Originally Posted by
randix
So I have a reservation with Budget to pick up a car at a certain time. Although I've been Fastbreak since Adam & Eve first "did the dance", I haven't rented from Budget in a while. I just called the national Budget number (did reference my particular reservation), and asked a very simple question...
How much time do I have after the stated pickup time on my reservation, to pick up my vehicle under the terms of my reservation?
The customer service rep, without a pause, said quickly, "you have 15 hours". Incredulous, I said, you are saying I have 15 hours after my pickup time to get my car? She said, "yes".
Is that really true? Because IF that is the policy at Budget, I could see all kinds of possibilities in playing with the date and time, when rates are a lot higher one day than another day...
This is not new nor surprising, many other places have a similar policy.
National (IIRC) gives 24 hours after reservation time to collect vehicle. In fact over Thanksgiving over heard the counter reps dealing with at least one customer who had a reservation for prior day but still couldn't get his or her act together. It was getting near closing time and the reps were like if he or she isn't here by then that will be that.
Now as to if National will hold the same rate as original reservation, that is another matter. IIRC they like most will guarantee you'll still get a vehicle if collected within that grace period, but the rate may change.
Likely reason car rental places do this is that they realize things happen, especially with those who are traveling and or on business. Flights are delayed, business appointments changed at last minute and so forth.