayed flights. To avoid cancellation or no-show fees, contact your provider as soon as you know your flight is delayed and confirm whether after-hours pickup is available.

• What is the grace period for car rental if my flight is delayed?

  The grace period for flight delays varies depending on the car rental company, your booking type and the pickup location. Most suppliers allow a limited grace period, typically ranging from 30 minutes to a few hours, after your scheduled pickup time.

  Prepaid reservations are held longer than pay-at-counter bookings, while major airport locations may offer more flexibility. To avoid your reservation being canceled or marked as a no-show, it’s always best to contact the rental supplier as soon as you are aware of a flight delay.