Other Car Rental Programs (ie. Alamo, Enterprise) - Just how picky is Alamo about early returns?

I have a great rate on a rental out of MCO for 12/3-12/7. However, to get this rate, I had to play with the pickup and drop off times slightly. I have the rental from 1pm on Saturday to 4pm on Wednesday. In reality, our flight times probably will require us to pick up the car about a half and hour late, and drop it off about half and hour early. So all told, we will have the car for 1 hour less than the rental agreement. However, if I put my actual times into the reservation, the rate goes way up. So, will Alamo honor my rate if I'm just a little off on the times?

I have a great rate on a rental out of MCO for 12/3-12/7. However, to get this rate, I had to play with the pickup and drop off times slightly. I have the rental from 1pm on Saturday to 4pm on Wednesday. In reality, our flight times probably will require us to pick up the car about a half and hour late, and drop it off about half and hour early. So all told, we will have the car for 1 hour less than the rental agreement. However, if I put my actual times into the reservation, the rate goes way up. So, will Alamo honor my rate if I'm just a little off on the times?

I can't imagine they would try to ding you for this. In terms of picking up late, your flight could easily be this late - if you are worried call them and tell them your flight is delayed just before you board and tell them you will, in fact, pick up the car.

Be careful that you don't have a weekly rate or anything similar with a minimum keep. Alamo is one that has been reported to be strict about repricing weekly cars returned early (and often to a high base rate, not the discount daily you otherwise might have gotten).

Be careful that you don't have a weekly rate or anything similar with a minimum keep.

I played with these dates & times and see the same thing. It calls them both weekly rates.

I was once refused a weekend rate because I was two hours early. I supposed they have a grace period, but I don't know what it is. My guess is that you'll be ok, particularly if you have a printout of the reservation; but I wouldn't be sure. And the higher rate here doesn't look that bad, to me.

Thanks for the advice all! Alamo had a better deal last night for a midsize with my correct times for only $4 more. So moot point now! All things considered I think I would be willing to pay a little more for the peace of mind that I won't get fleeced!

Last summer I booked a car rental for a friend who was staying with us in Hawaii but he was leaving early and he only needed the car for 2.5 days. If I put the 2.5 days he needed the car to get a quote from Alamo I would get a price close to $300 if I put a whole week I would get a price in the $150 range. I booked him the full week and he returned it early. He got charged the full week and was even credited the daily taxes back for the remaining days. I don't think Alamo has a problem with this I mean they now technically charged someone the whole week, the person only rented is half the week and they can charge again for the car in the same week.

Also when choosing the pickup times no car rental company is going to expect you to have it perfectly. I personally usually give them a time earlier by a few hours and always put the return time the same time on what ever day I return it.

I know you made another reservation I just posted this as future information for others.