Missed your car rental pickup time? Here’s what happens next

Let’s be honest, at some point in our lives, we all have faced flight delays or severe traffic. So what if during such situation you are running late for your rental car pick up and are not able to inform the supplier. What will you do?

Don’t worry, as it happens way more often than you think & car rental companies have policies for this exact scenario. Let’s break down what can happen when you are late, how grace periods work, and what you should know about after hours pickup.

Can you be late to pickup your rental car?

Many car rental companies can adjust for a little lateness. That’s why many of them give a buffer time or a grace period for their customers. However, that flexibility isn’t unlimited.

If you’re just a bit late, things can sort out, but if you disappear for hours without informing your supplier, that’s when problems start.

What is meant by “Grace Period”?

A grace period is extra time after your scheduled pickup when the rental provider continues holding your reserved vehicle without any penalties.

How long is the grace period?

It varies by supplier policies. In most cases, you get a buffer time of 30 minutes to 2 hours. Refer to your booking voucher to know the exact timeline allotted by your supplier.

What happens if you’re late?

Here are the common situations that you can face:

When you are slightly late but within the grace period

If you arrive within the specified buffer time given in your rental contract, your car is still reserved, no extra charges are added to the bill and the pickup process continues normally.

When you arrive very late after the grace period

Your booking will be considered a no-show if you fail to arrive within the specified hours and you don’t notify your provider. In such a case, the reservation may be cancelled, the car could be given to another customer, you might need to rebook at a higher rate and some suppliers can even charge a no show fee.

Why calling ahead makes a huge difference

Communication is really important in order to save your reservation. If you know you’ll be late, just call your supplier directly to extend your hold time, protect your booking, prevent cancellation and even reduce or eliminate no-show fees.

Providers usually cooperate when they exactly know what is going on with you, especially with flight delay rental pickup or unexpected travel issues.

What happens if you miss the out-of-hours car rental pickup

• Look for suppliers who offer out-of-hours service, because not all of them provide this service. Some providers operate within business hours only.
• If your supplier has offered out-of-hours service, you still will most likely get the buffer time of 30 minutes to 2 hours, need to check the correct time in your booking voucher.
• If you know you are getting late:
  • Your pickup is at the airport: provide the correct flight number in your online booking or you can even contact the supplier for the same after your reservation has been confirmed.
  • Your pickup is at off-airport locations: contact your provider beforehand to inform them about your situation. Once this has been done, the further process will depend entirely on the provider’s procedures, availability & local conditions.
  • Look for online check-in, if it is available, then go for it!
• FYI, some suppliers, especially at the airport locations, are available 24/7, so the out-of-hours thing is out of question.

Will you be charged if you miss pickup time?

Possibly, you can be charged a fee if you miss your pickup time without informing the supplier. Charges are dependent on:

• Whether the booking was prepaid
• How late you were
• If the rental was marked as a no-show
• The company’s cancellation policy

To know the exact charges, read the rental terms carefully to save money.

How to avoid missing your car rental pickup

Here are some quick steps you can always take to never miss your pickup time:

• Choose a pickup time after your flight lands
• Go for airport locations for late arrivals
• It is a must to save the rental office phone number
• Call as soon as delays happen
• Avoid prepaid bookings if your schedule is uncertain

Common queries

• Can I pick up a rental car after business hours?

  Only if the rental supplier offers after hours pickup. This has to be arranged in advance and can come with an additional fee. Otherwise, you may need to wait until the office reopens the next day. You can contact your provider to know the exact details.

• Will I lose my car rental reservation if I arrive late?

  Not always. If you arrive within the grace period given by your supplier or call ahead to let them know your situation, your reservation is usually safe. If you don’t show up or fail to communicate, the booking can be cancelled.

• Are airport car rentals more flexible with late pick-ups?

  In most cases, yes. Airport locations typically operate longer hours and deal with flight delays regularly, which can make them more flexible compared to city locations. However, for small airports, you will have to confirm the operating hours of your rental provider.

• Can I change my car rental pickup time if I know I’ll be late?

  You cannot change the pickup time yourself if you know that you’ll be late. Inform your rental supplier as soon as possible to figure a way out.