National - No cars available when switching to a shorter rental?

Have a 6-day rental that I want to switch to a 3-day with the same pick up time. The modify reservation screen keeps telling me no cars available when I try and change just the return time. A new reservation for the 3-day period says sold out whereas not for the 6-day. Anyone have any insight on this one?

They are willing to take your money and risk inconveniencing another renter for six days of your money, but not for three. Your rate(s) can be changed if you return the car early.

They are willing to take your money and risk inconveniencing another renter for six days of your money, but not for three. Your rate(s) can be changed if you return the car early.

Which would make sense if the 3-day rental wouldn't be more than the 6. Its out of RDU. A 3-day during the week rental costs more than 6-day as the latter prices at the weekly rate.

The Exec. line realizes its ridiculous but can't do anything about it. Am I better off having it amended at the counter upon renting the car or just returning it early? I have a free day applied if that will influence anything as well.

Which would make sense if the 3-day rental wouldn't be more than the 6. Its out of RDU. A 3-day during the week rental costs more than 6-day as the latter prices at the weekly rate.

The Exec. line realizes its ridiculous but can't do anything about it. Am I better off having it amended at the counter upon renting the car or just returning it early? I have a free day applied if that will influence anything as well.

What happens when you see you can have a car for longer time but not shorter...the city has some event going on or something eating up it's car inventory on the short rental duration. It's called a Minimum Keep Requirement. If you went ahead and booked the 6 day rental, then tried to adjust at the counter...you would end up paying a higher rate at the counter than your booked 6 day rate as you Changed the Parameters of the Booking...completely. Going from (most likely) a weekly rate to a Daily.

Rates are completely driven off specifics provided by the customer at the time the car is booked. The computer generates the Best Rate based on all discounts, car size requested, inventory available, time of arrival and departure. When that is changed upon arrival...the computer starts over and re-creates that equation based on THAT moment in time. It's like a last minute booking. In most cases that means your rate will be higher. In 12 years I've rarely seen it decrease.

So that's the long story of why they show no cars for a three day rental but they do for a 6 day. Sounds crazy, yes. The norm in Rental Car Land...yes....and not just with National.

Best thing to do is book it the way you need it...I know you are telling me you CAN'T. Or...book the longer duration and don't be surprised if you end up possibly paying the same amount of money for the shorter keep.