Prepay and no show
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: American - Platinum Pro, Marriott - Platinum
Posts: 479
Prepay and no show
Any experiences with an Avis prepay reservation and then a no-show?
I'm talking about a rental worth around $20 for a day. Small chance I might be a no show. Reading the terms and conditions it said $150 no show fee.
If it's really $150, then saving a few bucks on a $20 rental prepay doesn't make sense. I'd rather go for pay at counter rate.
Looking for experiences, thanks!
I'm talking about a rental worth around $20 for a day. Small chance I might be a no show. Reading the terms and conditions it said $150 no show fee.
If it's really $150, then saving a few bucks on a $20 rental prepay doesn't make sense. I'd rather go for pay at counter rate.
Looking for experiences, thanks!
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,360
No personal experience, but I see no reason not to take Avis at its word.
If you cancel the prepaid reservation at least 24 hours in advance, isn't there a lower penalty?
If you cancel the prepaid reservation at least 24 hours in advance, isn't there a lower penalty?
#5
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
Check the Terms and Conditions on your reservation. You should see this text.
As long as you're somewhere with internet access, just log on and chance the reservation to a later date. That way, you can keep the money or possibly cancel it instead of being a no-show.
"Unlike other car rental company or 3rd party websites, an Avis Prepay reservation allows you to make changes at any time, even multiple times, with no fee. Permissible changes include car type, options (GPS, protections, etc.), rental period dates/times and many changes to your rental location."
That just might be your "get out of jail free" card for this situation.As long as you're somewhere with internet access, just log on and chance the reservation to a later date. That way, you can keep the money or possibly cancel it instead of being a no-show.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: American - Platinum Pro, Marriott - Platinum
Posts: 479
Thanks guv1976 for your helpful response. I see this specific prepaid rate 1 day before pickup.
Its only saving me few bucks, but the risk of $150 no-show tells me not to go for it.
You're right - for cancellation before 24 hrs, the penalty is $50. Within the 24 hr window you cannot cancel, and will be hit with $150 if you're a no-show. I doubt if this will be enforced, so was looking for experiences.
Its only saving me few bucks, but the risk of $150 no-show tells me not to go for it.
You're right - for cancellation before 24 hrs, the penalty is $50. Within the 24 hr window you cannot cancel, and will be hit with $150 if you're a no-show. I doubt if this will be enforced, so was looking for experiences.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: American - Platinum Pro, Marriott - Platinum
Posts: 479
Check the Terms and Conditions on your reservation. You should see this text.
As long as you're somewhere with internet access, just log on and chance the reservation to a later date. That way, you can keep the money or possibly cancel it instead of being a no-show.
"Unlike other car rental company or 3rd party websites, an Avis Prepay reservation allows you to make changes at any time, even multiple times, with no fee. Permissible changes include car type, options (GPS, protections, etc.), rental period dates/times and many changes to your rental location."
That just might be your "get out of jail free" card for this situation.As long as you're somewhere with internet access, just log on and chance the reservation to a later date. That way, you can keep the money or possibly cancel it instead of being a no-show.
#8
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,025
Check the Terms and Conditions on your reservation. You should see this text.
As long as you're somewhere with internet access, just log on and chance the reservation to a later date. That way, you can keep the money or possibly cancel it instead of being a no-show.
"Unlike other car rental company or 3rd party websites, an Avis Prepay reservation allows you to make changes at any time, even multiple times, with no fee. Permissible changes include car type, options (GPS, protections, etc.), rental period dates/times and many changes to your rental location."
That just might be your "get out of jail free" card for this situation.As long as you're somewhere with internet access, just log on and chance the reservation to a later date. That way, you can keep the money or possibly cancel it instead of being a no-show.